Karen Owen Makes PowerPoint Fun Again, Embarrasses Duke University

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Granted, it’s not the best advertisement for Duke University academics, but if Microsoft knows what’s best for it, the company will recognize this story as a chance to spice up it stodgy old presentation software–well, once the smoke clears a bit.

Karen Owen, a 22-year-old former Duke student created a mock “senior thesis” of sorts for her friends titled, “An education beyond the classroom: excelling in the realm of horizontal academics.” The lengthy, 42 page PowerPoint presentation detailed the student’s sexual exploits with various members of Duke University’s lacrosse team.

The presentation describes Owen’s conquest in what The Telegraph describes as “almost scientific detail,” featuring names, intimate details, and even sometimes partially naked pictures of the students.

Owen sent the “thesis” to three friends. It quickly spread to the entire campus and then the Internet at large. It’s since become a viral Web sensation of sorts. Owen has since expressed “regret with all my heart.” An editor at HarperCollins, meanwhile, is reportedly considering offering Owen a book deal.

AT&T U-verse customers can use Xbox 360 as a set-top box starting November 7th

If you’d given up hope of using your 360 to watch AT&T U-Verse after over three years of waiting, we wouldn’t think any less of you; but for those still holding on to the dream of one less set-top box under the TV, this latest tip says the wait is all but over. As you can see from the internal memo above, a so-called Wired Release will roll out to AT&T U-Verse customers next Sunday, and it’ll bring the long awaited feature with it (though you’ll have to wait until November 7th for that particular aspect). This means AT&T U-verse customer’s Xbox 360 will have a Dashboard app, and when launched, it’ll let it function exactly like any other U-verse set-top. The only major catch is that it can’t be the only set-top — you’ll need at least one DVR at another TV in the house to enjoy one of the four HD streams that could be funneled into your home. But hey, at least it’s on the way, right?

Update: A second anonymous tipster has chimed in with some interesting slides — looks like your Xbox will need a hard drive!

[Thanks, Anonymous]

AT&T U-verse customers can use Xbox 360 as a set-top box starting November 7th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft and Adobe CEOs meet, purportedly plan world domination

Like any two technology behemoths, Adobe and Microsoft have certainly had their ups and downs. But now that Google and Apple are looming over them in a number of ways, it seems as if the two may be courting one another in order to help re-level the playing field. According to a New York Times report — which was crafted after collecting reports from “employees and consultants to the companies who were involved in the discussions that took place” — Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen recently met at the latter’s headquarters for a closed-door meeting. Purportedly, the meeting went on for over an hour and covered a variety of topics, with one of ’em being Apple and its newfound dominance in the mobile market. Shockingly enough, a “possible acquisition of Adobe by Microsoft were among the options” of stopping the skyrocketing growth. The report accurately notes that such a deal makes entirely more sense now that Redmond isn’t exactly the 800 pound gorilla that it was before Android and iOS hit the mainstream, though details beyond these assumptions were few and far betwixt. Whatever happens, no one can blame Steve Jobs for not giving Adobe every possible reason to hit Apple with everything it’s got — even if that involves buddying up with Ballmer and co.

Microsoft and Adobe CEOs meet, purportedly plan world domination originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceThe New York Times  | Email this | Comments

Wired chronicles the (brief) history of Kinect

Got your Instapaper bookmarklet prepped? This is a bit of a long one: Wired UK has put together an in-depth creation history for the soon-to-be-released Kinect. While a “one man against all odds” story might be a little quicker to read, the story of Kinect (or Project Natal, as it’s been known for most of its lifetime) is actually a pretty remarkable collaboration. An original demand and vision for the Xbox 360 from Don Mattrick (in pretty obvious response to the Wii), project leadership from Alex Kipman, gameplay creativity from Kudo Tsunoda, camera technology from PrimeSense, computer vision algorithms from Andrew Blake and Jamie Shotton — and that was just the incubation stage! The vision was cast in 2007, the project really started in 2008, and we’ll have the finished product (along with the all-important games of course) in our living rooms in November. While the most immediate battle for Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft is who can sell the most games and the most motion control hardware, it’s clear that Kinect is a major technical achievement with some pretty broad reaching implications for human / machine interaction going forward. Still, we wonder: can it run provide an effective user interface for Doom?

Oh, and if you need a little more Kinect in your life, check out our Engadget Show with Kudo Tsunoda where he dives into a bit of the tech and gameplay.

Wired chronicles the (brief) history of Kinect originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Major Nelson (Twitter)  |  sourceWired UK  | Email this | Comments

Microsoft sends out Lego Windows Phone 7 mockup to executives

A helpful tipster hit us up with this little photo today: a Windows Phone 7 mockup styled of Lego bricks. The fake phone is apparently being sent out in real invites to real executives for Microsoft’s upcoming sure-to-be-swanky Executive Event for Windows Phone 7 in November (not to be confused with the sure-to-be-pretty-great launch in October). Our question: where’s the Duplo version for Windows Mobile 6.5?

Alternate groan-worthy end zingers:

  • “We suppose that puts a whole new spin on ‘bricked,’ huh?”
  • “Where’s the Technic version for Windows Mobile 6.5?”
  • “Micro$oft? More like Blacktron!”

Continue reading Microsoft sends out Lego Windows Phone 7 mockup to executives

Microsoft sends out Lego Windows Phone 7 mockup to executives originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 22:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft creating its own software layer for Windows 7 tablets? Boy, we hope so

It’s no secret that Microsoft has a slight tablet, err Slate PC problem on its hands: Windows 7 certainly works on a “pad,” but the user interface isn’t meant for strictly finger input. The makeshift solution has been, of course, for its partners to create software skins of their own — see HP TouchSmart UI, the ExoPC “Connect Four” skin, etc. — but according to Microsoft know-it-all Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet, the guys in Redmond may just be working on a layer of their own. Now, Foley says these are just recurring rumors at this point, but they happen to line up with similar whispers we’ve heard that Microsoft might develop its own optional “shell.” Foley actually believes that it could be based on Windows Media Center, and points to an article by UK blogger Mark Wilson in which Ballmer is quoted saying, “what you’ll see over the course of the next year is us doing more and more work with our hardware partners creating hardware-software optimisations with Windows 7 and with Windows 7 Media Center […].” We don’t need to tell you, Mr. Ballmer, that we think that sounds like a glorious idea, and it’ll certainly buy you time until Windows 8 is ready in 2012.

Speaking of which, he also confirmed that it won’t be releasing another version of Windows in the interim as some may have suspected. We’ve similarly heard that Microsoft is heavily optimizing the new OS for slates, and is already prepping its partners with information on that front. Obviously all of this should be taken with a grain of salt at this point, but we sure are happy to hear that Microsoft’s starting to understand how important those UI layers are to consumer adoption and that the wheels may be in motion on finger-friendly interface improvements. Of course, for now we’ll be sitting here twiddling our thumbs until next week’s October 11 event to see if any elusive Microsoft slate announcements do in fact decide to make an appearance.

Microsoft creating its own software layer for Windows 7 tablets? Boy, we hope so originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceZDNet , MarkWilson.It  | Email this | Comments

DivShare Gets a Redesign and Offers Direct-Linking Plans

This article was written on June 13, 2007 by CyberNet.

DivShare Redesign

Last night DivShare launched a new redesign that added some really awesome features. One of the more most notable things is the new thumbnail view when managing files on your Dashboard. You can always switch back to the list view by using the appropriate link on the left sidebar, but I’m really digging the thumbnail navigation.

Previously DivShare also had a Premium plan available at $9.95 for a month, which gave users the ability to upload 2GB worth of files, FTP access, and made the download page ad-free for all of the visitors downloading your files. They decided to swap that plan out and replace it with a new service dubbed DivShare Direct. The new service lets you add your own logo to their Flash music/video player and lets you link directly to the files you upload. It almost sounds too good to be true, and it kind of is. There is, of course, a monthly fee associated with the service which also adds limits to the amount that you can upload:

  • $4.95/month – 5GB of storage and 50GB of data transfer
  • $9.95/month – 10GB of storage and 150GB of data transfer
  • $19.95/month – 25GB of storage and 400GB of data transfer
  • $49.95/month – 75GB of storage and 1,000GB of data transfer

I’m a little disappointed that they don’t even offer an unlimited plan, but I guess it is understandable since they will receive no traffic or advertising revenue from people using the service. To be honest I was preparing to purchase the Premium plan prior to this because of the FTP access and ad-free pages, but the DivShare Direct offers a lot more than I need. I also don’t like the idea of being capped, and needing to monitor my usage to make sure I don’t exceed my plan.

The redesign also spelled the end of groups, profiles, and inboxes/favorites. I didn’t really use any of that myself as DivShare was only a file hosting service for me, but judging from the comments on their blog there are some people who were upset that these features were removed. Although by removing those features it gives them more time to focus on what they do best: file sharing.

So I’m going to keep my fingers crossed that they’ll bring back the Premium Plan because being able to link directly to the downloads I post isn’t a huge concern of mine. Having the FTP access, ad-free pages, 2GB file limit, and unlimited file storage/bandwidth is a lot more appetizing than the DivShare Direct in my opinion.

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Microsoft Marshals Dealmakers, Lawyers to Take On Android

As it gets ready to unveil its own operating system next, Microsoft is taking careful aim at its closest competitor: Android.

Through patent licensing deals and lawsuits, the Redmond-based computer giant is trying to cover all its bases, aiming for a situation where it wins whether a customer chooses a Windows phone or an Android one.

But it’s too soon to tell whether the strategy will pay off.

On Monday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said he looks forward to collecting revenue from Android handset makers, including HTC, which has a licensing agreement with Microsoft.

For handset makers that don’t show HTC’s willingness to do it the easy way, Microsoft can do it the hard way, too: Microsoft sued Motorola this week, alleging patent infringement around Motorola’s Android-based smartphones. The suit charges Motorola with allegedly violating patents related to synchronizing e-mail, calendars, contacts, scheduling meetings and notifying applications of changes in signal strength and battery power.

“One reason that Microsoft is going after Motorola is that if patent infringement is found, it is easier to establish damages against a company that is selling a product than Google, which is giving the OS away for free,” says Robert Sloss, intellectual property partner at Farella Braun + Martel.

In April, Microsoft announced that it had inked a patent licensing deal with HTC that would allow HTC to continue using the Google-designed Android operating system in its phones while mitigating its risk should Microsoft aim any patent lawsuits at the OS.

Microsoft and HTC did not disclose specific details of the agreement, though the two companies have said HTC will pay Microsoft an undisclosed sum for the patent rights.

Patent battles among technology companies are routine. Oracle has filed a lawsuit against Google over the use of Java in Android, a claim that Google has vigorously disputed. Last year, Nokia sued Apple alleging patent infringement by Apple in connection with the iPhone. Meanwhile, Apple initiated a lawsuit against HTC over alleged infringement on iPhone related patents. In other words, its business as usual.

With the smartphone business becoming extremely competitive, the stakes are higher than ever.

In just two years, the Google-designed Android OS has become a major force in the mobile world. Android, which made its debut in 2008 on an HTC manufactured phone, has now been adopted by almost every device maker including Motorola, Samsung and LG. Android is now the most popular operating system among people who bought a smartphone in the past six months, according to August data from The Nielsen Company. BlackBerry and Apple iOS are in a statistical dead heat for the second place.

With the upcoming Windows Phone 7 OS, Microsoft hopes to attract consumers. But until then, it is trying another strategy.

“The Microsoft innovations at issue in this case help make smartphones ’smart,’ Horacio Gutierrez, deputy general counsel at Microsoft, wrote on the company blog.

Microsoft’s patents relate to features such as the ability to send and receive e-mail, manage calendars and contacts. Microsoft claims it has also patented technologies that manage signal strength, battery power and memory in the device.

“The crux of the argument is that Microsoft is saying Android OS uses technology that has already been part of Microsoft software,” says Sloss.

Although the lawsuit has been filed, it is difficult to know right away how valid Microsoft’s claims are, says Sloss. Both Microsoft and Motorola are likely to go through an extensive process of discovery, which involves presenting documents to support their claims and they are likely to keep it under wraps.

“A lot of it probably won’t be public,” says Sloss. “It is standard to enter into protective order because the core of the patents and the products will be highly confidential.”

There is always the possibility that the two companies settle out of court, with Motorola going down the same road as HTC. In that case, Microsoft could gain “hundreds of millions of dollars” in royalties and further strengthen its patent claims.

“Damages calculations are very complex,” says Sloss. “There’s nothing in Microsoft’s complaint that says exactly how much it is looking for.

But if Microsoft and Motorola choose to settle, it is likely that Motorola may wind up paying a license fee for each Android handset it sells, similar to what HTC is doing.

For Microsoft that may not translate into rich profits but it will certainly add up to sweet revenge.

See Also:

Photo: Motorola Backflip (Jon Snyder/Wired.com)


Microsoft Pink Mouse for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Microsoft is marking the occasion with the above pink mouse, a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization that describes itself as, “the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists.” The mouse is pink and features the organization’s logo on top.

Ten Percent of the mouse’s $39.99 selling price will be donated to the organization. The mouse features Microsoft’s BlueTrack technology, a nano transceiver, and 10 months of battery life. It’s also compatible with Windows Flip in Windows 7.

According to the statistics, someone is diagnosed with breast cancer every 23 seconds.

Microsoft kicks out a pink mouse for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

If you’ve been following your NFL broadcasts, you’ll have noticed an entirely unusual hue infiltrating your typically macho sport — in most clashes this weekend players on both teams could be seen sporting pink paraphernalia alongside their usual uniform colors. This courageous act of pinkification was in aid of the US National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which Microsoft is also supporting in its own small way. That small way is called the Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000, which will retail from now until the end of September of next year for $40 and contribute a $4 donation per sale to the Komen for the Cure charitable fund. Hey, it’s got BlueTrack if you need to feel manly while buying one!

Microsoft kicks out a pink mouse for Breast Cancer Awareness Month originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMicrosoft Hardware Blog  | Email this | Comments