Why Google's OS Won't Beat Microsoft

Could be released as early as this holiday season

(NEWSER) - It seems like only yesterday that Microsoft released Windows 7—and indeed, most of us haven't gotten around to upgrading to that version—but already, Windows 8 is nearly upon us. Web forums were filled with news and rumors last week after PC manufacturers and equipment makers got "early beta" test versions of Microsoft's latest PC operating system. Why so soon—just 17 months—after Windows 7 hit shelves? Tablets, CNNMoney reports. More»

Esquire : Sites that were before their time

(NEWSER) - Everything old is new again, especially on the Web. Some of today's tech darlings owe a lot to websites of years past. Here are some of Esquire's 15 favorite, and mostly kaput, Web 1.0 pioneers:

1. Dodgeball (2000) "A location-based social network for mobile devices, and the Internet's gift to stalkers," says Esquire. Today's Foursquare was co-created by one of its founders.

Ubiquitous OS seen as security risk

(NEWSER) - Google has had it with Windows. Ever since the company's Chinese operations were hacked in January, it's been trying to tighten up security, and the Microsoft OS is the first casualty, workers tell the Financial Times . “We're not doing any more Windows,” said one, “It's a security effort.” New recruits can choose to work on a Mac or a PC running Linux, and the CIO must give special permission before employees can get a new Windows machine. More»

Look to browser wars for lesson in path to niche irrelevance

(NEWSER) - Apple doesn't seem to realize it, but its new hardware-software gadget strategy is a road right back to the irrelevancy it so recently crawled out of, argues Henry Blodget of Business Insider . As before, Apple will prevail only in the small, premium market, muscled out by a more ubiquitous standard. Last time it was Windows. This time, it'll be Google's Android and Chrome. More»

Microsoft security update causes Black Screen, but it's not fatal

(NEWSER) - The Windows Blue Screen of Death is so passé these days, so some malevolent circuit board or update appears to have cooked up a new fail: the Black Screen of Death. The Black Screen is affecting not just new Window 7 machines, but those running XP and Vista as well. But don’t worry too much—the problem stems from a Microsoft security update, and the company is on it, if a bit cagey about the details. More»