"But be in no doubt: the adoption of compulsory standards in government threatens to break open Whitehall's lock-in to proprietary formats. In turn we will open the door for a host of other software providers."

..."It is a unique differentiator. I love tiles, I am exited about them. We had some drop in user happiness, but tiles aren't the reason."

Two of the people who saved Windows -- Jon DeVaan and Grant George, who delivered Windows 7 from the jaws of Windows infamy -- left the company earlier this week. Two more -- Julie Larson-Green and Jensen Harris -- whom many blame, er, "credit" with the Office ribbon and Windows tinker toy tiles, have found new homes buried deep in corporate nowhere land. Former Windows chief Steve Sinofsky jumped ship more than a year ago, probably because he was denied Ballmer's CEO brass ring. And Antoine Leblond of the original Office 95-2007/Windows 7-8 inner circle remains missing in action.

These departures/transfers not only solidify a complete housecleaning of the Windows effort, they mark the end of a "monolithic Windows" era.

More important, the breakup of the old crew sends as clear a sign as any that the powers-that-be at Microsoft realize Windows 8 screwed up big time: The whole management team responsible for Windows 8 has just hung out the "gone fishing" sign.

"I meaningful, firmly believe that it is a good UI metaphor," said Belfiore. "It is a unique differentiator. I love tiles, I am exited about them. We had some drop in user happiness, but tiles aren't the reason."

The new UI will add a search control, power button, and settings in more visible locations for users. "You'll find them where you expect them," said Belfiore. Microsoft also changed the behavior for "right-clicking" on a mouse. You'll get contextual information on a tile. Further, when an app takes over a screen, users will see a familiar red X icon to get out of the big screen.

As for getting the business world off of Office, Sun demonstrated the right idea several years ago by opening OpenOffice.org's/StarOffice's file formats. I'm not saying that the Open Document Format is the right way to go, nor am I saying it's not. I'm saying if the big players (other than MS) could agree on an open, XML-based file format and start insisting that everyone who deals with them use it, that would be the beginning of the end of Office. Here's hoping that some big wigs at these powerhouses start seeing the writing on the wall. Some of us have been waiting for years.

..."Technical standards for document formats may not sound like the first shot in a revolution.

"But be in no doubt: the adoption of compulsory standards in government threatens to break open Whitehall's lock-in to proprietary formats. In turn we will open the door for a host of other software providers."

"In the civil service there was a sense that if you hired a big multi-national, who everyone knew the name of, you'd never be fired.

"We weren't just missing out on innovation, we were paying top dollar for yesterday's technology.

Microsoft is rumored to be at least thinking about giving away Windows RT and Windows Phone to OEMs for use in their upcoming tablets and smartphones.

It's not like companies don't sometimes launch "anti" ad campaigns where they sandbag the competition and point out all the other guy's flaws, but it's a risky tactic that can backfire. That may be happening with Microsoft's rather bizarre anti-Google "scroogled" campaign, which is getting a little out of hand.

The latest attack from Microsoft is levelled at chromebooks, and it takes the form of a video the company made and posted that shows the "Pawn Stars" guys mocking a woman for trying to get some money for a chromebook.

"Because chromebook applications are web-based, when you're not connected, it's pretty much a brick." Rick goes on to note that it doesn't have Windows or Office and that it's not a real laptop. Then he accuses Google of targeted advertising, but the company isn't particularly trying to hide the fact that it engages in the practice.

Aside from how awkwardly Microsoft is swinging at Google here, they're mixing in facts with half-truths. For example, it's true that Chrome OS is browser-based and relies on an Internet connection for most of its functionality, but it's not true that it's a "brick" without one. There are many applications that run offline, including Google Docs. (We have a more detailed assessment of Chrome OS coming in a review soon. Stay tuned for that.)

Further, the fact that it's a woman in the video who's clueless about technology, whose mom is even more clueless, is a quietly insidious dig that I could have done without.

How does the Video and Music app collection works? I see the SpongeBob and Last Airbender that I bought in the collection, but, I have Family Guy which I didn't purchase, and it also ask me to buy it, but, I don't know how to remove it from my collection.

Then, music collection shows bunch of music that match my collection in my PC, but, those are converted from my CDs, not digitally purchased. How does it magically get all my songs???? It is some voodoo magic. But, what I am confused is, do I own them on the Music store???

Earning Achievements for playing Xbox games? That's so passé. The newest thing is earning achievements for using media apps on your Xbox One, according to a vague announcement from Microsoft.

In a description of the Xbox One's TV and media apps in a blog post this morning, Microsoft let slip that app makers will be able to include "Media Achievements... offering everybody the opportunity to achieve badges or rewards for the media they consume in addition to gaming." The company went into more detail on the new Media Achievements in a statement provided to Ars, noting that customers will be able to unlock achievements "for watching TV shows and movies or rating content" on apps including "Netflix, Hulu Plus, Crackle, Amazon Instant Video, and Redbox Instant."