INTEL (A big game of processors).........

What stays the same?

Well, it's still the same style of CPU and GPU combo that made Intel's Sandy Bridge such an impressive wee beastie in the first place.

"Sandy Bridge was a pretty major platform repartitioning with a lot of things integrated on die. We retained a lot of the goodness that Sandy Bridge brought forward," said Varghese George, chief architect for Ivy Bridge, in today's tech insight into the new processor.

There will be a similar number of product offerings along the same line as Sandy Bridge in terms of SKUs, so we can expect the same sort of product line up in terms of i3, i5 and i7 variants including the K-series.

Ivy Bridge also retains the same Ring architecture that brings the CPU and GPU components together on die and unfortunately puts a limit on the overclocking side.

So it's still going to be a case of upping the multipliers and not the bus speed.

And only then if you've got one of the unlocked K-series chips in the first place.

It has also retained the same socket configuration making it backward compatible with the previous generation.

Ideally that should mean any ol' Sandy Bridge mobo will be compatible with this new chip. That may not necessarily work in practice for all Intel 6-series motherboards, even with a firmware update, but that remains to be seen.

What gets changed?

Well, actually quite a lot. For a start the entire processor, GPU part too, will be manufactured on the 22nm production process. That means higher performance and lower power.

Combined with the lower power coming from the tighter lithography, thanks mostly to those much vaunted Tri-gate transistors, there's also a bunch of new power management goodies to go with it.
The main crux of this is the scalable feature set, including configurable Thermal Design Point (TDP) and Low Power Mode. These two are mainly to help OEMs design more scalable systems around the same architecture.

For example they will be able to set a system up using three separate TDPs; 'TDP Up', Nominal and 'TDP Down'. If the machine in question has a lower thermal envelope then using the chip in the lower power state will save on super-heated chips.

Interestingly Intel has also incorporated more overclocking goodness into Ivy Bridge.
You still have the locked multipler/K-series divide, but on the unlocked chips there is now increased maximum ratio support, moving the bar from x57 up to x63.

It has also introduced more dynamic overclocking, allowing the ratio to be changed on the fly without the need to reboot the machine.

This lends itself perfectly then to the application-based overclocking tools over the good ol' BIOS.
On the memory side too things have changed, with much more granularity involved in adjusting your DRAM's frequency. Where once you had to shift the speed of your memory in 266MHz increments you can now move in 200MHz jumps.

That small change could mean a lot in OC terms.

The big change for Ivy Bridge though is in the graphics core on board.
Where the CPU component follows perfectly on the tick tock Intel development model, with the simpler die-shrink tick following the more in-depth architectural revamp tock, the GPU part is being characterised as a 'tick plus'.

The new HD graphics in Ivy Bridge represents far more than just a die-shrink down to 22nm.
Because of the introduction of DirectX 11 support the whole GPU has effectively been redesigned. With the latest graphical API demands Intel has had to incorporate both Tessellation engines and Compute shaders into the mix.

With this redesign comes a far more modular GPU design, allowing the HD graphics of Ivy Bridge to be far more closely tailored to the individual SKUs. With Sandy Bridge desktop part you had two options, either the HD 2000 in the standard chips or the HD 3000 in the K-series alone.

That's changed now with Intel assuring us there will be lower power Ivy Bridge processors with the high-end Ivy Bridge graphics core on board.

So it will no longer purely be the domain of the top chips in the family.

On Sandy Bridge there was more of a disconnect with only the top-end K-series chips have the top-end graphics. Yes, those CPUs that were more than likely going to be paired with a discrete card anyway.

The Ivy Bridge GPU also comes with its own L3 cache too. This means the graphics side of the processor no longer have to keep calling on the shared cache of the CPU side.

But it's not just in the technicalities that things have changed on the graphics side, performance is apparently well up.

"Don't be surprised if the performance is significantly higher," said Intel Senior Fellow and grumpy graphics guru, Tom Piazza.

Piazza wasn't able to talk numbers unfortunately with the chip still six months or so away, but he did say that both the QuickSync video and 3D gaming performance where very much on the rise.
So things are looking impressive for Intel's next, next chip. After all, we've got the seriously high-performance Sandy Bridge Extreme parts coming in a month or two to whet our appetite.

And what about ultrabooks....

Ultrabooks: What to Look For

Because Intel has set the minimum requirements, there are a few things you can expect in any ultrabook. Notebooks with a display smaller than 13.3 inches max out at 18mm thick, and those with displays larger than 14 inches much be thinner than 21mm. All of these units will be remarkably thin, but other design elements can vary significantly. These are such things as battery life, screen resolution, startup time and overall aesthetics. You want performance without sacrificing design and more features without adding much weight. Here are the categories we used to rank the best ultrabooks available.

Performance
As with any type of electronic device, you want something that performs the simple, everyday tasks you need it to. On top of that, expect to find an ultrabook that doesn't slow down your CPU. You shouldn't have to sacrifice speed for sleek design, and most of the computers we reviewed run at quick speeds from 1.6GHz to 2.9GHz. And if you are computer savvy, you can easily set these CPUs to run, consistently, at higher speeds.

Design
The whole premise of ultrabooks lies in their slim, light, minimalist design. The chic designs we've seen could fit in at a Paris fashion show as easily as they fit in your backpack. The design also includes screen resolution. The top products have the ability to give you high-resolution viewing with deep colors and rich textures.

Features
These devices are lightweights, but they aren't light on features. Look for ones that come with standard wireless function, Bluetooth capability and built-in, high-def webcams. There are also more extensive features such as security tools and fingerprint readers.

Memory & Battery Life
All the ultrabook laptops are packed with enough RAM to ease your mind. When it comes to storage, though, these sleek computers don't come with huge hard drives. One of the ideas of these ultra thin notebooks is to remove the dependency on hard disks and move to the Cloud. This is the large online database where you can store music, movies and more.

As far as battery life goes, these small laptops come with enough battery life to let you watch multiple movies, or go on Facebook for hours, without being tethered to an outlet. And to be classified as an ultrabook, the device has to have at least five hours of battery life.

Help & Support
It's always nice to have a company backing a product you've purchased. You may need some technical help or have an issue you need some help troubleshooting. Many manufacturers have websites with user forums where you can chat with other consumers, and some have live support features where you can talk to a professional, just in case you need extra-quick help.

When you combine all of these features in a sliver-thin notebook, you get an ultrabook. Many companies are packing screens with high-definition clarity that would be phenomenal on any display, but it's unbelievable on a screen that is 8mm thick. Outstanding features and portable design make the perfect combination for anyone who wants increased mobility and the newest technology.

And What About Iphone Six???

All the latest iPhone 6 rumors including specs, prices and release dates

All the latest iPhone 6 rumors including specs, prices and release dates

We've rounded-up all the rumors on Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 6 to see what the device might have in store.
Rumors of the iPhone 6 have been around since the iPhone 5 launched and have gone hand-in-hand with rumors of the iPhone 5S. Indeed, no one is really clear on whether the next iPhone model will stick to the ‘S’ convention Apple established with the iPhone 4S or jump straight to the iPhone 6.
Even more complications get thrown into the mix when you factor in rumors of multiple handset launches aimed at different sections of the market, but we’ll come back to that.
At present, it’s quite normal to see any rumor surrounding Apple’s next iPhone to be pegged for both the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 6, such is the uncertainty.
However, it’s also true that a few select rumors have been aimed at just the iPhone 6 specifically, particularly in cases which suggest the iPhone 6 will come on its own, later, and after a separate and distinct iPhone 5S launch.
Renders of Apple’s rumored affordable iPhone have shown up online showing a possibly plastic and colorful future. The renders were created by increasingly prominent 3D artist Martin Hajek, who’s made a number of attention-grabbing concepts in recent months.
The renders show the budget iPhone the same 4-inch size as the iPhone 5 but it appears to be a good deal thinner too. The most immediately obvious change is the bright red colour in-line with rumors that Apple will offer a variety of colour options.

iPhone 6 - Hardware

The most recent, and arguably most prominent rumour surrounding the iPhone 6 points to the idea that it’ll feature a next-gen Apple A7 processor, which may or may not, be a quad-core model. The story goes that Apple is soon to begin work on the 20 nanometer A7 chip with the help of TSMC, but that it won’t be ready for production until the first quarter of 2014.
In the meantime we’ll be treated to an iPhone 5S on an A6 chip, or possibly an A6X.
This does sit with some rumours which say the iPhone 5S will land in June or July, though equally similar rumours claim the model which arrives this summer will be the iPhone 6, which in turn would imply it’ll be the one toting the A6 or A6x chip.
Other reports say Apple has been in talks with Intel over a possible manufacturing deal. It’s not clear whether Intel would simply fabricate Apple’s ARM-based designs or if it would create a completely new Intel-based chipset for the iPhone 6.
Apple’s iPhone 6 was also name-dropped in reports about next-generation hardware carrying new 5G Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, suggesting it’ll hook up to nearby routers and remote devices at much faster speeds.
It’s expected the iPhone 6 would have the same storage options as its predecessors – 16GB, 32GB or 64GB with no microSD slot. Could we see a 128GB version, too? Maybe - although very little has been said about this aspect so far.
A camera upgrade is possible and we could see a 13-megapixel sensor, although there’s some suggestion Apple will stick to 8-megapixels and simply improve the aperture, sensor array and capture features.
Allegedly Apple has scheduled to have components for the next iPhone shipped by the end of May in order to hit the Q3 target. It will apparently have an improved processor, which could be the A6X chip found in the iPad 4. The camera will also be updated to a higher megapixel rating, presumably 13-megapixels.
Some rumours indicate the iPhone 6 will feature a fingerprint scanner chip and NFC capability, allowing a secure lock mode and secure NFC payment. Wireless charging has also been suggested.

Update - 17/04/2013
Recent reports suggest that next iPhone will boast an updated, 12-megapixel camera sensor and overhauled low-light image capture technology. The rumours, which come from an unnamed source within the company responsible for producing the iPhone's camera module, Wonderful Saigon Electronics, don't clarify whether the next device will be an incremental update, or the planned iPhone 6, but it's looking fairly safe to suggest that the next iPhone, and subsequent models, will go beyond the 8-megapixel barrier.
What we may see is an iPhone 5S launching this year with a 12-megapixel sensor on-board, followed by the iPhone 6 later this year, or early next, with an improved version of the same sensor plus new and improved features, much as we did with the iPhone 4S and its successor the iPhone 5.

iPhone 6 - Design

While there are still plenty of rumours saying Apple will stick to its conventional model of one handset at a time, but murmurings persist about the next iPhone launching in a number of variants for different sections of the market and at different price points.
There’s some suggestion Apple may launch a budget model, which may or may not be smaller than the iPhone 5 and might even be made of plastic.
Other rumours claim that the iPhone 6 will be larger than the current iPhone 5 - anywhere between 4.2 and 4.6-inches - while further speculation points to Apple making a regular-sized iPhone 6 and a larger 4.8-inch iPhone 6 ‘XL’.
Conflicting leaks and rumours imply both that the iPhone 6 could share a very similar design language to the iPhone 5 and, conversely, that Apple will undergo something of a re-invention with the new model due to waning interest in the brand.
IT'S ALL SO CONFUSING.
Multiple reports claim Apple's next iPhone will boast a range of colour options as well as the conventional white and black.
Meanwhile, a persistent rumour says the physical home button might be replaced with a capacitive 'bar', which can be pressed for Home or swiped with various gestures to perform other actions.
Aside from the exterior, it’s widely reported that Apple’s design guru Jony Ive has been assigned to oversee the development of the iOS interface, suggesting we’ll see a bold new look for Apple’s software and digital storefronts. Such a facelift is long overdue.
Further to this, Apple CEO Tim Cook is reported to have entered talks with the chief executive of Beats Audio. Rumor has it the pair discussed a possible collaboration on an Apple music streaming service in the vein of Spotify or Xbox Music.
An Apple job posting has referenced the manufacturer's need for someone to ‘lead the investigation on emerging display technologies such as high optical efficiency LCD, AMOLED and flexible display.’ It would suggest that the iPhone 6 will feature a flexible display.
The position requires someone who can ‘analyze the trade-offs between design, process, optical performance, and implementation feasibility.’
Apple isn't the first company to investigate into flexible displays. Samsung has already researched a lot into getting flexible displays onto smartphones with a concept appearing at CES back in January.
Photo concepts of the iPhone 6 or iPhone 5S have also shown off the possibility of a curved display. Although they're pretty off-the-wall, they're also pretty cool.
This video has popped up online, showing off a thinner profile than the current iPhone 5 and a much larger display, which looks like it could be 4.7-inches, or thereabouts.
The back panel seems to still be aluminum and it retains a two-tone coloration, but it’s slightly different now with a glossy panel at the bottom and a matte finish for the top three quarters. The current iPhone has these contrasting panels at both top and bottom and a matte section in the middle.
The display doesn’t appear to be quite edge-to-edge, but the bezel is extremely narrow along the two longer edges. The punched speaker grill is still present and the Lightning connector on the bottom, however, the physical Home key has disappeared completely, suggesting some kind of gesture control.

iPhone 6 - iOS 7 & Jony Ive's Vision

Up to now, little was known about Ive’s plan for iOS. But today the Wall Street Journal can shed some light on the issue. According to the report, Ive’s take on iOS is believed to be a ‘starker and simpler’ affair that will mimic Apple’s minimalist design ethos.
Ive comes from a physical design background, so it’ll be interesting to see how his ideas translate in the world of software and UX design. Expected to launch as iOS7, the redesigned UX will feature ‘clean edges and flat surfaces.’ The knighted designer is also said to be keen on gutting iOS of its trademark textured backgrounds.

The report made no mention of new features or software inside the platform, but that shouldn't be cause for alarm just yet. Ive is an industrial designer by trade so the emphasis here was always going to be on looks, not functionality – the latter will be undertaken to Apple's software engineers.
A concept video of iOS 7 has had us a little excited.
The YouTube post shows what Apple's next generation display should feature, including a highly innovative interface. His top features include:

• Lock screen controls including quick accessibility to many features
• Quick Reply to send a message without unlocking the handset
• Widgets
• Mission Control alowing you to multitask in a more imersive way

iPhone 6 - Display

Very little has been said about the iPhone 6's display other than the varying and broader design rumours concerning the device's size. It could be anywhere from 4-inches to 4.8-inches and there might be a smaller 3.5-inch version if there's a budget model.
For the main, premium model rumours point to a possible 'touch-on' display which would result in smoother touch control and there's some suggestion we may see touch controls activated from the bezel.

iPhone 6 - Release date

Multiple reports say the iPhone 6 won’t appear until 2014 where it would be expected to arrive around the middle of the year. Just as many conflicting rumors point to a 2013 arrival, however, around June or July in-line with previous launches, and possibly accompanied by other models such as the iPhone 5S, a budget variant, a large form-factor variant or all of the above.

Update - 21/03/2013: According to a report out of China, the next premium iPhone from Apple, which may be called the iPhone 5S or iPhone 6, will be launched within the third quarter of 2013 and ‘may just be a slightly enhanced version’ of the iPhone 5.

The news comes courtesy of Digitimes and its anonymous ‘sources from the upstream supply chain’ which also add to the rumors of a budget plastic-built iPhone to release this year alongside the main model.

One analyst and ex-employee of Apple thinks Apple should scrap the idea of the iPhone 5S altogether and go straight for the iPhone 6. Hi reasoning seems pretty straightforward: adding an S on the end of a name makes the device name sound outdated and we agree. Bring on the iPhone 6!

Update - 17/04/2013
Peter Misek, an analyst for Jeffries and Co. has claimed that the iPhone 6 is now likely to be delayed owing to unforseen issues in the production process. Speaking to Street Insider, Misek, who recently visited Apple's production partners in China, said "We continue to believe there is almost no chance the iPhone 6 launches in CY13 [calendar year 2013] due to supply chain issues." The most likely time-frame for the device is currently estimated to be the first quarter of 2014.

Apple is having problems with the mass pre-production of the iPhone 5S, which will push back other launches. iOS 7 is also said to be delayed, pushing back the launch even further, and Misek says the iPhone 5S probably won't launch until later in 2013.

iPhone 6 - Price

Pricing rumours are very much tied to the varying ideas of premium and budget model iPhones.
It’s generally agreed that a direct iPhone 6 successor model would be pric ed the same as the current iPhone 5 – Apple’s consistent pricing scheme which has transferred from one model to the next. This would place a 16GB model at £529, going all the way up to £699 for the 64GB version. However, if we buy into the idea that there will also be a budget model, then we could be looking at a very low price tag – as little as £200 according to some sources.
Likewise, a super-sized ‘XL’ model, if it still sports a premium spec and build, could potentially be more expensive than the standard model.

iPhone 5S/6 – Know Your Mobile's iPhone 5S/6 Wishlist

KYM Deputy Editor, Richard Goodwin, details what he'd like from the next iPhone:

• 4.7-inch display 1080p Retina Display, although 4.3-inch would suffice.
• A new UX for iOS: live widgets, a new-look and feel, more customisation options. Apple’s Senior VP of Industrial Design Jony Ive has been tasked with giving iOS a facelift and I’m more than excited about seeing what he comes up with.
• More keyboard options – Let me download other keyboards, ones like Swype. Trust developers to create better experiences. They’re more than capable, as any Android user will tell you.
• Bigger battery – make the display bigger, preferably using an edge-to-edge setup, and it creates room for a bigger battery cell that ensures the phone lasts for longer. It’s a simple point but one many manufacturers, bar Motorola, have yet to really address.

That’s it for me, really. Nothing too drastic, just a few design changes, a modified UX, and a bigger battery and I’d be happily jump ship back to iOS.
Got any theories on the iPhone 5S/iPhone 6 or what you'd like to see inside them? Share them in the comments below.

What do you wanna see on the upcoming flagship smartphone of SAMSUNG???

Here’s What We Want

• Samsung Galaxy S5

The Samsung Galaxy S4 has been released and now it’s the time to think about Samsung’s next flagship device, the Galaxy S5, which will probably be released in April – May 2014. We’re expecting the Samsung Galaxy S5 to come with really awesome features, considering that the technology is evolving very fast and flexible displays might be ready for use, meaning the smartphones will change radically by next year.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 will clearly come with better specs, an improved processor, GPU and more RAM, but this isn’t so important, because nowadays high-end smartphones are way too powerful anyway and we don’t really need all that power. What differentiates them are the design and features, being them software or hardware.

In a few years we’ll probably be able to replace our tablets and laptops with just a smartphone, considering the pace the technology is evolving. I have been dreaming for years at hologram keyboards and high quality smartphone projectors, that can turn the little smartphone into a computer or home cinema. But we aren’t going to see it next year, though there are a lot of others things that Samsung can do in just a year.

3D Display & Camera

We’ve seen 3D smartphones already, but they weren’t very good and faded pretty quickly. Though I believe the technology has matured and now Samsung might be able to make a high quality glass-free 3D display. Add a 3D camera to that and you already have a fun device in your pocket. I don’t know if Samsung will chose to go on that road, but it’s clearly possible at the moment.
Samsung is known for creating the best displays in the world and they are definitely the most capable at designing a good 3D one for the next Galaxy S5.
Smartphone cameras have also become very good lately and they caused compact camera sales to plummet, because there isn’t much difference between the two. It’s true that you can’t stuck a big sensor in such a small device, but neither cheap compact cameras have one because it’s expensive. So we could soon be able to record decent 3D videos with our smartphone and watch them directly on the device.

Projector

A smartphone with a built-in projector ? We have Samsung Galaxy Beam, but it didn’t get too much popularity due to its low specs. Add it to the Samsung Galaxy S5 and it might turn this into a trend. Personally I don’t have a TV set in my home so I’m watching the movies on the computer’s display. But how cool would it be to watch Netflix by using the smartphone’s projector ? Or watching the movies you recorded with the Galaxy S5 itself.
I doubt they will ever be able to pack a very high quality projector in a smartphone, because there simply isn’t enough space for a good lens, but they could fit a decent one, considering that they won’t care so much about the smartphone’s width.

Better battery

Every time a new smartphone is being released, we see that it has an improved capacity battery. But once we get to use it, we don’t notice much of a difference. And this is because new smartphones come with bigger displays and more powerful CPUs that are battery hogs.
I’m expecting the Samsung Galaxy S5 to feature a much improved battery, while keeping the not-so-necessary specs lower in order to meet the users’ actual needs. Nobody needs an 8-core processor on a smartphone, when they don’t even have one on their desktop computer. If they kept the same old quad-core processor while doubling the battery life, I would be a happy man.
An improved battery management software would be great too. Make it easy for me to see what’s draining the battery and help me save it without needing to install third-party apps and keep an eye on them all the time. Let me know what app keeps waking the smartphone up and help me stop it or limit it somehow.
The Galaxy S4 has come with a lot of new features that keep using the frontal camera and sensor all the time, which are draining battery dramatically. These features might be nice, but they should have let the users know the drawbacks of using them.

Improved TouchWiz

Many hate TouchWiz and switch to another launcher as soon as they get their hands on a Samsung smartphone. Others don’t even buy a Samsung device because of the launcher. In my opinion it looks nice and is really smooth, but it lacks the features other free launchers come with. Samsung could simply buy Apex or Nova and start integrating them into TouchWiz. In my opinion, TouchWiz looks better than either Apex or Nova, but you can’t do much about it.
I’d also like to see a better app management in the app drawer, because it’s a clutter and you have to swipe a lot until you find the app you want. Allow the user to sort the apps manually or help him do it by using some filters.
And the launcher is very important because people don’t even know what that is and that it can be changed. The usual customer must like the device out-of-the-box and TouchWiz is a really confusing launcher.

Flexible Display

Everybody’s talking about it and they all want it. And i believe Samsung is most capable of doing it, considering that they have been the kings of displays for the last decade. The Galaxy S5 could actually come with a flexible display, as we’ve seen them showcased at CES 2013, but they surely won’t be as we expected. When people read about flexible displays, they imagine bending the phone, though it’s not true at all. A flexible display is curved so it can bring more functionality.
As we’ve seen a CES, a smartphone could have a cover on, while you can still read some information on the side thanks to the flexible screen. Though I’m not sure how much would that cover help you in case of a fall. But I hope Samsung can find a way of making them stronger and the Galaxy S5 will surpass every other smartphone’s success for sure.

Conclusion

We’re really expecting the Samsung Galaxy S5 to be an amazing device and we believe the Korean maker will stop offering us just some software features and do something new.
How do you think the new Galaxy S5 will be ?

Merits of Android Smartphones over iPhone ??? What u say guys???

Apple’s iOS is, sorry was the best mobile operating system. It is the growth of its competitor Android which led me to use the verb ‘was’ here. Android is no.1 mobile operating system now. It has stolen this tag from Apple and now not going to leave this tag at all. Apple’s iPhone is always rich in features and they get the good sales as well, but they are not able to reach the brand power of Android smartphones. What are the features that all other smart phones lack as compare to Android. Well, I took the time to write on some basic reasons for this. So let’s have a look on it.


1. Desktop
The first problem starts right from the desktop. Apple’s iPhone don’t allow you to add the app icons on your home screen. But in Android you are free to use any icon on home screen to have fast and single touch access to the apps, you mostly use.


2. App Store
Both the OS have their own app stores. Apple had its own store to get the apps names iTunes while Android has with the name of Google Play. Both the app stores are having millions of apps in different categories. Still the Android app store is better than that of iTunes. The reason behind this is mobile user behavior. Most mobile users are not in the mood to spend money on apps and they want only free apps. iTunes has less no. of free apps as compared to Google Play. This thing makes the Google Play a better place to get apps and make their product, Android, better than others.


3. Browsing Experience
Now all mobile users buy mobiles by giving preference to this feature. The Android browser is far better than the browsers that you get with iPhone of Window mobile. The good in built browser of Android saves the time of its users to search of any other third party browser.


4. Open Source
Yes this is something creates a big margin between Android and other smart phones. The Android is best due to versatility of apps. The apps are not created by Android employees only. It is open source platform and even you are welcome to create apps for Android. Not any other OS provides this service. They believe in their own team of specialists. This makes their system to stay behind from down earth Google mobile OS, Google Play.


5. PC Connections
Having a smart phone with you, many times you need to connect it with PC. Android is the king in this field as well. Just connect the USB cable of your Android to the PC and you are ready to access the sdCard of your smart phone. But for other operating systems you need to have special software installed on your system. It becomes irritating when you are on your friend’s system and he/she does not have that particular software installed on their system.

Microsoft responds to 'extreme' Windows 8 criticism

Microsoft appreciates the feedback on Windows 8. Up to a point.
"There is a trend to the extreme," Frank X. Shaw, corporate vice president of corporate communications at Microsoft, wrote on The Official Microsoft Blog on Friday, addressing some of the harsher attacks.
Here's a fuller quote:

"In this world where everyone is a publisher, there is a trend to the extreme -- where those who want to stand out opt for sensationalism and hyperbole over nuanced analysis. In this world where page views are currency, heat is often more valued than light. Stark black-and-white caricatures are sometimes more valued than shades-of-gray reality.
So let's pause for a moment and consider the center. In the center, selling 100 million copies of a product is a good thing. In the center, listening to feedback and improving a product is a good thing."

So how "extreme" has the criticism been? Well, the Financial Times said the upcoming changes to Windows 8 mark one of the most prominent admissions of failure for a new mass-market consumer product since Coca-Cola's New Coke fiasco nearly 30 years ago."

And the Economist attacked Microsoft the company, saying "restoring the Start button will not restore Microsoft to its former glory."

On CNET, IDC's Bob O'Donnell spoke to me in March. At that time he said: "There were certain decisions that Microsoft made that were in retrospect flawed. Notably not allowing people to boot into desktop mode and taking away the Start button. Those two things have come up consistently.

We've done some research and people miss that."

And IDC continued over the following months to be critical as PC sales stalled. Especially when first-quarter global computer shipments dropped 14 percent from the previous year, much worse than IDC's forecast for a 7.7 percent decline.

So, what do you think? Has Microsoft and Windows 8 been unfairly attacked?

Note: It's not like a Start button function is completely absent in Windows 8. For example, the Windows key plus "x" brings up a menu similar to the Start button, replete with a search option. And getting to the Windows 8 desktop is only a matter of clicking "Desktop" on the Metro screen.