Microsoft

Microsoft And Barnes And Noble Team Up On eBooks And Education?

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If you haven’t heard for a legitimate reason, like a coma or temporary death, Barnes and Noble has teamed up with Apple in a ‘strategic partnership” involving e-Books.

Yeah. Process that one for a bit.

Basically there’s a new B&N subsidiary that rolls the Nook and college/educational businesses together. Microsoft invested in it. The results are this could be a separate business, an adsorbed one . . . or one, say, sold to Microsoft. Think about that for a moment.

We just saw two of Apple’s competitors team up with a “daughter” company in powerful markets.

Heree’s your takeaways:

  • I’ve suspected something is up with B&N’s plans in education, and I think this was coming for awhile. Protip: don’t write B&N off, they’re obviously working quietly behind the scenes.
  • This is to Apple’s disadvantage of course, but also note this settled B&N vs Microsoft patent litigation. Apple’s still facing plenty over ebooks, while this clears the air.
  • Lots in all of this is Amazon’s reasonably-priced 300 pound gorilla. A Microsoft-B&N partnership or spinoff is also a challenge to Amazon.
  • B&N supports the more universal ePub format. Just saying’ this could give it a shot in the arm.
  • Job opportunities will clearly come of this. Take a look at the opportunities (if you’re lucky it’s near B&N’s offices in Palo Alto, which is an awesome city).
  • Microsoft can probably leverage this partnership for their e-devices, which are needless to say behind the market.
  • If this is done as a spinoff company it could be huge. Imagine a company created just as a rival to Apple/Amazon, backed by these two. Imagine a company using a universal format. Imagine a company, say . . . I dunno, buying Lulu . . . .

Things just got a lot more interesting in the eBook world.

– Steven Savage

A Look At Windows 8?

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Engadget has it’s impressions of Windows 8 consumer. What I picked up:

  • The interface with XBox is limited, but pretty good. This makes the future of Windows/Microsoft pretty clear – full integration.
  • The System definitely shows it’s trying to have it all ways – it’s not a “complete re-invention” but, as Windows has so often been, a new system with a way of running old stuff.
  • Most of it sounds actually quite promising, except for some control foofaraw.

Microsoft is betting a lot on this because they need to move with the times and compete with a slicker, more tablet-oriented world that’s not as tolerant of idiosyncrasies of technology.

My Takeaways:

  • So, definitely imperfect, but also showing Microsoft put some thought into this (hell, in some cases too much thought), and is dedicated to moving this way in the future. Yes, that means you’ll probably have to put up with it.
  • Developers are going to need to keep on top of this of course, which roughly sums up as “Start Learning Metro.”
  • XBox developers also need to pay attention because the interface, which seems simple now, has a lot of promise. To whet your appetite, look at the Wii U controller. Now imagine a tablet connected to the Xbox . . .
  • For those of us working in IT, it’s another system to keep track of. Me, I’d like to see more on the security myself . . .
  • As this gets closer to market, watch to see what’s done with Apple and Android. Apple and the Android quarter know this is coming – we may have some surprises from their goody bag as it gets closer as a way to head off any Windows enthusiasm (which are words I so rarely put together anymore)

– Steven Savage

Tablet News 2/21/2012

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What a fascinating bit of news from Tabletopia!

Nook launches it's new Tablet, which is really the more expensive tablet with less memory, and puts it in competition with the Kindle Fire. B&N isn't quitting, and this does get them some nice attention – and it's intriguing how they seem to be aiming at tablets first, in a way. I almost feel they're downplaying the reading aspect.

TAKEAWAY: B&N is still taking on Amazon (and in a way, everyone else). I'd think their Nook division might be a good place to seek employment, and of course if you e-Publish, you want to be on B&N.

Microsoft appears to have bitten the bullet and released Office for iPad. Now my question here is what they're going to charge for this?

TAKEAWAY: It does show Microsoft is wisely moving with the times – and knows where the money is. What competition will this provide – and face – on the iPad?

– Steven Savage