As expected, a ton of Windows Phone 7 Series information was announced today on the first day of Microsoft’s MIX10 event being held in Las Vegas. After combing through various CNET, PC Magazine, PC World, and Microsoft press releases, here are the major tidbits that you need to know about the new OS platform, and application development for the platform.

First off, Microsoft announced to would-be developers a list of features that one would find with your typical Windows Phone 7 Series phones including:

• Built-in accelerometer
• Microsoft Location Service providing developers with a single point of reference to acquire location info
• Microsoft Notification Service for pushing info to the phone – regardless of the application state
• Hardware-accelerated video with DRM
• Internet Information Services Smooth Streaming
• Multi-touch support
• Built-in camera and microphone support

To make use of all of these features, Microsoft announced a suite of development tools to support Windows Phone 7 Series development. The new development package includes previews of the following:

• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone
• Windows Phone 7 Series add-in to use with Visual Studio 2010 RC
• XNA Game Studio 4.0
• Windows Phone 7 Series Emulator for app testing
• Express Blend for Windows Phone Community Technology Preview

As for application development for the new platform, developers will be working with Silverlight and the XNA Framework. Silverlight will be used for “rich application development” while the XNA Framework will be used to develop games for the platform.  Sorry but native applications will not be allowed on the handset. The UI will only run interpreted or managed code through Silverlight or XNA. (this comes courtesy of PC World)

What about Flash you ask? Well Microsoft confirmed that Adobe was indeed working on a version of Flash for Windows Phone 7.

We talked about the rumored multi-tasking support coming to the iPhone OS 4.0. What about the Windows Phone 7 Series you might ask? CNET has an interesting article covering this topic and here are some of the tidbits:

• The underlying kernel will of course support multitasking. Just like the iPhone, one can play music while running another application such as checking his/her calendar
• However, there’s no guarantee that multitasking will be available on the platform. Microsoft is working on ensuring applications can save their state when going into the background

OK – so we know some of the development details related to Windows Phone 7 Series. What about how one goes about distributing apps? That falls into the new Windows Phone Marketplace. Here’s what Microsoft announced about the upcoming Marketplace today:

• Marketplace will feature panoramic design and active merchandising to increase discoverability of games and apps
• Supports one-time credit card purchases
• Allows for mobile operator billing
• Allows for advertising-funded apps
• Will allow for try-before-buy model
• Allow developers to cross promote apps through “deep linking”

Microsoft also showcased a number of applications which will make their debut with Windows Phone 7 Series including:

• Electronic Arts
• Glu Mobile
• Seesmic
• Foursquare
• Associated Press
• Pandora
• Sling Media
• SPB Software

Check out additional pictures of sample third party applications over at PC Magazine.

Some of you might have wondered – what’s the deal with Zune HD and Windows Phone 7 Series? Well here’s what we know thus far courtesy of CNET,

• Every Windows Phone 7 handset will offer the complete functionality of Zune HD including wireless sync
• The handset will automatically find and connect to your Wi-Fi network. Once it finds it and your PC, Zune software will launch and automatically perform a two-way sync of all your music, videos, and pictures
• It’s not clear whether Zune Pass will continue with Windows Phone 7 Series.

Finally to get a hold of all of the latest press releases, SDKs, and information, head over to http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/events/mix/. You’ll be able to find the Windows Phone Developer tools and emulator, Silverlight 4 RC, and other tidbits.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, MIX10, Windows Phone 7 Series

Here’s an interesting story on the mobile front. Although Microsoft has made much hoopla over the upcoming Windows Phone 7 Series, it hasn’t said a peep about the rumored Project Pink handsets. Now, according to Gizmodo, Project Pink is indeed coming and Verizon Wireless will be the first carrier to release handsets based on it.

Thanks to a tipster, Gizmodo received a ton of third party marketing material laying out the promotional plan for Pink. There will be two handsets coming out in the late April time frame – a vertical slider and a horizontal slider. Yes that means these are indeed messenger-oriented handsets.

Verizon appears to be at least the launch partner if not the exclusive provider for the new handsets. Social networking appears to be another key feature of this handset. As for apps – that’s a maybe?

No one is exactly sure since it appears these Project Pink handsets are NOT Windows Phone 7 handsets.. soo if they’re not, what the heck are they? Should be interesting to see over the coming months.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Verizon Wireless, Project Pink

Microsoft adds three new BlueTrack Technology mice today with the introduction of the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500, Wireless Mouse 2000 and Comfort Mouse 4500 – all for under $30 dollars. A BlueTrack Technology mouse allows users to use the mouse on practically any surface without the need for a mouse pad – whether it’s a graphite kitchen counter or a wood table. Here’s what you need to know about the three new models.

Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500:

• Features a nano receiver that sticks out less than a centimeter from the USB port
• 8 month battery life
• Ambidextrous shape with rubber side grips
• Available in loch ness gray and dragon fruit pink
• MSRP of $29.95

Wireless Mouse 2000:

• Features a mini-transceiver which snaps into the bottom of the mouse
• Ambidextrous shape with rubber side grips
• 2.4 GHz wireless technology
• Tilt wheel
• Full-sized mouse
• Available in gray
• MSRP of $29.95

Comfort Mouse 4500:

• First wired mouse with BlueTrack Technology
• 5 customizable buttons
• Tilt wheel
• Rubber side grips and contoured shape for either hand
• Dust-resistant design
• Available in black, sea blue, poppy red, and strawberry pink
• MSRP of $24.95

All three models are now available for pre-order at Amazon.com. The Wireless Mouse 2000 and Comfort Mouse 4500 will be available in March. The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 will be available in April.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft, Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500, Microsoft Wireless Mouse 2000, Microsoft Comfort Mouse 4500

Could hell freeze over again?

BusinessWeek is reporting that Apple and Microsoft are in talks to replace Google with Bing as the primary search engine on the Apple iPhone. Sources to BusinessWeek claim “talks have been under way for weeks” as the rivalry between Apple and Google intensifies.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone following the mobile industry as Apple and Google have increasingly become competitors in the mobile front with both companies offering a mobile phone (Nexus One vs iPhone), a mobile phone OS (Android vs iPhone OS), and of course online services (Google Apps vs. Apple’s Mobile Me). As the clashes increase, it’s only natural for Apple to consider other alternatives to Google services with Microsoft ironically now becoming “a pawn in that battle”.

So what’s at stake for Google here? In a phrase – “mobile advertising” or more specifically “mobile eyeballs” which translates to “mobile advertising dollars”.

With the majority of mobile advertising users coming from the iPhone/iPod touch platform, Google would be losing a significant volume of mobile search engine traffic if it were to lose the “default” status. Granted, mobile advertising stills commands a relatively small piece of the overall online Internet advertising industry but this will undoubtedly change as mobile devices become our primary means of interacting with the web.

Don’t think any of this matters to Google? Just look at Google’s own moves in the space. The company has purchased countless mobile related companies including AdMob, GrandCentral etc. Its pushed Android as an open source alternative to the iPhone, Symbian, and of course Windows Mobile in an attempt to ensure Google services remain relevant in the mobile space. It even began selling its own phone directly to T-Mobile customers (albeit to a less than stellar response from the media).

While Microsoft-fanboys might love the idea of Microsoft replacing Google on the iPhone, the win might end up being short-lived as many believe Apple is working on an in-house search engine replacement. As the BusinessWeek report states “Apple isn’t going to outsource the future.”

[Check it out]

No Tags

Just in case you missed our pre-show keynote coverage from earlier this evening (or rather last night now), here are the stills we took of the new upcoming slate PCs including the prototype HP system that Ballmer was holding up. All the systems were running Windows 7. Also note the other slates were I believe from Pegatron and Archos. The HP slate was shown running Amazon Kindle software and then ultimately playing a video clip. Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: CES 2010, Pre-show keynote, Slate PC, HP Slate

Updated: 11:25pm PST

Summary:

Here’s what you need to know from tonight’s keynote:

• Windows 7 is a major success
• Project Natal will be coming holiday 2010
• New Slate PCs – one of which is from HP. They’re running Windows 7
• New HTC HD2 showcased
• Bing continues to innovate
• New automotive updates

Original Post (with minor edits)

After waiting for nearly two hours, we’re finally getting seated here at the CES 2010 pre-keynote featuring Steve Ballmer of Microsoft. Ah a plus this year for me – I’m finally in the first few rows of the keynote (actually row two). That’s what happens when you line up a crazy 2-3 hours early I suppose.

It’s now 5:23pm so it’s at least an hour before the start of the pre-keynote (unless Ballmer plans on being early?)

OK so while we’re waiting, one wonders what Microsoft has in store for this pre-keynote. Here are some of my guesses:

• No doubt, Microsoft will applaud the success of Windows 7 and why shouldn’t they
• I’m sure they’ll talk a bit about Windows Mobile – hopefully provide updates about Windows Mobile 7?? Hopefully we’ll see some screenshots of what the UI will look like?
• Rumors of a Tablet perhaps? Not sure if this makes any sense since Microsoft already has the Tablet PC functionality. Wait and see
• Gaming news no doubt will include updates on Project Natal. Hopefully a target date and price point will be delivered here?
• Update on Zune probably?
• I’m willing to bet Microsoft will make announcements related to Bing
• Office 2010 announcements maybe? It’s a cash cow so why not?
• Perhaps news on the research front with multi-touch, surface related work etc.

Anything else?

(more…)

Technorati Tags: CES 2010, CES Pre-keynote, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft

Microsoft released version 4.3 of their Zune HD firmware today. The new update includes bug fixes, support for 3D games, and new applications to the Zune HD. The list of fixes (courtesy of Digital Trends) are as follows:

Interface Changes:

• Apps open and close faster
• Quicker startup time (it was up to 30 seconds or more before)
• Touchscreen is supposed to be more accurate

Music:

• More detailed artist bios with links to related songs, other artists and albums and other information
• On the radio you now have a choice of seek method in the settings

Keyboard:

• Keyboard option has been added in the settings menu
• larger landscale keyboard

Other:

• Faster web browsing
• Auto suggest feature for text input

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Zune HD firmware update 4.3

Hoping to see Project Natal sometime soon? Well you’re going to have to wait a bit longer. Thanks to sources and a behind-closed doors Microsoft tour of UK publishers and studios, British game industry magazine, MCV, is reporting that Natal will be released worldwide in November of 2010 with a price of under £50 (which is approximately $82 U.S. dollars). Microsoft is reportedly readying approximately 5 million units for the day one release of Natal. We should also see approximately 14 games for launch day. Microsoft hopes Project Natal will rejuvenate the Xbox 360 thereby extending the life of the console which will be 5 years old when Natal officially launches in 2010.

[Check it out via News.com]

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360, Microsoft, Project Natal

For those of you that have been waiting on the new social networking features of the Xbox 360 to arrive, you’ll want to check out the hands-on overview of the new apps over at News.com. The new features are due to arrive on the Xbox 360 at some point in November and will feature integrations with Facebook, Twitter, and Last.fm. Expect the Xbox Live Video Marketplace to also receive a slight overhaul as it will be called the Zune Marketplace. According to News.com, this follows Microsoft’s desire to make “Zune” their music and video brand.

Of the three social-networking features due to arrive on the Xbox 360, I have to say that the Last.fm one is the app with most functional appeal. Have a social function to hold at home or need some music playing in the background? Seems that Last.fm would be the perfect solution for those needs – simply start it up and let the music stream through to your Xbox 360 from the Net.

Don’t get me wrong of course – the Twitter and Facebook integrations are certainly interesting.. but if I want to check on my friend’s status, I’m more likely to do so on my iPhone or PC than on the Xbox 360. And yes.. Twitter/FB folks – expect many more useless status updates to hit the web once the Xbox 360 integration rolls out because clearly we all need to know that so-and-so is playing Call of Duty 4 right now on some particular map.

Joy..

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Xbox 360, Social Networking, News.com

Microsoft’s “Security Essentials” anti-malware service will be freely available to consumers starting today, Tuesday Sept 29th. Security Essentials is designed to protect consumers from viruses, spyware, and malicious software and will be freely available at http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/. The software doesn’t require any registration, trials, or renewals.

Features of Security Essentials include:

• Runs in the background alerting users only when action needs to be taken
• First Microsoft security product to use the company’s new Dynamic Signature Service which makes sure consumers stay updated with the most current virus definitions without having to wait for the next scheduled download
• Limited CPU utilization and memory usage

Security Essentials will be available for Windows XP SP2 or SP3, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 including Windows XP mode on both x32 and x64 systems.

[Check it out]

[Download Security Essentials]

Technorati Tags: Microsof Security Essentials, Anti-virus software