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CNET: “What’s hot (and not) ab…

Korneel De Feyter — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:11:28 +0000

CNET: “What’s hot (and not) about Windows Phone 7″ http://bit.ly/8WY2G9

Real-time console-to-phone gaming coming to WP7

Korneel De Feyter — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:40:45 +0000

Yes, you’re hearing it right. In the future you’ll be able to play from your Windows Phone 7 phone with your buddies who’re playing on a console (Xbox) through Xbox Live. However, this isn’t a day-one feature, but is planned for future Windows Phone versions. Click on the source link to read the full article.

Mary-Jo Foley on ZDNet: “Is th…

Korneel De Feyter — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:52:35 +0000

Mary-Jo Foley on ZDNet: “Is this Microsoft’s new Internet Explorer 9 interface?” http://zd.net/cgxnv2

LG C900 to launch around September 28th?

Korneel De Feyter — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:22:53 +0000

If we have to believe the Bluetooth SIG (the Bluetooth Special Interest Group| Wikipedia) LG’s C900 Windows Phone 7 handset would launch around September 28th. This is of course doesn’t quite inconsistent with what Microsoft’s COO Kevin Turner said before. Of course plans could always have changed or Turner might have made a mistake. However September still looks very early and it was recently rumoured that Microsoft won’t accept third party apps in its Marketplace before October.

But as Engadget points out: “The Bluetooth SIG has a long history of promoting its members’ “special interests” by leaking valuable tidbits about their handsets before they’re announced.” Phone Arena even knows that this lines up with AT&T’s marketing material. It’s interesting that AT&T — as the iPhone carrier in the USA — includes Windows Phone 7 in its line-up.

The LG phone in question is a QWERTY slider and the Bluetooth SIG make notion of a C900N, C900k, and C900B version. The LG C900 would be sold in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

It’s yesterday news, but don’t…

Korneel De Feyter — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:26:26 +0000

It’s yesterday news, but don’t mind. BusinessInsider’s looked back in time, at the historic launch of Windows 95: http://bit.ly/dniRde

Happy 15th birthday Windows 95

Korneel De Feyter — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:54:13 +0000

Microsoft would have paid $2 million to licence ‘Start Me Up’ from the Rolling Stones.

Read about it:

Mary-Jo Foley on ZDNet: “Were you in line to buy Windows 95 fifteen years ago?“
Wikipedia: “Windows 95“
Michael Gartenberg: “The Story behind “Start Me Up” and Windows 95“

Buy it
On Amazon.co.uk for only £27.50 or €33,57.

And a Windows 95 video guide featuring Matthew Perry and Jennifer Aniston as a bonus:

Just trying out the update of …

Korneel De Feyter — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:22:24 +0000

Just trying out the update of Twitter Tools for WordPress. http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/twitter-tools/

How well do you know your own music collection?

Korneel De Feyter — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 12:35:58 +0000

Well, you’re about to find out! Microsoft apparently released a new app a few days ago called Music Quiz. The name says quit it. In the game you can choose between a ‘mega mix‘, which uses your whole collection, and ‘custom mix‘ which enables you to choose an artist, playlist or genre. Of course there is a difficulty setting, you can either select normal or hardcore.

There are a few different types of questions according to the learn to play-guide:

Listen to a music clip and identify the song’s title, artist or album.

Watch as the album art is slowly revealed and guess the album’s name or artist.

Pick the song or album that doesn’t have something in common with the others

The faster you can answer each question, the more points you will get. Use the hint button if you get stuck.

It’s interesting that although we don’t have an open app store, Microsoft provides its users every once in a while a new app. I wonder how this process goes. Is there someone responsible for providing new apps to the Marketplace or do they just make new ones whenever someone gets a good idea?

Beneath you find a gallery with some images you’ll also find in the Marketplace under the apps-section.

A view from the past: Mars & Beyond

Korneel De Feyter — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:41:06 +0000

While searching on YouTube for David Bowie’s Life on mars? I discovered something really amazing. I’m talking about Disney’s Mars & Beyond, a television program from 1957 which speculates about life on Mars. It tells the history of space science first, before getting to the speculations and predicting the future.

It’s interesting to see what they knew and what they didn’t. You have to keep in mind that the NASA was settled only by 1958. This shows us what 50 years of space discovery has learned us. A very interesting view, I surely recommend you to view it. If you only want to see the speculation about life on Mars, than you’ll have to skip part one to four and get right to part five.

Click on the link underneath to watch part 2 to 6:

Xbox Live to bring unique mobile gaming experience on WP7

Korneel De Feyter — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:55:12 +0000

Microsoft showed today how serious they are about gaming for their Windows Phone 7 platform. It released a list of games which would be available at launch. That list looks very promising, featuring some big names.

Read two excellent articles with hands-on treatments:

An excerpt from the Xbox Live for Windows Phone 7 website:

Connected and Accessible
Xbox LIVE on Windows Phone 7 unlocks a world of games, friends and fun for Windows Phone 7 users around the world. The Games hub brings together many popular Xbox LIVE gaming and community features:

Be omnipotent.

View, access and launch your full game library from one easy-to-navigate hub.
Get mad props. Earn, view and track Achievements, view Xbox LIVE leaderboards and build your Gamerscore every time you play an Xbox LIVE title.

Release your inner Mini Me.

Connect to your Xbox LIVE profile and Avatar, or easily create a new one right from the phone.
Get tricky. Access Spotlight feeds, including the latest game titles, breaking news from Xbox LIVE, game tips and tricks, and more.

Play before you pay.

Easily find, try and buy the games you want, either in the Marketplace or Games hub.

Flaunt your skills.

Invite, connect and play against friends on other Windows Phone 7 phones or PCs with turn-based (asynchronous) multiplayer gaming.

Windows Phone 7 featuring Xbox LIVE lets you connect and play games with your friends. Use your Xbox LIVE profile to access your avatar, gamerscore, and achievements. Share scores and earn recognition for your accomplishments across the phone, web, and Xbox. You can even earn achievements on Windows Phone that add to your Xbox LIVE gamerscore.