Rumors of Windows 8 Ultrabook

We have all heard rumors of a joint Intel/Microsoft specification, with Intel providing the innards and Microsoft providing software and the casing. After all the hype from the iPad, Microsoft is making a supposed comeback with an Ultrabook. This time around, Intel will hopefully be having a stronger hand to play.  A few bits and pieces are to be replaced:

Smaller Cheaper Atom Processors instead of upscale Smartphone processors

Better micro architecture

Better Sensor devices

4GB DRAM

The all-important Windows 8

With next week’s final Microsoft CES keynote, we will be able to see a demonstration of the Windows 8 beta (not the current technology preview), although, the Windows 8 Ultrabook will not be covered in this unfortunately. We can expect to find out about the Intel Core i5 uses in their consecutive products. Now the only question left to ask is: Where will the Microsoft Windows 8 Ultrabook land in the markets?

 

Goodbye Internet Explorer 6

We all know what Internet Explorer is, but we don’t use it anymore thanks to the introductions of Firefox and the ever popular Chrome.  In less than a year, the United States has joined some other fellow countries in dropping below the 1% IE6 usage.  Last March, the IE6 countdown website was started by Microsoft so everyone could track it’s time until its final demise.

We are still waiting for China, Japan, and South Korea to stop being stubborn and finally update. Facebook is taking even better steps into the death of IE6, as their new Timeline app will not work on less than IE7.

Internet Explorer had better start making some big steps, or just back down quickly, because Chrome and Firefox are taking a lot of its market share with Firefox well in the lead at the moment. For the time being, Internet Explorer’s other iterations are still top dog in browsing, but it’s peers are catching up rather quickly.

 

More patents for Google?

According the BBC, Google has purchased 187 new patents and 36 apps.  IBM has apparently been “handing” out patents, including those that focus on social networking, mobile tech, and identifying similarities for users. In September last year, Google purchased over 1,000 patents from IBM.

Google said they are making a huge bid for Nortel products as well.  Expect them to make a bid to buy the company.  Also, Microsoft and Apple have teamed up to buy patents from Novell, along with Oracle and EMC, though there are worries that the deal will jeopardize the ability of open source software such as Linux.  So the question is why is IBM being so free and open with their patents?

Summaries contributed by Staff Social Media Writer Scott M. Iliff.  Scott can be reached at scott@indianatechgroup.com.