Microsoft Testing Patch to Fix Windows 8.1 Update Bug

Microsoft has released a test patch to fix failed automatic and user updates from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, and from Windows RT to Windows RT 8.1, for select markets. The failed update to Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 issue was widely reported by users for a long time. Microsoft is now testing these patches in select areas initially and might roll out to other regions soon.

Windows 8 users can directly visit the Windows Update (not the Windows Store), and if they are eligible they will get the test patch and be able to automatically or manually update to Windows 8.1. Notably, it is not necessary that it will certainly fix the issue for all, as there is a possibility that it does not work since the Microsoft is still testing the patch according to a report from Supersite For Windows.

Also, to enable an automatic update from Windows RT to Windows RT 8.1, users can download the test patch from the Microsoft's support page.

"This (Windows RT) pilot program is an example of ways we're experimenting to help ensure more of our customers benefit from a continuously improving Windows experience," said a Microsoft spokesperson while speaking to Supersite For Windows.

On the other hand, Microsoft is reportedly planning an upcoming updated codenamed 'Threshold' aka Windows 9 that will unify the operating system for all hardware ecosystems - smartphones, tablets and PCs.

Windows Threshold is expected to get a public preview by the fag end of this year. However, before this expect Microsoft to roll out another update called 'Update 2', as stated by multiple reports.

Flipkart Reportedly Set to Launch Its Own Tablet on June 26

Online marketplace Flipkart is said to be all set to launch tablet with its own label on June 26.

The Bangalore-based firm, which sells its own brand of electronic and computer accessories like headphones, speakers and pen drives under the DigiFlip range, is expected to launch the tablet under the same label.

While the specifications of Flipkart's rumoured tablet still remain under the wraps, the company is hosting a blogger event on June 26 and has sent out a cryptic invite in form of a jar of tablets.

The move is expected to help Flipkart, which follows the mix of marketplace and inventory-led model (with resellers putting up their wares for sale on the website) to boost its margins in the highly competitive electronics retailing space.

Interestingly, last week, online retailing giant Amazon had launched its first smartphone Fire Phone(First Impressions) becoming the first e-commerce firm to compete in the over $150 billion global market, led by players like Apple and Samsung.

Amazon also has its Kindle range of e-Book readers. Flipkart's move to launch a tablet is also expected to help the e-commerce firm connect faster with its consumers.

Another similarity that Flipkart shares with Amazon is its annual subscription service for its customers.Flipkart First, which is similar to Amazon Prime premium subscription service in the US, is aimed at rewarding registered shoppers, which the company claims are about 18 million for the portal, as well as getting new ones on board.

Like Amazon's Firefly feature on its Fire Phone, Flipkart's tablet is expected to be integrated with features that will enable users to complete transactions with the firm that sells everything from apparel to household appliances to stationery, within minutes.

Amazon's Firefly feature can identify things like books, games, CDs etc., by pointing the Fire Phone's camera at them. It can also capture songs or TV programmes and gives the user options to purchase them.

With this move, Flipkart will compete with global giants like Samsung and Apple, which are leaders in the domestic market too.

However, going by tablet sales data, the growing demand for phablets is eating into the market share of tablets and it is yet to be seen how does Flipkart markets its device to catch the consumer's pulse.

According to research firm CMR, the tablet sales in India declined 17.5 percent to 0.75 million units in January-March 2014 compared to 0.9 million units in the same quarter last year, pulled down by higher demand for phablets (smartphones with displays larger than 5-inches) and BIS certification compliance issues.

However, with the consolidation in the market (as many smaller players have discontinued their products), analysts expect sales to pick up in the quarters ahead.

Samsung Launches ATIV Book 9 Plus with Core i7

Samsung is shipping another ATIV Book
9 Plus with an Intel Core i7 processor,
more RAM and more storage.

After originally launching in North
America with an Intel Core i5 , 4 GB of
RAM and a 128 GB SSD, Samsung is
now releasing a second version
of its ATIV Book 9 Plus with an Intel
Core i74500U processor, 8 GB of
memory, a 256 GB SSD and Windows
8.1.
This ultra-slim laptop won't ship
until early November, but customers
can pre-purchase the laptop now for $
1,800 USD.

As with the previous Core i5 model, the
updated laptop will have a 13.3 inch
LED-lit LCD screen with a massive
resolution of 3200 x 1800, 10-point
touch input, 350 nit SuperBright
technology, and Gorilla Glass
protection. The panel tilts back up to
180-degrees, rendering the form
factor completely flat, and locks at
approximately 110-degrees for a
wobble-free touch experience.

As for other features, the laptop will
have a built-in 720p webcam, a 3-in-1
card slot, two USB 3.0 ports, a
headphone/microphone combo, miniVGA
output and microHDMI output. The
laptop will weigh a mere 3.06 pounds,
and measure just 0.54 inches thick. It
will also supposedly have a boot up time
of up to 5.9 seconds and a wake time
of up to 0.9 seconds.

The laptop will also provide Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth connectivity, an Ethernet
dongle that plugs into a USB port for
when Wi-Fi is not an option, and Intel
HD 4400 graphics. The laptop's actual
measurements will be 12.6 x 8.8 x 0.55
inches, and will ship in Mineral Ash
Black, just like the previous Core
i5-4200U model. The laptop's battery
promises up to 11 hours on a single
charge.

The current Core i5 model reportedly
still continues to sell for around $1400.

Qualcomm Completes $120 Million USD Investment in Sharp

Qualcomm has injected the second
half of its investment into Sharp.
Qualcomm has reportedly completed
its $120 million USD investment in
Sharp ( pdf), thus giving the company
3.53 percent ownership of the
struggling display maker. Qualcomm
initially only provided half of the funds
up front, saying that Sharp needed to
meet several conditions before the
investment balance was paid in full.
The deal to sink $120 million into
Sharp was made back in December 4,
2012. Qualcomm said that in order to
receive the second half, Sharp must
finalize specifications for a new
power-saving screen to be used in
tablets and smartphones by March 29.
Sharp was also tasked to generate an
operating profit of 100 billion yen ($
1.02 billion USD) in the second half of
its fiscal year.
However Sharp was unable to meet
the March deadline, and was given an
extension to June 30. But Sharp has
obviously met both requirements and
is now receiving its additional $60
million injection from Qualcomm.
They now plan to combine
Qualcomm's MEMS (Micro Electro
Mechanical System) display products
with Sharp's IGZO screens in a
number of upcoming devices with
varying sizes.
"The subscription payment was fully
made today as planned in respect of
the issue of new shares for the second
round which was resolved at the board
of directors meeting held on June 7,
2013," Sharp said.
Qualcomm is one of several investors
throwing Sharp a financial lifeline.
Samsung holds a 3.08 percent stake
in the company thanks to a $112
million (10.4 billion yen) deal back on
March 6, 2013. Sharp said the cash
investment will "further strengthen the
alliance" between Sharp and
Samsung, and continuously provide a
long-term, stable and timely supply of
LCD panels for large-size TVs and
small- and medium-size LCD panels
for mobile devices such as notebooks.
Sharp originally received a $4.4
billion bailout from banks back in
October 2012, but had to mortgage its
factories and offices to secure the
loans. It also planned to trim its
overall workforce by 10,000 and sell
off assets.
The company was also talking with
Foxconn for a $709 million investment
(66.9 billion yen), giving Foxconn a
9.9 percent stake, but as of March 26,
the deadline to reach an agreement
had passed. However Sharp said it
was still in talks with Foxconn
although as of June there has been no
word on the deal. However their
jointly-managed LCD plant Osaka
Prefecture reported a 7.4 billion yen
net loss for the April-December period.