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Changes to Microsoft’s Hotmail coming Oct 3

by André Vittorio

Published on: September 28, 2011

Categories: Microsoft

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We’ve got some exciting news for Hotmail users. The thing is, Microsoft is planning a Hotmail press event in October to which it has invited New York and San Francisco press and analysts and we have a hunch that the event is going to be all about the introduction of a new version of Microsoft’s Web-based e-mail service. And maybe it’ll be HTML5-based too – one that will offer offline access!

The invitation to the October 3 event involving Hotmail doesn’t say much. It just reads, ““We listened. We learned. We reinvented Hotmail from the ground up. From performance to spam to security and more, we’re going to challenge your perceptions and show how we stack up against the competition.” But would you look at the timing? The test builds of Windows 8 optimized for tablets are ready to be rolled out and both Samsung and ASUS have been promoting their new Windows 7 tablets! And Microsoft is expected to provide Build attendees with a tablet of some sort – Intel-based, we’ve heard – running the Windows 8 bits.

We’ve also heard that Microsoft is preparing an all new version of Bing that is going to be HTML5 based. Similar to the Bing iPad application in terms of looks, this app will probably show the true power of HTML5. Hotmail is yet another app that that can do that, especially if it’s teamed up with an updated SkyDrive cloud-storage service and more storage than the currently offered 25GB.

Although Microsoft has spoken a bit more about the event after it sent out the invitations (it sent out the invitations the day after the company experienced a massive, three-hour Hotmail and SkyDrive outage and a simultaneous Office 365 outage which Microsoft officials were attributing to a DNS issue), it has done little to convince us that this has nothing to do with the revamped Hotmail. A spokesperson said: “This event is not considered a launch of a reinvented Hotmail. The event will include an intimate, honest discussion and new data linked to the reinvention that took place last year (plus updates since then), based on a lot of learning. You’ll also hear about intriguing competitive perspectives and some additional news.” Now, we wonder if Microsoft would hold a press event this big just to share a bit of “additional news”.

Looks like we’ll just have to wait for the 3rd of October and see what it brings along.

iPads in Toronto Business

by André Vittorio

Published on: September 6, 2011

Categories: Apple, Toronto Business

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If you think iPads are just for leisure or for entertainment, think again. With nearly 86 percent of Fortune 500 companies in the US report deploying or testing the iPad, this revolutionary device has become a tool for business too!

Manufactured by Apple, these easy to hold, easy to transport, and easy to use devices use the same operating system as iPod Touch and iPhone. They do not use input devices like the mouse or keyboard and require you to use your fingers to touch and navigate. Thanks to the availability of hundreds and thousands of applications that range from entertainment, media and education to even productivity and business, the iPad can be used as one powerful device in all areas of life and your workplace is definitely no exception.

Here are reasons why you should bring your iPad to work:

Presentations: Presentations are made so much easier by iPads. First off, they are portable and secondly, they contain applications that allow you to import and edit PowerPoint presentations, and even accessories to connect the device to a monitor or projector. You can also do virtual presentations as there are iPad apps that let you stream your presentation via the Internet.

Communication and Collaboration: If it is communication and collaboration you want, the iPad is the name of the game. With the iPad, you get built-in applications for emailing and you also get to add more to support audio and video conferencing. You can manage meetings with the built-in calendar and address book apps and also use the built-in support it has for third-party mail and calendar applications like Microsoft Exchange, Google Mail, and Calendar. If you want, you may also download and use additional applications to help you manage your tasks, monitor projects, share files, post and view your social networks! And the iPad’s larger screen is definitely a plus!

Field assignments: The iPad is the best device for people on the go as it is light weight and portable. You can install and configure VPN clients to securely connect to your office network when in the field, or even use any of the business applications (mainly cloud based ones) you use in the office. Managing your itinerary while on assignment also becomes much easier with the iPad, thanks to the built-in productivity tools.

Travel: With the iPad, you can carry your whole world as you travel. Besides the apps that help you manage your travel itinerary, there are built-in communication and collaboration tools that let you touch base with your office and find out what progress is being made. When you are not using your iPad for work, you can use it as a media viewer or news reader for information and entertainment.

Industry-specific apps: There are many industry specific apps that let you use the iPad for various purposes. You can use it as a point-of-sale display, or even as a point-of-sale device and much more!

Are you looking for quality Markham IT consulting for your business? Give us a call and we can help you with all of your business IT support in Markham and the GTA. We provide full IT services for your office systems and Apple computers.

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