Microsoft tries, they really do. Bill Gates is infamous for sloughing off the Internet in the early 1990s. Microsoft was late to the market on phones, tablets, and their Surface device is well, sinking.

Supposedly, Microsoft paid the NFL millions to promote their Surface tablets. Despite their efforts, game announcers refer to the devices as “iPads.”

According to Computerworld, Microsoft is $1.7 billion in the red on Surface. They sell one Surface tablet to every 27 iPads that Apple sells. Given the universal farting sound (and smell) that Windows 8 has generated, the question needs to be asked: Can Microsoft pull itself out of this hole?

Computerworld

Less than a week after Apple announces the Apple Watch, an Android developer has created an Android watch interface that’s pretty much the same as the one found on the Apple Watch. Jeez, that was quick! It took Microsoft a years to copy the Macintosh interface.

Gizmodo

The High Tech industry has always prided itself in coming up with new, exciting stuff time and time again. From the killer program to the killer app, both software and hardware innovations have inspired and motivated generations of geeks and gurus.

Until now.

If the annual TechCrunch blog competition is any gauge, then Silicon Valley is truly out of new ideas.

Slate.com

Golly! Just the other day I joked about waiting for the second release of the Apple Watch and — already — people are talking about it.

I tell you what: If you really want a workout, get on the Apple Treadmill. You’ll never stop running to catch up!

Reuters

Thank you, Mr. Sun!

A large solar flare is headed our way, making a potential impact on Friday (tomorrow). This CME, or Coronal Mass Ejection, could disrupt electronic communications around the globe.

While you can’t prevent such a natural occurrence, you can be on the alert. My advice: Backup!

Washington Post

Apple hasn’t introduced new hardware in over four years. That may not be a trend, but since the passing of Steve Jobs, the tech world — not to mention legions of Apple fans — have eagerly awaited the Next Big Thing. Supposedly that thing will be unveiled today at Apple’s special event.

The two items rumored to be introduced are the iWatch, or wearable mobile technology, and a large-format iPhone, something perhaps similar to the Samsung Galaxy Note or other phablet devices. (Although I don’t believe it will be that large.)

Yahoo News

You’ve probably read about — or been concerned as a parent — how kids can use a smartphone or tablet and go on a buying spree. Especially when you have online credit or preset credit cards, little peanut can buy hundreds of dollars of apps. It’s an unpleasant surprise.

According to the article (link below), Google recently agreed to a $19 million settlement for parents whose wee li’l snowflakes have purchased way, way too many apps.

I’m kinda torn on the decision. While having more safeguards against accidental app purchases is nice, I believe this is more of a parenting issue than a reason to blame Google. Parental controls are available on many tablets, and I cover using them in my books. One app that definitely needs controlling is the Play Store.

c|net