Microsoft Windows Archive

  • Windows Phone 7’s October release casually mentioned in Microsoft ad presentation

    Windows Phone 7’s October release casually mentioned in Microsoft ad presentation

    "I'm gonna ask rock star Kostas... to come on. And Kostas has brought with him Windows Phone 7, which we launch this October." So sayeth Microsoft VP for Marketing Mich Mathews in introducing GM of Live Labs' Kostas Mallios, who was at the Cannes Lions advertising conference to show off the advertising capabilities of the upcoming smartphone platform. Of course, last we heard, the official company line on WP7's release was "holiday 2010," so this would definitely narrow the launch window quite a bit, as well as corroborates earlier Telstra roadmap leaks. Not an official statement, but Mathews would definitely be someone in the know here. Don't expect the folks in Redmond to go ahead and confirm -- they work on their own schedule, thank you very much -- but should someone 'fess up, can we also talk about that $150 Kinect price? Video after the break.

    [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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    Windows Phone 7's October release casually mentioned in Microsoft ad presentation originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Microsoft gets around to launching a Windows Live Messenger app for iPhone

    Microsoft gets around to launching a Windows Live Messenger app for iPhone

    Two years. Thats how long the iPhone App Store has been around. That’s also how long it’s taken for Microsoft to launch their Windows Live Messenger application for the iPhone, available today. In those same two years, dozens upon dozens of all-in-one IM service aggregation apps (Some of which, like Meebo, are free while others, like [...]

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  • Behind the scenes with Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 team: ‘I think about this really as a first release’

    Behind the scenes with Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 team: ‘I think about this really as a first release’

    CNET had a chance recently to get embedded deep within Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 engineering group, listening in on meetings with OEMs, arguments, celebrations, and all the other drama that comes with trying to ship a huge product that's new from the ground up in just a couple years' time. There aren't any blockbuster revelations in here -- no launch devices, ship dates, or prices -- but it's an interesting look at the project from Windows Phone engineering VP Terry Myerson's perspective, who acknowledges that it'll take a long time and several releases to catch up to the competition but still thinks they'll "actually have a lot of happy customers" with version one.

    On a related note, some existing Windows Marketplace devs have started getting notifications that Microsoft wants to send them loaner Windows Phone 7 devices -- yes, loaners, meaning they'll need to be returned to the mother ship at some point down the road. They're apparently set up for delivery in July, which should give publishers plenty of time to stock up the Marketplace in time for that planned holiday launch.

    Behind the scenes with Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 team: 'I think about this really as a first release' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Microsoft prepping Yahoo, AIM, and Windows Live Messenger support for Kin?

    Microsoft prepping Yahoo, AIM, and Windows Live Messenger support for Kin?

    The list of conspicuously missing features on Microsoft's Kin devices is a lengthy one, but considering the target demographic, there's at least one particularly egregious omission: instant messaging. Well-established ROM spelunker Conflipper is now reporting that Microsoft intends to add IM support in the future, though -- a belief he's presumably gleaned from looking through the latest firmware. Specifically, he mentions support for Yahoo Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, and AIM, a three-pack that would come close to covering the main services most of the Kin-owning world cares about; Google Talk would be nice, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if Microsoft went without -- especially considering that they're starting from zilch.

    Microsoft prepping Yahoo, AIM, and Windows Live Messenger support for Kin? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Microsoft luring iPhone game devs to Windows Phone 7 with cold, hard cash?

    Microsoft luring iPhone game devs to Windows Phone 7 with cold, hard cash?

    A solid third-party app ecosystem is going to be absolutely critical to Windows Phone 7's commercial success -- and Microsoft clearly knows that, having spent nearly as much (if not more) energy talking to developers since the platform's announcement than it has directly to potential end users. In particular, one area where Microsoft really wants to play ball (pardon the pun) is with a rock-sold gaming experience -- and to that end, it seems Redmond isn't being shy about putting its money where its mouth is. The rumor going around today is that Microsoft is reaching out to developers of popular iPhone games, offering cash in exchange for a Windows Phone 7 port; you might think that most of these devs would be totally down with dropping their games on a hot new platform with revenue potential, but the challenge is that WP7's development environment is different enough from the iPhone's to make porting a pretty big challenge. The dev that allegedly contacted PocketGamer.biz about the offer turned it down, saying the financial compensation was "substantial" but ultimately not enough for the amount of work he'd have to put into it -- so this might just be a question of how badly Microsoft wants to come roaring out of the gate with a great catalog of apps. They've certainly got the cash to make this happen if they decide to up the ante.

    Microsoft luring iPhone game devs to Windows Phone 7 with cold, hard cash? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 ‘Rockstar’ contest wraps up, neat apps ensue

    Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 ‘Rockstar’ contest wraps up, neat apps ensue

    The success of Windows Phone 7 as a commercially viable mobile platform will ultimately depend on a great many things, but one of the biggest factors might be its chops as a gaming setup -- so naturally, we're excited to see each and every WP7 game that gets previewed right now. In March, Microsoft kicked off its so-called Rockstar competition, where student teams competed to make awesome apps (games or otherwise) for the platform in their choice of Silverlight or XNA -- and the results of the competition are finally in. Two of the top three winners were games, and the grand champion was a game by the name of -- wait for it -- "Droid." Members of the team are receiving $8,000 plus a Windows Phone, and while none of these apps are the most polished things in the world, it's a promising sign that these students were able to come in fresh on a brand new platform and produce solid version 1.0 software in less than three months' time. Hit up Microsoft's Windows Blog for the full list of winners.

    Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 'Rockstar' contest wraps up, neat apps ensue originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Microsoft shows off updated Windows Phone 7 build, brings minor changes

    Microsoft shows off updated Windows Phone 7 build, brings minor changes

    There hasn't exactly been a ton of Windows Phone 7 news to come out of Microsoft's TechEd conference this week, but the company did take the opportunity to release an updated build of the mobile operating system, which should be one of the last before the release to manufacturing. That expectedly brings only minor changes, including smaller text on the lock screen, but it is said to appear "more complete and responsive" in demonstrations than before, which is always a welcome development. Hit up the source link below for a few more pics.

    Microsoft shows off updated Windows Phone 7 build, brings minor changes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Microsoft tweaks Windows Phone Marketplace policies for the better

    Microsoft tweaks Windows Phone Marketplace policies for the better

    Previously, the $99 that Windows Phone devs paid annually to get access to the Marketplace covered up to five app submissions -- but Microsoft looks like it's willing to play ball in an effort to drum up more interest in third-party development ahead of Windows Phone 7's release by chucking the five-app cap. Well, sort of -- paid apps will have unlimited submissions, but free apps will still be limited to five per yearly cycle, with additional submissions running $19.99 each. Additionally, Microsoft is taking the wraps off its Trial API for helping developers enforce trial functionality prior to purchase, details on its push notification service, and a new option that lets publishes push their apps globally -- to every localized store in the Marketplace's reach -- in one fell swoop. The company says that it has "listened to developers and responded to changing customer behavior to make Marketplace an even better experience for all," and it certainly seems like a step in the right direction -- but we'll admit, we'd still love to see free app submissions go unlimited (what can we say, we've got a soft spot for freebies).

    Microsoft tweaks Windows Phone Marketplace policies for the better originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Windows Embedded Compact 7 now availale, wins award for most generic name in computing

    Windows Embedded Compact 7 now availale, wins award for most generic name in computing

    Microsoft has made Windows Embedded Compact 7 available for download. You probably have no use for it, unless, I don't know, you've created a homemade tablet in your garage in your spare time.

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  • Skype VP says company isn’t developing software for Windows Phone 7 (Update: it’s ‘on the roadmap’)

    Skype VP says company isn’t developing software for Windows Phone 7 (Update: it’s ‘on the roadmap’)

    Consider the bombshell dropped. Skype, the godfather of VoIP apps and an increasingly ubiquitous piece of mobile as well as desktop software, has just let it be known that it's not planning on bringing its goodies to Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 OS. Dan Neary, the company's Vice President for the Asia Pacific region, said that it's "not developing software for the new Windows Mobile software due later this year," but seemed reluctant to expand on the reasons why. Perhaps, like Mozilla, the Skype devs felt they weren't getting access to the right tools. Whatever the reason, this would be a major competitive disadvantage for Microsoft's great new hope on the mobile front, which is already expected to launch with a few things missing. Then again, we shouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves as this isn't an official renouncement from Skype, merely a statement of the status quo -- and from a regional exec at that. All we can take away from it for now is that the road ahead looks a bit bumpier than before for WP7.

    Update: Looks like this quote might've been taken out of context. MobileTechWorld followed up and learned that while Dan Neary left out Windows Mobile and Windows Phone from a list of currently supported platforms (which makes sense, since one is dying and the other isn't out yet), he said Windows Phone 7 "is on the roadmap." The question seems to be more of a "when" than an "if" they'll start building it.

    Skype VP says company isn't developing software for Windows Phone 7 (Update: it's 'on the roadmap') originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 May 2010 03:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Will the Microsoft Windows 7-Office 2010 bus tour stop in your home town?

    Will the Microsoft Windows 7-Office 2010 bus tour stop in your home town?

    Get on the Bus indeed, Microsoft. Folks from The Big M will be driving around on a bus throughout the U.S. and Canada next month, spreading the good word about Windows 7 and Office 2010. The tour begins on May 21 in Montreal and wraps up in Atlanta ("Hotlanta," as the cool kids call it) on June 4. The tour swings by New York on May 25. Maybe I'll bring a camera to record the goings-on?

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  • Microsoft Fix It comes to Windows Vista, XP

    Microsoft Fix It comes to Windows Vista, XP

    Good news for those of you who are still plugging along on Windows XP and Vista. Microsoft is bringing Fix It to said operating systems; it's already available on Windows 7. Fix It tries to—wait for it—fix your PC problems before they require your to break out a sledgehammer and teach your hard drive a lesson. It's in beta right now, so feel free to give it a shot. "Feel free," as if I'm the arbiter of your free time!

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  • Video: HTC HD2 gets Windows Phone 7, but not by Microsoft or HTC’s doing

    Video: HTC HD2 gets Windows Phone 7, but not by Microsoft or HTC’s doing

    The second Microsoft announced Windows Phone 7 last month, the same question began pouring in en masse: “Will this run on my current Windows Mobile 6.5 device?” Microsoft was quick to crush everyone’s hopes , saying that no WinMo 6.5 devices were up to snuff. “But what about the HD2? That things like brand new [...]

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  • DeviceAnywhere Unveils Vital Research Data for the Mobile Industry

    DeviceAnywhere Unveils Vital Research Data for the Mobile Industry

    var AdBrite_Title_Color = '0000FF'; var AdBrite_Text_Color = '000000'; var AdBrite_Background_Color = 'FFFFFF'; var AdBrite_Border_Color = 'CCCCCC'; var AdBrite_URL_Color = '008000'; try{var AdBrite_Iframe=window.top!=window.self?2:1;var AdBrite_Referrer=document.referrer==''?document.location:document.referrer;AdBrite_Referrer=encodeURIComponent(AdBrite_Referrer);}catch(e){var AdBrite_Iframe='';var AdBrite_Referrer='';} document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,83,67,82,73,80,84));document.write(' src="http://ads.adbrite.com/mb/text_group.php?sid=2053203&zs=3436385f3630&ifr='+AdBrite_Iframe+'&ref='+AdBrite_Referrer+'" type="text/javascript">');document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,47,83,67,82,73,80,84,62)); New Report from Mobile Application Testing Leader Shows BlackBerry OS Testing Dominates, Testing on Android is On the Rise, Windows Mobile Testing Decreases San Mateo,...

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  • Windows 7 SP1, everyone

    Windows 7 SP1, everyone

    The good news? Microsoft has announced Windows 7’s first service pack, which fixes minor bugs. The bad news? The company didn’t mention the beta or release date. How nice.

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