Reasons to update or buy Windows 8.1

If you are using still Windows XP, Windows 7 or upgraded to Windows 8, then you have much reasons to upgrade Windows 8.1 (It is totally free for Windows 8 users).  

windows 8.1 start screen

These are the advantages or reasons or improvements or pros of Windows 8.1:

1. Ease of Search:

It is one of the major improvements which brings Windows 8.1 more closer to present user requirements. Just type anything using Start button and you can search anything from your PC or even on web. This is actually a Smart Search which is using Microsoft's default search engine Bing. 

windows 8.1 search screen

2. Superfast Multitasking:

In windows 8, there was an ability to do multitasking. But major problem with that feature was that, it did not have re-sizing applications according to your requirements. Even it was supporting maximum two apps. But Windows 8.1 brings major improvements my bringing it more user friendly like, you can re-size them with your needs. So it is quite similar to Samsung Galaxy Note series multi-window feature.

windows 8.1 mutitasking window

3. Less storage space:

If you are using Windows 8 right now then you may be quite wondering that your C drive consumes lot of space by just with Windows 8. Even you are not having more space in C drive for other applications. But Windows 8.1 is consumes almost 10-15% less hard disk space, even it gives us more features compared to previous version. 

4. UI friendly Start Screen:

Many Windows 8 users were shocked with not having Start button in bottom left of task bar. But Windows 8.1 have Start menu back in action with latest Microsoft Windows symbol. One more surprise improvement is that, you can use Start menu even with your default desktop background. This is quite minor change, but traditional users of old Windows UI may feel some joy. 

5. App Updates:

In today's condition, your every gadget have so many apps. Even they require updates after some time. So if you are tired of being busy in such boring tasks. Then Windows 8.1 have features to update apps automatically. Even they will be updated in background. 

6. Better personalized lock screen:

In Windows 8.1, you have options to use multiple slideshow like images with your lock screen. You have option to check Emails, use calender,. even without unlocking the lock screen. It is quite user friendly and good improvement.

7. Skydrive integration:

Windows is looking for Cloud storage, and Skydrive is one step to achieve that integration. By using Skydrive, you can save your file on your computer and access it from anywhere. So it is like iCloud which is working on Apple devices. 

Android vs iOS vs Windows Phone OS

Before 5 years, we were only aware about Windows XP and other flavors of OS, which are used in computer. But at present, the scenario is changed. Most of the electronics and technology companies are concentrating on mobile phone industry. This industry is facing extreme hard competition. And the key part in these all mobile is it's OS, operating system. 

This trend started  when Apple entered in mobile phone industry with iPhone and introduced their proprietary OS called as iOS. It was revolutionary. Then Google came into the game with Android OS. In quick span of time, Android become hit and conquered worldwide OS market by featuring in Samsung, Sony, HTC like mobile phones. So now at present scenario where each OS stands in competition? We will compare them. 

Right now, the latest versions are Android is 4.4 Kitkat, iOS and Windows Mobile 8. Let's compare them.

iOS7, Android Kitkat & Windows Phone screens

User Interface:

Apple introduced iOS7 recently and in this version they totally changed their overall look of the interface. It is now more 2 dimensional and clean. Apple says that they used concept of simplicity in new iOS7. Overall it is very user friendly and clean interface. 

We all know user interface of Android and the current version 4.4 Kitkat is also very similar to its predecessors. It has multiple home screen, inclusion of Google Now, feature rich built in apps, everything this Android 4.4 have. People call Android interface old but I must say that it is the easiest interface currently any mobile phone having. 

Now be ready for a surprise, because Windows Mobile 8 OS interface is best interface according to me. The inclusion of "LiveTiles" gets maximum point for this. It provides you maximum information in quick time. 

Overall all of the three OS have very good interface. In iOS & Windows OS, you only get limited customization. But for Android you can apply maximum tweaks.  

Apps:

iOS top this list with more then 6,50,000 applications. They also offer apps for iPads. 

Android Play Store have 6,00,000 apps and those apps can also be used on android tablets. 

Windows phone currently offers significantly low apps around 1,00,000 apps on their Windows Store. And still, they don't offer any app for tablets.

Camera:

iOS7 came with significant changes in camera app with more photo effects, live picture filter., etc. It is a sophisticated camera app provided in iOS7.

Android camera app has maximum flavors. Because Samsung has their different camera app, HTC offers their own customized app and same for others like Sony,Huawei, LG. They all gave a different look to camera app and included many innovative features. Like 360 Panorama, smile shutter, Burst mode.,etc.

Windows OS is relatively new and so their camera app is cleaner and easy with minimum on screen setting. But you can take more natural photographs and  even use a separate camera app by putting in default mode. 

Android Kitkat & iOS7 notification bar

Control Panel:

This is very key part of any OS. Because control panel or if you call it notification bar is feature which will get your most of attention when you are using it. 

Android have large experience in terms of notification panel. You can access it by swapping down the upper screen of OS. It gives customizations for WiFi, Bluetooth, Profile,. etc.  Even all new notifications and events displays on this bar very well. 

iOS started their affair with the notification bar in this new iOS7. It also offers same functionalities like Android panel. 

Windows Phone do not support any notification center or control panel like Android or iOS. Because their LiveTiles always blinks new notifications separately. But still you may miss this key feature in Windows phone. 

Multi Tasking:

In this feature also iOS was not there before introduction of iOS7. But now you can easily switch between apps to achieve multi tasking. This feature is borrowed from Android by iOS because it is very similar to Android. 

Android provides this feature from Android 4.0 ICS. You can access this by long pressing Home screen button. You will get a quick window of running apps and can switch among them. 

Windows Phone also offers the same kind of multi tasking by long pressing Back button.

Conclusion:

Overall, if you look at previous given key points then clearly understand that all of the OS have their own charm and key features. Like on iOS, you can get user friendly environment and cleaner look. Android offers maximum offers and customizations. Wheres, Windows Phone gives a clean and refreshing look by LiveTiles. And each of them has their own drawbacks. 

Android have the highest number of users, but most of them are using old versions like 2.2 & 2.3. Windows is relatively new and having very less users. iOS7 looks one step ahead if you look at overall scenario. Because it offers everything which you want and more importantly, they have maximum users who are running on their latest iOS7. So, its on you and your personal choice that which OS based phone you have to buy. And please give your precious suggestions to me in the comment box below. I am always trying to improve my article for your suggestions. 

Microsoft Surface 2, Surface Pro 2 : First Look

After getting a new innovative tablets called as Surface. Microsoft is back with another updated device. Microsoft introduced with us, Surface Pro 2 & Surface 2. Actually I do not know what to call it because basically its like tablet and having a virtual keyboard for typing and also comes with an optional cover which works like a key board. So I am confused to call it a tablet or laptop.

Microsoft launched Surface Pro 2 in an event in New York for those professional people who want an experience of a laptop in a tablet like device. According to Microsoft, there is 75% of an improvement in battery life comparing it previous version of the surface tablet. They also give optional docking station and a new cover accessory. The price of Surface Pro 2 is $899 in US market.

The cheaper version called as Surface 2 comes at a price of $499 in US market. But both will be available in the market after 22nd October in US as well as a worldwide market. Both varients come with a 10.6 inch display.

microsoft surface pro 2 with dock

Another interesting thing is, Surface 2 runs on Windows RT operating system which is basically designed for running only application. Wheres Surface Pro 2 comes with a fully functional version of Windows OS.

Specifications:

Surface 2:

Processor:    nVidia Tegra 4

Storage:       32/64 GB varients

Battery:       Maximum 10 hours

OS:             Windows RT 8.1

Surface Pro 2

Processor:    intel core i5

Storage:       64/128/256/512 GB

Battery:       more than 75% previous version of surface

OS:              Windows 8.1

End of Windows XP

Microsoft is going to stop providing updates and patches to their Windows XP users from April 8, 2014!! In August 2001, they introduces Windows XP to the world and till that date they have given three new Windows names as Vista, Seven and Eight. But no one had achieved the grand success of XP. 

At present scenario, only Windows 7 is ahead of XP. We can clearly assume that in this super fast changing technological world, an OS which is more 12 year old still having popular amongst the users is a remarkable achievement. Still over 38% market is shared by XP followed by Windows 7 with 44% market share. 

Microsoft has announced this date and told their users to upgrade to newer OS, right now they are giving support for Service Pack 3 of XP. I can not find any particular reason why they are stopping their popular OS, but they started a program called support cycle having 10 years of span. This 10 years are going to end this year and thats why they could be going to take this step. They already stopped their main support to XP in 2009 but now they are stopping the extended support also.

In Microsoft officials words, ' Use XP at your own RISK from next April,2014 if you will not upgrade to newer OS' !!!  

Revo uninstaller software

Let me explain one scenario that you are using a trial version of software which runs just 15 days  and after that you got a message that "the period is over and buy the original copy!!" Then the first step you will take would be uninstalling the software and again installing it extend the 15 day time period again.

But wait wait.. That will not be possible always.During installation of software it creates registry and when you install it again,that will detected and you can not use it again.

To overcome this problem my favorite software is used is Revo Uninstaller.
This software is mainly used for uninstallation process management and make it simple.
This also provides Master uninstall to overcome above mentioned problem.

This is the basic look of Revo uninstaller.You can download it from its website.

This software also provides some extra features. All those are discussed below:

Hunter mode: In which you can hunt for a software which can be malfunctioned for your pc and this mode will detect it and remove it.

Backup Manager:  This feature provides to take backup of your software so incase if you face any problem then you can not loose you important data. 

Auto Run Manager: This feature provides us ability to remove the auto run type of programs which can cause problems to your pc and effect like virus.

Browser Cleaner: It works same like deleting the browser history but it provides you to clean it permanently and no one can again recover that.

Windows Cleaner: It removes the windows files, some other temporary files and recycle bin which data is not used.

Evidence Remover: This is something very important feature for those who works with some secret software and data on their pc. This will remove all the evidence related to that and again no one can recover them.