Microsoft may fight Windows 8 piracy by using the cloud

 

Microsoft is always looking to protect its investments from piracy. While some implementations of quality assurance can be cumbersome and annoying, it is a necessary evil for Microsoft to protect its intellectual property.

It has been rumored that Microsoft is going to be integrating cloud based services into Windows , so it only makes sense that they will also implement security features to thwart piracy that use cloud based services. Rumorpedia states that “Windows 8 will synchronize a couple of kernel files directly from Microsoft cloud servers, not only preventing privacy (at least temporary) but also allowing instant system updates for some of the components (no reboot required).”

The idea seems plausible as the vast majority of computers do connect to the Internet on a regular basis. There will also be a backup kernel file stored locally for instances where the computer can not contact Microsoft’s servers.

If Microsoft does implement this feature, depending on how regularly they update the kernel files on the servers, it could pose a serious blockade for would be pirates. While it may be possible to pirate Windows 8 for offline use, in the Internet era, that leaves a lot to be desired.

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Microsoft launches Xbox LIVE Rewards program

Microsoft has officially launched their XBOX LIVE rewards program today. The program is open to all Xbox LIVE members, both paid and free.

Though the program is open to the Silver Xbox LIVE members, the Gold Xbox LIVE members will be able to take advantage of more opportunities to earn reward points. Users will earn points for things like purchasing an Xbox Live Gold membership, or purchase game and movies from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. According to USA today, Microsoft will also be offering surveys and promotions to help users earn more points.

Get this: You can earn Rewards Points for doing what you do best – having fun! Whether it’s games or entertainment, with Xbox LIVE Rewards it’s easy.

Microsoft began testing the rewards system in early November but announced many details or an official release date. They have, rather quietly, launched the rewards program and it is open to all Xbox LIVE members

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Windows Phone Marketplace hits 3000 apps

Microsoft’s Windows Phone Marketplace appears to be picking up steam, after the store, today crossed the 3000 app mark.

According to tracking site WP7applist, there are now 3066 apps available for Windows Phone 7 devices, with an average of 69 apps updated each day. The Marketplace hit 1000 apps on October 25 and that figure had doubled by November 8.

Among the other interesting tidbits offered by the site were: 29% of available apps are free, and for paid apps, the average price is USD$1.47. In the 24 hours to 5AM EST today, 88 apps had been updated and 37 added to the Marketplace.

App development on the fledgling platform is expected to increase following yesterday’s release of the Visual Basic for the Windows Phone Developer Tools. Using the tools, developers can build and release to the Marketplace Silverlight applications and games for Windows Phones built in Visual Basic. XNA projects are not yet supported.

Yet despite setting an admirable pace thus far, the Windows Phone Marketplace still has some way to go before coming close to its competitors. Apple’s App Store hit 300,000 apps in October, and Google’s Android Market crossed the 100,000 mark around the same time.

Official apps are now the only source of software for the Windows Phone platform, after the ChevronWP7 unlocker tool was discontinued, putting a premature end to any Windows Phone 7 homebrew scene.

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And the Two “Most Desired” Smartphone Platforms Are…?

If you answered “iOS and Android,” you win the no-prize. We would have also accepted “Apple and Google,” or a combination thereof. The point being, Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platforms are the most sought after systems by mobile phone users, according to a new survey by Nielsen.

The survey results should come as worrisome news to Research In Motion, whose BlackBerry OS is currently in a virtual tie with iOS as the most popular smartphone platform. Of those surveyed, 27.4 percent own a BlackBerry device, compared to 27.9 percent who own an iPhone. Android, meanwhile, claims a 22.7 percent share.

Here’s another interesting tidbit. Feature phone owners showed a slightly stronger preference towards upgrading to an Android device over an iPhone (28 percent versus 25 percent, respectively,), while current smartphone owners lean towards an iPhone over Android (35 percent versus 28 percent).

Gender also played a role. Females lean toward wanting an iPhone (30.9 percent) over an Android device (22.8 percent), while males are all about Android (32.6 percent) first, and iPhone second (28.6 percent).

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HP to drop support for Windows Home Server, focus on webOS

Microsoft confirmed in a blog spot that HP is retiring its line of MediaSmart Servers. For those unfamiliar with HP’s product line, the MediaSmart servers run Windows Home Server and are designed for organizing and sharing digital media on a Windows-based home network. HP confirmed that it will not support future versions of Windows Home Server, including the controversial “Vail” version which removes support for Drive Extender. HP will continue to sell its current line of MediaSmart Servers through the end of 2010 and will honor all current service agreements.

Microsoft asserts that HP’s decision is not related to this change in Drive Extender support, but is a business decision by HP that is driven by the company’s desire to allocate additional resources to webOS. Moving quickly with this re-allocation, HP has reportedly already assigned its Windows Home Server development team to webOS. HP recently became the curator of webOS when it acquired Palm earlier this year. When it was acquired, Palm was on the verge of collapse and webOS was struggling as a mobile platform.

Though Microsoft is playing this situation down, the loss of HP is a major blow to Microsoft’s Windows Home Server platform. HP is one of the world’s largest PC manufacturers and the lack of a MediaSmart Server option will be detrimental. In lieu of Home Server-based products, HP is reportedly throwing its weight behind drobo and is offering the network storage devices on its retail website. Despite the loss of HP, Microsoft remains optimistic for Windows Home Server and points to Acer and Tranquil PC, both of which are still committed to future versions of Windows Home Server

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