Hasta La Gadget!

This week whilst taking another dip into the operating system known as Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, we’ve happened across a bit of an easter egg within an easter egg, with a candy cane floating amongst the beans. As it has been with each Android operating system since Android 2.3 Gingerbread, there’s an easter egg animation (though sometimes it’s a still image) that appears when you head to the place in your Settings that shows your operating system number. Tapping away at that number in Jelly Bean reveals a single Jelly Bean (as you saw in our full review of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean) and another hold lets loose a whole collection of the multi-colored candy.

What we’ve found today thanks to our pals at Android Community is no less than a bonus bit of candy – a candy cane, as it were, floating amongst the rest of the sweets. While the first thing that pops into our collective heads whenever we see a candy treat anywhere near Android is a future code-name for the next version of the operating system. In this case though, it doesn’t seem to add up. Each of the OS names thus far have been in alphabetical order:

• Cupcake
• Donut
• Eclair
• FroYo
• Gingerbread
• Honeycomb
• Ice Cream Sandwich

So Candy Cane can’t possibly fit. Unless of course it goes with the less common “Kandy Cane” which would be just awful. The other idea here is that Google will be revealing something extra tasty by the time the holiday season comes around. While the candy cane is often tied directly to Christmas, it’s not out of the question that this treat, whatever it may be, will simply be pushed once the new year rolls around.

Could it be a code for a new Nexus device? We shall see soon enough!

Have a peek at some more Jelly Bean treats in the timeline below as well!

Android Candy Cane teased by Google is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you’re a fan of the Windows Home Server 2011 operating system, Microsoft has confirmed what may be your worst fear. Windows Home Server 2011 is the last version of Microsoft’s Home server operating system. The official confirmation came from Microsoft this week.

The confirmation doesn’t come as a complete surprise considering rumors had been circulating that there would be no version of the Home Server OS when Windows 8 launches in October. The official confirmation came from a new FAQ entry on the Windows Server 2012 Essentials frequently asked questions page.

Microsoft notes that is combining the features previously found in Windows Home Server operating systems such as support for DLNA compliant devices and media streaming into the new Windows Server 2012 Essentials operating system. Microsoft thinks that Windows Server 2012 Essentials will be the ideal first server OS for small businesses and home users. It’s worth noting that Windows Home Server 2011 will remain available as an OEM embedded product all the way through December 31, 2025 and will be available in other current channels until December 31, 2013.

[via ZDNet]

Microsoft confirms no new Windows Home Server is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Though the system called “Google Now” will be implemented on a vast array of Android devices over the next few years, right this minute its incredible voice recognition and search powers sit only on the Nexus 7. You’ll have Google Now on the Galaxy Nexus once it’s released from the legal locker some time in the next few weeks, and software updates are being reported by Samsung to be coming to current model Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S models soon as well, but for now it’s just this wonderful tablet. Let’s have a peek at the voice search capabilities of the Nexus 7 right this second.

What you’re about to witness is Cory Gunther of Android Community having an 8+ minute look at the Google Nexus 7 working specifically with the Google Now system embedded in the heart of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Those of you used to working with Siri, Vlingo, or any number of other voice-activated search software on your smartphone or tablet will be surprised at the response time here with Google Now on the Nexus 7.

Google Now’s response voice is what Google is calling the first natural-sounding voice for such systems on a mobile device, and this app ecosystem will be coming standard with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean builds. When you get your Nexus 7 straight from the Google Play store online, you’ll already have this functionality built in as well.

We’ve reviewed the Nexus 7 in-depth if you’d like to have a look and see if it’s all worth it, and don’t forget to check out the Nexus Q as well. Together they make a fabulous combination for whatever HDTV venue you’re working, living, or playing at!

Have a peek at the timeline below to see all kinds of Nexus 7 action as well!

Nexus 7 voice search abilities take the cake is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

This time around, Microsoft is not about to get messy with the massive amount of version of their IT-aimed Windows Server software they’ve had in the past. Where back in 2008, Window Server had twelve, count them, twelve versions of Server 2008 R2, this version focusing on just four different groups which its editions will be ideal for. These versions include Datacenter, Standard, Essentials, and Foundation, and will be spattered across businesses across the IT landscape before the year is done and over with – will you be jumping aboard?

This set of versions starts with Foundation, that being an economical general purpose server aimed bit of software with pricing only revealed to manufacturers of the devices it’ll be pushed to. Next you’ve got an Essentials version of Windows Server, this edition made for small business environments and costing $425. Pricing on each of these editions, mind you, represents Open No Level (NL) ERP.

The Standard edition of Windows Server 2012 is aimed at low density or non-virtualized environments and is one of two editions to be made for Processor + CAL licensing models, here priced at $882 USD. The other of these two editions is the Datacenter edition which is aimed at highly virtualized private and hybrid cloud environments. The Datacenter edition has unlimited virtual instances and will cost you $4,809.

You can also try the software out before you drop hundreds or thousands of dollars for your business right over at the Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate site right this second!

Check out the timeline below to dive deep into more Windows Server action and let us know if your business will be upgrading this year!

Windows Server 2012 set for just four iterations is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Microsoft has revealed its first batch of Chinese start-ups picked for its Accelerator for Windows Azure innovation program, as the company attempts to gain a foothold in the huge and potent market. Ten pre-”A” stage startups have been selected from a choice of 46 candidates, and will get Microsoft’s stewardship for the next six months as well as two years of Azure cloud infrastructure access worth $60,000.

The program is aligned with existing government initiatives in China, which has selected cloud-computing as a strategic technological goal for the country” Microsoft says of the news. “China is obviously a huge market, so the opportunity for Microsoft to advance its cloud offering in conjunction with its efforts to help developing startups is significant.”

Although Microsoft is obviously pushing Azure, it’s also open to participants using open-source technology; six of the ten are apparently developing on open source platforms, in fact. The program will include mentorship from a group of technologists and entrepreneurs, including what Microsoft describes as “national thought leaders” along with six of the company’s own IEEE fellows They’ll also be provided with Microsoft software and development tools as part of the company’s BizSpark Plus program.

Microsoft isn’t alone in looking to China as the next big potential market for its products. The country is seen as a huge potential source of growth by Apple and others, though strict government controls mean foreign firms can struggle to successfully enter.

Inaugural Microsoft Accelerator for Windows Azure startups:

Snack Studio – A design driven team that creates high-quality Windows Phone applications, with every app the product of extensive research and analysis, geared to facilitate user enjoyment.
Microcare – An innovative company dedicated to providing quality service for mobile APP networks. Its pioneering service platform, Devs Desktop Real Device Testing Suite, provides testing services tailor-made for app developers.
Fotoable – A mobile, multimedia company with special focus on photo-related applications in areas such as album management, special effects, and animation.
Unidust – Wormhole is a leading “Siri”-like voice assistant for Android that enables users to have a conversation with their phone, makes phones easier to operate, and helps solve life problems.
EachCloud – A webpage bookmark tool that puts the webpages that intrigue a user into a short summary, or a webclip. Users who have similar webclips and interests can find each other, and even become friends.
BanBao – BanBao is a free Personalized Social Information Companion that puts your friends, news and tweets in one place so you can access them anywhere, anytime.
OpenXLive – A mobile gaming social network platform that offers compelling features including leader board, achievements, multi-player and SNS integration.
ApeHills – Creator of edu-tainment oriented apps and language learning apps for the Japanese market that is looking to expand into the Chinese market.
FeiYan – An app that allows users to gift a custom meal via text message, a very welcomed idea in China’s guanxi oriented culture.
Atom – Creates social collaboration tools that help mid- to small-sized enterprises socialize and coordinate software.

Microsoft reveals Chinese cloud startups in Azure scheme is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.