Posts tagged microsoft
Windows Phone 7 App Contest
Jul 1st
Microsoft is an aggressive beast. Not only are they paying developers cash up-front to begin developing games for WP7, but now they are hosting an application suggestion contest. Here is what Microsoft’s site says they’re doing:
Pitch us your idea of the dream app you’ve been waiting for. If it gets the votes, we’ll build your app and make it available on Marketplace as a FREE download for Windows Phone 7 shortly after its Holiday 2010 launch. We’ll also throw in $5,000 and a new Windows Phone 7 device!Grab a camcorder, camera phone, or flex your writing skills – get creative. Tell us about the app you want to see on Windows Phone 7. We can’t wait to hear what you have to say.Contest ends July 8, 2010.
Hey, why not submit your own suggestion? Microsoft is really behind in the race for mobile applications. I might go so far to say that I sense a degree of desperation in trying to “win over” mobile developers to WP7. At the end of the day, it works.
Here’s a video of an avid Windows Phone fan talking about his suggestion, an app that allows you to turn you Windows Phone into a WiFi hotspot:
Kin One & Kin Two
Jun 4th
Kin One & Kin Two
The Kin is the very first phone that uses Microsoft’s newest mobile OS, Windows Phone 7. Although the Kin uses a slightly stripped down version, it’s still considered a new mobile operating system. The Kin One and Two are available exclusively with the Verizon network, and only costing $49.99 and $99.99 for new customers. Very affordable, but at what cost?
There are downsides to the Kin. For one, the two new phones are manufactured by Sharp. Microsoft and Sharp have a lack of ‘technical synergy’ because the Kin was being planned out and developed even before Windows Phone 7 was announced. This leads me to believe that the Kin is more of a ‘gimmick’ product than anything else. In my opinion, Sharp is attempting to profit off of the ‘hype‘ surrounding Windows Phone 7.
Never purchase a new phone based on advertisements or what the media is saying. Do some research, especially if you’re looking to sign into a one or two year contract with Verizon. Personally, I’m going to pass on the Kin. Stick with HTC as your Windows Phone manufacturer. 
Netflix for Windows Phone 7
Apr 23rd
Vertigo Software is a software solution provider for Microsoft that creates applications for their operating systems. They’re working very closely with Microsoft in order to create applications for their new mobile endeavor, Windows Phone 7. Here’s a sneak peak video at the Netflix app for Windows Phone 7. Please excuse the ‘short’ humor by Scott Stanfield, CEO of Vertigo (notice how no one laughed at his Hannah Montana and tanning joke ). His company is one of Microsoft’s software solution providers for Windows Phone 7. With his army of 30 or so well-trained developers, you can’t expect him to bring you state-of-art mobile applications AND make you laugh.
Enjoy.
Microsoft Rebrands WM7… Again
Apr 3rd
Microsoft decided that Windows Phone 7 Series was stupid after everyone rabbled about it during its announcement. And good riddance, that was a tongue twister. Microsoft has rebranded Windows Phone 7 Series to simply Windows Phone 7. This hasn’t fully been enforced yet, apparently. Their project website still reads the old name. But, on the the plus side at least the title of the page is consistent. Long story short, they officially announced the name change via Twitter:
Tis the season for Series finales. We’ve got one too – dropping the ‘Series’ and keeping the ‘Windows Phone 7.’ Done.
Thank you for remaining logical Microsoft, we knew you could do it.
WP7 Increasingly Popular Among Developers
Apr 2nd
AppAcelerator is a company that helps web developers create mobile applications. The company recently polled over 1,000 of their regular developers to see what mobile OS they were most interested in developing for. Surprisingly (kind of), Windows Mobile 7 is increasing in developer popularity. Developer interest spiked from 13% to 36% over the past couple months. The iPhone is still ahead, but they were the first to the plate, giving them the advantage. Microsoft is pulling it’s weight. But they need to keep the momentum if they want to succeed.
Look Who’s Talking