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Microsoft has officially come out with Windows 8. But wait! Its not yet officially confirmed if it will be called “Windows 8″. Its just code-named Windows 8 which is the next OS in line after Windows 7 which was released barely less then 2 years ago.

So, just as we are familiarizing with Windows 7′s re-designed user interface and its brand new features and getting to like it. Windows 8 is going to loaded with more redesigned interface and better functionality. Windows 8 is designed keeping in mind that it has to be used in mobile platforms also. This could bring a whole new experience for users who will get the same feel whether they are on their mobile or PC.

One striking new concept of Windows 8 is that they have completely re-designed the iconic Start Menu and replaced it with a tiled screen where each tile launches an application. Some what like that in an iOS of iPhone, but better. The better part is these tiles can be ‘live’, which means constant updates and notifications of that application on its tile. Windows 8 by default will come loaded with a bunch of apps like weather app, a stock ticker app, and a built-in news app all with their ‘live tile’.

It seems to be fully designed with touch screen on mind. But they say it will work just as fine with a mouse and keyboard.

Other features include multitasking, by sliding the application to the side of the screen, very similar to the ones already available in iOS and Android. Which enables you to run 2 applications side-by-side.

Now, the good news Windows 8 is still in development stage and you can’t expect it to hit the stores will the end of 2012. Lots of features are still being considered. Microsoft has just decided to show us a glimpse of what to expect.

I guess we can go back and enjoy Windows 7 till then.

Here is the video Microsoft officially released on “Windows 8″ in its YouTube channel:

Facebook has accepted the fact that it has been raising anti-Google campaign.

As reported via BBC, Facebook has confirmed that it used Burson-Marsteller to expose things which Google was doing that “raised privacy concerns”, but denied that it had authorised a smear campaign.

“Instead, we wanted third parties to verify that people did not approve of the collection and use of information from their accounts on Facebook and other services for inclusion in Google Social Circles — just as Facebook did not approve of use or collection for this purpose,” the company said.

Who is Burson- Marsteller? What is it all about?

Burson- Marsteller is a PR Firm. The PR Firm approached bloggers to write anti google stories in their blog in exchange for some ransom amount.

The dealing continued until one blogger disagreed with the firm.

The blogger who was planting anti-Google stories could not continue writing such stories, and this was the moment he decided to post the emails which he received from the PR firm to expose the Firm.

Earlier rumors spread out that it must have been Microsoft or Apple that would have hired the firm.

But when US-based news website, the Daily Beast uncovered the truth. It just shocked every one, including me.

Never saw this coming from Facebook.

What do you think on the whole story? Are you disappointed that Facebook has gone with such low act? Share with us your views via comments

Internet Explorer 9 is all set to introduce a new feature called Anti-Tracking tool. This will allow the users to control what information is collected about their online activity.

IE9's Anti-Tracking Feature will be available early 2011

The tools will let people stop a site they are visiting sharing information about what they do with other sites.

Users will be able to create lists stating that their data will only be shared with sites they want to see it.

The news comes as the US government criticises the computer industry for its slow progress on protecting user privacy.

In a blog post, Microsoft said many people did not realise that when they visit a website what they look for, view or buy there is often shared with other companies without that user’s knowledge.

In IE9, Microsoft is planning to introduce what it calls “Tracking Protection Lists” that it says will work like the “Do Not Call” lists that limit who marketing firms can cold call.

The lists will be defined by users and limit the sharing of data only to those sites which a user is happy to see the information. When switched on, the system might mean that some adverts or other features do not appear when users visit sites.

Anyone will be able to write a list and share it with others so they can get the same protection, said Microsoft.

It also plans to release the formatting and standards for the lists under an open licence so other browser makers can adopt them.

The tracking system will be turned off by default and users will have to “opt in” to use it.

Microsoft said early versions of the tools would be included in the version of IE9 due for release in early 2011.

Looks like after big G is in talks to buy Groupon after ‘rumored’ talks with Yahoo failed early this year. It also seems Google interest in Groupon will kindle others like Microsoft, Amazon, or eBay to have a look at it.

Groupon to fall in the dominant hands of Google ?

Is Google adding online deals to its arsenal of acquisitions this year? According to a site called VatorNews, Google is purchasing Groupon for $2.5 billion, though All Things D’s Kara Swisher says the deal will likely be upwards of $3 billion.

VatorNews had few other details about the purchase and Google and Groupon are not talking. Swisher was actually the first to report about a possible Google-Groupon tie-up back on November 19.

At the time, talks between Google and Groupon were still ongoing, and Swisher suggested that others might also be interested, including Microsoft, Amazon, or eBay. Yahoo was rumored to be interested in Groupon earlier this year, but a deal was not reached.

Swisher also noted that Google could face regulatory scrutiny. In July, the company purchased travel software firm ITA for $700 million, a deal that is under review by regulators and has been criticized by rival travel companies.

Groupon is a discount site that offers one major deal per day (buy $50 worth of clothes for $25, for example). Earlier this month, the company launched Grouponicus, featuring online deals tailored for holiday gifting.

you heard it! There is a new member in Google’s rivalry list. After Microsoft, Yahoo, its now time for Facebook to get into rivalry with Google.

How is that? Simple, Facebook, a brand that has 500 million loyal visitors on its database has a interesting new service for its visitors and that is FaceBook Email.

The project is named as “Gmail Killer”.

Holy cow, this is interesting.

Why is there a conflict between Google and Facebook?

Well, it all started when both the companies clashed with each other on information sharing. Facebook doesnt want Google to take the private information of its users and in return Google has banned Facebook from importing its users’ e-mail contacts.

Facebook has holding an invite-only event on November 15 around 10 am in the morning. I would be biting my time to see what Facebook has to announce on.

Looks like these days advertisements are all about being viral. Samsung’s New ad for Galaxy 580 Android phone starts off looking like a home video with a really cute kid dancing on her own with her own moves. The dancing seems to be getting catch as more people join her.

I have to admit this ad is very cute and clever. Not like the crappy Microsoft’s failed attempt during Windows 7 launch making their staffs dance, failing to make it look ‘random’.

You get to know why this ad is clever when you reach the end.

Here’s the video :

Its been just over a since the launch of Bing, Microsoft’s Search Engine and it has already over took Yahoo and become the world’s no.2 search engine.

Bing's personalized search features propels it to No.2

Microsoft’s Bing search engine has been rapidly rising in popularity since its launch in June of last year. In August, it overtook Yahoo as the No. 2 U.S. Internet search engine, after Google, for the first time, according to a Nielson report Tuesday.

Bing accounted for 13.9% of August searches, compared to 13.1% for Yahoo, Nielsen said in the report. Google still accounted for about two-thirds of all U.S. searches.

The Microsoft-owned visual search engine appears to have taken market share from Yahoo since last year. Bing searches increased 30% in the past year while Yahoo searches were down 18%, Nielsen says.

Bing last month started powering some of Yahoo’s searches as well. Combined with its own searches and the ones powered for Yahoo, Bing would’ve accounted for 26% of U.S. searches in August, according to the report.

Looks like its a long way before Bing can even come near competition with Google. But Bing is getting a lot interesting with lots of user friendly features.

In fact, Google was forced to copy one of Bing’s trademark feature. The feature allowed users to personalize their search page with their own image or one of the many available. Google actually forced it upon its users for a couple of days annoying the hell out of them!

Click here to read our take on Google copying Bing’s feature.