MS Surface(TM) Tablet Unveiled

Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you probably know that Windows 8 is coming this fall sporting our favourite UI in the world - the Metro UI.

What weren't clear was that what kind of hardware (especially tablet side of things) we will be seeing from the Microsoft Partners.  All we know is that with the Android tablet platform struggling, the none-apple hardware manufacturer are definitely readying their horses to get onboard the Win8 tablet train.

What is surprising is that Microsoft has just announced their own brand of tablet hardware.  It will be using the name Microsoft Surface (TM) - for us bigger geek types, we know that MS Surface is a rarely known Microsoft Tablet top type interface you will find most often in Science/Technology exhibits where you (or your kids) interacts with a table top UI for learning amongst other things.

There will be 2 flavours of the MS Surface Tablets.

• Windows RT -
•  ARM processor 
• 576g with a magnesium body
• 10.6" ClearType Gorilla glass display screen
• 9.3mm thick
• microSD slot
• USB 2.0 slots
• 32GB or 64GB configurations
• Windows 8 Pro
• Intel i5 processor
• 903g with a magnesium body
• 10.6" ClearType Gorila glass display screen
• 13.5mm thick
• microSDXC slot
• USB 3.0 slot
• 64GB or 128GB configurations

Both tablets will come with VaporMg to protect the tablet from scratches

There will be covers that are available for your tablet as well.  At first glance it looks very similar to the Apple iPad's smart cover.  However, if you look closely, you will see keyboard layouts as well as a touch pad that is full functional with your Microsoft Surface Tablet.  

Both tablets will also be able to stand up a an angle (like the picture above) and can be connected to this very thin keyboard cover and used with the tablet when connected (not via bluetooth) but via connectors at the bottom of the tablet.

This is indeed exciting news.  Microsoft claims it will launch at the same time as Windows 8 this coming fall.  I hope that the Canadian retailers are getting some or else it will be a good visit down to the MS Stores this fall.

Check out more galleries and info here

Source: Microsoft

Developer Movement - Rewards are arriving?

It looks that the Canada only Developer Movement is for real and are finally doling out the rewards.  This program was start around last Christmas solely targeting Canadian developers

Just received an email yesterday alerting that my app publication from a month ago qualifies me for the first reward choice which is one of:

• A Kinect^™ Sensor for Xbox 360^®
• 10,000 Microsoft Points
• Monster^® Beats^™Headphones
• A 1TB External HD

The current one I am working on should qualify myself for additional goodies upon marketplace publication (haven't even really started yet) is one of:

• A Windows^® Phone 7
• A $500 Gift Voucher
• 35,000 Microsoft Points
• An Xbox 360^® with
  Kinect Bundle

As I have said before, these rewards look pretty good.  The Windows Phone 7 device is interesting as there are no mentioned of what it actually is (just that it is around $499 retail value).  What could it possibly be? (I am only speculating but if one of you WP7 developers out there knows what is it, please share)

There's still time to sign up if you haven't already, Canada only for once :)

This runs until May 20, 2012 (guess it means you must have your app published in the marketplace before then)

what's your choice of reward?  

Development Movement (again, Canadian developers only)

No Windows Phones 7 for Canada this Christmas?

It's nearly Christmas time and normally that's where most smartphone vendors pushes their wares.  Last year, WP7 was released around the November timeframe.  But this year, none of the big 3 or the little 2 even made a peep about the generation 2 of the WP7 devices.

What gives?

Have tweeted Windows Phone (@windowsphone) and nothing, I have even tweeted the program manager at Microsoft and... nothing.  Have tweeted the larger telcos here in Canada and still, nothing.

Has Microsoft abandoned Canada or are they just concentrating their firepower on countries with larger population (i.e. Taiwan, Hong Kong).  This is definitely getting ridicules.

This silent treatment is just bullshit.  All we have heard so far is that Nokia Canada is bringing a number of devices to Canada sometime next year.  It looks to me that if you are waiting for gen 2 WP7 devices to gift or to receive this Christmas, sad to say this but it does look like the iPhone is the other alternative for a polish UI experience.

If abandoning Canada this Christmas is the strategy for WP7, that's a real shame.

It is also very difficult for me to show the awesomeness of WP7 to my Canadian friends when they do not have a way to acquire one.

Ovi Maps to Windows Phone 7?

One of the biggest news that was reported in Februrary was Nokia + Microsoft getting together in the smartphone OS fight against the likes of iOS and Android.  Many WP7 users (and even more potential users now that a lot them are actually just waiting for the first Nokia WP7 handsets) before finally taking the plunge. 

So what does this holy matromony (or unholy if you are an Symbian fanboy) brings to the WP7 ecosystem?  On one hand, we know that Nokia is getting 1 billion dollars over the next 5 years from Microsoft for this "deal".  Microsoft is getting a big player fully behind WP7, but what about other Nokia goodies?

In case you don't know but Microsoft and Nokia got together this past week and finally signed this agreement.  Now, more information are coming to light from the Nokia front.  There are some good news for the army of Symbian developers as well.

Trouble with Nodo updates? Microsoft has a solution for you

As Microsoft is rolling out this March update to the masses, from what I can see from various websites, things are going pretty smoothly for those who got pushed the official update or use this method to get the Nodo update.

But not all WP7 users are experience smooth sailing while updating their WP7 handsets.  Luckily, our Microsoft overlords has released some information to help those who are having problems.

Excerpt from Microsoft

"If you encounter 800705B4 while trying to install the February update, first try deleting the history files for Internet Explorer Mobile, Maps, and Search (this article provides step-by-step instructions). If you’ve tried that and still can’t install the update, then use the new Windows Phone Support Tool we’ve created."

Microsoft + Nokia = match made in heaven?

Can't really say I am surprised at this morning's development at Nokia + Microsoft.  In case you haven't heard, the big news this morning (the day before MWC next week - or the business day before MWC...) is that Nokia + Microsoft have signed an agreement to join forces to battle the likes of Apple and Google.

Nokia efforts at that POC "MeeGo" wasn't getting them anywhere.  It looks old and crappy (I am looking at you Blackberry OS 6) before it ever came out on the market.  Nokia did the right thing in killing off MeeGo.  Unfortunately, this sounds like a big layoff is coming soon at Nokia.

Even though Nokia is losing market share to the likes of Apple and Google, they are still "massive" in terms of market share worldwide in terms of dumb phones and is still a "brand name of choice" in many countries.  So what does this marriage brings to the table?

Battery Saving Tips

So, you've got a brand spanking new Windows Phone 7 device but you realized that your battery cannot last the day (or if you recently move from a non-smartphone). What do you do?

For the readers who never owned a smartphone before (other than Blackberry devices - those bloody things just lasts for days), your new WP7 phone is not lasting the day or you have charge your phone everyday can be annoying. Unfortunately, charging everyday is just a norm now in the big screen smartphone world especially when you are using 3G.