Microsoft is hard at work on Windows 8 and as we approach the suggested 2012 release date, little bits of information about what to expect from the new OS will start to leak out. Microsoft has posted two new job listings on its site that gives a good clue as to what we can expect when Windows 8 launches.
According to Windows8news.com, Microsoft posted a new job listing that states:
"We are currently working on a Windows Azure-based service and integrating with certain Microsoft online services and Windows 8 client backup. Many of the features we develop have ended up in the Windows Client and Windows Server OSes."
The job posting does leave a lot to speculate but its safe to say that Microsoft is working on a way to integrate cloud based backup solutions as an option in Windows 8. Another job listing states that Microsoft is looking to further embed its Live services into Windows 8 too:
"Want to work on products that your friends and family use every day? Windows Live designs and runs some of the largest web applications in the world. We are Cloud Directory Platform, and our services are used by Windows Live, Office, Windows Mobile, Xbox, Bing, and MSN-branded properties. We are the backend of Windows Live providing identity (LiveID), contacts (ABCH), and social graph (SUP) for individuals and Microsoft services and applications. For the most part, you would know these as Messenger and Hotmail, as well as the entire Windows Live suite. We are seeking a highly motivated individual to come join our team and pour passion and talent into building some of the most used services on the planet. We are a growing team with a strategic and highly visible charter helping to build and operate some of Microsoft’s most strategic Internet assets. Our service supports hundreds of millions of users, who exchange billions of instant messages, photos and email each day, and store billions of contact relationships in our service. We live the life of “software and a service” every day, at high scale and you will play a pivotal role as we integrate our online services with Windows 8."
These little bits of information dont provide much detail about Windows 8 but do provide a general sense of direction. It's safe to say that we will probably see deep integration for cloud based backup solutions as well as Live integration into the Windows 8 platform. As the technology world moves forward, the line between Internet and desktop OS becomes a little bit more obscure.
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Firefox addon aims to prevent social networking hangovers
Ever had a big night out, come home and jumped on Facebook, only to wake the next morning to discover your inebriated posts weren't such a great idea?
The AFP reports that help could be at hand, in the form of a new Firefox addon from Colorado-based developer Webroot.
Dubbed the "Social Media Sobriety Test", the free addon is aiming to prevent social networking hangovers by blocking a user's access to sites like Facebook and Twitter unless they can prove they are sober enough to pass a series of coordination tests.
Once installed, the addon asks the user to choose which services to block, and to nominate the times at which they are likely to be vulnerable to posting under the influence.
The coordination tests include keeping a cursor inside a moving circle or correctly identifying a series of flashing lights.
If a user fails they will be blocked from using a service and in the case of Facebook, the addon posts a status that reads: ''[Name here] is too intoxicated to post right now.'' However, the addon won't do anything to prevent mobile users from embarrassing themselves.
Google offers a similar service for Gmail users called ''Mail Goggles'', and Aussie mobile provider Virgin Mobile allows users to nominate a phone number they do not trust themselves to avoid calling or texting when drunk.
That number would then be "blacklisted" until 6am the following day, preventing any embarrassing drunken communications.
The addon is also available for Safari, Chrome and Internet Explorer.
