Microsoft launches Win 8 to ride new computing wave

Microsoft on Thursday officially launched Windows 8, a major overhaul of its flagship operating system, as part of the software giant's attempts to stay competitive in an increasingly mobile computing landscape

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In addition to desktop and laptop personal computer (PC), Windows 8 also runs on tablet computer, a new computing device category created by Apple's iPad.The Windows 8 has a redesigned Start screen replacing the icons with square tiles for various applications, which are optimized for touch control by fingers, a radical change to the familiar look and feel of the previous versions of Windows.The new interface also allows users to switch to the traditional desktop mode and control using keyboard and mouse.
"With Windows 8, we've brought together the best of both worlds, the PC and the tablet," Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive officer, said at the launch event held in New York City.The latest operating system will be available worldwide beginning Friday, Microsoft said.As a dominant force in the PC era, Microsoft is pinning hopes on the revamped Windows 8 to boost the slumping PC market and gain new ground in a post-PC world which is being shaped by competitors such as Apple and Google.
Global PC market is expected to contract by 1.2 percent to 348. 7 million units in 2012, the first decline in 11 years, research firm IHS iSuppli predicted earlier in October.The Windows 8 will help stimulate the PC market by meeting customers' changing needs and scaling across all of their devices, said Tami Reller, vice president and chief financial officer at Windows and Windows Live at Microsoft."So I think it gives people a lot of choices, and I think choice will stimulate demand," Reller told Xinhua in an interview ahead of the Windows 8 launch event.
According to Microsoft, more than 1,000 certified PCs and tablets will be available for the launch of Windows 8.We started working with our partners in the initial planning phases of Windows 8. So before Windows 7 was even shipped, we were engaged with our partners. So far, we've certified a thousand unique systems," said Reller.
Windows 8 is a big gamble Microsoft must take to stay relevant in a world where mobile devices with new modern experiences such as the touch interface are becoming the norm, analysts at research firm Gartner has said.Apple's iPad, iPhone and mobile devices running Google's Android operating system have made the PC just one of several devices people use.Latest numbers from Apple showed that the company sold over 100 million iPads since the tablet debuted in early 2010.
The popularity of mobile devices both at work and at home has had a significant impact on Microsoft's Windows sales, according to a report released earlier this week by research firm Forrester.
Microsoft has long dominated PC-only market with over 95 percent sales, but its share of all personal devices, including PC, tablets and smartphones, has shrunk drastically to about 30 percent in 2012.
Windows 8 will simply stop the shrinking trend and maintaining Microsoft's share at about 30 percent of personal devices sales through 2016, but won't be a fix for its lost market share, Frank Gillett, a Forrester analyst and author of the new report, said recently in a blog post.
Gillett projected that Windows 8 would endure a slow start as traditional PC users delay upgrades, while those eager for Windows tablets jump in.
After a slow start in 2013, the new operating system is expected to take hold in 2014, keeping Microsoft relevant and the master of the PC market, but simply a contender in tablets, and a distant third in smartphones.
Microsoft's Reller said that it would take time to see the full potential of Windows 8. "You know there will be initial wave of adoption, and we think there will be subsequent waves of adoptions," she said.So it's not all about the first days, the first weeks or even the first months are about. We really think it's been an innovation that our partners are going to bring to market over the month, the quarters and selling seasons to come," added Reller.

Skyfall premiere in London 2012

James Bond star Daniel Craig has declared the launch of the new Bond film Skyfall as his greatest 007 premiere yet.Daniel Craig and Berenice Marlohe pose for photographers as they arrive for the royal world

premiere of the new 007 film Skyfall at the Royal Albert Hall in London, OctoberJudi Dench arrives for the royal world premiere of the new 007 film "Skyfall" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, OctoberDaniel Craig and actress Naomie Harris pose for photographers as they arrive for the royal world premiere of the new 007 film "Skyfall" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, OctoberA British military band performs before guests arrive for the royal world premiere of the new 007 film Skyfall at the Royal Albert Hall in London, October.

Halloween party with Celebrities

Actor Neil Patrick Harris (L) in costume poses with unidentified guest at Playboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner's annual Halloween Party at The Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles

Paris Hilton poses at Playboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner's annual Halloween Party at The Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles in this OctoberPlayboy Magazine founder Hugh Hefner (L) and Crystal Harris pose together at Hefner's annual Halloween Party at The Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles in this October

China Full Fun Fashion Week

Modeles  presents a creation by designer Zhao Zirui during the 2012 China International Fashion Week in Beijing, capital of China,The fashion week, which attracted 51 designers from at home and abroad,

Highlights of China Fashion Week 2012

Models present creations by Gulanra Karimova, a designer from Uzbekistan, during the China Fashion Week in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 30, 2013.

China’s new J-31 stealth fighter takes off on maiden flight

China’s J-31, the new stealth fighter prototype developed by AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) took off on its maiden flight today, October 31, 2012 on 10:32 Beijing local time. The J-31 is China’s
second stealth fighter prototype.

Telescope in China to track moon exploration

The telescope, as large as eight basketball courts with a diameter of 65 meters and height of 70 meters, is the fourth largest in the world and will be used to track and collect data from satellites and space probes.

The newly built radio telescope can pick up eight different frequency bands and also track Earth satellites, lunar exploration satellites and deep space probes, according to Hong Xiaoyu, head of the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory.
It will greatly enhance China's ability to position space probes and assist the flights of Chang'e III or the third phase of the country's lunar exploration program, the observatory announced on its website yesterday.
"We hope that the new radio telescope will go into operation earlier so that we can use it to observe the unmanned lunar probe Chang'e-II," said Wu Weiren, chief designer of the lunar orbiter project.
Chang'e II, China's second unmanned moon probe, was launched on October 1. It is testing key technologies and collecting data for the future launches of Chang'e III and Chang'e IV.
The telescope will be used for Very Long Baseline Interferometry or VLBI, a type of measurement of astronomical distances used in radio astronomy, as it can collect accurate data and increase its angular resolution during astronomical observation.
China's VLBI system is made up of four telescopes in the cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Kunming in southwest Yunnan Province, and Urumqi in the northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, as well as a data center in Shanghai.
Radio telescopes differ from optical ones in that they use radio antennae to track and collect data from satellites and space probes.
The first radio antenna used to identify astronomical radio sources was built by American Karl Guthe Jansky, an engineer with Bell Telephone Laboratories, in the early 1930s.

How to Brush Your Teeth, IF You Want White Teeth

Brushing your teeth serves a number of purposes: It whisks away food particles, cleans and massages your gums, helps to eliminate decay-causing plaque, and freshens your breath. While not a panacea for all dental
ills, brushing is an essential armament in the fight against decay, gingivitis, and periodontal disease.

Even though it's something most of us do every day, it doesn't hurt to get a refresher course on brushing, because using the proper brushing technique is just as important as vigilance.
Choose a routine and stick to it. Establishing a proper and habitual method of brushing your teeth will go a long way toward preventing dental caries and gum disease.
Always start in the same place in your mouth. This will help ensure that all parts of your mouth get cleaned every time. A good place to start is the hard-to-reach rear molars, which need the most time and attention.
Press gently at a 45-degree angle. Scrub the front of the tooth and gum for a few seconds using a small circular motion. In the same manner, move slowly around your mouth until you get to the other side. Pay particular attention to your gum line, because this is where gingivitis takes hold.
After you've worked your way to the other side of your mouth, rotate the brush so that it rests against the back of your tooth and gum, and use the same angle and same circular scrubbing motion as you return to the first tooth.
don't become a foolish after getting white teeth
.just smile for love and like.

Now You Can Whiten Your Teeth

Stained teeth in themselves are not really a health hazard, but they can be an annoyance. Even worse, they can prompt you to do damaging thingsin an attempt to whiten them.

Some stains can be removed by your twice-yearly cleaning, while others may require more aggressive treatment. Still other stains may be almost impossible to remove. The best way to keep your teeth their whitest is to avoid staining them in the first place.
A variety of factors can contribute to or cause stained teeth. Some of the more common tooth stainers are cigarette smoke, chewing tobacco, and habitual coffee and tea drinking. Extensive decay and dead nerves may also cause some discoloration. Plaque left by improper or infrequent flossing and brushing is a magnet for foods that stain (remember, plaque is sticky stuff). And, of course, age -- that notorious thief of beauty -- robs your teeth of their original brilliant white color, leaving them slightly yellowed.
Exposure to certain drugs (such as the antibiotic tetracycline) either in utero or as a small child, can leave teeth a pearly gray. Excessive childhood ingestion of fluoride may also cause the enamel to appear mottled and uneven. These types of stains are often the most difficult to remove, although they may improve somewhat with the aid of a professional bleaching.
Here are some ideas to brighten your smile:
Stick to your brushing and flossing regimen. (You knew that was coming, didn't you?) Once again, conscientious brushing and flossing win -- hands down -- as the best ways to prevent dental problems, including staining.
Avoid all forms of tobacco use, including pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff.
Cut down on your intake of coffee and tea. The less contact these fluids have with your teeth, the less opportunity they will have to leave stains.
Disguise it. If you have a dark, highly visible amalgam filling (and a little disposable income), consider having it replaced with a tooth-colored plastic composite. A porcelain crown can also cover up a badly discolored or decayed tooth.
Treat yourself to an extra cleaning or two. Keep your teeth whiter (and your hygienist happier) by scheduling visits just for professional cleanings. Extra cleanings may help prevent long-term staining.
Get your teeth professionally bleached. Several excellent technologies have emerged for bleaching and whitening the teeth. Although some of these procedures must be performed in the dentist's office, a few can be done at home. Ask your dentist what he or she recommends.
The following are some definite tooth-whitening don'ts:
Don't take aggressive measures on your own. You may end up compounding your problem. If your teeth are heavily stained or discolored, consult your dentist.
Always consult your dentist before using an at-home whitening kit.
Never use any amount of chlorine bleach on your teeth. It is highly toxic.
Don't overdo it with "whitening" toothpastes. Some stain-removing toothpastes are quite abrasive and can wear off enamel if used too often. Consult your dentist or dental hygienist before using these toothpastes.
Your teeth need lots of care and attention to ensure life-long good oral health. Visit the links below for more information about protecting and caring for your teeth.
If you're not vigilant in your oral hygiene, an assortment of afflictions can attack your teeth and gums. Learn more in How Dental Disease Works.
Do you wish your teeth had just a bit more sparkle to them? How Tooth Whitening Works takes a look at procedures you can undergo to brighten your pearly whites.
When you have an ache in your teeth, getting rid of it is the only thought in your head. In How to Relieve a Tooth Ache, find out how to deal with dental distress.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of the

Miss Chinese Cosmos crowned

A total of twelve contestants participated in the finale of 2012 Miss Chinese Cosmos Pageant in south China's Hong Kong, Oct. 27, 2012. Zhang Ziqi from Australia Region claimed the crown

Chinese Liaoning back from maiden voyage

China’s first aircraft carrier Liaoning finishes the maiden voyage after its commission to navy, and goes back to the port of Dalian, Northeast China, on Tuesday morning.

World mahjong championshiop ground decorated iin Chongqing

World mahjong championship held in ChongqingThe third world mahjong championship started in Southwest China’s Chongqing municipality on Oct 28, 2012.The world mahjong championship is a

worldwide competitive event held by the World Mahjong Organization.Durin the championship participants will compete in individual, team and group events, implementing international mahjong competition rules.

Cruelty of Sandy slams U.S., at least 16 dead

The U.S. death toll from Sandy now stands at 16 after police in Pennsylvania said an 8-year-old boy died Monday after he was struck by a tree limb in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

Though no longer a hurricane, "post-tropical" superstorm Sandy packed a hurricane-sized punch as it slammed into the Jersey Shore on Monday. Obama can not do any think against the Sandy slams .