WYNK: What You Need to Know: Blog

So something might be rotten at Apple...

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:03:22 GMT

MSN.com has highlighted an excellent article Farhad Majoo has written over at Slate.com about Apple's recent troubles. He goes into the dubious claims about the iPhone 3G, the infamous experiences with MobileMe, and recent negative quality experiences with Macs themselves.

On the iPhone 3G:

"In its ubiquitous TV ads, Apple claims that its new iPhone is twice as fast as the original version and just half the price. Neither is true. The half-price fib has been obvious for some time: When you add the price of AT&T's required two-year contract, the new phone costs slightly more than the old phone. In a lawsuit filed last week, an iPhone owner named Jessica Alena Smith argues that Apple hasn't been honest about the phone's speed, either. Smith, echoing thousands of complaints logged on Apple's Web site, says that her iPhone rarely connects to AT&T's fast 3G network, instead staying fixed to the pokey EDGE service that was the bane of the first iPhone. Smith's iPhone doesn't just fail on tasks like downloading e-mail and surfing the Web, she says. It also drops many of her voice calls."

On MobileMe and Macs:

"MobileMe failed spectacularly in its opening weeks, with some users reporting losing years of saved e-mail. In a widely circulated post, Techcrunch's Michael Arrington claimed last week that Apple's PCs aren't doing so well either. Arrington, a longtime Apple fan, says he's had four new Macs break in different ways—one refused to connect to Wi-Fi networks, one suffered a keyboard flaw, and two shut down mysteriously."

There's a lot more cooked up in his article, including what Steve Jobs has got to do and what he isn't doing.

>> Read the complete article...

- Albert

My.live.com: down, slow, buggy: under maintenance?

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:45:12 GMT

Since early in the day, my.live.com has been a little slow and buggy. The "Windows Live Personalized Experience" has been my second home since it launched, and today I was surprised at how slower than normal it was acting. Eventually, after several F5s, I got the following:

The apology has since been removed and now the site fully tries to load but with IE's classic "Done, but with some errors on page."

I am yet to find any UI or feature updates, so this is either really a "maintenance" period or it's still being worked on as we type. Or the site just crashed and they're yet to get a hold of the beast that also attacked the FAA servers.

- Albert

Microsoft enlists Seinfield and Gates for ad campaign: WFJ report

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:58:43 GMT

Via Reuters:

"(Reuters) - Jerry Seinfield will be one of the key celebrity pitchmen in Microsoft Corp's $300 million advertising campaign aimed at changing its image, the Wall Street Journal said on Thursday, citing people close to the situation.
Seinfield, known for his eponymous television sit-com, will appear in ads with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and will receive about $10 million for the work, the report said.
The attempted image overhaul comes in the wake of Apple's "Mac vs. PC" ads, which feature a nerdy PC guy getting upstaged by a hip Mac counterpart.
The new ads, likely to debut on September 4, is expected to use some variation of the slogan "Windows, Not Walls", the paper said.
For its new campaign, Microsoft also considered a range of other famous personalities, including comedians Will Ferrell and Chris Rock, the paper said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Microsoft was not immediately available for comment."

This is so very exciting! Considering how Will Ferrell and Seinfield both used to be Mac fans, it will definitely be an interesting case with these commercials.

I can't imagine much with what they mean with "Windows, Not Walls", but we'll see how they tie it in with the rumored "FTP" (Free The People) theme that the marketing guys had chosen. It seems like this is just breaking, so we'll see how it develops in the next couple of hours.

- @lbert

Hewsoft Security Alert #1: Fake Emails from MSNBC and CNN

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:47:34 GMT

Threat Level: Medium/High
Description: It has been reported that many people are receiving fake email from MSNBC and CNN with enticing links to "news articles," but in fact contain links to spyware/virus infected websites. We stronly urge people to avoid clicking or opening any emails that you are not expecting from a known source.

Associated Video Content: Watch

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" Official Trailer Released

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:11:50 GMT

Finally, the first official trailer has just been released. Enjoy.

- @lbert

The "Mojave Experiment:" Launch Video

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:12:40 GMT

The site is now up and running.

^ Cool loading intro...

^ Tricky, yet cool video layout page. This is the main page with links to all-things Windows Vista. Tricky meaning it's very sensitive and responsive to your cursor. It is a lot of video content, so I guess this is pretty good to showcase it; instead of having thousands of pages with sub-pages and so on.

"What do people think of Windows Vista when they don't know it's Windows Vista? We disguised Windows Vista as "Mojave," the "next Microsoft OS," so regular people who've never used Windows Vista could see what it can do--and decide for themselves. Now decide for yourself."

I personally think the videos are pretty cool, but there are far too many; I don't imagine someone watching them all like I did. I'll have the best stitched together very soon. Stay tuned. For now, I'm tired of waiting for the site and need some sleep.

- @lbert

The "Mojave Experiment:" Vista's Marketing Blitz?

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:36:03 GMT

Just caught this over at Engadget.

If whatever is launched tomorrow on this site is worthwhile or seems worth +/- $500 million, ~~then we might be seeing the beginnings of Microsoft's long-awaited marketing blitz to fix Windows Vista's tarnished image~~ (Thanks to "no name," we now know it is in fact not part of the huge marketing blitz Microsoft has in store for us). It would be very nice (and quite possible too) to see some Windows Vista ads during the 2008 Olympics, considering the strong bond NBC and Microsoft have further formed recently. But for now, all we have is this, and whatever it is, I hope it makes a splash.

However, ~~if it is the big hoopla~~, the chances for Microsoft to pick a particular brand of computer and make it so clear, for such a big marketing campaign, is quite unlikely. This is of course unless HP decided to drop in a couple of bucks or be part of this big movement. I don't know about you, but I'm quite excited to see what kind of "results" Microsoft has in store for us.

- @lbert

MSN.com: Yet another update coming soon

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:03:23 GMT

It seems like the MSN.com team can't have enough fun rolling out new UI updates to one of the Internet's most popular destinations. Here's their latest update, soon to make it to a computer near you.

The only major thing that bugs me is the weather out in the top right, it almost looks like a growth or something. Besides that, it'll take me a while to get used to the "MSN Sidebar" that they're trying to get going there and the new organization of the content, but I guess they know what they're doing. It's not officially called that, but I'm assuming they're going with the whole Vista Sidebar concept.

- @lbert

Windows 7: Possible Footage?

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:36:06 GMT

In the video Microsoft made for Bill Gates, they had some scenes where some people were interacting with a very unique UI, which could lead to being pieces of Windows 7 and beyond. I pieced the involving scenes together in the following clip. You be the judge.

- @lbert

Bill Gates: Looking Back, Moving Ahead

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:24:07 GMT

Microsoft has just published a really nice video about Bill Gates' life at Microsoft and his future at the foundation. Here it is in its entirety. Enjoy.

- @lbert

The Zune "Pink Cloud"

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:43:02 GMT

Has anybody ever noticed how the "pink cloud" on the bottom of Zune software works like a mini visualization when music is playing? I was sitting back on my chair just looking around my room and then looked at my screen to see it move. At first I thought my eyes were simply trying to adjust or my glasses were causing some weird distortion, but no, I looked closer and noticed that it moves to the music.

I just like how the Zune team puts all these little extras and doesn't really talk about them and leaves them for us to discover. Much better strategy than creating hype and under-delivering.

Don't see the "Pink Cloud"?

Under Settings > Software > Display > Screen Animation, make sure "Show screen animation" is checked. Voila! Enjoy.

Video of the "Pink Cloud."

- Albert

New search.msn.com UI

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:58:10 GMT

There seems to be a nice update to the look and feel of the search.live.com (or search.msn.com?) site. Could this be the future live.com (since the "personalized experience" of live.com will move to my.live.com in mid-April)? Well anyway, here it is:

Observations
- Lots of blue
- Some green
- Huge search bar (what's up with Microsoft and oversized search bars?!)
- Mini link menu at the top
- What's up with the green spyglass search button inside the search bar?

- Albert

Sen. Hillary Clinton picks Bill Gates as running mate

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:56:23 GMT

Citing "strong and innovative financial and technical" qualities as key for her
Hillary-Bill-Bill combo

Today, New York senator and presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton has announced that Bill Gates will serve as her running mate for the 2008 presidential election.

"Very few people have achieved what Bill has. And I'm not talking about my Bill Clinton this time, I'm talking about Bill Gates. His tremendous achievement in the technological and computing industry sets him apart from everyone else I was considering, all while having such philanthropic activities that will push America into the next level of solving the future's challenges, including global warming, global health, and global poverty, or as I and Bill Gates like to call it, "America 2.0" [crowd laughs]. That is why I would like to take this opportunity to announce the Clinton-Gates ticket!" - Hillary Clinton

Hillary further stated that her only new challenge will be to devise a method for communicating efficiently with her two Bill's (Bill Clinton and Bill Gates). Bill Gates then chuckled and recommended a Windows Live Messenger-based communication method. Furthermore, the pair has already introduced legislation to make unconstitutional the use of Apple Mac's and iPod's in public areas, citing First Amendment rights by surrounding Zune users. Bill Gates later added:

"I am very excited about using my intellectual and financial resources to help make the Clinton-Gates ticket a success." - Bill Gates

- Albert

Happy April Fools! Yes, this post is all a joke, sadly. ;)

New Live Search feature finally implemented: "Refine by"

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:26:25 GMT

I just got back from a very strenuous and fun weekend, but I thought this post deserved some of the little time and ounces of energy I have left for today.

So it seems like those features that were long promised to be able to "refine" image search results based on color, face, etc., have finally been implemented in the Live Search UI (some of these little "refinements" were available via adding an instruction word before your search query). Here are some screenshots for your enjoyment.

We can see that the new "Refine by" section has been added above the "Related People" Live Search tool.

Here is a close-up of the "Refine by" section.

This shows results with the "Face" refinement. Clearly, it did a very well job.

- Albert

Vote For My Submission

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:33:23 GMT

Regardless of your preferred political party or candidate, be a friend and vote for this submission I have made for a scholarship competition over at Brickfish. I didn't know it was going to be selected based on public voting, and seeing that I'm a new member to whatever kind of social website that is, the popular kids seem to be reeking the benefit of "incumbent politicians." Click on the link and when you "vote" and "review" the sign I had to create for my favorite candidate it will ask you to sign in, but don't worry, select "sign in as guest" and you don't need to create an account. Thanks a lot my friends!

Check it Out!

- Albert

New MSN.com Marketing?

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 20:09:07 GMT

I was on that StupidVideos website after being linked there by a video on the MSN Video site, which turned out to be an extremely hilarious baby video, when I found myself waiting on an ad to finish for the video to play and I thought I had heard "should have gone to MSN today...." and I was like...what?! After a laborious time looking through Internet Explorer's cache and figuring out what to do with the ruthless SWF file, I was able to end up with a WMV of the file. Now, it's on YouTube and for all to enjoy. But anyway, since when did Microsoft announce an MSN marketing campaign? We know we're expected to face a Windows Vista/Windows Live marketing blitz, but we never heard of an MSN advertising campaign under the works? The ad itself looks much like it could be a TV ad, but for now, just watch and enjoy, until we know more about this, we'll keep looking out for more of these on-line marketing videos.

- Albert

Yahoo board to reject Microsoft bid

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:14:03 GMT

MSNBC broke the story just little over an hour ago. Really disappointing to see how Yahoo! thinks it deserves even more money than what Microsoft already amazingly offered. We'll just see what happens now. Will Google make an offer? Will Microsoft just back up? Or will Microsoft either force Yahoo's board of directors out if they convince Yahoo's stock holder or will they simply increase their offer and go more into debt, something that Microsoft has never been in for the last 33 years. Here's the story:

"SAN FRANCISCO - Yahoo Inc.'s board has concluded Microsoft Corp.'s $44.6 billion takeover bid undervalues the slumping Internet pioneer and plans to reject the unsolicited offer, a person familiar with the situation said Saturday.
The decision, first reported by The Wall Street Journal on its Web site, could trigger a showdown involving two of the world's most prominent technology companies.
If it wants Yahoo badly enough, Microsoft could try to override Yahoo's board by taking its offer — originally valued at $31 per share — directly to the shareholders. If Microsoft pursued that risky route, it will likely have to nominate its slate of directors to supplant Yahoo's current 10-member board.
Alternatively, Microsoft could sweeten its bid.

Many analysts believe Microsoft is prepared to offer as much as $35 per share for Yahoo, which still boasts one of the Internet's largest audiences and most powerful advertising vehicles despite a prolonged slump that has hammered its stock.
Yahoo's board reached the decision after exploring a wide variety of alternatives during the past week, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press. The person didn't want to be identified because the reasons for Yahoo's rebuff won't be officially spelled out until Monday morning.
Microsoft and Yahoo declined to comment Saturday." - MSNBC.com

More on Microsoft's Yahoo bid

- Albert

Super Bowl XLII Commercials

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 03:49:08 GMT

So the Super Bowl is over and the New York Giants won, now what? You can either continue with life or re-watch the greatest commercials from the game. Your pick. But just in case you want to enjoy the ads again, I've decided to provide you with a nice little player with all of the ads. So here it is, enjoy.

Playlist

- Albert

Bill Gates' Last Day at Microsoft

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:10:28 GMT

I feel really dumb waiting this long to post the video on my own blog, but after posting other places I seem to had forgotten about here. But, without further ado, the video you've probably already seen and loved, Bill Gates' goodbye video from CES 2008.

- Albert

Bill Gates, Robbie Bach and "Surprise Guests?"

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 23:32:10 GMT

I just read this on the Microsoft CES website,

"Join Bill Gates, Microsoft Chairman, and Robbie Bach, President of the Entertainment & Devices Division, along with their surprise guests for the opening keynote of CES 2008. Since Bill Gates first keynoted CES almost 15 years ago, consumer technology has changed dramatically. Listen as Bill Gates and Robbie Bach discuss the impact of the digital decade and the future of connected experiences enabled by Microsoft’s consumer technology."

As if the fact that it's Bill Gates' last keynote at CES , this could not be anymore exciting! For that and other reasons, I hope to be able to bring the latest video the fastest I possibly can. In the mean time, you can watch Bill Gates' keynote Live using the following feed:

Launch Windows Media Player

- Albert

New "Zune is..." Commercial

Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:49:33 GMT

Here's one of the few I've caught on Cartoon Network's AdultSwim.

- Albert

Happy Christmas Eve

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 02:29:03 GMT

Just wanted to wish that everyone is having a great Christmas Eve!

And here's a fun video...it's Mary Christmas!

- Albert

Music meta data and album art problems on Zune software

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:50:32 GMT

Due to the popularity of this issue, here's Microsoft's solution to the meta data and album art problems that many Zune users have been having. Luckily (or not so much), because I sold my Zune 30 and I was planning to buy a Zune 80 (and I haven't been able to because of the shortage), I haven't downloaded the newest version, so I'm OK for now. It seems like Microsoft last updated the knowledge base article today (November 19, 2007). So, without further ado, here it is. Good luck!

"Music tracks may become associated with incorrect albums after you upgrade to a newer version of the Zune software

View products that this article applies to.

Article ID: 945319

Last Review: November 19, 2007

Revision: 3.0

Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure that you back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322756 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista

SYMPTOMS

After you upgrade the Zune software on your computer, you notice that music in your collection that was previously categorized correctly is now associated with incorrect album titles.

CAUSE

This problem occurs when music files become associated with the incorrect album art or with other metadata information during the upgrade process from an earlier version of the Zune software.

THINGS TO TRY

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
To resolve this issue, try the following methods in the order in which they appear.

Notes

• These steps rebuild your collection by creating a new music database by using information from metadata that is embedded in your media files instead of migrating your old database.

• These steps will remove any existing device relationship and any podcast subscriptions.

Method 1: Rebuild the media database

1. Exit the Zune software.

2. Open the folder where the Zune software stores its media database:

• Windows Vista
C:\Users\<USER NAME>\Application Data\Local\Microsoft\Zune\

• Windows XP

Note It may be either of the following folders:

C:\Documents and Settings\<USER NAME>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Zune\
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Zune

3. Right-click ZuneStore.sdf, and then click Rename.

4. Type ZuneStore.sdf.old to rename the file.

5. Right-click CurrentDatabase_365.wmdb, and then click Rename.

6. Type CurrentDatabase_365.wmdb.old to rename the file.

7. Restart the Zune software to rebuild the collection database.

If these steps did not resolve the problem, follow the steps in Method 2.

Method 2: Rebuild the media database and reinstall the Zune software

1. Exit the Zune software.

2. Back up the CurrentDatabase_365.wmdb file. To do this, follow these steps:

a. Open the Zune data folder:

• On a Windows Vista-based computer, click Start. In the Start Search box, type %localappdata%\microsoft\zune, and then press ENTER.

• On a Windows XP-based computer, click Start, click Run, type the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER:

%userprofile%\local settings\application data\microsoft\zune

b. Click to select the CurrentDatabase_365.wmdb file.

c. Press CTRL+C to copy the CurrentDatabase_365.wmdb file, and then press CTRL+V. This step renames CurrentDatabase_365.wmdb as "Copy of CurrentDatabase_365.wmdb."

3. On a Windows Vista-based computer, click Start, click Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Programs and Features.
On a Windows XP-based computer, click Start, point to Control Panel, and then double-click Add or Remove Programs.

4. Click Zune, and then click Remove.

5. Delete the ZuneStore.sdf file. To do this, follow these steps:

a. Open the Zune data folder:

• On a Windows Vista-based computer, click Start. In the Start Search box, type %localappdata%\microsoft\zune, and then press ENTER.

• On a Windows XP-based computer, click Start, click Run, type the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER:

%userprofile%\local settings\application data\microsoft\zune

b. Right-click the ZuneStore.sdf file, and then click Delete. If you are prompted, confirm that you want to delete the file.

6. To reinstall the Zune software, visit the following Zune Web site, and then click Get the software only under Download:

http://www.zune.net/setup

7. Run the Zune setup package. When you are prompted to Launch or Close, click Close.

8. Rename "Copy of CurrentDatabase_365.wmdb" as CurrentDatabase_365.wmdb. To do this, follow these steps:

a. Open the Zune data folder:

• On a Windows Vista-based computer, click Start. In the Start Search box, type %localappdata%\microsoft\zune, and then press ENTER.

• On a Windows XP-based computer, click Start, click Run, type the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER:

%userprofile%\local settings\application data\microsoft\zune

b. Right-click CurrentDatabase_365.wmdb.old, and then click Rename.

c. Rename the file as CurrentDatabase_365.wmdb.

9. Modify the Zune software registry entries. To do this, follow these steps:

a. Start Notepad.

b. Copy and then paste the following text into Notepad:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Zune\Groveler]
"LegacyImportComplete"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Zune\MediaStore]
"OverwriteAllMetadata"=dword:00000001

c. In Notepad, click Save As on the File menu.

d. Select a location to which you want to save the file.

e. In the File name box, type ZuneMetaData.reg.

f. In the Save as type list, select Text Document (*.txt), and then click Save.

g. On the File menu, click Exit.

h. Use Windows Explorer to locate the folder where you saved the Zunesync.reg file.

i. Double-click the ZuneMetaData.reg file to merge the file into the registry.

10. Start the Zune software, and then select go right to my collection. You will see notifications at the bottom of the screen as the Zune software analyses your collection. Wait for this process to be completed.

11. Wait another 10 minutes. Then, check whether any updates are displayed in the notification bar on the bottom of the screen. When no more notifications are displayed, you can use the Zune software."

- Microsoft Help and Support

Good luck!

Office Live Workspace - New Video

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:57:48 GMT

It seems like the Office Live marketing team decided to find a nice way to introduce the world to Office Live Workspace, a Google Docs competitor. My favorite thing is that nice depiction of Workspace; that floating, bluish, bubble-sh, gelly thing (what looks yellow in the snapshot). Enjoy.

Windows Vista + Windows Live

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:40:23 GMT

So WindowsLive.com has launched, and with it comes these two marketing videos. They did really well with addressing popular features in the Wave 2 launch of Windows Live, but they should definitely consider making shorter commercials based on the same kind of concept, since it would really let people know of what Microsoft does offer. So here are the two videos, enjoy.

Share

Connect

New Zune Ad: Tina Pink

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 02:12:15 GMT

I just found this on the Zune.net website. They also seem to have launched a new Zune marketing site, Zune Journey, which is almost 100% flash, but very, very cool! More news as it comes along, it seems like this is just surfacing. Enjoy.

New Zunes Unveiled

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:58:49 GMT

Two New Zune Devices Fill Out the Family

Microsoft announced three new models of Zune portable digital media players: a sleek, black Zune 80GB hard-drive model, which has a bright 3.2-inch screen and comes with premium headphones (ERP $249.99; all prices are U.S.); the ultraportable Zune 4GB (ERP $149.99); and Zune 8GB (ERP $199.99) flash models, both available in pink, green, black and glossy red. The new Zune devices feature the Zune Pad navigation button, with its touch-sensitive surface. Consumers can flick their thumbs over the pad to fly through lists of songs or albums or to fast-forward through picture slide shows or videos. For those who need to pause, advance or adjust the volume on the device without looking, they can also navigate the Zune Pad using physical cues by pressing on the four sides or the center of the button to adjust the volume or choose the next track.

Together with the original Zune 30GB, the new devices round out the player family and lets users choose the size, color or price that suits them best. Every Zune device includes built-in wireless features and an FM tuner, and they all have a bright color display that is perfect for showing off album art, pictures, videos and podcasts. All devices have been given distinctive new menus, and it is easy to customize the background screen with a personal picture. Ensuring that existing Zune owners benefit from the advances in this release, all Zune 30GB devices will be automatically updated with all the new features as well as the new device software design this fall.

New features for fall include the following:

•	Wireless sync. Zune devices will automatically sync over consumers’ home wireless networks with this helpful new feature, aimed at ensuring that Zune owners always have the latest podcasts and other content ready to go when they‘re leaving home. Syncing with the collection on their PC happens via a home wireless network and will start on its own when the device is placed in its dock or plugged in to charge. Alternatively, the sync can be started manually.
•	Extended wireless sharing.Share select full-length songs, albums, playlists, pictures and even audio podcasts from device to device. Consumers can now listen to any song received up to three times with no time restrictions, and they can now also pass along songs to other friends who have a Zune.
•	Recorded television content to go. The Zune software will now automatically import broadcast content recorded on Microsoft® Windows^® Media Center for Windows Vista^® Home Premium or Ultimate, so consumers can sync them onto their Zune media player and watch them on the bus, in their car or wherever they want when they’re out and about.

Connecting People Through Music

Launching first in beta, Zune Social, a beta online community Web site, gives people a place to share their music tastes, knowledge and experiences with others. Anyone can create a free, customizable Zune Card that automatically updates to reflect the music they are listening to on their Zune or with Zune software on their computer. The Zune Card shows most recently played tracks and highlights that person’s all-time music favorites. Other members of Zune Social can play samples of the songs a user has been playing directly from a friend’s Zune Card or link to Zune Marketplace, where they can buy or download the music. In a nod to the inherently social nature of music, Zune Social will eventually enable its members to place the Zune Card on today’s most popular social networking sites, where it will continue to update automatically and show off what its owners are listening to.

In addition to creating a friends list, members of Zune Social can send song links and messages to each other, post comments on a friend’s profile page or on their favorite artist pages. They can discover new music by seeing what their friends are listening to, receiving recommendations from others in the community or by seeing what the top fans of artists they’re interested in are listening to. Each artist page will list the Zune Cards of the people who listen to that artist the most, making it easy for other Zune Social members to browse their recent playlists and discover new content they can sample, purchase or download with a Zune Pass.

Zune Marketplace and Software: Easier Than Ever to Discover New Music

The Zune Marketplace online store has been restocked and redesigned to make it even easier for people to find what they are looking for. The Zune software has also been completely redesigned with a new look and feel and lots of helpful new features. In addition to offering more than 3 million songs, the updated version of Zune Marketplace will launch with thousands of music videos for sale and over 1,000 of the top audio and video podcasts available for free. Consumers will also be able to choose from a selection of more than 1 million digital rights management (DRM)-free MP3s, which can be played with Zune or any other digital media player. A new, streamlined and highly visual layout makes it fun and easy to browse through the store, and a new integrated search feature gives consumers one view across the music, music videos and podcasts categories. By typing in an artist’s name or genre, users will see all relevant content that is either already in their collection or available in Zune Marketplace.

To let music fans try new music, Zune Marketplace continues to offer Zune Pass, which lets consumers download as much music as they want for a flat monthly rate of $14.99. To inspire Zune Pass subscribers, Zune Marketplace genre editors offer a range of playlists and promote new albums each week. Consumers can also choose to purchase music and music videos individually using Microsoft Points.

New Accessories Work Across the Product Line

Zune will also be offering a new line of accessories to help consumers get the most from their Zune content wherever they are — at home, in the car or on the go. To make it easy and affordable for existing Zune customers, original Zune accessories will work on new Zune devices and new accessories will also work with the Zune 30GB device. In addition to a selection of accessories from partners, eight new accessory options are available from Zune this fall:

•	Zune Home AV Pack. Home Dock with three faceplates to accommodate each Zune device, wireless remote, AC adaptor and composite AV output cable (ERP $99.99)
•	Zune Dock Pack. Home Dock with three faceplates to accommodate each Zune device and AC adapter (ERP $49.99)
•	Zune Car Pack. Redesigned FM transmitter/charger and dashboard grip pad (ERP $79.99)
•	Zune Cable Pack. Sync cable, composite AV output cable and audio cable (ERP $39.99)
•	Zune Premium Headphones (ERP $39.99)
•	Zune Leather Case (ERP $49.99)
•	Zune Sync Cable (ERP $19.99)
•	Zune AC Adapter (ERP $29.99)

Halo 3 is here!

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 07:52:13 GMT

The wait is over ladies and gentlemen; the most anticipated game in history is here. Here are a couple of screenshots of Microsoft celebrating the launch across its many sites.

Microsoft.com: A rare and exclusive use of all three main areas to celebrate Halo 3.

Windows Live: A special Windows Live-hosted Halo 3 site.

MSN: The continued Halo 3 media content source, newly updated to celebrate the launch with new videos.

There is currently a special running on Spike TV, I will see if I can get you guys a couple of clips from the TV special.

- Albert

New MSN.com organization?

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 22:54:04 GMT

MSN.com continues to update its design and it's almost becoming a monthly event. MSN.com, "the world's most popular Internet destination," seems to be working on a new design with major visual changes in the main header navigation area. Currently, the "new" design seems to be only appearing at:

http://www.msn.com/defaultb.aspx

MSN.com has already used the "/defaultb.aspx" before when it was working on the previous major UI change, and seems to have used it again as a placeholder for some upcoming changes. Here are some screenshots of the current design compared to the "defaultb.aspx" design.

Current MSN.com

"New" MSN.com

Current MSN.com Header Navigation

"New" MSN.com Header Navigation (made the red boxes to show some of the new changes)

After being impressed with almost all of the MSN.com re-designs over the past year or so, I'm very disappointed to say that this is the first time a new-design-in-the-works has not impressed me. The new "tabs" of Hotmail, Messenger, and Spaces don't appear to be very eye-catchy. The previous design with the icons was instead much more appealing and separated to show the dominance they represent. Also, the new yellow "Popular Searches" creates confusion with MSN's previous exclusive use of different font colors to attract attention to "breaking news"-type cases. The only things that I find to be for the better are the addition of "Election Guide" to create awareness of the page, the name change of "News" to "MSNBC News" to create an even greater brand recognition and connection between MSN and MSNBC, and the addition of "Specials," which seems to be a page of all of the current MSN.com-hosted "special" pages like Halo 3, Dog Central, and the LeBron page. Besides that, I hope MSN refines this work and provides to us a final and perfect MSN.com we are so used to.

- Albert

New on MSN.com: MSN Extra

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:15:14 GMT

What is MSN Extra?

"MSN Extra is an experimental showcase that allows users who welcome a novel experience to interact with a wide range of content from all parts of MSN and its partners. It also emphasizes a new Microsoft product called Silverlight, which is a plug-in that enriches the media experience through graphics, interactives and video." - About MSN Extra

So, just like the description says, MSN Extra uses Microsoft Silverlight:

This part of MSN Extra uses Microsoft Silverlight as a way to allow you to navigate the content that materializes below once you click. Each photo signifies a category. Click on a photo or use the slider to navigate into each of the pages. The gradation of color, left to right, is a visual cue of the seriousness of the news: To the left usually you'll find harder news, going from the hottest content on MSN, by popular clicks, to celebrities or leisure news on the right. Also, downloading Silverlight is a requisite to the MSN Extra experience, and we've worked hard to ensure it's one of the easiest plug-ins you'll ever acquire. Learn more about Silverlight by clicking here.

This seems to be a very good idea to distribute Microsoft Silverlight, as MSN.com is one of the world's most visited websites. Finally, Microsoft is beginning to take advantage of its huge MSN power to bring attention to its other solutions. More news as it comes along.

-Albert

Silverlight 1.0 is here!

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 07:34:26 GMT

One of Microsoft's coolest products is finally here. Silverlight 1.0 has just made news on the Microsoft.com home with this almost rare complete use of the main visual area. Apparently, Microsoft is very excited about Silverlight, and it should be. Here's some of their press release:

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 4, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today released to the Web (RTW) Silverlight™ 1.0, a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering richer user experiences on the Web. In addition, Microsoft will work with Novell Inc. to deliver Silverlight support for Linux, called Moonlight, and based on the project started on mono-project.com.
Silverlight significantly reduces development and deployment costs and provides enhanced Web audio and video streaming and playback using industry-leading Windows Media^® Technologies. Microsoft unveiled new Silverlight customer experiences on “Entertainment Tonight,” HSN and World Wrestling Entertainment, and also launched the Silverlight Partner Initiative, a program designed to foster collaboration among solution providers, content delivery networks, tools vendors and design agencies.
“Our expectations for compelling, immersive experiences on the Web are increasing daily,” said Ray Ozzie, Microsoft’s chief software architect. “With today’s release of Silverlight 1.0, we’re making it possible for developers and designers to deliver to individuals the kind of high-def experiences they crave by integrating data and services in rich and unique ways. Silverlight will further accelerate the growth in rich interactive applications by giving developers and designers new options for delivering great experiences that span the Web, PC, phone and other devices.
To foster greater involvement and collaboration within the interactive media industry, Microsoft is rolling out the Silverlight Partner Initiative. More than 35 companies have already signed up to support Silverlight and take advantage of a broad range of marketing and technical benefits enabling them to be more successful. The current list of Silverlight Initiative partners by category follows:
• Content delivery networks, infrastructure providers: Advection, Akamai Technologies Inc., CacheLogic, Edgecast Networks Inc., Internap Network Services Corp., iStreamPlanet Co., Level3 and Limelight Networks
• Design agencies: Avenue A|Razorfish, BLITZ, Cynergy Systems Inc., frog design inc., IdentityMine Inc., Lightmaker Group Ltd., Metaliq, Resolute Solutions Corp., REZN8, Schematic and VML Inc.
• ISVs/IHVs: Anystream Inc., DayPort Inc., Electric Rain Inc., Inlet Technologies Inc., Pinnacle Systems Inc., Rhozet, Sonic Solutions, Tarari Inc., Telestream Inc. and Winnov LP
• Solution providers, systems integrators: BUYDRM, Liquid Compass, MPS Broadband AB, Narrowstep Inc., Skinkers, Swarmcast and Twofour Digital
More

- Albert

Windows Live ID/MSN Entertainment down?

Sun, 26 Aug 2007 00:45:00 GMT

I have been trying to visit MSN TV for a few minutes now but no success. Windows Live ID tries to log me in, but instead I would get this. The same applied to MSN Movies and Music; any site related to MSN Entertainment. Microsoft is also reporting that Windows Live ID Network Status is "available," so I think this is more of an MSN Entertainment problem. Anyone else experiencing this?

UPDATE: At around 5:55 PM PST everything seemed to go back to normal. MSN Entertainment now seems accessible.

Sorry for the sound...and no, I was not scrolling or moving anything around, it was doing that by itself.

- Albert

Mom? Then get "Real Live" with Windows Live

Sat, 25 Aug 2007 08:42:25 GMT

I was just about to shut down for the night when I noticed a new ad link on the MSN.com header. I thought that it would be something about avoiding "baby talk" with babies and I've always had this little annoyance with exaggerated amounts of that...so I clicked on it, not being a mother, or even a parent myself.

So, instead I seem to find Windows Live's latest marketing push for Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Spaces, Windows Live Search, and MSN Lifestyle.

It seems like a pretty smart move. After Cafe Messenger, which seems to be aimed at younger folks, Windows Live seems to be marketing at specific demographics with specific projects, which is good. By offering certain groups of people solutions they would find useful, it works as a good way to expose them to Windows Live services that they might not even be aware of. It also shows at least some sort of integration between Windows Live services coming together to help with specially designed resources, and even better Real Live Moms seems to bring together MSN as a content provider and Windows Live as a service provider.

Take a look around the site; they did a great job at advertising some of Windows Live's services in a simple and effective way that shows off the best and even simpler features under an amazing glow. In other words, it might excite moms to get involved and take advantage of all of the services and features that not many are aware of. Here's a good example at what I mean:

Well, you're going to have to explore more on your own now, I need to hit the sack. See you guys tomorrow.

- Albert

Technology plays big role in "National Treasure: Book of Secrets"

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 05:20:33 GMT

We all remember the clear product placement HP had done in National Treasure (2004). Well, it's back in "Book of Secrets," but not alone. As if it weren't enough, it is already clear in the movie's trailers that more is coming, and a lot of it. From just Trailer 2, I found so many different companies' products in the movie, that I got very excited to see all of it in action. Nevertheless, there is now also a presence of the company we all just love to see more of (said with extreme sarcasm): Apple. Yep, Disney just had to ruin their film (for me at least) by including a Mac in the movie. Yet, as if expecting my outcry, they miraculously balanced that same scene with the phenomenal and rather rare appearance of Windows XP. It is rather rare to find Windows XP's logo in movies nowadays, even though in most cases it's Windows with a few visual tweaks to prevent having to go through Microsoft's rigorous rules and terms. But not in this movie, the Windows XP logo is as clear (well, blurry in my snapshot) could be. So, enjoy the following snapshots of the trailer which depict all of the technology that seems to have taken a key role in "National Treasure: Book of Secrets."

1. Apple's Black Mac Notebook

2. HP Desktop

3. Smartphones (or Blackberry's)

4. UMPC: Sony UX50

5. Windows XP (Yeah! Same scene with the Mac Notebook)

So yeah, nice to see HP is still here. The Windows XP appearance I found very relieving and hilarious to be in the exact same scene with the Mac. Probably because from what it seems, there isn't a need for it, so for it to be just in the background is not a coincidence. The UMPC might create excitement if people recognize (which I doubt) or realize that it is also a real-life technology. Though, what a strange combination of companies: Apple, HP, RIM (?), Sony, and Microsoft. One thing for certain though, I'm excited to see which plays the biggest role.

- Albert

Improve Performance, Reliability, and Compatibility of Windows Vista

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 01:40:57 GMT

Microsoft has made available two updates (938979 and 938194) that "[resolve] issues that may affect some Windows Vista-based computers", "achieve better performance and responsiveness in various scenarios", "[improve] the reliability of Windows Vista", "[resolve] some compatibility issues and reliability issues in Windows Vista" and "achieve better reliability and hardware compatibility in various scenarios."

Whoa...sounds like a lot of fixing, eh? Well, it is. So download and install if you are having problems with:

Slow Windows Vista Performance
Windows Vista freezing or crashing
Hardware compatibility
Software compatibility
Sudden closing of some applications

Although these are some pretty big fixes, we're still hoping for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) to even further enhance the Windows Vista experience.

Note: Microsoft plans to distribute these updates in the future via Windows Update but you may download and install now if you wish.

Links:

Package fix 938979 (performance and reliability)
Package fix 938194 (compatibility and reliability)

- Albert