Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Apple picks up video guide service Matcha.TV

  Apple's bought another company -- one with a product that could end up in your living room.
  The iPhone, iPad, and Mac maker recently bought Matcha.TV, a service that once aggregated video content listings from both cable providers and online sources, reports VentureBeat.
  Matcha.TV launched near the end of 2011, butwent offline back in May, noting that the service would no longer be available and that all user information had been deleted.
  Beyond its own database of shows, the service also offered personalized recommendations for programming based on tastes, and let users subscribe to shows they liked.
  As usual, Apple's not elaborating on the deal short of saying it "buys smaller technology companies from time to time" and noting that it doesn't discuss what it's doing with them.
  The acquisition comes as all eyes are on the company's next move in living room entertainment. Where it was once rumored to be working on a TV set, more recently focus has turned to set top boxes, where Apple could be vying to roll out something that would let users stream live and on-demand video programming with help from cable companies.
  Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that Apple has been buying a company every month or two. It recently snapped up two mapping/location companies: HopStop andLocationary, presumably to bolster its own mapping software, which had a rough launch last year. Two weeks ago it was also discovered that Apple recently acquired Passif Semiconductor, a small Oakland, Calif.-based company.
  "We are always looking, and if anything, we will do more of that in the future," Cook said at the All Things Digital Conference in May.

Microsoft has never confirmed a release date for Windows eight.1.

  While it looks like Microsoft is putting the finishing touches on Windows 8.1, a couple of reports say the release date continues to be a couple months away.
  Both ZDNet as well as the Verge windows 7 home basic product key claim that Windows eight.1 will launch in October, not just for current Windows eight PCs, but for new computer systems running the updated operating technique. The duo had been the very first to report on Windows eight.1's (then referred to as Windows Blue) existence, many months ago.
  Mind you, this isn't a delay, as Microsoft has never confirmed a release date for Windows eight.1. The company has only stated that it would release the software program to Pc makers (a method recognized as RTM) in August. Both reports say Microsoft continues to be on track.
  But as ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley explains, Microsoft may well be holding back the actual launch for any couple of motives: Initially, Windows eight.1 is reportedly rather buggy, even to get a test create, so the further time will enable Microsoft to clean things up by means of computer software updates for new Computer purchasers. Second, releasing each the update and new Windows eight.1 devices at the same time could possibly make a bigger splash, amounting to a “launch event” for the extra user-friendly version of Microsoft's operating system.
  Windows eight.1 consists of a variety of concessions for desktop users, as well as new options for the modern interface. Users might be in a position to boot straight for the desktop, disable modern-style “hot corners” and access key desktop functions by right-clicking on the newly-restored Start button. The contemporary interface contains important improvements to built-in apps, the ability to use 3 apps side-by-side, overhauled Bing search and more. The net impact is that it really is less complicated to stay around the desktop if you'd like, but not unthinkable to switch for the modern day UI.
  If Microsoft manages to launch the update in October, it'll fall about the one-year anniversary of Windows 8. That is a huge change for Windows, which ordinarily releases major updates when every handful of years, but it's a important transform as Microsoft tries to help keep up with Apple and Google. No matter if you enjoy or hate the operating method, there is no doubt that Microsoft's switch to a rapid release cycle is undoubtedly bearing fruit.