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Microsoft is gearing up for the launch of its new mobile platform, Windows Phone 7. The appearance of WP7 to the failed Kin OS is similar, so there is a concern the recent failure will have a negative impact on the new platform launching soon.
var digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/microsoft/Microsoft_Street_Slide_it_s_electric_video’;
Remember the first time you used Google Street View? Amazing, right? Thing is, traversing a busy urban street in a 360-degree photographic bubble can be disorienting, especially when searching for a specific address or business. So check this: Microsoft Research has developed a rather nifty solution it calls Street Slide. Zoom out of your panoramic bubble and the street is presented as a dynamic, multi-perspective “strip” giving you an instant visual summary of the surroundings — similar to viewing the entire street from a distance. Fortunately, Microsoft took advantage of what would otherwise be the unused letterboxed screen above and below the strip to add navigational and informational aids like clickable business logos and building numbers. Pretty impressive, and Microsoft is already working on taking Street Slide mobile with an iPhone port, and no doubt a version for the upcoming Windows Phone 7 series of devices. Unfortunately, don’t expect this to be released anytime soon as the team has only processed about 2400 panoramas so far covering just 4 kilometers of streets. Check the video after the break, you’ll be glad you did.
Continue reading Microsoft Street Slide: it’s electric! (video)
Microsoft Street Slide: it’s electric! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Without question, AT&T’s wireless growth these past few years has been largely based on iPhone — and with apparently good reason, if you look at the numbers. As far as other platforms go, however, it’s not been as rosy. Android’s relation with the carrier, for example, is a story woven with years of hesitation, some questionable releases, and a rival that’s fully embraced it to notable success (releases like the Captivate and Streak suggest a stronger future). So with all that in mind, what we’re hearing from AT&T in the wake of Windows Phone 7 is decidedly more committal. Here’s what a spokesperson told PC World this week: “We’ll be the premier carrier for Windows Phone 7″ (emphasis ours). Strong words, but we still haven’t heard concrete plans from anyone, including Microsoft, on what’s going on with the release. Whispers care of our friend Michael Gartenberg suggest AT&T has “signed up for 8 million” phones and our own eyes have espied some launch materials, but we’ll just have to see. Your move, Ma Bell. Assuage our doubts, k?
P.S. It’s also worth noting that, after the Kin debacle, Microsoft and Verizon aren’t exactly BFF, meaning rival AT&T’s “premier” claim isn’t likely to be contested by the one carrier with more subscribers.
AT&T claims it will be ‘the premier carrier’ for Windows Phone 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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No big surprise here, but HP Personal Systems Group VP Todd Bradley just flat-out confirmed to CNBC that HP will not be making any Windows Phone 7 devices, preferring instead to focus on the newly-acquired webOS for its line of smartphones. Here’s the entire exchange:
Q: Can you make webOS successful with developers when you’re selling Windows Phone 7, maybe Android or Linux at the same time?A: We continue to be Microsoft’s biggest customer, and we continue to believe we will drive innovation with Microsoft. At the same time, I think it’s clear to say, that we’re very focused on the customer, and giving the customer the experience that’s important to them. We won’t do — will not do a Linux / Android phone. We won’t do a Microsoft phone.
Q: So no Windows Phone 7?
A: We will continue to more broadly deliver the webOS-based phones that are in the market today, and Jon and his team have driven a strong roadmap for the future.
Q: So does that mean you’re going webOS only for phones?
A: For smartphones it does. Our intent is to focus those resources and really make webOS the best OS it can be.
That’s a big ouch for Microsoft — it has to sting when your biggest customer turns its back on your fledgling mobile efforts — but we can’t exactly see HP spending a billion dollars on Palm only to turn around and support multiple platforms. There is a small silver lining for Microsoft, though — Bradley also reiterated that HP’s tablet plans aren’t so locked in, and once again hinted that the Windows 7-based HP Slate has become an enterprise product, which is at least better than being killed off entirely. Lose some, lose some slightly less, we suppose. Full video after the break — the good bit starts around 5:20.
Continue reading HP not making Windows Phone 7 devices, focusing on webOS instead
HP not making Windows Phone 7 devices, focusing on webOS instead originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Jul 2010 04:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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A recent report in the New York Times details a myriad issues that led up to the eventual explosion that started the mess known as the “BP oil spill,” but aside from obvious mishandling of warnings and red flags, one particular issue was troubling those working on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig long before April 20th. Mike Williams, the rig’s chief electronics technician, has come forward with a multitude of icky details surrounding the negligence that was involved in the catastrophe, with the one most germane to our discussion being the following: “For months, the computer system had been locking up, producing what the crew called the Blue Screen of Death.” Williams continued, noting that “it would just turn blue,” with “no data coming through.” Of course, it’s not as if BSODs are totally uncommon out in the working world — Microsoft’s Windows powers the vast majority of systems that corporations rely on daily — but this one rubs just a wee bit differently. Hit the source link for the full spill.
[Image courtesy of Ultrasaurus]
Blue Screen of Death amongst issues that plagued Deepwater Horizon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
ARM processors are so hot right now, especially in the mobile space, where they power many of the greatest smartphones, tablets, and mobile devices coming down the turnpike. Microsoft is apparently looking to merge in on that action, becoming an official ARM licensee. It’s unclear exactly what MS will be doing with its new found technical rights, but General Manager KD Hallman said “With closer access to the ARM technology we will be able to enhance our research and development activities for ARM-based products.” This likely means Microsoft will be better optimizing Windows Embedded and Windows Phone for the processor architecture, but also opens the door for Ballmer & Co. to create their own magical microprocessor and, ultimately, use it to rule the world with an iron fist. Terms of the agreement were not given, but hopefully nobody in Redmond had to lose any appendages to seal the deal.
Continue reading Microsoft becomes official ARM licensee, could an MS microprocessor be next?
Microsoft becomes official ARM licensee, could an MS microprocessor be next? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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You had to know those freebie WP7 devices for Microsoft employees would come with a few strings attached. We imagined the Redmond brain trust was aiming for some word-of-mouth popularization along with a boost in team morale and proactivity, but as it turns out, things are a little more codified than that. TechFlash has what it claims to be the internal memo announcing the free Windows Phone 7 handsets — from mobile chief Andy Lees, who hasn’t been having the best of times lately — which sets out Redmond’s expectation that employees should “evangelize” the product at every opportunity, while also setting aside some spare time before launch to develop apps (but, you know, only if they really want to). The idea, clearly, is to harness Microsoft’s massive talent pool to try and get a headstart on populating the Marketplace with compelling content; we’re just not too sure the “spare time” bit is going to go over quite as well as the “free smartphone” part. Either way, you’ll find the full email from Andy at the source.
[Thanks, Mint]
Microsoft wants employees to code Windows Phone 7 apps ‘in their spare time’ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Halo series is no stranger to special edition Xbox 360 hardware, so it should come as no surprise that the latest entry, Halo: Reach, is also privy to such treatment. What makes it special, however, is that it’s the first special edition based on the new model — 250GB HDD, built-in 802.11n WiFi, a silver (presumably matte, based on the picture) finish, and custom, Halo-inspired sounds. The $399 price tag also nets you two special edition wireless controllers and, naturally, a copy of the game itself. Look for this September 14th, and really, if you’re not into glossy black (and we feel ya, brother), this might be in your best interest to pick up.
New Xbox 360 250GB Limited Edition Halo: Reach bundle revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We’re still not sure if we believe in the promises made by the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE) yet — buy a piece of content once in physical or digital format, and gain access across all formats and devices via a cloud based account — but we’re closer to finding out for ourselves now that it has a new name, UltraViolet. In case you haven’t been paying attention over the last couple of years, the DECE group is already home to most of the biggest names on both the content and consumer electronics sides of the business, with the most notable holdouts being Apple and Disney, which is backing its own competing system, Keychest. The latest additions to the UltraViolet team are LG, LOVEFiLM and Marvell, while key members like Comcast, Microsoft, Intel and Best Buy are quoted in this morning’s press release. Check it out for yourself after the break and keep an eye out for that grey and purple logo on movies and players later this year when it begins testing.
DECE’s ‘digital locker’ take-anywhere DRM dubbed UltraViolet, launches later this year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Wireless gamepads are more convenient, but for latency, copper trumps 2.4GHz. What to do? Build hybrid controllers that can instantly cut the cord. It seems that’s what Microsoft’s thinking, as the company applied for a patent on just such a controller in March, using infrared, Bluetooth or RF technologies alongside a wired (possibly USB) connection and switch between the two “without permanent disruption to an ongoing game.” Of course, dual-mode controllers have been around for months in a slightly different form — Microsoft’s own Sidewinder X8 and the Razer Mamba did the same for the high-end gaming mouse. It also doesn’t bode well that this particular application clearly describes the original chunky Xbox.
Note: As some of you have surmised in comments, this is similar to how the PlayStation 3’s controllers work, though they hardly perform the task seamlessly. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit doesn’t interrupt a game, but only uses the physical cable to charge a controller’s battery pack.
Microsoft patent application cuts controller cords, sews them back together originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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