Microsoft and Mobile

 

I just read this article about Microsoft and the Kin on the Nytimes.   This reminded me of the Tmobile HTC phone I had 7 years ago with the Window OS on it (I forget which version).  The OS used to crash a lot but the phone was way ahead of it times.  If only Microsoft had put some thought and resources behind that, it would have been owning the consumer and business mobile space.  But Microsoft did not make any improvements even as Palm, the only viable competitor died.  Leaving this space open for Apple when Steve Jobs finally decided to step in.

The same goes for the Tablet PC.  What a great idea.  And One Note was the perfect Application for the Tablet.  But Microsoft messed that one too….until Apple stepped in with the iPad. 

All of us here at A-1 Technology are rooting for Microsoft as we know the company can be a formidable competitor once it gets it priorities right.  Better competition in the Mobile and Tablet market will be better for everyone.  Wishing Microsoft the best!

Microsoft Calling. Anyone There?

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,A-1 Technology,Apple,Android,Mobile

Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Series - Try, Try and Try again

The New York Times says that Microsoft had to start the development of Windows  Phone 7 from scratch because the previous previous was beyond redemption.  While there are nice features here, the software has failed to excite the audience at Barcelona, though it did win good feedback from Business Users who like the seamless integration with Sharepoint, Outlook and Exchange.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/technology/01soft.html?hpw

 

Engadget in it editorial on the release of Windows 7 said this was a entire reboot and nothing from Windows Mobile survives.  While the OS is very good, the battle is yet to be fought whether it can upend the iPhone and the Droid and carve a space for itself or will it go the way of the Palm Pre.   http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/editorial-engadget-on-windows-phone-7-series/

Mary J Foley on Microsoft-Watch says that Windows 7 Phone Series will be delayed until 2011.  Will Microsoft launch a branded phone with its own hardware.http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/windows_7/windows_phone_7_series_offers_questions_hint_of_dell_smartphone.html

 

Gigaom says Window 7 Phone is a impressive try but it wont stick until they come up with a Appstore strategy which takes advantage of the Phone.   http://gigaom.com/2010/02/15/windows-phone-7/

 

The Apple Blog was fulsom in its praise and said “Of all the companies competing in the cellphone industry, it is perhaps more than just a little poetic that Microsoft should be the first to offer a truly compelling product to rival Apple’s iPhone.”  http://theappleblog.com/2010/02/16/microsoft-starts-over-announces-credible-iphone-competitor/

 

Zune Phone aka Microsoft Pink Coming At MWC

Microsoft’s Windows Mobile OS has already lost its market share due to Google’s Android OS and Apple’s iPhone OS. Now the company is trying to regain its market share by launching their own smartphones. The rumored Microsoft Pink aka Zune phone is expected to be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona next month or during CTIA event in March.

Zune Phone is rumored to come with Microsoft’s next-generation mobile operating system, Windows Mobile 7. Zune video store will be integrated in Windows Mobile 7. It will let the users to buy songs and music subscription with a single click. Zune phone may also provide easy access to social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft’s Xbox Live Gaming service.

It is also been said that Windows Mobile 7 will come in 2 different editions, i.e Business Edition (BE) and Media Edition (ME). The Windows 7 Business Edition will support cloud syncing with multiple devices and the Media Edition will come with features much similar Zune devices.

What do you think of Zune Phone? Will it regain its market share after launching this phone and its next-gen OS?. Please share your views regarding the Zune phone and Windows Mobile 7 in the comments.

Source:http://techie-buzz.com/mobile-news/microsoft-pink-zune-phone.html

Microsoft developing own brand smartphones?

Although Microsoft has repeatedly told the press that it would not be delevoping a Windows Phone of its own to go against the likes of HTC and other handset manufacturers, that hasn't stopped a new set of pictures leaking purporting to be just that.



Gizmodo, who seems to be on a Microsoft leaking role, are claiming that a pink handset manufactured by Sharp and sporting a qwerty keyboard will be released sometime in the not too distance future.

Aimed at the kids and leveraging Microsoft's Danger (the software company behind the sidekick) acquisition last year, the "Project Pink" phones are currently being referred to as Turtle and Pure and will have social media at its core and promise the usual array of communications skills.

"The hardware design has a definite younger feeling: Turtle looks like a chunky child's version of a Palm Pre, while Pure seems like a standard slider, and both are clearly plastic, with an overall sense of roundedness, thanks to lots of soft angles and circular keys," Gizmodo is reporting.

According to the story, the phones will also sport a Zune music store.
However as tech writer Richard Lai points out, the Turtle has a key marked with a ;) symbol suggesting this could just be a prank to entice and destroy Gizmodo's reputation.

Source:http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/27412/microsoft-developing-own-brand-phones