<Date: 2009-09-23>
<Author: Imran>
<Category: Microsoft>
MKV container support has almost always been neglected by media companies for playback. Most of the times, you need to install a codec package which can provide more issues than functionality or you have to rely on the ever useful VLC Player. While Windows 7 provides support for a lot of video formats, MKV was left behind. DivX has stepped up to provide native playback support for MKV files in Windows 7 through DivX Tech Preview. Read more...
Permalink: DivX Tech Preview Lets You Play MKV Files in Windows 7
<Date: 2009-06-10>
<Author: Imran>
<Category: Microsoft>
I’ve been reading a lot of blogs and tweets lately on how Zune HD is Microsoft’s reply to iPod Touch. Even some people from Microsoft have been labeling it as an iPod Touch killer, which is totally ridiculous. Just because it has a browser and multi-touch, doesn’t mean it falls in the same category of devices as Touch. It is more of a competitor to Sony Walkman and Samsung’s PMP than the iPod Touch. Here are my reasons:
( keep in mind this list is subject to the announcement of any possible app store for Zune HD and other feature announcements)
1. App Store
Sure, it’s called an iPod. But it’s not just a device made for listening to music and watching videos. It works with almost all of the (approximately) 50,000 applications in the App Store, which as Apple says it, ‘Solve life’s dilemma’s, one application at a time’. It’s very difficult to compete with that. Microsoft might have to start from scratch if they decide not to bring Windows Mobile Marketplace to Zune HD. Even if they do, the developer support for App Store is very strong and a force to reckon with.
2. User Interface
Look at the UI of an iPod Touch and then look at the one on a Zune HD. Which one looks more suited to applications? The UI on Zune HD doesn’t even look as if it has been made keeping any sort of application support in mind. Heck, it doesn’t even have a clock! If somehow it does, a user will have to dig deep into sub menus. ‘More’ seems to be the only place where they might have applications or games. I might be wrong and the final UI could change but at the moment, it looks far from giving the iPod Touch a run for its money. Read more...
Permalink: 6 reasons why the Zune HD is no competition for iPod Touch
<Date: 2009-05-25>
<Author: Imran>
<Category: Windows Media Center>
These videos are from Microsoft’s Emerging Filmmakers Project made by students. “A Key Moment”, “Singing Antenna”, "Sports with Windows" and "TV+PC=Love" were some videos made for Windows Media Center by students involved in that project.
A Key Moment
This video has a key singing about Windows Media Center which turns into pleading to give it a try half way in between and ends with recommending Windows Vista. Begging people to use Vista and Windows Media Center? You be the judge. Read more...
Permalink: Microsoft’s Emerging Filmmakers Project videos for Windows Media Center
