Microsoft Office is coming to Linux in 2014

The Linux focused site Phoronix is reporting that Microsoft is looking at developing Office for Linux in 2014. This is based on a conversation the writer had at the Free Open Source European Meeting in Brussels, where he was told, 'Microsoft is having a "meaningful look" at a full Linux port of Office thanks to Linux showing signs of commercial viability.' - Larabel

Larabel is often right about things like this. But regardless of whether Office for Linux comes to fruition, the idea of Microsoft even thinking about it and potentially giving such a windows rivalry app free of charge may come as a surprise. When someone asked Twitter, Larabel replied that he wouldn't be surprised if there are "many doubters" but challenged them to "wait and see." He points out that Microsoft has offered "unlikely sponsorship" to Linux projects in the past, albeit on a relatively small scale, and that the rumored Office for Android may also function as a stepping stone. Still, there'll need to be a few more meetings in underground parking lots before we're totally convinced.

Linux has certainly been getting more serious support recently, with the game platform Steam now available on the Ubuntu distribution of the open source operating system. Linux is also increasing in popularity among government organizations, attracted by its cost cutting possibilities.

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PlayStation 4 Retail Price Revealed

Japanese website the Asahi Shimbun reports that Sony's new gaming console will cost 40,000 Yen - which translates to about £270. UK gamers will have to factor in VAT, which adds a whopping 20 per cent to the price, taking the possible UK figure to around £325.

This is the first real inkling we have as to how much the PlayStation 4 might cost. At $428, consumer are more likely to make the purchase, and with Microsoft also purportedly bringing the Xbox 720 at some point this year, it’s vitally important for Sony to give current PlayStation users a reason to remain loyal when they decide to upgrade their hardware.

The cheapest PlayStation 3 variant now coats 24,980 Yen in Japan and $269 in the US, and although age are both contributing factors to its current low price, it’s fair to say a ~$400 cost at launch for a PlayStation 4 would be gratefully received.

The new console is also expected to have a touchpad controller, as well as an eight-core x64 AMD processor (codenamed 'Bulldozer'), 8GB of RAM, 2.2GB of video RAM, four USB ports that use the new high-speed USB 3.0 standard, a Blu-ray drive, a hard drive of 160GB, an Ethernet port, and both HDMI and optical outputs. However specs for the next-generation Xbox are rumoured to be comparable, with insiders suggesting that it will also pack 8GB of RAM, HDMI connectors and USB 3.0. 

The launches are important for both Sony and Microsoft, as gamers have moved away from consoles since the Xbox 360 and the PS3 debuted. More and more people have shifted to the tablet and the smartphone as a gaming platform. Analysts expect that tablets and other mobile devices will match the power and graphics of today's games consoles within a few years.

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iPhone 5S and 5" iPhone 6 to be Launched in 2013

We all know by now that Apple and iPhone rumors are a regular occurrence at this time of year, with the majority of the hear-say turning out to be exactly that. However, history has also educated us to the fact that more often than not there is never any smoke without fire, meaning that a lot of iPhone related rumors do turn out to have some substance behind them. The latest speculation is coming directly from Chinese sources who appear to be adamant of the existence of a new iPhone 5S and a larger 5-inch model that will be released under the iPhone 6 moniker.

Earlier analyst speculation held that Apple will release an iPhone 5S and a revamped version of the iPhone 5 in June or July. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted last month that the new S model would resemble the current model with a few improvements, including an A7 chip for faster performance and a fingerprint sensor. A larger screen size for an iPhone 6 might attract consumers smitten with Samsung's 4.8-inch Galaxy S3 and 5.5-inch Galaxy Note 2.

Manufacturers like Samsung have proved that smartphones with larger, vivid displays definitely do have a place in the smartphone industry, but whether or not Apple would ever go down that route remains to be seen.

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Xbox 720 Rumours

Microsoft has yet to announce a successor to the Xbox 360, but lots of rumors and speculations have surfaced about the company's next home console. The information is based on sourced, reasonable speculation, rumored features and alleged leaks.

Microsoft's upcoming console codenamed Durango, but known as the Xbox 720, will require a constant internet connection and block second hand games from being used. According to sources, the new Xbox 720 console will need an internet connection to function. Microsoft will be committed to online functionality with a new version of Xbox Live, but physical games will come with an activation code rendering them useless to a second user.

These physical Xbox games will apparently be manufactured on 50GB Blu-ray discs meaning the console should be able to play Blu-ray films. Microsoft's next game console could feature Siri-esque voice control. Popular voice activated personal assistants like Siri and Google Now require a connection to the cloud, where the voice recognition and processing is actually performed.

Improved functionality in this area will supposedly include wake on voice, natural language controls, and speech-to-text. "We understand that Microsoft is also investigating scenarios where a Kinect sensor will detect individuals in a room and suggest appropriate multiplayer games after a user queries the Xbox using voice."


The Edge's source also confirmed rumoured specifications for the Xbox 720 are accurate. It will use an AMD eight-core x64 1.6GHz CPU, a D3D11.x 800MHz graphics card and 8GB of DDR3 RAM.

Microsoft is expected to show off the Xbox 720 at this year's E3 convention, but might announce the console before hand in March.

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Ubuntu OS phones to hit stores in October

It's been said that Ubuntu's open-source operating system would be available on smartphones by the end of the year, and now it's confirmed that consumers can get their hands on such devices in October.

The founder and CEO of Canonical Mark Shuttleworth said that Ubuntu OS smartphones will be available in October and app developers will get access to the OS later this month.


Ubuntu OS is long a favorite open-source platform for computing. The OS will use the same drivers as Android smartphones and will also be able to run on entry-level smartphones. It will use native apps, which means that developers can create a single app for both the desktop and the PC. This will let users easily move between devices. The OS also favors swiping gestures to reveal navigation strips and overview pages.

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