Thursday, February 17, 2011
Nokia has revealed that the deal with Microsoft enables them to heavily customize the Windows Phone 7 platform on their devices.
However, they are not going to take this route. Instead, they are going to try to make updates that can be sent back to Microsoft for inclusion in the standard WP7 editions so that every operator can benefit from it.
The basic idea is to prevent the fragmentation that is happening in the Android ecosystem. Heavy customization would result in delayed releases of updates.
This means that Nokia would have to differentiate themselves on the basis of hardware quality and features when it comes to WP7 based smartphones.
Thursday, February 17, 2011 0
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Worried that Dell's Streak 10 might pull a Streak 5 and ship with a aging, smartphone-specific OS? Fear no more -- Dell told investors that the 10.1-inch Android tablet will arrive later this year with Honeycomb safely nestled inside. Also, it seems Dell may looking to consolidate the number of form factors and software platforms it supports, as an executive stated during today's Q4 earnings call that the company's other 10.1-inch tablet -- a Windows device -- could have the same shell. When asked broadly about the company's tablet strategy with regards to other operating systems, this was the answer Dell had on tap:
For tablets, it's Android Honeycomb and Windows, and we have customers with a preference for either one. We can create platforms that share a great degree of hardware commonality that can run both -- or either -- operating system, and we don't see any other options that are worthy of consideration.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 1
As part of the initiative, Tech Mahindra will deploy Mahindra Satyam's 'iDecisionsTM for telecom' onto a Microsoft platform which will enable both companies to offer customisable BI solutions to their customers, a press release issued here today stated.
The BI solutions cover all major aspects of the telecom industry decision-making spectrum and would be available on a single platform consisting of Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, SharePoint 2010 and Office 2010 with a defined road-map to move this to a cloud-based offering using Windows Azure later this year, the release said.
"As a global player with a strong foothold in the telecommunication sector, Tech Mahindra is pleased to be working with Microsoft to provide BI that supports the unique needs of this sector. Together, we will help customers to respond quickly to market trends and tailor products and services to their needs. We are confident that iDecisionsTM for Telecom using Microsoft technology will empower informed decision-making for our customers" Tech Mahindra's Senior Vice-President and Europe Business Head, Vivek Agarwal, said.
"We are very pleased with Tech Mahindra's decision to extend their relationship with Microsoft and offer Business Intelligence solutions that address the specific needs of our telco customers," Industry Managing Director, Communications Sector at Microsoft Corp, Jim Dietrich, said.
Take heart Windows 7 users, the first W7 service pack finally has an official mass-market release date: February 22nd.
If you are a MSDN or TechNet Subscriber, or a Volume License customer, you can get your hands on the final software straight out of Redmond on February 16th.
The February 22nd launch date is right on time, squaring with our previous knowledge that the service pack would be released in the first quarter of 2011. There have been various leaks throughout the history of Service Pack 1, but at long last the official software will be released.
What should you expect? RemoteFX, a tool to help boost the 3-D graphical experience for users who are remote will be included alongside a host of minor (read: incremental) upgrades and improvements. Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will be released at the same time.
The release of various service packs for different versions of Windows often mark their ‘coming of age’ for certain corporate customers who only want to bet on proven tools. Not that Windows 7 is selling poorly, the opposite, in fact, but this can only help boost already strong numbers.
The Mobile World Congress has now brought news of some much-needed Windows Phone 7 updates, but we wonder if these would be enough to fill all the gaps of the platform’s glaring omissions. Steve Ballmer announced two updates – but not many details were in tow, with no exact release date, or list of features.
We do know that this first update will be due in the first two weeks of March, and will include the much-vaunted ability to copy and paste, apart from performance enhancements. There will also be an improved Windows Marketplace app for the ecosystem. With CDMA-support promised, carriers in India might be just start getting excited about at the implications of a Nokia Windows Phone 7 in the Indian market.
The next update will include some very essential features, with true multitasking including third party programs, using a task switcher ‘inspired’ by the acclaimed webOS card-style. Along with native Twitter support, the update will also bring IE9 to WP7 – implying a degree of built-in hardware-acceleration.
The second, larger update, due sometime in the second half of the year, will apparently offer more than what we know of now, features that will hopefully bring it onto a more level playing field with its tried and tested competitors. The update will be revealed in more detail at developer-centric MIX11 conference scheduled for April – as well as a list of SDK features. Other features were demonstrated, but not detailed, including a WP7 being used to interface with an Xbox 360 Kinect game.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Don't ever say Ma Bell lacks cahones. On the same day that existing Verizon customers began pre-ordering the CDMA'd iPhone 4, AT&T has come clean with what's next on America's largest GSM network. While announced at CES 2011, pricing and release information had eluded the luscious Atrix 4G... until now, that is. AT&T will begin pre-sales for the Froyo-powered Motorola Atrix 4G Android superphone on February 13th, with the standard $199.99 + two-year contract ($50 more than we were led to believe, mind you) getting one into your grubby mitts. We're told to expect general availability on March 6th "or earlier," putting it just about in line with the date we'd heard rumored. Moreover, those looking to buy will should have a difficult time laying off of the Laptop Dock bundle, which nets you an Atrix 4G as well as a $499.99 dock for the grand total of $499.99 on contract. You heard right -- those who opt to buy the dock at a later time will be asked to shell out five Benjamins, whereas that same tally on day one will also include the phone. It should be noted, however, that the bundle only applies if you also sign your name to a Data Pro plan and tethering add-on, so be sure you're down for that monthly hit before committing in haste. Oh, and just in case you simply can't stop spending, the carrier is also offering an Entertainment Access Kit for Atrix 4G customers which includes the Motorola HD Multimedia Dock, a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and a remote control for $189.99.
Friday, February 4, 2011 1
Admit it, you know you want one of those wild N-Control Avenger controller attachments: there's no shame in that, I want it too! It looks so cool and certainly can make go gaga.
Posts
