Hasta La Gadget!

As we’re sure many of you guys are aware by now, but Microsoft has recently put an end to their official support for Windows XP. The operating system itself is still functional, but just don’t expect Microsoft to continue supporting it with updates and security patches. Given how old the operating system is, we guess it is about time, especially considering that there are 3 versions of Windows already ahead of it (Vista, 7, and 8).

Many people have criticized Microsoft for ending their support and recently the Chinese state media have joined in, slamming Microsoft for their decision and calling them “extremely irresponsible”. According to the post, they not only called Microsoft irresponsible, but they also said that this moved showed a lack of trustworthiness and that it could impact internet security and the future of Microsoft.

They also claim that the end of Windows XP has put China in an awkward position, especially since most operating systems these days, like Unix, Linux, OS X, and so on, are apparently “controlled by foreigners”. The article also takes the opportunity to call for the rise of local companies to help make China’s domestic operating system more prevalent in the face of Windows XP coming to an end.

However what the post fails to highlight is how the majority of Windows used in China are pirated copies. A few years ago this was confirmed by Microsoft’s then-CEO, Steve Ballmer, who said that how only 1 in 10 copies of Windows in China are legit copies, which basically means that 90% are running on pirated software. In fact in reaction to the Chinese state media’s post, one user took to social media to confess that his version is the pirated version, and that “I really have no standing to ask Microsoft for anything.”

What do you guys think? Is Microsoft really being irresponsible for ending Windows XP? Or do you think it’s about time anyway? After all we don’t expect that companies and governments to think that Microsoft would be supporting Windows XP forever, right?

Chinese State Media Calls Microsoft Irresponsible For Ending Windows XP Support , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Computers, Microsoft, windows xp,

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It was in the August of 2013 when Microsoft began to roll out versions of its Bing apps which it developed over time for Windows 8 all the way to the Windows Phone platform. Among the first apps that were released include Bing News, Bing Sports, Bing Weather and Bing Finance, before they were accompanied by the likes of Bing Travel, Bing Food and Drink, Bing Health and Fitness, and the recently discontinued Bing Flight Price Predictor. Well, it seems that there are new updates for the entire range of Bing Windows Phone apps, appearing on smartphones sans the “Bing” name in their titles.

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Microsoft Updates Bing Windows Phone Apps, Removes “Bing” From Their Titles, Too original content from Ubergizmo.

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Microsoft must be busy reorganizing their stuff, considering how they have already stopped official support for the Windows XP operating system and its Office 2003 suite, not to mention closing the door on a service on its Bing Travel site, too. Apparently, this flight price prediction tool is no longer an option on the site. Bummer. According to a Microsoft spokesperson, this decision to shut down the flight price prediction tool was “a business decision to focus resources on areas where we feel there are the greatest opportunities to serve travel needs.”

I suppose the future is really unchartered territory, whether you are in possession of a palantir or not, since one can never be able to tell what is going to be a hit or not. After all, I am quite sure that Microsoft must have had grand plans for forking out a rumored $115 million for Farecast in 2008, which is the company that provided the technology required for such a tool.

The whole premise of the flight price prediction tool is to check out if a particular airline flight that one intends to hop on down the road would increase or decrease in price. Oren Etzioni, the original founder of Farecast, was not too happy to hear of this closure by Microsoft, where he thinks that this happens to be one of the “most distinctive features of Bing.” For those who are looking for alternatives, there is always Kayak.

Bing Flight Price Predictor Shuts Down , original content from Ubergizmo, Filed in Computers, bing, Microsoft,