Operating Systems

Operating Systems Topic Center

Keep up with the latest operating systems news, reviews, advice and more, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux and Unix coverage

QuickPoll: Will Windows on ARM be as successful as iOS and Android?

'Windows on ARM,' or WOA for short, is the new edition of the still-under-construction Windows 8 for traditional PCs. Will it be as successful as iOS and Android?
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FAQ: Windows on ARM explained

In an 8,600-word epistle, Microsoft's top Windows executive pulled aside the curtain on the first version of the company's iconic OS that targets tablets. We dig into the details for you.

Google expands its vulnerability reward programs to cover Chromium OS

Encouraged by the success of its Web and Chromium vulnerability reward programs, Google has decided to expand their scope in order to cover security issues in Chromium OS as well.

Windows 8 on ARM, dubbed WOA, to include Office apps for tablets

Windows 8 on ARM, dubbed WOA by Microsoft, could offer a big 'Whoa!' moment for workers wanting to run Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and other Office apps on a touchscreen tablet.

Microsoft to issue more critical patches next week for Win7 than XP

Microsoft today said it would deliver nine security updates next week, four of them critical, to patch 21 vulnerabilities in Windows, Internet Explorer (IE), Office, .Net and Silverlight.

Buyers lining up for Raspberry Pi's $25 PC

Raspberry Pi Foundation's $25 PC will become available by the end of this month, and buyers hope it could fill in as a low-power desktop, while being an alternative to the more expensive open-source hardware.

Microsoft fixes Windows 8 Consumer Preview launch event for Feb. 29

Microsoft said it will host a launch event for the Windows 8 beta on Feb. 29 in Barcelona, the site of the Mobile World Congress.

Adobe sets IE as next target in Flash security work

Adobe next plans to tackle Microsoft's Internet Explorer in its ongoing work to "sandbox" its popular Flash Player within browsers, Adobe's head of security said today.

Red Hat launches storage appliance for Amazon's cloud

Red Hat has announced the Virtual Storage Appliance for Amazon Web Services (AWS), which can take advantage of Amazon's cloud while at the same time offering excellent performance, the company said on Tuesday.

Sony merges PlayStation Network into broader online services

Sony will merge its PlayStation online gaming service into its broader online platform from Tuesday.

Sprint losses hit $1.3B over iPhone costs, subscribers fewer than expected

Sprint says it sold 1.8 million iPhones between October and December 2011, of which roughly 720,000 were new customers, but the cost of subsidizing Apple's smartphone raised the company's losses to $1.3 billion, compared with $929 million year-on-year.

OnLive's train wreck: Office on the iPad

The OnLive Desktop service shows just how wrong desktop virtualization can be

13 Windows 8 features worth knowing about

From a Windows app store to support for new wireless protocols, Windows 8 introduces a host of new features. Some will benefit consumers, some businesses -- and some, perhaps, nobody.

Best Way to Upgrade Vista to Windows 7

Wlpncp plans to upgrade his wife's PC from Vista to Windows 7. He asked the Laptops forum for advice.

Dig deep into Lion: The best overlooked, underrated features

Mission Control and other snazzy new Lion features may have gotten all the press, but columnist Ryan Faas has uncovered a slew of lesser-known features that every OS X Lion user should know about.

Connect Your Tuner-Equipped PC to Your HDTV

On Monday I told you how to turn your PC into a DVR by connecting an inexpensive, antenna-powered TV tuner. I also said I'd be back on Wednesday to explain how to connect that PC to your TV. Then I plumb forgot.

Ubuntu Linux's new 'HUD' interface to do away with menus

A new kind of interface is coming to Ubuntu 12.04 'Precise Pangolin' that will ultimately replace menus in Unity applications and recognize voice commands.

Image gallery: Ice Cream Sandwich on Android tablets

Image gallery: Ice Cream Sandwich on an Android tablet: A visual tour

First look: Windows 8 breaks new ground

Tests of the pre-beta code indicates that Windows 8 represents an aggressive effort by Microsoft to deliver a single OS that runs just about everywhere.

Apple's new vision of education

Apple made it clear this week that one of the industries it hopes to reinvent is education -- an area in which the company has a long history. Columnist Ryan Faas explains what Apple has in mind for schools.