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One look at the future of computing from Microsoft, circa 2018-2023

Here’s a link to Microsoft’s video of what the future could look like 5-10 years from now.

Wouldn’t it be cool if we could pick up a can of screen paint at the home improvement store just as we have chalk board paint today?

What’s interesting to me: you don’t see a beige box or traditional personal computer (save the ones with the traditional phone-format and tablet), nor a logo or set of tiled windows. (I did spot one Windows logo on the tablet in the video.)

Mark Wilson offers his own interesting thought (not that I agree) in his post over on Fast Company that this one vision of the future is trapped in a box…

“Microsoft, this video is not the future… Even Apple, the company that owes most of its success to these magic, touchable rectangles, is already moving on from the paradigm [his ref to his post about Apple’s reported forthcoming iWatch], easing the consumer into a world where hardware enables naturalistic gestures that keep us in tune with our surroundings.”

Hmmm… seems that the points raised in the video place even more emphasis on how ubiquitous hardware that melts into the background. The computer – no, the technology of the future – emerges from table tops, and responds back to you in a familiar voice enables natural gestures of showing, sharing, as well as asking and responding verbally. Who’s to say what it looks like outside the home and how you take it with you? Likely the subject of more interesting clips to come from the looking glass. It’s interesting to see how much has come to fruition since this look way back in 2009, and even 2011.

I can imagine that some prior art may be referenced Harry Potter by the good folks at Hogwarts, in the living paintings that seem to virtually span beyond the edge of the frame. 😉

Additional reading: Microsoft’s View of the Future Workplace is Brilliant, Here’s Why – Forbes http://onforb.es/Ltbf9p

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Consumers and Enterprise: every customer is a consumer

The other day I read something that made me think: “Microsoft earnings report show the future of the company: Enterprises first, consumers last.”

“… the way to the enterprise often first goes through consumers. But more and more, Microsoft will be a company dependent on sales to big businesses, not consumers”

Certainly we also understand acutely that there’s strong growth and strong momentum in our enterprise business.  I don’t think anyone at the company denies that, nor the success in our online, services and entertainment businesses.

But at the heart of the discussion, every customer is a consumer.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve discussed this (really, I can’t, due to my NDA 😉 in my work on customer and partner satisfaction. With a nod to the article above, customers in the enterprise space are certainly influenced by their consumer experiences. (Heck, I’ve also blogged openly about my own experiences as a customer here, here and here).

Mary Jo Foley wrote in 2010 how Microsoft had “established its reputation as an enterprise software/services vendor. It’s trying to be a consumer one, too, and is spending money on retail ads, brick-and-mortar stores and viral marketing campaigns to try to gain more mind share there.”

I think she might note that today, we are a consumer company by virtue of our efforts and offerings in PCs with Windows 7, Windows Phone, Windows Live, Office, Xbox and more. All in addition to our new products like Surface, Windows 8 and now Office 2013, which illustrate how the company provides both strong platforms along with great software and services for consumers and enterprises. And certainly consumer experiences influence other decisions. Our competitors understand this, and our customers understand this. And I believe we understand this as well.

Our Enterprise team in their post earlier this month on mobile and the future entertainment about the concerted effort to help entertainment content and experiences “travel seamlessly across devices and that those devices should work together.” Groups working across many groups in Microsoft to develop and create new and innovative experiences across various consumer screens and smart devices (like TVs, Phones, PCs and Surfaces), for both consumer, enterprises, and the blurred line we see in BYOD and COIT.

In Frank Shaw’s post this week on Binary Diffusion, he writes…

“We don’t discount the challenges – the strength of our competitors, the rise of mobile computing, questions around the company’s ability to sustain growth when PC sales are slow – and I’m sure there are a few more others might add. :)”

I think I’d add we are a consumer company. Heck, Microsoft is one of the top brands period, just as I read here and read today on techvibes.

(Full disclosure: I wrote this the other night but only posted it today as I wanted to include a link)

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Shuttle rides, waiting for meetings, and other places: articles and posts I’ve read

On Shuttle rides, my WindowsPhone keeps me in touch and busy… And it tells me where my next ride is. What it allows me to do is to catch up on articles of interest and Tweet or post about what I’m reading. (And when I’m waiting in someone’s office for their meeting and I know they’re on Twitter, they can see I’m waiting for them… if they subscribe to my posts 😉 With work, I’ve had less time to blog publicly: that’s a choice, particularly as I’ve been busier than ever the last few months. (And, some would argue that unless you have something of interest to say, keep it to yourself.)

But on the last shuttle ride today, I ran into a friend from another side of the campus, who asked if I was “still keeping up that blogging thing. I enjoyed your weekly reading list.”

OK, so to kick off the blog and my Commitment to step up my game in 2013, here’s an installment of “What I’ve read” recently, and posted about on Twitter. You can find a complete list on my twitter stream and in my favourites.

Via @EverythingMS: Teenagers: Apple no longer cool, Microsoft Surface is in https://t.co/V47nAvKp

Having great mentors, cabinet helps https://t.co/NEhyXpuF link

Several slim PCs to choose from. My wife has a sleek model from Samsung https://t.co/av6GonU5 link

Via @_craigk: You can put this reality distortion field in my living room right over…there. #IllumiRoom https://t.co/HaJrhYWb

Via @Competia: Reading: Why entitled millennials and their enabling boomer parents just can’t quit each other https://t.co/olghOhcK link

Via @CNET: The best new gadgets at #CES in every category https://t.co/2uytGNKi

Via @zephoria: I’m glad to see the @nytimes pay homage to @aaronsw’s accomplishments and struggles: https://t.co/mQiWT43M
link

Via @guardian: The inside story of how David Bowie made The Next Day https://t.co/3koCRESC  (via @GuardianMusic)

Via @BradSmi: Spoke @enterpriseSEA event #EFCSeattle Need for change w/ #STEM edu & high-skilled immigration reform https://t.co/q8OnZpxW

To @tom_peters five minutes… then lather, rinse and repeat? Excellence as a habit comes with consistency and repetition link

Via @marypcbuk: Oracle must up its security game. With widespread adoption comes Spiderman levels of responsibility https://t.co/TwlEGHgl link

Via @ForbesTech: XBox is winning the living room wars. Here’s why. https://t.co/t2H3eHpY  #ForbesGreatestHits

Usually, Big Bird at an event is a plus: @deantak has five weirdest things @VentureBeat saw at #CES2013 https://t.co/2yN9QQ0i

This Isn’t the Petition Response You’re Looking For: @whitehouse comments on the Deathstar petition https://t.co/2xjLeA9q

Via @wmpoweruser: Evernote for Windows Phone updated, business features added https://t.co/ZBKdlLs6

Via @SFGate: U.S. government tells computer users to disable Java. https://t.co/rNSs2IQE

Via @mahoekst: Windows Phone 8 security overview https://t.co/4TwGJxQH  Nice read! #wpnl #wpdev

The 100 Days Project and a Definition of Creativity via @erinjo https://t.co/f7Hv6gbb

Weekend reading: make time for “The Anti Meeting Culture” by @docjamesw https://t.co/jBfbuO8I

Disruptive Trends to Watch in 2013 via @HarvardBiz https://t.co/fgRVd7bX

Via @aaronecarroll: Me over at @CNNOpinion: America flunks its health exam https://t.co/EdiRgfPO

I asked presenters to describe issues to their audience as if talking to a 5-yr old. Now I tell them to explain as @neiltyson would (link to the tweet)

Via @nytimesbits: Information Technology Dividends Outpace All Others https://t.co/IcXQ9NDH

Via @On_MS_Products: Tablets started out as a consumer business priority but that’s changing quickly https://t.co/gpPbU3ZF

Via @geekwire: Microsoft: Big possibilities for IllumiRoom technology https://t.co/TZ1nAovV

Via @VisualStudio: Really good Info for Windows 8 apps: a lot of icons are available out of the box – https://t.co/c0dlSYvK

Via @CNET: At #CES, two HP laptops do Windows 8 right https://t.co/hX7OCBBr  #2013CES

Via @MicrosoftEMEA: Steve Clayton shares why natural user interface is much more than touch and gesture https://t.co/aTllmxTR

Via @wired: Recent Top Stories: CES Day 3: Curved TVs, Handheld Microscopes and Tablets Big and Small https://t.co/Sz3LifHe

Via @ryanday: More than 1/3 XBox Users Engage With Interactive Ads: https://t.co/1Wvkks9p  @MSAdvertising

Via @KevinRemde: TechNet Radio: Cloud Innovators: How Datacastle uses Windows Azure to Protect Business Data : https://t.co/87kZTuqx

Pogue on the Microsoft Surface Pro: “it changes the game”… “a home run” – https://t.co/DtGLJ6JJ

Via @CNET: Lenovo’s 27-inch Horizon Table PC walked away with a #BOCA for best PC at #CES. Here’s why: https://t.co/mxAbsjCE

Via @bizspark: What’s the difference between Azure and AWS? https://t.co/maG1Qjcw

Via @edbott: Odd. Not a single mention of Gorilla Arm in this @pogue post: https://t.co/cdD5laIK

Reading “Brussels takes tough stance on Google” in @ FinancialTimes https://t.co/A0FwBfyf

Reading: @clairesuddath @BW writes about something I know well and need: Rejection Therapy https://t.co/6MKLwE8I 😉

Via @whymicrosoft that should be: how we help #parents create a #healthy computing environment for their #kids: https://t.co/fYFOXglj

Via @sylviebarak: Video: Intel’s CES press conference highlights: https://t.co/ftRdAssB  via @eetimes

Via @DrRez: New Post from Lync team Blog: Client Side Recording: Lync 2013. #Lync #UC #Microsoft https://t.co/3LTGgAVW

Tags: articles, what I read, twitter.

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Microsoft Windows December 2012 Updates for Daylight Saving Time and Time Zones

The latest cumulative update for supported Microsoft’s Windows operating systems addressing daylight saving time and time zone changes is now available on the Microsoft Download Center. This update supersedes and replaces older updates released previously as noted in the full Knowledge Base article, namely KB 2756822 released in October. All additional time zone changes released as hotfixes after the update 2756822 are incorporated into this update.

It contains the following changes:

  • Bahia Standard Time: Starting in 2012, Bahia Standard Time will no longer have DST.
  • Azores Standard Time: Changes reflect the end of DST on October 28, 2012 for Azores Standard Time. These changes were released as KB2769756.  This update includes the changes for DST for Azores Standard Time in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. Additionally, this update includes the changes found in KB2769756. The new rules for DST for 2013 and onwards were released as part the October 2012 cumulative time zone update in KB2756822.
  • Fiji Standard Time: The government of Fiji has announced new DST rules for 2012 through 2013. DST starts at 2:00 A.M. on Sunday October 21, 2012 and ends at 3:00 A.M. on Sunday January 20, 2013. This update applies to Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and down. Additionally, the changes that are included in the October 2012 cumulative time zone update that is described in KB2756822 are found in this update.
  • Jordan Standard Time: Changes the UTC offset for Jordan Standard Time from (UTC+2) to (UTC+3). Therefore, the display name of the time zone is changed to (UTC+03:00) Amman. From 2013 onwards, Jordan Standard Time will no longer have DST.

So what should you do to make sure that your computers are ready for the change?

Most applications and services reference the underlying Windows operating system for their date and time related rules, with some exceptions. We outline the various software updates to select Microsoft products (including various releases of the Microsoft Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office and other applications) on the Microsoft Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center. There, we have information and links to updates for various products in mainstream and extended support affected by this change, as well as other various changes to DST offsets and time zones around the world.

If you use Microsoft Update on your PC at home, chances are you’re already covered. The latest update from October may already be installed on your PC if you have turned on Automatic Update in Windows. This ensures you’ll get the latest security and other important updates from Microsoft automatically. If you’re not sure if the update has been applied, visit the Microsoft Update site for more information.

If someone manages your network at work, it’s likely the needed updates are schedule to be deployed to your computers and devices, if they haven’t been installed already.

For IT professionals managing PCs, servers and Microsoft software installations, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/time for more details. Also, visit the support websites of any other software companies to see if you need to apply any updates. It’s not just Microsoft software that may require updates. Additionally, for the change in Russia, we provide specific details and guidance in country at http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cp_dst/ru.

While Microsoft’s Services infrastructure will be updated to reflect DST changes, it’s important that your computers — both clients and servers that interact with these services — also have the latest Windows cumulative updates for DST and time zone changes applied in order to ensure data integrity.

As always, thanks to the good folks in Windows and those across the company working to help manage time… especialy the number of daylight saving time and time zone changes that come in from various corners of the world. You can find this and much more documented over at http://www.microsoft.com/time and over on the Windows blog at http://blogs.technet.com/dst2007.

 

Tags: Windows, Microsoft, Daylight Saving Time, Daylight Savings Time, RSS, DST.

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It’s Time To Fall Back An Hour in the US and Canada: Daylight Saving Time Ends This Sunday

Drawing of a man holding back the hands of a clock with the caption "You can't stop time"

How quickly time flies, seems like just yesterday we were Springing Forward (way back on Sunday, March 11). Yes, it’s that time again if you’ll pardon the pun, to fall back in much of the Northern Hemisphere.

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 2:00AM local time in much of the U.S and Canada, except in parts of the countries (including Hawaii and Arizona). For some folks in my old home north of the boarder, Daylight Saving Time means most Canadians will get an extra hour of sleep. Our friends in much of Europe have already bid goodbye, adieu, auf wiedersehen, gesundheit, farewell to European Summer Time, as they fall back on the last Sunday in October each year. (Not to worry, they’ll get back up and Spring forward again on the last Sunday in March.) For our friends in Russia, I’m not sure what the next few months will bring given the back and forth we’ve seen in the country in regard to policies, but safe to assume for now there is a state of détente in the Federation.

You can read more than you’ll ever want to know about DST here and on our official Microsoft Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center at http://www.microsoft.com/time. DST in much of the US and Canada ends in accordance with the US Department of Energy’s Energy Policy Act of 2005 that was passed into law. DST ends later than it did prior to 2007, on the first Sunday of November; more details on the new DST start and end times can be found here). This results in a new DST period that is approximately three to four weeks longer than in past years.

Also important to note, but often ignored: the switch to daylight saving time also means the time zone suffix changes in North America, now using Daylight Time: for example, Pacific Standard Time is now Pacific Daylight Time (aka PDT). The other time zones move to Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), Central Daylight Time (CDT), and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

National Geographic has a very interesting article on “Daylight Saving Time – Why and When Does It End” (including a very cool photo of the display model of the inner workings of a clock at the China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing). As you may know (especially if you’re geek familiar with my woefully ignored blog – been busy!) the quite historical Benjamin Franklin pioneered the daylight saving time, as noted in David Prerau’s book Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time. And of course, you’re likely much too young to recall the move by the U.S. Government in the 1970s to extend DST (back when the price of gas jumped nearly 50% to about 55 cents a gallon in the States)…

“During the 1973-74 Arab oil embargo, the U.S. once again extended daylight saving time through the winter, resulting in a one percent decrease in the country’s electrical load, according to federal studies cited by Prerau.”

“OK, that’s all nice and such, but what do I need to do besides set my kitchen clock back an hour?”

As I noted in this article, Microsoft strongly recommends that DST and time zone updates be installed on all affected systems, devices and applications to ensure consistency with current DST rules and time zone settings worldwide. Customers should review the product updates available and posted on this site and at http://support.microsoft.com/gp/dst_prodlist for the latest and updated information of Microsoft products affected by daylight saving time.

Here’s more coverage on DST this year from Bing News.

On a personal note, remember to keep things in perspective. Time is a precious thing. Never waste it…

Have a good weekend, and don’t keep too much of that Halloween candy around. As noted here, you can thank candy makers for some of the politics behind DST.

Tags: Microsoft, Daylight Saving Time, Daylight Savings Time, DST.

References to DST on Bing: 1,700,000.

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