Friday, June 17, 2011

One Step Closer to the First Nokia Device built on Windows Phone

After 10 weeks of intense collaboration, we are pleased to report that Nokia and Microsoft have signed the definitive agreement for our strategic partnership to build a new global mobile ecosystem that is unlike any other. It’s a bold claim. But collectively we’ve moved from intent to agreement in such a short period. Actually, it’s even faster than we expected which makes this a perfect example of our commitment to our partnership and the speed at which we plan to move together.

As a result of our negotiations and discussions, we’ve aligned our teams and assets, and clearly see the potential to change the way people use their mobile devices for the better. Hundreds of our team members are already working together toward a multi-year product roadmap and are on-schedule to deliver volume shipments in 2012 although the pressure is on for first delivery in 2011. In the coming years we will aggressively work to take Nokia products using Windows Phone to new geographies, at new price points and sharing new experiences for customers around the world to enjoy.

As new partners, we recognize the importance of having a strong and growing ecosystem. And, that ecosystem is fueled by our three favorite words. Developers! Developers! Developers! Since announcing our intention to partner, the number of Windows Phone apps submitted on a daily basis has almost doubled, further illustrating the level of excitement and interest among the community for Windows Phone. Developers like Angry Birds maker, Rovio; deal of the day supersite, Groupon; hot social app, Ditto; and UK mega-retailer, Sainsbury’s, are all committing to the Windows Phone platform. And, to make joining the Windows Phone ecosystem even easier, in the first year we will make Windows Phone developer registration free for all published Nokia developers.

You will see unique innovation and differentiation across hardware, software and services as the Nokia products using Windows Phone roll-out, delivering consumer experiences in mapping, search, gaming, social media, advertising and productivity. Along the way, you can expect an increased focus on mobile business and productivity scenarios that build on Microsoft’s cloud services, new features for Symbian, and new capabilities for Windows Phone devices.

Our teams are working together toward a common goal with you, the consumer, at the heart of our experience. With set processes and dedicated teams across both companies, we have created and mapped out ways to collaborate. In order to innovate as partners, we know we have to go beyond the usual pairing of phone hardware with software. That’s why we are purposely creating a truly unique and deeply integrated partnership and are on a fast track to deliver.

We clearly see the potential, and the stage is set, and we look forward to the years ahead. Come and join us on our journey.

Posted by Kai Oistamo, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Nokia & Andy Lees, President, Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft




Microsoft announces Office 365 Public Beta

Microsoft has today announced the public beta of Office 365. Microsoft Office 365 for professionals and small businesses is a subscription service that combines the familiar Microsoft Office Web Apps with a set of web-enabled tools that are easy to learn and use, that work with your existing hardware, and that come backed by the robust security, reliability, and control you need to run your business.

Microsoft today also introduced the Office 365 Marketplace, providing a simple way for customers to find apps and services when they want to extend and customize Office 365. The Marketplace is now live with over 100 apps and 400 professional services, available from the established community of more than 16,000 Microsoft cloud partners — with new apps and services to be added over time.




Windows 8 Portable Workspace Allows OS To Run From USB

They’ve found is a new Portable Workspace Creator. This cool new feature would allow you to take your Windows 8 desktop with you on a USB thumb drive.
This isn’t a completely new concept, there’s already a whole rake of portable apps that you can run straight from a USB key. What’s more Linux users will be well used to this. It’s very easy to carry around a bootable copy of Linux OS on a USB drive or even a CD and run it on any computer.
This would be a brilliant feature to have. It would be so handy to just have a bootable copy of your Windows 8 OS in your pocket at all times. It would be much easier working on multiple computers, and also make things easier for tech support who could carry Windows 8 in their pocket with all the tools they may need. The opportunities and benefits of a portable OS are limitless, as I’m sure many Linux users will agree.




Windows 8 tablet would be launched in 2012

With Apple iPad 2 is going to hit the stores by next week, it seems Microsoft has to wait for another year to launch a real iPad competitor in the Market. According to the report published by Morgan Stanley, Microsoft would be launching Windows 8 for tablets in the first half of 2012.

Michael Gartenberg, an analyst for research firm Gartner said“If 2011 is the year of the tablet wars, Microsoft will be awfully late suiting up for that battle. It’s not a good position to be in. [....] Battle lines are being drawn, land is being grabbed, users are being evangelized and spending money” , so Microsoft has to rely on HP Slate and Asus Eee Slate which runs on Windows 7 until Windows 8 for tablets is released.

We have earlier reported a leaked roadmap from Dell stating that they would be launching Windows 8 Tablet in the first quarter of 2012, which matches with the report be Morgan Stanley. So we could definitely expect the Windows 8 tablet launch at CES 2012.




Windows 8 to be released in 2012

Microsoft has been silent about the future Operating System,apart from the leak on the MSDN Blog a long time back there has been no news about when Windows 8 will be released, though recently Microsoft Netherlands team on the occasion of first Birthday of Windows 7, has posted on the official news site
,that Windows 8 will hit the market in about 2 years time.They have
also mentioned that Windows 7 SP1 would be available in first half of
next year.