There are some quirks that take some getting used to when first using W8. The largest one of these for the home user is the lack of flash support in the Metro browser. For me this is really not a big deal as I understand the work around, but I handed over my laptop to my wife and said go visit HULU and she was completely lost. Tried the same thing with my mother and had the same issue. This is an easy fix for Microsoft, but must be fixed or they risk losing the mom and pop base. Simply either turn on flash in Metro, or auto open the desktop version if flash is detected. A simple fix, but one that will cause enormous problems with non techie users.

What’s worse is Microsoft itself is clueless, when you go to the video store there is a big ad for 21 Jump Street’s site. Guess what, it does not work with Metro IE. For me no big deal, but still an unnecessary extra step. For my wife, impossible to navigate.

Second if you have not got your Microsoft account perfectly set up, and I do mean perfectly there can be some problems. Hotmail does not work on my system, nor do the backup and restore from SkyDrive stuff. Why? Well I have had my live mail account for 11 years and there was an 11 year old phone number on there, guess how they verify your new computer.. you guessed it, from a text to your phone which you can not change if you do not have access to that phone anymore, and since the laptop I set up Windows 8 on was my “trusted computer” it is no longer recognized so I must wait 30 days to change it by deleting all my contact info from the MSFT servers. Brilliant setup there.

The other quirk is the lack of 50-50 support in metro apps, this makes it impossible for me to keep two useful sized windows open at once. I love researching in one window while typing in the other. That cannot be done in Metro. Unless you can type and do layout in a 30% window. So I find myself in the classic desktop 90% of the time and with no start menu, everything I do requires an extra step. I have to mouse to the lower corner, open the Metro UI, scroll to find the app I want and open it there. If it’s a desktop app, no problem as now I can resize it in the classic interface and go on working. If it is a Metro app, I now have to switch back and forth from Metro to the Classic interface to work with multiple programs. This is a nightmare in general and once again an easy fix. Run Windows classic apps in a window within Metro. Maybe this can be a third party add on, but without 50-50 support it may still not work well for working within.

Unless MS has lost their mind completely and has decided to cast off the entire business/corporate customer base, there has to be a Windows 8 "Professional" version, suitable for the desktop environment, sans the Metro interface or at least something that allows corporate or power desktop users to switch it off to work and back on for fun stuff.

There is also a lot positive about the experience from a consumer point of view, The Metro tiles are useful and informative, the Metro apps look beautiful in general. Honestly this operating system works much better than iOS in a touch environment and I love my iPad, but am looking forward to a win8pad when they become available.

Windows 8 is snappy and much faster than Windows 7 on the same device as well so there is a lot that Microsoft is doing right here.

The quirks are not enough for me to not want to keep trying and see what workarounds I find for the above noted problems, but my wife and mother will not ever be able to get around the flash issues and that’s a shame as MSFT has the right idea here as flash is dying, but they are just a couple of years early. Put flash back into Metro in x86 editions and disable it in ARM for now and let the market come to you first. Consumers use their hardware for HULU, Crackle and the like and until you get those sites to switch to HTML5, you cannot make it this hard for your base to use your product.

We will report further after some more extensive testing, but the early thoughts are that this is a fantastic tablet operating system and a quite good desktop system where multiple monitors mitigate a lot of the problems with task switching, but leaves a lot to be desired in a laptop operating environment when used for business tasks.

Microsoft’s strategy is for a unified OS across PC;s and tablets both running the same services and apps and they will both have their settings and current work updated across all devices that are connected to a Live account.

Suddenly we are computing on a whole new level where your work on your PC at work can be worked on on the way home on your tablet and picked right back up at home on your desktop. The same goes for whatever movie you may be watching or applications you may be working in. The possibilities are quite endless. ALL native Windows 8 apps will have space at Microsoft’s Live servers to save their state and current work products, so as you log out of your tablet and into your home computer you can just pick right up where you left off.

This is a complete change in the modern computing paradigm and quite a step beyond anything you would think of Microsoft, it almost seems very Steve Jobs like only without the lock ins. 

Now granted this is all based on some very early looks, but if Microsoft can deliver, the tortoise may just catch the hare….. again.

Read entire review.

Video of the devices in action

Coming this fall and we cant wait to get our hands on them

Read more at the sony blog

We use the windows version and it is fantastic. Get your free copy today.

Screenshot:

How to Get MacX Video Converter Pro for Free

Go to the Giveaway Page at: http://www.macxdvd.com/mac-video-converter-pro/

1. For Mac users, download the full version of MacX Video Converter Pro by click "Download for Mac" button, and use the license code: AY-DSJGNKY-6E7E777

2. For Windows users, download the full version of MacX HD Video Converter Pro for Windows by click "Download for Windows" button, and use the license code: BO-UMUJUMYT-FBOBXO

Enjoy your free software!

As long as you’re running iPhone OS 3.1.3 or have an iPod Touch, you should be able to run Netflix. If you’ve used Netflix on the iPad, the experience is similar here, just smaller. Lots smaller. You can view all the movies you’ve added to your streaming queue, and search for more video content to watch right from your phone should you have some kind of tiny device fetish and eyes a lot better than mine.

Sponsor Link
Visa Prepaid RushCard 
FREE Direct Deposit, Online Pay Bills, Get Cash from ATM’s, Guaranteed Approval!

Via CrunchGear

We’re big fans of Microsoft’s latest OS, but we’re bigger fans of making Windows better–so we’ve rounded up the best Windows 7 downloads. They’ll let you customize it in any way possible, give it features that Microsoft removed or neglected to include, and more. So get ready to download–you’re about to take Windows 7 to a new level

The Best Windows 7 Downloads

The iPad will change the way you use computers, read books, and watch TV—as long as you’re willing to do it the Steve Jobs way….more

Canon EOS 40D Review

This review is unlike most you have seen, this is a summary based on 227 Canon EOS 40D camera reviews from a wide range of buyers and users. Experience ranged from novices to serious amateurs to freelance photo-journalists and professional photographers. This will give you a much better idea of what to think about the Canon EOS 40D

Virtually all of the buyers were upgrading from other cameras. Some were upgrading from point and shoots. Some were upgrading from older film cameras. Many were upgrading from other Canon cameras such as the 10D, 20D, 30D or Digital Rebel. There were also some buyers making the transition from Nikon, citing a better lens selection for Canons. This we find rather interesting as usually when one picks either the Nikon or Canon line, people tend to stick with it so they do not have to replace all of their lenses. In this case though many appear to be making the switch even with the additional costs of replacement lenses.

Canon EOS 40D Camera Review: The Good

Image Quality. 85 buyers were most impressed with the sharp images and brilliant colors they were able to capture with this camera. Many compared them to cameras costing much more.

Speed. 67 buyers raved about the speed at which the camera was able to start up, shoot images and shut down. They particularly like the 6.5 frames-per-second rate allowing them to capture sequences and fast-action shots that previously eluded them. It also allowed them to capture extra portrait images to compensate for photos wrecked by closed eyes when people blink. One buyer noted that the large buffer allows for about 75 images taken non-stop at the 6.5 FPS rate. Another buyer noted that photos could be taken continuously when the camera was set at the 3 FPS rate.

User Friendly. 60 buyers commented on the intuitive controls. Those who were new to digital SLRs reported they could take great photos right out of the box with the controls set on automatic. More experienced users like the tabbed menu system which enables them to quickly find the settings they want. Buyers also like the software which allows for easy uploads to either Macs or PC’s and its compatibility with MS Vista.

Good Ergonomics. 56 buyers loved the “feel” of the Canon EOS 40D camera in their hands. They said the size and weight was just right… and it felt perfectly balanced, making it a joy to use.

3″ LCD Screen. 52 buyers specifically like the screen which is both larger and brighter than previous cameras they had owned. It makes viewing images and control settings much easier, especially in bright sunlight.

Bargain Price. 40 buyers liked the price of the Canon EOS 40D camera. They made comments like “professional quality at a reasonable price” or “best value they had ever seen”. One buyer noted that it was less expensive than the Canon 10D camera he bought five years ago.

Live View. 38 buyers commented on the live view feature, which allows 100% of the scene to be viewed from the LCD screen. Some noted that it was particularly useful when shooting in a crowd with your arms extended overhead or down low at ground level. Others liked using this feature with their tripods.

Versatility. 33 buyers were impressed with all the high-end functions and features on the Canon EOS 40D camera. Buyers especially liked the fact they can create custom settings for the types of photos they take frequently.

View Finder. 28 buyers reported that the view finder was both bigger and brighter than previous models. Buyers also like the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed settings were all displayed in the viewfinder. One buyer commented that this virtually eliminated shooting photos with the wrong settings.

EF 28 – 135 IS Standard Zoom Lens. 22 buyers thought this was a good utility or “walking around” lens. They like it for the image stabilizing feature and also for the big savings they get when they buy the kit.

Sensor Cleaning. 14 buyers commented favorably on the sensor cleaning mechanism which activates automatically when the Canon EOS 40D camera starts up or shuts down. One buyer mentioned this would minimize or eliminate having to send his camera off for cleaning. Another buyer liked the feature but preferred the manual setting which allows him to activate the cleaning function as needed.

1600 ISO 14 buyers mentioned the low noise at high ISO settings.

Autofocus. 13 buyers like the autofocus, commenting that it was faster and more accurate than previous models.

Good Battery. 10 buyers commented on the long life of the Lithium Ion battery that comes with the Canon EOS 40D camera.

Quality Construction. Nine buyers mentioned the solid magnesium body and what an improvement it is over plastic cameras they had owned. Other buyers mentioned the sound design of the battery and storage compartment doors.

Shutter Sound. Eight buyers liked the smooth and quiet sound of the mechanism taking images.

Other features buyers liked included the built-in flash, the second LCD screen on top of the camera, the chord for previewing images on your TV, and the manual which is provided in both English and Spanish.

Canon EOS 40D Camera Review: The Bad

LCD Resolution. 11 buyers had issues with the 3” screen. Some felt that it was too hard to see in bright sunlight, some didn’t like the smudges left on the screen by their nose or face, and some didn’t like the resolution.

EF 28 – 135 IS Standard Zoom Lens. Eight buyers didn’t like the kit lens. Mostly, they recommended going with one from the Canon “L” series instead.

Size. Six buyers said the camera was too big and/or too heavy.

Control Layout. Five buyers didn’t like the location of the on/off switch or other controls.

Poor Packing. Four buyers were not happy with the way the Canon EOS 40D camera was packed for shipping. They didn’t report any damage, but they said there should have been more packing material between the inner and outer boxes.

Poor Auto White Balance. Four buyers felt that the auto white balance wasn’t what it should be. However, one mentioned the white balance was fine when set manually.

Compatibility Issue. Three early buyers reported that some Adobe and Apple software didn’t support the raw image files from this camera. Another buyer reported the problems have since been solved with software updates from both Adobe and Apple.

No Remote Firing. Three buyers mentioned they wish the Canon EOS 40D camera had wireless infrared firing, like they had with other cameras.

Weak Manual. Three buyers felt the manual was poor and recommended the purchase of a third party book or DVD for better instruction.

Repairs Needed. Two of the 227 buyers reported that repairs were needed, but were covered by the warranty.

Other features that one or two buyers had issues with included: image quality, the menu system, too much noise at the higher ISO settings, poor auto-focus, inadequate flash, poor battery charge meter, and the fact that the viewfinder is not 100%. One buyer also felt the price was too high.

Canon EOS 40D  – The Bottom Line

Overall, the vast majority of buyers love their Canon EOS 40D camera. Of the 227 buyers, 93 percent gave it a four or five-star rating. Accessories recommended by some buyers include a 4GB memory card and a Canon Speedlite 580 EX ll flash attachment.