We have earlier read reports about Apple planning to build a NFC module into the iPhone, according to a patent, Apple does plan to add it in the iPhone. The applications shown on the patent page are quite interesting. Apple plans to allow users to unlock their PCs using the iPhone and another patent image shows that you can even unlock doors using your iPhone! Now that’s cool!
Feb
16
If you were living in an alternate universe you must’ve missed Microsoft’s big reset with regards to their mobile platform. Microsoft announced the Windows Phone 7 series yesterday at Barcelona, Mobile World Congress. From the scratch in terms of their phone strategy, Windows Phone now builds on the Zune UI. With a horizontal scroll compared to the traditional vertical as the main UI control. Steve B knows the importance of developers in the software ecosystem and has done a lot to attract them, Windows Phone’s success depends on them as well. The iPhone’s success can be pinned on the success of the App Store.
Feb
13
Quite a lot of my friends have started using Foursquare and its integration with Facebook & Twitter. Fellow blogger Imran of ithinkdiff pushed his location via Foursquare to Facebook and I noticed two things:
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The map was blank with a dot indicating his location.
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The map had © Microsoft as a watermark.
Feb
11
While Long Zheng has reached Barcelona for Mobile World Congress and prepares for his coverage, I came across a patent where Microsoft plans to allow users to capture clips of content media streamed by broadcasters such as TV shows and share them using their mobile phones. Microsoft had shown at CES2010 content being streamed on a HTC HD2 using the MediaRoom service, this could very well be an extension to the same. From the patent page:
Feb
11
While Apple has been working on enlarging the iPod Touch, a patent seems to indicate Apple’s interest in reducing the laptop form factor. The patent recently granted to Apple which was filed back in 2008 shows Apple is working on reducing the sizes of connector ports, the patent mentions that the size of connector ports is one of the hassles in reducing the computer form factor, RJ-45 being one of the larger connectors in size. The Macbook Air does not come with a RJ-45 connector precisely for this reason. Since Steve Jobs categorically said that netbooks suck the patent might suggest that the technology will be used to reduce the size of the Macbook line-up. Images:
Feb
4
While the consumers chant I’m A PC, Microsoft has come out with a new commercial which looks like it is by the HR division and for their recruitment efforts, the commercial has several Microsoft employees talking about their work ethos and ends with each proudly claiming “I Am Microsoft”. The commercial showcases the diverse cultures working at Microsoft and how their individuality in a team makes Microsoft.
Jan
29
The good guys at WZOR.net have published screen shots of Windows 7 build 7700 which might be the SP1 and also screen shots of Office 2010 Escrow RTM build (14.0.4734.1000). An Escrow build in Microsoft circles means development has been frozen. Screen shots:
Jan
27
This year’s Tech Vista – Microsoft Research India’s annual event for students and the community was special to Microsoft India as it coincided with their 5th anniversary. The event is to provide a platform for students to interact with the industry representatives and take a look at what Microsoft Research has been doing. At this year’s event – Tech Vista 2010, Microsoft India launched a new portal for students.
Jan
25
Windows Live suite is due for a major overhaul and from what it seems, MIX 10 is where Windows Live Wave 4 will be unveiled or maybe as soon as next week. Nothing has been stated officially but enough information is available on the Internet to give us a comprehensive idea of the possible new features coming in the Live Wave 4 products. Initially, live.com redirected to bing.com, not anymore. On visiting live.com one is shown the following screen:
Jan
15
Looks like I’m spending quite a lot of time on the US Patent & Trademark Office website, but it’s totally fun (of course minus the really un-intuitive website design). According to a patent filed by Microsoft on the 22nd of September last year, the little known Quick Tabs feature in Internet Explorer is expected to get more functionality and better tab management options. Quick Tab as of now displays thumbnails of all tabs open and a close button for each tab. The patent images reveal that significant improvements will be made to the Quick Tabs interface. Some of the expected enhancements are:
