May 15
Microsoft has launched its file hosting service called Windows Live Folders. It offers 250 MB of free storage space on the MSN servers. The maximum file size is fixed at 50 MB. Not only can you host your files for free, you can also limit access to them to your friends and family. All they need is a Windows Live Account for accessing the files.
The display is uncluttered and minimalist. You are allowed to organize your files into folders. Each folder can have a certain share level which is indicated by the (huge) icon next to the folder name.
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Mar 30
Microsoft unveiled the Deepfish mobile browser for smartphones. The browser is based on the Seadragon technology, which was a company acquired by Microsoft. The software displays the webpages like they would be displayed on your desktop. The beauty lies in the zooming and panning features of the software.It also optimises bandwidth ,i believe that this must be like the bandwidth optimisation of Opera Mini.
Currently the browser is in testing mode and is available by invitation only. Lets hope this great software is released to the public soon.
The Windows Live Team working on deepfish was quoted as
“With the Deepfish technology, we capture the full layout of the page and deliver it to the mobile device, resulting in an experience similar to that on the desktop. Deepfish provides users with a full ‘as-designed’ view of virtually any Web site on their mobile device and looks as you would expect it to on your desktop, allowing much more of the Web to be easily viewed on a mobile device than is possible today. The interface lets users zoom in and out on the parts of a Web page that interest them in an intuitive way, making it easy to use these large-screen formatted pages on a mobile device. On current mobile browsers, it can typically take up to a minute or more for a Web page to render, however the Deepfish architecture only loads the user-specified portion of the page, providing much quicker page-load times, as detailed information is only retrieved as needed or in the background.”
 System Requirements of Deepfish
- Device: Windows Mobile Smart Phone or Pocket PC.
- Operating System: Windows Mobile 5.0+
- Internet connection: Required.
- For Desktop setup: NET Framework 2.0, ActiveSync 4.0+ or Windows Mobile Device Center(WMDC) for Vista.
- Minimum Device Memory: 64MB Program Memory. Deepfish supports external storage when available.
Nov 23
As we all know Microsoft’s response to the Ipod is here , the Zune , we talk about things which might make it or break it.
Positives
- Ability to send photos, and music files from Zune-to-Zune via WiFi. Photo files may be shared without restrictions. For restrictions on Music Sharing , see negative below.
- Firmware upgrades are possible.
Wallpapers may be set in the Zune Player.
- Fm Radio (Ipods lack inbuilt radio) , song name might be displayed if the radio station supports it.
- The Zune will play standard podcast files, which are usually available in unprotected MP3 or AAC format. However, the Zune software lacks full podcast support, such as a directory and automatic downloading via RSS feeds. A Zune team member has stated that in the future “We’ll ship podcasting, and we’ll call it “Podcasting” when we do.”
- The player software will automatically convert audio and video in a format not supported by the Zune into a format that is. (e.g. a video with a resolution of 720×540 will be converted to a resolution of 320×240 if necessary).
- You can tell other people having Zunes near you, what you are listening.
Negatives
- Zune Sharing – Its easy to make a Zune to Zune song transfer , perhaps too easy , thats why every time a song is transferred Zune to Zune it gets limited to a three day or three play restriction , which ever comes first. Plus a play is counted if a song is played for 1 minute or half the song (whichever is shorter). Even if the song is recorded , non-copyrighted , this restriction applies.
- Crippled Wifi – The Wifi only allows a Zune to connect to another Zune , not a computer or a Wifi Hotspot.
- No hard Drive – The Zune also cant be used as an external hard-drive unlike an Ipod.
The following comes pre-loaded in a Zune
Audio tracks
- Band of Horses, “Wicked Gil” (Sub Pop)
- Bitter:Sweet, “The Mating Game” (Quango Music Group)
- CSS, “Alala (Microsoft edit)” (Sub Pop)
- Darkel, “At The End of The Sky (edit)” (Astralwerks)
- Every Move A Picture, “Signs of Life” (V2 Records)
- Small Sins, “Stay” (Astralwerks)
- The Adored, “Tell Me Tell Me” (V2 Records)
- The Rakes, “Open Book” (V2 Records)
- The Thermals, “A Pillar Of Salt” (Sub Pop)
Music videos
- 30 Seconds to Mars, “The Kill” (Virgin Records)
- BT, “1.618” (DTS Entertainment)
- Chad VanGaalen, “Red Hot Drops” (Sub Pop)
- Coldcut featuring Roots Manuva, “True Skool” (Ninja Tune)
- CSS, “Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death From Above” (Sub Pop)
- Fruit Bats, “Live: The Wind That Blew My Heart Away” (Sub Pop)
- Grandaddy, “Elevate Myself” (V2 Records)
- Hot Chip, “Over and Over” (Astralwerks)
- Kraak & Smaak featuring Dez., “Keep Me Home” (Quango Music Group)
- Kinski, “Live: The Snowy Parts of Scandinavia” (Sub Pop)
- Paul Oakenfold featuring Brittany Murphy, “Faster Kill Pussycat” (Perfecto Records)
- Serena-Maneesh, “Drain Cosmetics” (Playlouderecordings)
Short films
- 5boro: “A New York Skateboarding Minute” (Skateboarding)
- Radical Films: “Kranked — Progression” (Mountain Biking)
- TGRTV The North Face (Skiing/Snowboarding)
The verdict is left to you
