Microsoft unveils new Windows Phone 7 Mango handsets from Samsung, Acer, Fujitsu and ZTE

Samsung Mango Handset
Generally Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference is a relatively low key affair, but today it caught a few in the tech world off guard by unveiling not one or two, but four new Windows Phone 7 handsets running Mango. Acer and ZTE both have models on tap, as does Fujitsu — which slathered its mobile in pink and gave it a waterproof seal. The biggest news though was Samsung. Microsoft pulled out what is believed to be the SGH-i937, a version of the Galaxy S II that sports the Redmond mobile OS instead of Android. From the screen cap above it appears as if the phone is sporting a front-facing camera, something that has been missing from WP7 handset until now and is rumored to be supported in Mango. It’s only a brief glimpse but you can catch it in the video after the break.

[Thanks, Simon]

Continue reading Microsoft unveils new Windows Phone 7 Mango handsets from Samsung, Acer, Fujitsu and ZTE

Microsoft unveils new Windows Phone 7 Mango handsets from Samsung, Acer, Fujitsu and ZTE originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Half of Xbox 360 Units Sold to Buyers Who Didn’t Own Xbox 1

This article was written on January 19, 2007 by CyberNet.

Going along with our recent poll, here’s another question for you.  How many of you that own an Xbox 360, also own or owned at one point the original Xbox?  According to Chris Satchell of Microsoft, he’s saying that so far, 10.4 million Xbox 360 units have been sold.  But, even more interesting is that he says over half of those have come from people that never owned the original Xbox. Are any of you Xbox 360 owners previous Playstation owners? Satchell says, “There’s lots of new people coming in, which kind of surprises you.  What we’re actually finding is that our customer set is broadening, which we think is important.”

If that’s true, and half of those 10.4 million units were sold to those who weren’t original Xbox users, that says something. Dead Takahashi of San Jose Mercury News interviewed Gates and asked how his plan for 360 was working. Gates says, “It’s working perfectly.  We wanted to be the guy with the small box that costs less.  We wanted to have the most games.  We wanted to play to our software strength, and tools and online.  We wanted to swap positions with Sony.  We wanted to not be a year late, not be a bix box, not be a more expensive box. How are we doing on that?”

Well, let’s see. They wanted to be the guy with the small box that costs less. Check. Most games? Well, considering the 360 has been out for over a year now, of course there are more games than those made specifically for Playstation 3. Are they playing to their software strength, tools, and online? Absolutely. Xbox Live has 5 million users and it’s growing! At CES, Gates and Robbie Bach announced the move of Xbox Live to Vista this year, and an IPTV service for US Xbox 360 owners.

In the same interview with Takahashi, Gates admits that Microsoft did fail in terms of lack of software, price, and size with the original Xbox. It was bigger, cost more, and when it came to software, the Playstation 2 blew it out of the water. When Gates says, “We want to swap positions with Sony” I think just maybe, they could be well on their way with that.

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Verizon Turned it’s Nose up at the iPhone

This article was written on February 01, 2007 by CyberNet.

It’s been about a month since Apple unveiled the iPhone to an audience who generally responded with ooo’s and aaah’s. I’m sure everybody knows by now about Apple’s exclusive deal with Cingular to be the sole provider in the United States for iPhone service. They have five years to the iPhone, all to themselves. But, was Cingular the back-up plan?  According to USA Today, Verizon was actually offered the deal first. This happened over two years ago! Verizon declined the opportunity saying that they had nothing bad to say about Apple and the iPhone, just that they couldn’t come to a deal that was beneficial on both ends.

Here are a few reasons why Verizon may have said ‘no thanks’

  • Apple wanted sole control over customer service issues with the iPhone
  • Apple also wanted a portion of monthly fees
  • iPhones would have been limited to sell only in Verizon and Apple stores- no distribution partners like Wal-Mart of Best Buy would be able to sell them.

So far there has been no word on all of the details on the Cingular deal, other than the 5 year exclusivity. Both Apple and Cingular have talked up the great relationship that they have with each other, so they must have agreed somewhere along the line. Additionally, they haven’t disclosed the financial terms of the agreement with Apple.  I’d be really curious to know how much they paid to have exclusive rights to the iPhone for 5 years! That takes us all the way until 2012 when there will probably be plenty of other “copy-cat” iPhone-ish options available.

Source: USA Today

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Apple says: No More MySpace

This article was written on May 25, 2007 by CyberNet.

ApplestoreIf you’ve been into an Apple store lately, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.  A few weeks ago I was in an Apple store, and I couldn’t help but notice I was in the minority. You’d think the Apple store would be filled with adults looking to purchase their next computer, or checking out an iPod. Instead I found myself surrounded by a plethora of teenagers who snatched up every open computer as they became available.

The reason? Free Internet! Apple Stores up until yesterday didn’t have any restrictions on Internet use. Teenagers have been piling into the stores to take advantage of it, and one site in particular, MySpace (no surprise here).

While I was there, it felt as though I was in an Internet Cafe, not a retail store.  This problem has been resolved though because most Apple Stores implemented a new block that will keep users from accessing MySpace.  This should help keep people flowing in and out at a faster pace compared to the time that some stayed there surfing the Internet for who knows how long.

I’m curious what the Apple store will be like the next time I decide to venture into one. Hopefully there will be a few more computers opened up, and the feel of an Apple retail store instead of a bustling Internet cafe.

Source: Secret Notes

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Bing Indoor Maps and Visual Voicemail shown in latest WP7 Mango demo videos

Steve Ballmer may have confessed during today’s WPC keynote that Windows Phone 7’s market share is still “very small,” but it’s obvious the team is doing monumental things with Mango. As the mobile OS finds it own, things like indoor mapping and a pristine iteration of Visual Voicemail could be key to swaying folks who still believe that Microsoft’s latest attempt in the smartphone universe still lacks the basics. The fine folks over at Pocketnow and WMPowerUser have been putting the latest build of Mango through those exact paces, and both instances are looking downright delicious. We won’t bore you with textual details; head on past the break for a bit of visual proof.

Continue reading Bing Indoor Maps and Visual Voicemail shown in latest WP7 Mango demo videos

Bing Indoor Maps and Visual Voicemail shown in latest WP7 Mango demo videos originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer says ‘400 million Windows 7 licenses sold’

So much for not keeping pace, huh? We heard back in June of last year that Microsoft had blown through 150 million Windows 7 licenses, and just a few months later, it had surpassed 240 million. At this year’s Worldwide Partner Conference, head honcho Steve Ballmer took great pleasure in announcing that said figure has now swollen to beyond 400 million in under two years. Not surprisingly, that makes Win7 the fastest-selling operating system in history, and Tami Reller — corporate vice president and chief financial officer of Windows and Windows Live — made clear that it’s “the path to Windows 8.” The outfit also announced that 100 million copies of Office 2010 have flown off the shelves since launch, and while no one really came out and said it, we’re counting on seeing a Windows 8 build at the BUILD event this fall. Head on past the break for a whole heaping of (deserved) self-congratulations.

Continue reading Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer says ‘400 million Windows 7 licenses sold’

Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer says ‘400 million Windows 7 licenses sold’ originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Office 2008 for Mac Reaches Testing Phase

This article was written on April 02, 2007 by CyberNet.

Office 2008 for Macs is now in the private testing phase, and unfortunately it is still not known whether or not Microsoft will offer a public beta in the future.  The plan as it stands, is that the Mac version will be released in the 2nd half of 2007 which would make it the newest addition since 2004.

Several big changes from the previous version: First, it will be a universal binary.  This means that it will be able to run on both Intel and Power PC based Macs.  It will also support the XML file just as with Office 2007.

There’s also a new program called “My Day” which will give users quick access to their calendar info like appointments, without needing to open up Entourage first. It’s a stand alone application and users will be able to color-code everything. They’ve also improved the layout in Word and Excel templates, and the Ledger Sheets will make it easier to integrate formulas for balancing your checkbook and other financial management tasks.

As far as looks go, the user interface will look quite a bit different.  While it doesn’t look like Office 2007 with the ribbon, it does use what they’re calling an elements gallery.  This gallery will provide context sensitive toolbars, and appears to make use of tabbing.You’ll also notice their Publishing layout which will allow users to create layout-rich documents.

The images below come from Apple Insider, and they got them from a projector screen. While they’re not the greatest quality, it will still give you an idea (click to enlarge):

Officemac Officemac2 Officemac3 Officemac4 Officemac5

 

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse quietly revealed, touts BlueTrack and haptic feedback

Microsoft’s Touch Mouse? Yeah, you’ve heard of that. But have you caught wind of its Explorer Touch Mouse? Nah, we didn’t think so. In fact, neither had Pocket-lint, but they stumbled across this critter at the outfit’s London Christmas in July event. It’s positioned between the Touch Mouse and the Arc Mouse, boasting a blue hue, BlueTrack technology (for mousing on a pant leg) and the same kind of haptic scrollpad that’s used on the aforesaid Arc. There’s a grand total of five customizable buttons, which can be configured for left or right-hand use, and naturally, those good vibrations can be disabled if you simply aren’t kosher with ’em. Microsoft didn’t spill too many other details, but it’s slated to land later this month (at least in the UK) for £69.99.

Update: Our pals over at WinRumors managed to snag an official press shot, too.

Microsoft Explorer Touch Mouse quietly revealed, touts BlueTrack and haptic feedback originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Jul 2011 19:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nyko Zoom gives space-limited Kinect users more room on August 23

Maybe you’re one of the lucky few who have plenty of space where 65-inch televisions are barely big enough to outfit your palatial estate. If so, we hate you (not really). Or perhaps you’re like us at Engadget HQ where our city apartments are barely big enough for our Nabaztags. If so, Nyko has a $29 device coming August 23 called the Zoom that’ll attach to your Kinect sensor to reduce the amount of flail-space required by about 40 percent. That translates to just four feet of distance from your Kinect. How does it do it? With lenses that refocus the sensors, so it has no power requirements. Call them glasses for your Kinect without the jabs from your classmates because they can’t see you playing Kinect Adventures anyway, trooper.

Nyko Zoom gives space-limited Kinect users more room on August 23 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Jul 2011 14:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Kurt Vile video shot with Windows Phone handset (video)

This certainly isn’t the first music video we’ve seen shot with a smartphone. And whether or not it’s the first one shot entirely on a Windows Phone device is almost beside the point. What really makes the whole thing remarkable is that, unlike a lot of these fairly gimmicky videos, this one’s for a truly terrific artist, Kurt Vile, whose awesome Smoke Ring for My Halo dropped on Matador back in March. The Todd Cole-directed video for the first track off that LP follows a day in the life of an East LA-based couple. Check out the video and an obligatory making of after the break.

Continue reading New Kurt Vile video shot with Windows Phone handset (video)

New Kurt Vile video shot with Windows Phone handset (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jul 2011 20:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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