Microsoft have released a 32 minute video of the Windows 8 partner preview event in Taipei, Taiwan at Computex 2011. Microsoft corporate Vice president Mike Anguilo demonstrates Windows 8 live
Friday, June 17, 2011
Microsoft to unveil Windows Phone 7.5
Microsoft is set to unveil a major upgrade to Windows Phone 7 at an event later today. The new release, version 7.5, will include improved web browsing, updated Microsoft Office support and better gaming options.
Rumours suggest that it will also offer improved voice support, turn-by-turn navigation, visual voicemail and automatic Facebook check-ins. Only the last of these, however, would be a feature not currently on offer on both Apple and Google’s operating systems, either free or via a paid-for app.
Some rumours have also suggested that new devices and WiFi tethering, allowing users to share their phone’s data connection with other devices, could also be included. Although tethering too is now also offered by the Apple iPhone and has been a part of Google devices for some time, Microsoft has previously said however that it has no plans to include it.
Analysts have remained sceptical at Windows Phone 7’s ability to crack a market dominated by Apple and Android. Google recently reported that 100million Android devices had been activated. Microsoft’s deal with Nokia, however, may give it a new advantage.
Eldar Murtazin, an analyst who was among the first to identify Microsoft’s intention to do a deal with Nokia, has said that although Microsoft has shipped 1.5 million phones to partners, approximately 900,000 of those remain unsold so far.
Rumours suggest that it will also offer improved voice support, turn-by-turn navigation, visual voicemail and automatic Facebook check-ins. Only the last of these, however, would be a feature not currently on offer on both Apple and Google’s operating systems, either free or via a paid-for app.
Some rumours have also suggested that new devices and WiFi tethering, allowing users to share their phone’s data connection with other devices, could also be included. Although tethering too is now also offered by the Apple iPhone and has been a part of Google devices for some time, Microsoft has previously said however that it has no plans to include it.
Analysts have remained sceptical at Windows Phone 7’s ability to crack a market dominated by Apple and Android. Google recently reported that 100million Android devices had been activated. Microsoft’s deal with Nokia, however, may give it a new advantage.
Eldar Murtazin, an analyst who was among the first to identify Microsoft’s intention to do a deal with Nokia, has said that although Microsoft has shipped 1.5 million phones to partners, approximately 900,000 of those remain unsold so far.
2012 Release For Windows 8, Ballmer Reiterates
At a Microsoft Developer Forum in Japan , Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer confirmed what we’ve all been assuming: the company plans to release Windows 8 in 2012, just about three years after the release of Windows 7.
Unfortunately, that’s as specific as the famously enthusiastic CEO cared to be, and no new features or details about the release were discussed.
Unfortunately, that’s as specific as the famously enthusiastic CEO cared to be, and no new features or details about the release were discussed.
New Windows Phone 7.5 features revealed
Microsoft has revealed some additional Windows Phone 7.5 features over the weekend.
Bing Audio/Vision
Bing Audio will allow Windows Phone 7.5 owners to search for music using Bing. The feature is similar to Shazam and will allow users to identify songs by holding their phones up to speakers playing music.
Bing Vision will be a search service using the phones camera. Bing Vision will support barcodes, Microsoft Tags, QR codes, Books, CDs, DVDs and text using OCR. Users will utilize the service by scanning products and finding competitive prices locally and online.
Bing Audio/Vision
Bing Audio will allow Windows Phone 7.5 owners to search for music using Bing. The feature is similar to Shazam and will allow users to identify songs by holding their phones up to speakers playing music.
Bing Vision will be a search service using the phones camera. Bing Vision will support barcodes, Microsoft Tags, QR codes, Books, CDs, DVDs and text using OCR. Users will utilize the service by scanning products and finding competitive prices locally and online.
Microsoft Announces Windows Azure Toolkits for iOS, Android and Windows Phone
Microsoft announced Windows Azure Toolkits for Devices, consisting of assets for Windows Phone, iOS and a preview of tools for Android.
Using the toolkits, developers can use the cloud to accelerate the creation of applications on the major mobile platforms. Companies, including Groupon, are taking advantage to create a unified approach to cloud-to-mobile user experience.
Using the toolkits, developers can use the cloud to accelerate the creation of applications on the major mobile platforms. Companies, including Groupon, are taking advantage to create a unified approach to cloud-to-mobile user experience.
Microsoft near $7 billion deal for Skype
Microsoft is putting the finishing touches on a deal to buy Internet phone company Skype for between $7 billion and $8 billion, and a deal could be announced as early as tomorrow, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Office 365 offers value, but it’s not Office
Microsoft revealed its latest beta version of Office 365. For some small businesses — even some individuals — it may be worth the price.
The first thing you have to understand about Office 365 (info page) is that it isn’t Office. In spite of the name, Office 365 isn’t a new version of Office at all. It’s a rebranding of server services Microsoft has offered for years, with a bit more sizzle and a different marketing slant (and presumably a much larger marketing budget).
Microsoft could have explained the product much more accurately by calling it “Exchange-SharePoint-Lync for Rent” and by emphasizing that you don’t need to run Exchange, SharePoint, or Lync on your own hardware. You can rent time on Microsoft’s servers, and MS will do all the heavy lifting over the Internet
The first thing you have to understand about Office 365 (info page) is that it isn’t Office. In spite of the name, Office 365 isn’t a new version of Office at all. It’s a rebranding of server services Microsoft has offered for years, with a bit more sizzle and a different marketing slant (and presumably a much larger marketing budget).
Microsoft could have explained the product much more accurately by calling it “Exchange-SharePoint-Lync for Rent” and by emphasizing that you don’t need to run Exchange, SharePoint, or Lync on your own hardware. You can rent time on Microsoft’s servers, and MS will do all the heavy lifting over the Internet
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)