China Developing Linux

8/12/2019 China Developing Linux

1/9

China developing Linux-based OS to cope

with end of Windows XP support

China will focus on the development of a new operating system (OS) based on Linux to copewith the shutdown of Windows XP, an official said Wednesday.

Zhang Feng, chief engineer of China's ministry of industry and information technology, said "theministry will beef up support for the development of such an OS", Xinhua reported.

(Also see:American IRS to pay millions for continued Windows XP support)

Microsoft ended support for the 13-year-oldWindows XPoperating system on April 8 and

advised users to upgrade to Windows 8 or get a new PC, if necessary.

About 70 percent of Chinese personal computers, even in critical sectors liketelecommunications, are still running on Windows XP.

(Also see:PC sales fall slows due to replacement of Windows XP machines: Gartner)

"The shutdown will bring risks directly to China's basic telecommunication networks and

threaten its overall security," said Zhang.

In February, Tencent, Kingsoft, Sogou and other Chinese internet service providers said they

would provide technical assistance for Windows XP users to upgrade systems and guard againstrisks.

Zhang advised individual users to install Chinese-made shield software to fend off possibleonline attacks or information leakages.

(Also see:Microsoft partners Lenovo, Tencent to offer Windows XP support in China)

Linuxis an OS assembled under the model of free and open source software development anddistribution. It is a leading OS on servers, mainframe computers and super computers.

It is estimated that Linux has a market share of less than 1.5 percent worldwide, after nearly 91

percent market share of Windows and some eight percent of OS X.

Windows 8.2 due in autumn, Windows 9 and

cloud OS in pipeline: Report
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2/9

Microsoft at its annual Build developer conference unveiledWindows 8.1 Update,whichbrought a number tweaks and improvements for desktop and laptop users. While the Redmond

giant might be busy promoting its recently released OS version, rumours about the next update

have already started doing the rounds of the Internet.

Russian pirate group WZOR, first reported byMyce,has detailed some expected features in therumoured Windows 8.2 version, alongside features in the similarly-rumoured Windows 9version, as well as the new Google Chrome OS-styled Windows Cloud OS.

The leak tips Microsoft's shift to a more rapid release cycle, which hints that the rumoured

Windows 8.2 version could be released by autumn this year.

WZOR claims that the autumn update for desktops and laptops would be on the lines of theWindows 8.1 Update, and may be called Windows 8.1 Update 2. However, the pirate group also

speculates that the update could be released as Windows 8.2.

(Also see:Windows 8.1 Update: Five features we love)

Further,WZOR(subscription required) suggests that the rumoured Windows 8.1 Update 2 orWindows 8.2 will feature the Start button that Microsoft showed off at its Build conference.

The rumoured Windows 9 version, on the other hand, is said to bring the next-generation of the

Metro UI, though the Russian pirate group does not detail anything else about other features. In

addition, WZOR claims that the alleged Windows 9 release might be a free one, though ofcourse, there is no confirmation on this point.

Lastly, the pirate group suggests that Microsoft is working on a cloud OS, which is said to be in-

line with Google's Chrome OS-style. The report notes that once the rumoured Windows cloudOS will be installed on a system; it will require an Internet connection for full functionality.

However, the alleged Microsoft cloud OS could also work offline and would be similar to

Microsoft's affordable OS, Windows Starter.

For those unaware, some of thebiggest change in the Windows 8.1 Updateis the focus on UI-

optimisation for mouse and keyboard users. The Windows Store UI will also be made mouse-optimised, Microsoft revealed. The Redmond giant also introduced Universal Windows app

Indian Railways launches NTES app for

tracking trains and real-time status queries

Now rail users can get information on expected arrival and departure timings of a particular train

on their mobile phones besides tracking its its position on a real time basis.
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3/9

Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), the information and technology arm of

railways, has launched a new mobile application which can be used for various enquiries

including train timings, a senior Railway official said.

CRIS has enhanced the train enquiry system by developing the mobile app and a desktop

application onWindows8 platform for train enquiries with support fromMicrosoft,he added.

National Train Enquiry System (NTES) is railways' back-end system which provides information

to the public about train schedules on a near real time basis through various interfaces likenationwide unique rail enquiry number 139, [website], mobile interfaces, touch screens, enquiry

counters and display boards at stations.

An interface of NTES website along with a mobile version of it was launched in September 2013

earlier which has proved to be quite useful for train passengers, said the official.

Among the many features of the new mobile app - also called NTES - is the 'spot your train'

feature which offers information such as its current position, expected time of arrival anddeparture at a particular station.

The 'Train Schedule' feature provides complete schedule of a train with all stoppages en route

and its scheduled arrival/ departure at the station, distance and day count.

In "Trains between Stations" query, one can find out the list of all types of trains availablebetween any two stations on railway network.

The mobile app also has "Cancelled Trains" option which displays all trains marked as cancelled.

It displays trains which are cancelled through the entire route as well as trains which are

cancelled on partial route.

Besides, it also provides features for query on rescheduled and diverted trains.

The NTES app is now available as a free [download]for phones running Windows Phone 8 and

above. PTI says the app will also be developed for other platforms.

Microsoft, HP and Pearson launch Windows

8.1 tablet for college studentsT major Microsoft has partnered with HP and Pearson to launch a tablet for higher educational

students in engineering and management streams.

The companies will jointly launch the Windows 8.1 powered 10.1-inchHP Omni 10tablet with

embedded content from Pearson andMicrosoft Officein the higher education space.
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4/9

Priced at Rs. 29,999, this is the software giant's second offering. In February this year, it had

unveiled theAcer Iconia W4-820, priced at Rs. 24,999, withAcer,MBD Group and Tata

Teleservices for private schools (K6-12 level).

"These customised tablets will make learning interactive and immersive and is part of our

continuous efforts to make education more inclusive through technology. We believe that theseare game changing devices,"MicrosoftIndia Head (Public Sector and Education) Arun Rajamani

told PTI.

The Omni 10 tablet packs in the best of HP,Pearson and Microsoft's offerings and has been

specifically designed to provide students with an engaging learning experience, he added.

On market potential, Rajamani said the addressable market for HP Omni 10 would be the five

million students undergoing technical and management studies.

The Acer Iconia W4-820, on the other hand, had a bigger addressable market of around 30

million since it targeted the school students, he added.

The HP Omni 10 will be available for all technical and management institutes and is being

currently offered at an EMI plan of Rs. 2,990 per month for 12 months (taxes additional).

"This special limited time 'Institute Offer' is valid till June 15," Rajamani said.

Microsoft will provide a preloaded set of 10 e-books, access to various Microsoft developer tools

and servers through the DreamSpark student site, single sign-on student mail IDs as well as a50GB mailbox and 25GB OneDrivePro free.

The tablet runs onIntelAtom Z3000 series, HP India Director (Computing category, Printingand Personal Systems) Ketal Patel said.

"Engineered to assist students with their hectic work schedules, this tablet provides powerful

performance for multitasking, making presentations, playing games and music. A carry cover forthe HP Omni 10 tablet will also be provided in the offer," he added.

The tablet is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and has up to 8.5 hours of battery life, 2GB ofRAM, and 32GB of built-in storage that can be expanded to another 32GB using a microSD

card. It has a 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.

Pearson India Business Head and VP (Higher education and Test preparation) Anish Srikrishnasaid technology can address challenges like shortage of quality teaching staff and infrastructure.

The tablet offers Pearson's e-learning content, including theory papers of first semester

engineering and MBA courses.
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5/9

Pearson self-learning course module will provide multimedia content for first semester

engineering students and student guides/notes, flash cards, and video case studies for first

semester MBA students, Srikrishna said.

The interactive content enables teachers to simplify concepts and helps students understand and

retain them better, he added.

Microsoft's Cortana vs. Apple's Siri vs.

Google Now

Thanks for asking,Cortana.And thanks for making theWindows phonesoftware better,

Microsoft.

With the new Cortana virtual assistant, Windows catches up withApple'siOS andGoogle's

Android in a major way.Microsofttakes some of the best parts of Apple's and Google's virtualassistants and adds a few useful tools of its own. The result is Cortana, named after an artificial-intelligence character in Microsoft's "Halo" video games.

The new Windows system, Windows Phone 8.1, has several other new features, which I'll reviewseparately Tuesday.

The update, including Cortana, will come with new phones starting next month, while existing

phones will be able to download it for free in the coming months. On Monday, Microsoft is

making a preview version available to software developers. I was able to test that version over

the past week.

Apple'sSirivirtual assistant oniPhonesandiPadshas a feisty personality. She has good

comebacks for such questions as, "What is the meaning of life?" She's also helpful withdirections, restaurant recommendations and appointment reminders.Google NowonAndroid

phones is boring by comparison, but it's better at anticipating your needs and giving you

information before you even ask.

Cortana combines Siri's personality with Google Now's knack for anticipation.

Cortana also incorporates a feature for blocking calls, texts and notifications during times of your

choosing, while letting you set exceptions for specific people or emergencies (defined as

someone trying to call again within three minutes). That feature is separate on iPhones andSamsung'sAndroid phones. Cortana will also identify the name of songs heard in a retail store or

bar, while you need separate apps such as SoundHound or Shazam on other phones.

Other differences include:

Cortana asks rather than assumes.
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6/9

When you first use Cortana, she guides you through a brief questionnaire to gauge your interests.

You can tap an icon on the top right to pull down a notebook and change your preferences.

Cortana also offers to scan your email for flights and other events to remind you about. Unlike

Google Now, Cortana asks whether you'd like that flight tracked. Google Now does that

automatically and erroneously picks up itineraries that your travel companions send you. Also,Google Now works only withGmail,while Cortana works with all major services exceptYahoo,

which Microsoft says it couldn't track because of Yahoo's terms of service.

Although Cortana avoids mistakes by asking, she requires slightly more work on your part. After

asking Cortana about the latest Mets game, I had to tap a link to get future updates automatically.I didn't have to do anything with Google Now. But Google Now also assumes that just because I

search for a company once, I want its stock quote every day.

Cortana lets you ask follow-up questions.

After asking Cortana for Mexican restaurants, I asked for ones that are open and got my listnarrowed. I then asked for the ones that are good. Cortana responded with the Mexican

restaurants that are both open and have at least four stars on Yelp.

Siri and Google Now tend to treat each request as new, though both will let you make

reservations through OpenTable. Cortana tells you only that a place takes reservations.

Cortana offers more ways to set reminders.
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7/9

Like Siri and Google Now, Cortana lets you set reminders based on the time. Like Google Now,

Cortana also lets you set reminders based on location. When you arrive at work, for instance, she

can remind you to mail a package.

Unlike the others, Cortana also lets you set people-based reminders. Let's say your friend Mary

just had a baby. You can ask Cortana to remind you to mention that the next time you call, textor email Mary.

Some of the interactions got frustrating until I manually added my work and home addresses toCortana's notebook.

Me: "Remind me to turn off the stove when I get home."

Cortana: "All right, where should I remind you?"

Me: "Home."

Cortana: "OK, what should I remind you about?"

Me: "Turn off the stove."

Cortana: "When would you like to be reminded?"

Me: "When I get home."

Cortana: "Sure, remind you when you get to home. Is this the one you want?"

The suggestion wasn't for my home but "Home Restaurant."

Microsoft says Cortana will figure out where you work and live over time.

Cortana is still in a "beta" test mode, so these kinks are to be expected.


8/9

Cortana is fine for basic queries, though sometimes you have to ask a few times. In requesting

directions, I sometimes get a simple Web search for my destination address. But repeating theaddress then gets me actual step-by-step directions.

I asked all three virtual assistants on Friday whether I needed an umbrella. Siri and Google Now

both told me I didn't, based on the fact that it wasn't raining. Cortana answered, "I'm not entirelycertain." All three then presented a forecast.

By Sunday, Cortana seemed to have figured out I didn't need an umbrella. But I asked the same

question 10 minutes later and got Web results for "Do I need an umbrella?"

Both Siri and Google gave me movie times when I asked, "When is Frozen' showing?" Clicking

on a time took me to a ticketing service. Cortana simply conducted a Web search.

Cortana warns me of conflicts when adding a calendar event, but the warning comes after the

fact as a "by the way." Siri warns me ahead of time, while Google Now offers no warning at all.

Ask Cortana to "tell me a joke," and she tries to text "a joke" to my cellphone, or "Me" in the

address book. Cortana also won't compose email. Siri and Google Now do both email and texts.

These are all small points that I'm sure Microsoft will address over time. The company plans to

keep Cortana in beta and limited to the U.S. until the second half of the year, when the assistantwill also debut in the U.K. and China.


9/9

Perhaps by then, Microsoft will offer a male voice, the way Apple now does with Siri.

In the meantime, enjoy interacting with Cortana. You can ask her to sing a song.

Cortana's improvements over Siri and Google Now aren't enough to compel a switch from an

iPhone or Android phone, but Cortana does address an omission in Windows Phone for thosealready thinking of getting one.

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