Microsoft today unveiled Windows Phone 7 Series at the Mobile World Congress 2010. Since it is a brand new OS, Microsoft got rid of the Windows Mobile 7 branding and named it as Windows Phone 7 Series instead. From the first look, it looks pretty impressive.

Check out the UI videos:

Today at Mobile World Congress 2010, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the next generation of Windows Phones, Windows Phone 7 Series. With this new platform, Microsoft offers a fresh approach to phone software, distinguished by smart design and truly integrated experiences that bring to the surface the content people care about from the Web and applications. For the first time ever, Microsoft will bring together Xbox LIVE games and the Zune music and video experience on a mobile phone, exclusively on Windows Phone 7 Series. Partners have already started building phones; customers will be able to purchase the first phones in stores by holiday 2010.

Designed for Life in Motion

With Windows Phone 7 Series, Microsoft takes a fundamentally different approach to phone software. Smart design begins with a new, holistic design system that informs every aspect of the phone, from its visually appealing layout and motion to its function and hardware integration. On the Start screen, dynamically updated “live tiles” show users real-time content directly, breaking the mold of static icons that serve as an intermediate step on the way to an application. Create a tile of a friend, and the user gains a readable, up-to-date view of a friend’s latest pictures and posts, just by glancing at Start.

Every Windows Phone 7 Series phone will come with a dedicated hardware button for Bing, providing one-click access to search from anywhere on the phone, while a special implementation of Bing search provides intent-specific results, delivering the most relevant Web or local results, depending on the type of query.

Windows Phone 7 Series creates an unrivaled set of integrated experiences on a phone through Windows Phone hubs. Hubs bring together related content from the Web, applications and services into a single view to simplify common tasks. Windows Phone 7 Series includes six hubs built on specific themes reflecting activities that matter most to people:

• People. This hub delivers an engaging social experience by bringing together relevant content based on the person, including his or her live feeds from social networks and photos. It also provides a central place from which to post updates to Facebook and Windows Live in one step.
• Pictures. This hub makes it easy to share pictures and video to a social network in one step. Windows Phone 7 Series also brings together a user’s photos by integrating with the Web and PC, making the phone the ideal place to view a person’s entire picture and video collection.
• Games. This hub delivers the first and only official Xbox LIVE experience on a phone, including Xbox LIVE games, Spotlight feed and the ability to see a gamer’s avatar, Achievements and gamer profile. With more than 23 million active members around the world, Xbox LIVE unlocks a world of friends, games and entertainment on Xbox 360, and now also on Windows Phone 7 Series.
• Music + Video. This hub creates an incredible media experience that brings the best of Zune, including content from a user’s PC, online music services and even a built-in FM radio into one simple place that is all about music and video. Users can turn their media experience into a social one with Zune Social on a PC and share their media recommendations with like-minded music lovers. The playback experience is rich and easy to navigate, and immerses the listener in the content.
• Marketplace. This hub allows the user to easily discover and load the phone with certified applications and games.
• Office. This hub brings the familiar experience of the world’s leading productivity software to the Windows Phone. With access to Office, OneNote and SharePoint Workspace all in one place, users can easily read, edit and share documents. With the additional power of Outlook Mobile, users stay productive and up to date while on the go.

…

Official Site: Windows Phone 7 Series
Press Release: Microsoft Unveils Windows Phone 7 Series
More Information: Windows Phone Press Kit
YouTube: Windows Phone Channel

On Saturday, attended an event with Li Xiang organised by HP and Microsoft. The event theme was “Envision the Future”. The event was held at Giraffe Restaurant & Bar which is directly opposite Istana/Plaza Singapura. For a start the food was not bad!

We each have a name tag and on top of it, we are suppose to write what we think of the future. Everyone’s one future was pretty generic like “bright”, “exciting”, “soon”, “nice”, “now”, etc. I decided against the norm and put, “Future is Future loh”. I wanted to put “bleak” but it sounds generic as well. Li Xiang’s put “Future is astonishing”.

My Future

Read More (631 More Words, 13 More Images, 1 More Video)

Windows 7 has officially been launch in Singapore at midnight on 22nd October 2009. The launch was collaborated between Microsoft Singapore and Challenger Funan. The first person in the queue started queuing at 3.30pm and only at 7pm they started giving out the queue number. At about 10.30pm, there was about 140+ people in the queue, but I think it eventually went up to 200 before midnight.

The first 177 customers gets to buy Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Edition at SGD$77 (RRP: SGD$219). After that, a limited number of customers can purchase it at SGD$147 during the launch event.

Full Install Prices

• Windows 7 Home Premium – SGD$359
• Windows 7 Professional – SGD$529
• Windows 7 Ultimate – SGD$549

Upgrade Prices

• Windows 7 Home Premium – SGD$219
• Windows 7 Professional – SGD$359
• Windows 7 Ultimate – SGD$379

OEM Prices (Full Install)

• Windows 7 Home Premium – SGD$190
• Windows 7 Professional – SGD$255
• Windows 7 Ultimate – SGD$350

I have been using Windows 7 for quite sometime since it was available in my school’s MSDN AA on 14th August 2009. I am very satisfied with it, definitely an improvement over the failed Windows Vista or the long running Windows XP.

*UPDATE* Updated post with Windows 7 OEM prices from Fuwell.

Source: DK and VR Zone

This news is a day late! Pardon me for that. Microsoft and Yahoo! has finally joined forces to take on Google after all the fiasco about Microsoft taking over Yahoo! which started last year.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. and REDMOND, Wash. – 29 July, 2009 – Yahoo! and Microsoft announced an agreement that will improve the Web search experience for users and advertisers, and deliver sustained innovation to the industry. In simple terms, Microsoft will now power Yahoo! search while Yahoo! will become the exclusive worldwide relationship sales force for both companies’ premium search advertisers.

Pretty interesting agreement terms!

• The term of the agreement is 10 years;
• Microsoft will acquire an exclusive 10 year license to Yahoo!’s core search technologies, and Microsoft will have the ability to integrate Yahoo! search technologies into its existing web search platforms;
• Microsoft’s Bing will be the exclusive algorithmic search and paid search platform for Yahoo! sites. Yahoo! will continue to use its technology and data in other areas of its business such as enhancing display advertising technology.
• Yahoo! will become the exclusive worldwide relationship sales force for both companies’ premium search advertisers. Self-serve advertising for both companies will be fulfilled by Microsoft’s AdCenter platform, and prices for all search ads will continue to be set by AdCenter’s automated auction process.
• Each company will maintain its own separate display advertising business and sales force.
• Yahoo! will innovate and “own” the user experience on Yahoo! properties, including the user experience for search, even though it will be powered by Microsoft technology.
• Microsoft will compensate Yahoo! through a revenue sharing agreement on traffic generated on Yahoo!’s network of both owned and operated (O&O) and affiliate sites.
• Microsoft will pay traffic acquisition costs (TAC) to Yahoo! at an initial rate of 88% of search revenue generated on Yahoo!’s O&O sites during the first 5 years of the agreement.
• Yahoo! will continue to syndicate its existing search affiliate partnerships.
• Microsoft will guarantee Yahoo!’s O&O revenue per search (RPS) in each country for the first 18 months following initial implementation in that country.
• At full implementation (expected to occur within 24 months following regulatory approval), Yahoo! estimates, based on current levels of revenue and current operating expenses, that this agreement will provide a benefit to annual GAAP operating income of approximately $500 million and capital expenditure savings of approximately $200 million. Yahoo! also estimates that this agreement will provide a benefit to annual operating cash flow of approximately $275 million.
• The agreement protects consumer privacy by limiting the data shared between the companies to the minimum necessary to operate and improve the combined search platform, and restricts the use of search data shared between the companies. The agreement maintains the industry-leading privacy practices that each company follows today.

Source: Microsoft, Yahoo! Change Search Landscape

Microsoft Singapore have flew in Tim Huckaby from Microsoft HQ to give a talk on Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Silverlight 2.0 and programming for Microsoft Surface!

Tim Huckaby’s Profile

Consistently rated in the top 10% of all speakers, and currently focused on Smart Client Technologies, Tim Huckaby has been called a “Pioneer of the Smart Client Revolution”. Tim has been awarded multiple times for the highest rated keynote and technical presentations for Microsoft and numerous other technology conferences around the world.

Event Outline

Innovation is touching down in Singapore! See it with your own eyes and hear it directly from Mr Tim Huckaby, a “Pioneer of the Smart Client Revolution” as he shares on Windows Presentation Foundation, Silverlight and Microsoft Surface!

This session will be heavily demo focused to accentuate how the power of the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and Silverlight 2.0 can be used to visualize data.

WPF is the next-generation presentation sub-system for building rich Windows smart client user experiences that incorporate UI, media, and documents.

Microsoft Silverlight is a plug-in for delivering the next generation of media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web.

Microsoft Surface a multi-touch product that allows a user to manipulate digital content by the use of natural motions, hand gestures, or physical objects.

Event Details

Date: 10th December 2008 (Wed)
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Venue: Microsoft Auditorium, Level 21, NTUC Centre, One Marina Boulevard, Microsoft Singapore
Email: MSDPE@crystaledge.net
Call: Meagan at +65 6293 4947

Registration is free, so if you are interesting please RSVP at this link.

Full Details: Mix-It-Up December 2008: Touch-It-Up

PS: Weiquan and Suqin, if you are interested want to go together?

Microsoft has release Silverlight 2 and it will be available for download tomorrow. I have been waiting for this as Silverlight 1 and 1.1 is really an infant.

Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of Silverlight 2, one of the industry’s most comprehensive and powerful solutions for the creation and delivery of applications and media experiences through a Web browser. Silverlight 2 delivers a wide range of new features and tools that enable designers and developers to better collaborate while creating more accessible, more discoverable and more secure user experiences.

Press Release: Microsoft Releases Silverlight 2, Already Reaching One in Four Consumers Worldwide
Website: Official Silverlight Page

It has been confirmed that Windows 7 will be just called Windows 7. Simple, short and sweet.

And, as you probably know, since we began development of the next version of the Windows client operating system we have been referring to it by a codename, “Windows 7.” But now is a good time to announce that we’ve decided to officially call the next version of Windows, “Windows 7.”

While I know there have been a few cases at Microsoft when the codename of a product was used for the final release, I am pretty sure that this is a first for Windows. You might wonder about the decision.

The decision to use the name Windows 7 is about simplicity. Over the years, we have taken different approaches to naming Windows. We’ve used version numbers like Windows 3.11, or dates like Windows 98, or “aspirational” monikers like Windows XP or Windows Vista. And since we do not ship new versions of Windows every year, using a date did not make sense. Likewise, coming up with an all-new “aspirational” name does not do justice to what we are trying to achieve, which is to stay firmly rooted in our aspirations for Windows Vista, while evolving and refining the substantial investments in platform technology in Windows Vista into the next generation of Windows.

Simply put, this is the seventh release of Windows, so therefore “Windows 7″ just makes sense.

We are very excited about the opportunity to tell you more about Windows 7 in the coming weeks, and show you how we have continued to build on investments begun in Windows Vista to deliver on the next release of the Windows operating system.

Source: Windows Vista Team Blog

Microsoft Hardware celebrates 25 years of success by announcing several of its new hardware on Tuesday at Movida, St. James Power Station. Unfortunately I am not able to attend as I have lessons during that time.

Microsoft Arc Mouse
Microsoft Corp raised the style stakes with the unveiling of a revolutionary crescent-moon-shaped mouse designed to be just as fashionable as it is functional – the Arc Mouse. With its unique foldable design, Arc reduces by almost half for portability when it is snapped shut, but provides complete comfort when opened to its full size.

The Arc Mouse in black and red will be widely available in the fourth quarter of 2008 for an estimated retail price of SGD$89.00 respectively.

View:

• Microsoft Arc Mouse Product Page

Microsoft BlueTrack Explorer Mouse & Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse
Microsoft Corp showcased in Singapore the world’s most advanced tracking technology, Microsoft BlueTrack Technology, which allows consumers to take their mice anywhere and work with confidence on more surfaces than before.

Microsoft’s new proprietary tracking technology combines the width and power of optical technology with the precision of laser tracking to allow consumers to mouse on virtually any surface – from a granite kitchen countertop to the living room carpet.

BlueTrack Technology will debut in two new top-of-the-line mice, Microsoft Explorer Mouse and Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse, available this holiday season at authorized resellers.

The Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack Technology and the Explorer Mini Mouse with BlueTrack Technology will be available in the fourth quarter of 2008 at an estimated retail price of SGD$109.90 and SGD$79.90 respectively.

View:

• Microsoft BlueTrack Explorer Mouse Product Page
• Microsoft BlueTrack Explorer Mini Mouse Product Page

Microsoft LifeCam Show & Microsoft LifeCam VX-5500
Microsoft Corp unveils two new webcams – LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 – featuring stunning new designs that not only look great but also provide versatility for use on a laptop or desktop monitor, or sitting next to your PC. No matter where these LifeCams are used, they will make a statement.

LifeCam Show is ultra sleek which is one of the thinnest webcams on the market, while the LifeCam VX-5500 takes a more sassy approach with switchable faceplates in three colors and an innovative, collapsible design.

The LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 will be widely available in October 2008 for the respective estimated retail prices of SGD$139.00 and SGD$79.00.

View:

• Microsoft LifeCam Show Product Page
• Microsoft LifeCam VX-5500 Product Page

Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard & Microsoft SideWinder X5 Mouse
Meet the Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard – the most versatile gaming keyboard on the market with the first-ever switchable key pad that can be attached to the left or right side of the keyboard for ultimate flexibility.

To round out the SideWinder line, the Hardware team is also announcing the SideWinder X5 Mouse, a fast, powerful gaming mouse designed to give mainstream gamers a competitive edge.

The switchable key pad makes the SideWinder X6 Keyboard ideal for gaming as well as productivity, as the key pad functions as a standard num pad in normal keyboard mode, but becomes a programmable macro pad in game mode.

The recommended retail price of the SideWinder X6 keyboard is SGD$119.00. This holiday season in Singapore, the SideWinder X6 Keyboard will be only available in an exclusive holiday bundle with Electronic Arts’ highly anticipated real-time strategy game Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3. More details will be announced by Microsoft Hardware and Electronic Arts in early October 2008.

The SideWinder X5 Mouse will be widely available in October 2008 for an estimated retail price of S$79.00.

View:

• Microsoft SideWinder X6 Keyboard Product Page
• Microsoft SideWinder X5 Mouse Product Page

Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000, Microsoft Wireless Media Desktop 1000 & Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000
Microsoft Corp. showcased two new desktop sets – the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 and Wireless Media Desktop 1000 — with stylish designs and high-end productivity features at affordable prices, giving consumers more quality options for their workspaces. A Comfort Curve design complements the sleek lines of the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000, making for hardware that looks and feels good at the same time. Slick design features also grab attention on the Wireless Media Desktop 1000, a keyboard-and-mouse combination created for digital media enthusiasts.

Microsoft today also introduced the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000, a notebook mouse with stunning color offerings at an affordable price, based on the design of the No. 1 best-selling notebook mouse in the U.S.

The Wireless Laser Desktop 6000, Wireless Media Desktop 1000, Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 will be available this quarter for estimated retail prices of SGD$139.00, SGD$69.90, SGD$49.90, respectively.

View:

• Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 Product Page
• Microsoft Wireless Media Desktop 1000 Product Page
• Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 Product Page

Last Friday, 11th July 2008, marks my mum 50th birthday. We went to celebrate at Pete’s Place in Hyatt Hotel. Food there was rather disappointing as compared to their Sunday lunch buffet. The price range from SGD$20 to SGD$40 for a main course. Each main course is entitled for the bread bar.

Skype with my dad when we came home and we cut the cake “in front” of him. Technology really brings people closer regardless of the location he is in.

We bought my mum Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000, i.Tech CLIP V and Altec Lansing BXR1120. I also ordered flowers on behalf of my dad to my mom from FarEastFlora.com. She likes lilies, so I ordered a bouquet of 6 stocks of lilies (PN27 – Pure Bliss).

Last Monday, I also surprised Li Xiang with a bouquet of 18 stalks of roses (PN17 – In Love with You) from FarEastFlora.com, delivered to her office. Been a long time since I sent her flowers, so I think this surprise comes in quite well.

FarEastFlora’s flowers maybe a little more expensive then others, but it is worth every cent of it. The quality of the flowers is excellent and you can even track your orders online. It has been more than a week since I gave Li Xiang the bouquet of flowers and the flowers is in excellent condition. I would definitely recommend FarEastFlora if you are ordering flowers online. They even except PayPal payments too.

I will be going to KL for a short trip with Li Xiang, my mom and my uncle on Friday and will be back on Sunday. My uncle will be driving there.

I have been using Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit for more than a month and I must say I am pretty comfortable with it. Even though not much changes from Windows XP besides the GUI, it supports DirectX 10 which is a must have for all gamers.

Till now, I have gotten only 1 Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) when I am upgrading to the Windows Vista 64-bit service pack 1. Since then, I have not gotten a single crash *TOUCH WOOD*.

Most of the applications out there that works for 32-bit WILL WORK WELL with 64-bit. The only exception I can think of is anti-virus software like NOD32 where it specifically requires a 64-bit version of it.

As for games, the only complain I have is with Steam. Regardless whether I do a proper exit or an improper one for any Steam games, once the game exits, Windows Vista will gave me the stopped working message, “hl2.exe has stopped working”. Apparently after doing some Googling, it is a known problem and there is a fix for it. I am still waiting for Valve to resolve this issue.

The only thing you need to take note is peripherals drivers. If you are using 64-bit OS, you NEED to be using a 64-bit version of your peripheral driver and not a 32-bit one. If your peripheral don’t support 64-bit OS, I think it is time for you to dump it and get a new one.

Somehow I feel safer when using Windows Vista 64-Bit as compared to Windows XP 32-bit as I know there are lesser viruses for Windows Vista and even lesser for the Windows Vista 64-bit as compared to Windows XP. I am keeping my fingers cross.

PS: I am NOT paid by Microsoft to promote Windows Vista, what have been mentioned are my personal views.