Job Archive

  • Microsoft helping OEMs develop unique Windows Phone 7 apps

    Microsoft helping OEMs develop unique Windows Phone 7 apps

    Posted on June 11, 2010 | No Comments
    Here's the simple truth about touchscreen smartphones: it's the software, dummy. Just look around at all the flagship handsets... other than a choice of with or without a QWERTY, today's handsets all look pretty much the same and are built using the same off-the-shelf components with very few exceptions. That's why we see so much skinning on Android handsets -- that's how manufacturers like Motorola (Motoblur), Samsung (TouchWiz), and HTC (Sense) differentiate themselves with consumers. But how's that going to work for Windows Phone 7 devices with Microsoft boxing OEMs in with a narrow set of hardware and software guidelines that restrict them from modifying the user interface? Easy, Microsoft is going to help them write unique apps. At least that's what this June 1st Microsoft job posting for a senior Windows Phone software developer says:
    "We are looking for a strong and experienced developer to help the OEM to design and develop applications that make their devices stand out in the marketplace. You will also help them to bring new phones to market."
    The position would be "working directly with a top Korean cellular phone manufacturer, who has made a large commitment to Windows Phone." Uh, would that be LG or Samsung, we're guessing the former. It'll be interesting to see if these apps are enough to differentiate one touchscreen handset from another. Even more exciting will be watching the homebrew community attempt to hack the manufacturer-specific apps into different handsets in order to create the ultimate Windows Phone 7 superphone... or Frakenphone as the case may be. Regardless, it's clear that Microsoft isn't leaving anything to chance as manfacturers prepare to launch their first devices running Redmond's virgin OS.

    [Thanks, Abed]

    Microsoft helping OEMs develop unique Windows Phone 7 apps originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Palm loses webOS notifications architect to Apple

    Palm loses webOS notifications architect to Apple

    Posted on June 9, 2010 | No Comments
    Rich Dellinger might not be a name you instantly recognize, but he is the dude credited with bringing about the unintrusive banner notification system that forms part of webOS' widespread appeal. And, as of today, he's also in the employ of one Steve Jobs. The new Senior UI Designer at Apple, Inc looks to have made his way through Palm's exit doors in the immediate aftermath of the HP takeover announcement, and joins Matias Duarte on the list of significant talent departures from the webOS design team. We expect Rich will be getting his teeth stuck into the iPhone's admittedly tired and obtrusive notifications, and hopefully sprinkling some of that webOS fairy dust into the next iteration of Apple's iOS. Let's be honest, who here hasn't dreamt of an iPre?

    [Thanks, Tal]

    Palm loses webOS notifications architect to Apple originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 05:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Nokia furloughing up to 20 percent of employees at only Finnish factory

    Nokia furloughing up to 20 percent of employees at only Finnish factory

    Posted on December 17, 2009 | No Comments
    Of its nine factories around the world, Nokia has just one in its home country -- the only one left in all of Western Europe -- in the town of Salo. As you can imagine, its well-being is probably a pretty touchy subject, not just for locals but for Nokia fans around the world -- especially when you consider that the company's highest-end devices are assembled here, making the health of the factory a bellwether for the health of the coolest models in the range. The company has revealed this week that it'll be sending home up to 20 percent of the plant's staff for up to 90 days at any one time, saying that there's simply no need for it to operate at full capacity in the current market; we say you could argue that making the right phones could lead to a need for full capacity, but what do we know? Anyhow, the move closely mirrors one that had already been made for 2009, and you could look on the bright side -- at least they're not closing it down the same way they did Jyväskylä.

    Nokia furloughing up to 20 percent of employees at only Finnish factory originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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