Users Report Cortana Having Problems Setting Alarms

Users Report Cortana Having Problems Setting AlarmsOne of the more basic functions one might expect from a voice assistant feature is the ability to set the alarm. Google Now does this, Siri does this, Cortana does this, no wait, it doesn’t. According to reports, it seems that there are more than a fair share of Windows Phone 8.1 users out there who are experiencing difficulties when attempting to set their alarm via Cortana.

The error message they receive when trying to do so reads, “Something’s not right. Try again a little bit. (8000ffff).” Apparently even soft or hard resetting their phone does not seem to solve the issue either. There is also the possibility that it might be because Cortana is being used in another country other than the US, but there are US users who are reporting on the issue as well.

However we should note that as it stands, Windows Phone 8.1 has been released as a Developer Preview meaning that it is not primed for use for end-users just yet, although we would have expected Cortana to be able to set alarms since it’s a pretty basic function. Hopefully this is an issue Microsoft will look into an issue a fix if necessary.

In the meantime any of our readers running the Windows Phone 8.1 Developer Preview on their Windows Phone handsets run into the same problems as well? Do let us know in the comments below, especially if you’ve figured out how to make it work!

Users Report Cortana Having Problems Setting Alarms , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Cellphones, Cortana, , ,

Microsoft Discounting Windows XP Support For Enterprise

Microsoft Discounting Windows XP Support For EnterpriseAs we’re sure many of you guys have heard by now, Windows XP is officially no longer supported by Microsoft. The operating system is still alive and kicking but it is no longer being supported, meaning that updates designed to protect the computer from viruses and malware will no longer be issued.

This isn’t good news for businesses and governments that still rely heavily on Windows XP and have yet to make the switch. Last we heard, Microsoft was charging very high prices to keep adding support until these organizations or government agencies had the opportunity to upgrade. Well it turns out Microsoft has had a change of heart and is now offering a discount.

In a statement released by Microsoft to ZDNet, “We’ve been working with customers and partners on the migration from Windows XP since we announced in September 2007 that support for Windows XP would end on April 8. 2014. As part of this effort, we’ve made custom support more affordable so large enterprise organizations could have temporary support in place while they migrate to a more modern and secure operating system.”

Microsoft did not state how big the discount was but according to ZDNet’s source, one customer had an original quote of $85 million to cover his entire company reduce to $3 million which is an extremely huge discount. ComputerWorld on the other hand has cited its own sources which claims that the ceiling for the custom coverage is set at $250,000, with a price of $250 per device which admittedly sounds a lot more reasonable.

Microsoft Discounting Windows XP Support For Enterprise , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Computers, , ,

Bing gets personalized: “cards” work with Cortana data

While Microsoft isn’t quite ready to release Cortana to the desktop world, they’re letting it be known that they’re more than happy to spread the personalization love. With Cortana you … Continue reading

Microsoft’s New All-In-One Media Keyboard Destined For Your Living Room

Microsofts New All In One Media Keyboard Destined For Your Living Room

Microsoft today announced a new All-in-One Media keyboard which it believes is perfect for your living room. It might come in handy if you often connect a device to your TV. Most people do, its one of the easiest ways to share photos and videos with friends and family. This keyboard makes it easy to share all of that content from the comfort of your couch.

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  • Microsoft’s New All-In-One Media Keyboard Destined For Your Living Room original content from Ubergizmo.

    Microsoft All-in-One Media Keyboard targets tablets and TVs

    Microsoft has a new wireless keyboard with integrated trackpad, the All-in-One Media Keyboard, targeted at living room users, smart TVs, Xbox One, and tablets. Offering both a full-sized QWERTY layout … Continue reading

    The Smartphone Industry Pledge That Could Stop Your Phone Being Stolen

    The Smartphone Industry Pledge That Could Stop Your Phone Being Stolen

    The likes of Apple, Google, Microsoft and other major figures in the smartphone industry have signed a pledge that will make it harder to steal cell phones—from July 2015, at least.

    Read more…




    Microsoft To Open 11 More Specialty Retail Stores In The US

    Microsoft To Open 11 More Specialty Retail Stores In The USMicrosoft has made an official announcement today that they will be opening up the doors to 11 more specialty retail stores in the U.S. when May rolls around, at least according to what was posted on the Microsoft Store Facebook page. Over there, a list of the store locations and opening dates were posted, and as you can check out from the map above, these happen to be spread out throughout the vast country.

    Such kiosk-like stores will happen to sell a limited number of Microsoft related products including Surface tablets and Xbox One consoles among others. Should a location become popular, that particular specialty store could be upgraded to end up as a full retail location. Needless to say, one can look forward to some kind of opening day sales, giveaways and promotions as each store opens, although no specific details were revealed.

    The new stores will be located at North Point Mall, Alpharetta, GA (May 3); The Oaks, Thousand Oaks, CA, Park Place, Tucson, AZ, Jordan Creek Town Center, Des Moines, IA, (May 13); FlatIron Crossing, Broomfield, CO, North Star Mall, San Antonio, TX, Westroads Mall, Omaha, NE (May 15); The Mall in Columbia, Columbia, MD, The Maine Mall, S Portland, ME, Mall of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, LA, and Boise Towne Square, Boise, ID (May 17).

    Microsoft To Open 11 More Specialty Retail Stores In The US , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Computers, ,

    I can finally recommend Windows Phone

    It’s taken a while – two major generations and a couple of updates – but Windows Phone finally feels ready to take on Android and iOS with confidence. I’ve always … Continue reading

    Microsoft rolls out Office 365 Personal for desktop, tablets

    Microsoft has announced they’ve made Office 365 Personal available, ushering in another era of Office for mobile. The service allows for a single PC or Mac and one tablet (iPad … Continue reading

    Clippy Lives On As Cortana Easter Egg In Windows Phone 8.1

    Clippy Lives On As Cortana Easter Egg In Windows Phone 8.1

    I have to admit, Clippy makes me feel nostalgic. It takes me back to the days when I get my very first computer. Clippy would always show up if I needed help in Office programs back in the day and would present a laundry list of solutions. As Microsoft moved into the future, Clippy was removed from Office programs, even if it etched a permanent place in our memories. At times though the company has brought it back. As part of its April Fools’ Day prank this year Microsoft put Clippy in Office Online. Now it has brought it back as an Easter egg in Cortana virtual private assistant on Windows Phone 8.1.

    At the BUILD 2014 conference Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 8.1. The much awaited software brings Microsoft’s own Siri competitor called Cortana. Yesterday Windows Phone 8.1 developer preview was released, even non-developers can load it on their Windows 8 devices. A lot of people have since been toying around with the software and most have discovered that Clippy exists as an Easter egg in Cortana.

    A member of the WPC forums asked Cortana if she liked Clippy. The virtual assistant had a few responses to that query, including “What’s not to like? That guy took a heck of a beating and he’s still smiling.” The circular Cortana avatar then morphs into Clippy. If you’ve loaded up Windows Phone 8.1 developer preview on your device, why not give this a go and take a walk down memory lane?

    Clippy Lives On As Cortana Easter Egg In Windows Phone 8.1 , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Cellphones, Cortana, , ,