Manila apparently the codename for the updated version of HTC’s TouchFlo. There have been some alleged screencaps floating around that show that updated version of TouchFlo is seriously improved. While not quite Windows Mobile 7, the new software looks good. Unfortunately the current incarnation doesn’t work with QVGA screens (HTC Touch or the HTC Mogul). It looks like some forum members over at XDA-Developers are working on fixing that issue. Unfortunatly it looks like the frame rate and memory usage make the program more of a look at the future then something that will be functional for the average user.
Hopefully carriers will let HTC get it out to users asap.
Download here.
February 4th, 2008
Posted by
stefan |
Windows Mobile, General |
no comments
A few weeks back Microsoft and Dell announced they would combine efforts to create a product for the (PROJECT) RED campaign. They announced special editions of the M1330, M1530 along with the XPS ONE. The computers all come loaded with Vista Ultimate PROJECT (RED), which is pretty much Vista Ultimate with additional backgrounds, sidebar gadgets and a screen saver. But the real value comes from knowing that up to $80 of your purchase will go to the Global Fund, which helps fund the fight against Aids/HIV in Africa. Microsoft has been rumored to be working on an PROJECT (RED) Xbox 360 but has yet to confirm any solid plans.
It looks like Microsoft and Dell are eager to get the word out because the companies have announced they will begin a massive marketing push of their PROJECT (RED) products that will begin with a Super Bowl advertisement. The campaign will include both print ads and TV spots.
Currently you can only get Vista Ultimate PROJECT (RED) with the specific Dell systems.
February 1st, 2008
Posted by
stefan |
Advertising |
no comments
While Office 2008 for Mac is a wonderful upgrade from the previous version, it leaves much to be desired when compared to its Windows counterpart. Particularly the lack of the ribbon interface makes it feel like it’s a step behind. But don’t get me wrong; there are a lot of bright points.
The first big plus is the Mircrosoft Project Gallery. While aspects of this program were part of the previous Office for Mac, the new version offers a more complete user experience. The first thing you will notice is that you can launch any blank or recently used document from the Project Gallery. Additionally, you can create projects by linking documents. For example is you had could combine a PowerPoint presentation with an Excel spreadsheet. Without a doubt, many users have come up with their own solutions to these tasks, but I like this program as an alternative.
The bottom line is that since most Mac users don’t have the option, Office 2008 is going to be an obligatory but enjoyable upgrade. Those users who, through Bootcamp or other virtualization software are able to run XP or Vista, will probably be better served by Office 2007.
A screen cap after of Word after the jump.
February 1st, 2008
Posted by
stefan |
Apple, Office, Applications, General |
one comment
PCWorld reported that Dell overtook HP as the largest US PC vendor in the forth quarter of 2007. Dell shipped 5.5 million units while HP was able to ship, a still impressive, 4.5 million units – give or take a few. While both PC makers offer XP as an option on their BTO systems, Dell has made a much bigger deal about its prefrence for XP. Now, no one has let the cat out of the bag on how many XP machines Dell has shipped since Vista, but one has to wonder if Dell’s fourth quarter numbers weren’t padded by their XP option. Additionally, with SP3 for XP coming out, it makes an XP machine look pretty good.
Now, I’ve been using Vista since launch and I absolutely love it, but over the holidays I was tasked with finding my brother-in-law a new laptop. He is a pretty casual user, so I ended up settling on a Dell with, you guessed it, Windows XP.
January 29th, 2008
Posted by
stefan |
XP, Vista, Windows |
one comment
While the launch was delayed, Intel Mac owners will soon be able to get their hands on the newest iteration of Microsoft Office for Mac
. This release was the first version of Office written expressly for Intel Macs which will provide quite the speed bump for anyone that has invested in a new Mac over the past few years. A feature that has gotten some early buzz is a feature called My Day. My Day works with Entourage (Outlook to us Windows users) and allows the user to add tasks and appointments without having to open Entourage.
Mac users will have three options, starting with a $150 Home and Student edition that includes Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Entourage. The $400 (Upgrade is just $235) standard edition throws in Automator and Microsoft Server Exchange support. The top-of-the-line $500 (Upgrade $299) Special Edition includes Microsoft Expression Media, for managing a diverse array of media types.
January 11th, 2008
Posted by
stefan |
Apple, Office, Applications, General |
one comment
It was hard to miss the news over the weekend that Warner Brothers chose to focus its efforts on Blu-Ray. Warner will release all of its new movies in Sony’s Blu-Ray format, though it still has some HD DVD titles in the pipeline (after which no additional titles will be released in HD DVD). Some have claimed that Warner’s move to Blu-Ray was designed to put an end to the format wars, which has confused consumers and as a result suppressed sales of both hardware and titles. Certainly, one can appreciate that Warner’s choice has not made the battle any easier for Toshiba and Microsoft but without a doubt this is far from the end for HD DVD.
While Blu-Ray and HD DVD have both been the most visible participants in the format wars there has been one format that has been far less visible. HD digital downloads have maintained a pretty low profile but seems to be the likely end to this whole debate. Microsoft has been the most successful in the HD digital download game thus far and with more and more Media Centers occupying living rooms and the fast-growing Xbox Live Video Marketpalce, it is only a matter of time before Blu-Ray and HD DVD are both obsolete.
Additionally, for anyone that watched Bill Gates CES Keynote, Mediaroom and Xbox Live will soon offer more on demand content then any cable company. Ultimately, the convience of being able to purchase this content from home will be just one of the reasons that neither HD DVD or Blu-Ray will be able to compete with digital HD downloads.
Stefan writes for IHaveAZune.com, and we’re proud welcome him as a new writer here at InsideMicrosoft.
January 8th, 2008
Posted by
stefan |
Sony, Xbox Live, Xbox, Media Center, Windows |
no comments
