Daily Update: iPad 2 Rumors, Microsoft Questions, Angry Birds for PC

Good morning.

Apple's iTunes turns 10. I had hoped that the company was going to completely overhaul this piece of junk for version 10 last fall, but it didn't. So iTunes at ten is like a lot of US adults after 10 years: 20 pounds overweight. Maybe they'll fix it someday.

Speaking of Apple, there have been a lot of iPad 2 rumors lately, as expected, including one that it could arrive (at least in announcement form) as early as February. "If you’re thinking of buying an iPad, hold off for now," insider Kevin Rose said this week. Sure. I've been saying that since November. But I will say this; If you did wait, you did the right thing. Version 2 is going to be the one where the excuses for not buying run out, I think.

If you didn't see, do check out my article, Windows Everywhere? Wake Up, Microsoft. It's 2011, which I posted this morning. My concerns about the software giant's focus and plodding slowness continue.

If you're still using the Windows Home Server "Vail" beta, you're in for a little shock today, and not the good kind: It's expiring at the end of the day. That means you need to get your data off the server and onto another box if you're foolish enough (as I am) to actually be using the thing. According to the Windows Home Server team, the company will not release a patch to extend the preview period. And the next beta release is still 4-6 weeks out.

This WHS stuff is depressing, of course, and I'm getting more and more email from former WHS fans who are abandoning the platform. I understand, but I'm still not sure where I'll be going with this stuff. For now, I think I'll just revert to the (v1) shipping version of WHS and see what happens with the new beta.

According to the Wall Street Journal, which has apparently had the inside track on Verizon iPhone news, the wireless giant is so confident of its network, that it will offer unlimited data plans to customers. This is yet another reason for AT&T users to jump ship, since that carrier offers only tiered (200 MB and 2 GB) plans now.

By the way, in case it's not obvious, if you want to play Angry Birds on the PC, you can now get it through the Intel AppUp store (which I mentioned in my Mac App Store commentary). It's $4.99 and can be installed on up to five PCs. Looks and works great.

Discuss this Article 3

jkraeck
on Jan 10, 2011
"Windows Everywhere..." is a great indictment of the thinking at Microsoft. They need to understand that people really do not care about the OS, or in the end about most of the applications they use. People care about their data, their information; applications and OSes simply make the information available.

It matters not what OS a device runs, just that I can view my information and files on that device. The ability to edit, save, and display with full fidelity on whatever platform I happen to have available is all that matters. Azure, Windows Live and Office365 point to MS understanding this...porting the full featured "Windows" everywhere indicates they are, indeed, clueless.



meason
on Jan 10, 2011
I have come close to buying a WHS several times.... but now with HP dropping out I just don't see a future for the thing...... its already small market got smaller with no big name really pushing it in the market (if you consider HP having pushed it at all).
3DPiper
on Jan 11, 2011
How come when Microsoft doesn't 'change' enough, they get a full article about what they need to do.. But when Apple doesn't 'change' their itunes in 10 versions, it gets brushed off as "oh well, maybe one day they will fix it"..

I work on Macs daily, thank God I have a PC at home..

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