Like every industry Apple enters, their new Apple TV is making waves, even if those so far are not very large.

Microsoft has also responded, by showing they do in fact have a product to answer the challenge –Windows Embedded Standard 7.

Windows Embedded Standard is based on Windows 7, and in the most recent revision comes with Windows Media Centre.

The video below shows how a set-top box running Windows Embedded Standard 7 can be customized by the OEM to deliver a unique experience targeted at a sports fan, but OEMs can easily personalize the look and feel of Windows Media Centre to meet their branding and naming and the needs of their target audience. It also demonstrates how such a device can play an integral role in the networked household, allowing consumers seamless access to all their content from multiple rooms in the home.

More interesting in the video than the custom Windows Standard box however was the role of the Xbox 360, which in fact is much closer in functionality to the Apple TV, but in fact can also play games.

Windows Mobile also makes a brief cameo appearance, but we hope Windows Phone 7 can play a much bigger role in the future Microsoft Connected Home, possibly as a streaming host and target and also remote control.

Read Microsoft’s press release related to the video here.

Pocketwit

MoTweets

HTC claimed, ironically via Twitter, that their HTC Peep client should now be working, after apparently coming to an agreement with Twitter not to shut down their un-updated client.

This fixed everything pretty much for HTC Peep Android users,  but apparently leaves HTC’s Windows Mobile users with a pretty broken client, able to send tweets but unable receive them.

Given that both HTC and Microsoft have pretty much given up on Windows Mobile, we have to look at 3rd party software, and 2 clients, already updated to support OAuth, come to mind.

Pocketwit is a free client with a pretty long list of features:

The software sports:

• A unique user interface
• Works on VGA, QVGA and SmartPhone devices
• Support for multiple twitter and identi.ca accounts
• User groups to help manage your friends updates
• "Conversation View" shows a what this status was in reply to.
• Uses standard notifications to alert you of new friends statuses or replies
• Keeps an addressbook to easily add usernames to posts.
• URL shortening with is.gd
• Integration with shorttext.com for tweets longer than 140 characters
• Take photos and send to TwitPic, mobypicture, pikchur, twitgoo, or yfrog
• Preview images from those services without a browser.
• Integrated search.twitter.com
• Quote (re-tweet) or email a status
• Clickable @names, URLs, and #Hashtags
• Option to check for new version on startup
• Themes
• Implemented OAuth for Twitter

For a commercial solution Panoramic MoTweets is only $3.99 and offers:

• Support for multiple Twitter accounts
• Ability to upload pictures or videos using your device’s camera or from the photo album
• Post your location manually or by using your device GPS
• Tiny URL, bit.ly, twitpic.com, twipl.net, and yfrog.net Support
• Three (3) skin colors
• View Trends, Lists  and Conversations
• Finger friendly, kinetic scrolling menus (Touch Screen)
• Translate Tweets, Search Twitter topics and users with ease
• ReTweet, Follow, Unfollow, Direct messages, Replies, Favourites and much more!

Pocketwit can be found here and Panoramic MoTweets here.

Is there any other (working)  twitter clients for Windows Mobile which should be joining the list? Let us know below.

By now, many of you have gotten tired of reading articles claiming that WP7 is dead on arrival for a multitude of reasons. Well, Kevin D. Wolf has decided to further the cause. From his own words

In an effort to bridge the gap in the Smart Phone wars, I’ve developed a little tool to help all of you iPhone and Android fan-boys that are just too busy to do your own research and form your own opinion on Windows Phone 7.  You know it will fail, so here’s a tool to generate reasons you can include in your blog posts and use to sound smart when talking to your friends.

Here is the link to the WP7 failure generator please go and take it out for a spin! ( Please note, it is written in Silverlight so for all the people who would “never’ install a Microsoft plugin, you are out of luck)

Via Neowin we hear that Microsoft UK is holding a developer meetup in London on the 5th October 2010. The topic will apparently be “Windows Azure, Windows 7 and the soon-to-be-released Windows Phone 7 and IE9”.

While by itself this does not mean much, with many such conferences being held recently, what raises suspicion that this will in fact be the Windows phone 7 launch is the size of the venue(at the International Conference Centre)  and the fact that Steve Ballmer is set to deliver the keynote at the event, an apparently unusual occurrence.

The October 5 date is slightly earlier than rumours we have heard, but then we know Microsoft is pretty eager to get their new Mobile OS out there.

Read more at Neowin here.

Thanks Gilly2468 for the tip .

Now this likely qualifies as the most tenuous of rumours, but TamsPPC reports that the usually well-informed German magazine c’t has posted this little snippet in its current issue:

Toshiba showed the TG-02 and K-01 in February running Windows Mobile 6.5. It is possible that we will see them now (aka at the IFA) as the first Windows Phone 7 devices.

The TG-02 and K-o1 are of course both perfectly capable of running Windows Phone 7, both only needing minor upgrades in terms of camera and buttons, so the idea is not very far fetched (we wrote about the same just a few days ago). Hopefully Toshiba, who was originally supposed to be a launch partner, will still throw its hat into the Windows phone 7 ring, became lord knows we could sure do with a few sleek and sexy WP7 devices.

Read more at TamsPPC here.

Press Release

"Consumers are demanding the full web experience without compromise while on the go," said Dojun Rhee, vice president of Marketing, System LSI Division, Samsung Electronics. "Given this trend, mobile device designers need an application processor platform that delivers superb multimedia performance, fast CPU processing speed, and abundant memory bandwidth. Samsung’s newest dual core application processor chip is designed specifically to fulfill such stringent performance requirements while maintaining long battery life."

Designed using Samsung’s 45 nanometer low-power process technology, Orion features a pair of 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 cores, each comes with a 32KB data cache and a 32KB instruction cache. Samsung also included a 1MB L2 cache to optimize CPU processing performance and provide fast context switching in a multi-tasking environment. In addition, the memory interface and bus architecture of Orion supports data intensive multimedia applications including full HD video playback and high speed 3D action games.
Samsung’s new application processor incorporates a rich portfolio of advanced multimedia features implemented by hardware accelerators, such as video encoder/decoder that supports 30fps video playback and recording at 1080P full HD resolution. Using an enhanced graphics processing unit (GPU), the new processors are capable of delivering 5 times the 3D graphics performance over the previous processor generation from Samsung.

For design flexibility and system BOM cost reduction, Orion integrates a set of interfaces commonly used in mobile devices to configure various peripheral functionalities. For example, with this processor, customers have the choice to use different types of storage including NAND flash, moviNANDTM, SSD or HDD providing both SATA, and eMMC interfaces. Customers can also choose their appropriate memory options including low power LPDDR2 or DDR3, which is commonly used for high performance. In addition, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver baseband processor is embedded in the processor to seamlessly support location based services (LBS), which is critical in many emerging mobile applications.
Orion features an onboard native triple display controller architecture that compliments multi-tasking operations in a multiple display environment. A mobile device using the Orion processor can simultaneously support two on-device display screens, while driving a third external display such as a TV or a monitor, via an on-chip HDMI 1.3a interface.

Orion is designed to support package-on-package (POP) with memory stacking to reduce the footprint. A derivative of Orion, which is housed in a standalone package with a 0.8mm ball pitch, is also available.
Samsung’s new dual-core application processor, Orion, will be available to select customers in the fourth quarter of 2010 and is scheduled for mass production in the first half of 2011.

Comment:

While it is always nice to hear about new processor enhancements, the question does remain if Windows phone 7 will be able to take advantage of higher clock speeds and performance, or even if it needs it.  As the OS does not multi-task 3rd party software, the odds of it getting bogged down by a high processor load is much lower.

A question also remains regarding kernel support.  If Windows phone 7 is based on CE 6.0 this would not be the case, as it does not support multiple processors.  Windows CE 7, set to be released soon, does however support multiple processors, and interestingly many features we are seeing pop up in Windows phone 7, such as Wi-Fi positioning, DLNA and of course a Silverlight based UI. As it is we may have to wait for the next generation of Windows Phone to take full advantage of new chip sets.

I have developed 4 other web games using Silverlight. Diver, Tire Storm, We Are Bugs, and Diver2.  Krashlander, the game I’m working on now, is my first game for a mobile phone.

Prior to these games, I’ve developed a bunch of half-finished games and game demos but nothing good enough to release.

2)Why did you choose WP7 as a platform of your choice?

I chose to develop games for WP7 because I’m already very familiar with the development tools and framework.  WP7 supports Silverlight so it’s a natural fit for me.  Plus, I think the IPhone platform is already very saturated while the WP7 platform is just getting started and therefore has less competition when it comes to games.  At least for now.

3)Which one do you think as the single most feature you liked in WP7?

The development framework and tools are easily my favorite "feature" of WP7.  Outside of the tools, I love the metro style interface and the Panorama style UI.

I also like how Microsoft is dictating that all phones follow a certain spec.  This will make development easier as we’ll be able to assume a certain minimum functionality and common interface. 

4)Are you satisfied with WP7 Platform development tools?

Very satisfied.  It’s as though Microsoft made them just for me and my skill set. 

5)What are the Apps you are developing now in WP7?

Currently I’m working on my latest game, Krashlander. It’s a game with a unique set of touch controls in which you ski down large mountains and crash into and destroy robots.

6)In what way Microsoft can improve their WP7 or What does WP7 lacks from?

Personally, I’d love to see a little more integration between the two sets of development tools for the phone, XNA and Silverlight.  Currently you can use either to make apps/games, but in the future I’d love to see them merge a bit.

As for the phone itself?  I have nothing specific I can think of that needs improving.  Possibly once it’s out and I have some time to use it I’ll find some things.

7)Future Plans of you?

I have a long list of game ideas. I plan to keep working through the list.  Making games is what I love to do in my spare time and I plan to keep doing it.

Apart from these questions, Other things you want to share with the community?

Keep an eye of for Krashlander in the WP7 marketplace when it launches.

You can check out my current games and blog at: http://www.farseergames.com/

You can follow me on twitter here: @jeffweber

And you can join the Farseer Games Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/FarseerGames

Thanks Jeff for sharing with us.Expecting more of your Silverlight games in WP7 Platform .

Have you ever seen a commercial that has absolutely no information as to what they are trying to sell to you… Well it seems now Windows Phone 7 has one. Just posted this morning by IntoMobile, the video shows absolutely nothing but the WP7 emulator device coming closer into focus and finally saying “Revolution”.

Now I have no major in marketing, but shouldn’t your target market know what you are trying to sell to them? I mean the commercial does not even go into details why people should go to the provided link. It just tries to be mysterious, and it is, but just a bit too much. I hope this is not what they will be using when the product actually becomes available… This ad campaign reminds me of the Droid commercials, except a lot less cool and tempting.

Microsoft, if you need a good ad campaign just simple Get Michael Bay to direct your commercial and put a lot of explosions and manly stuff then lastly have Megan fox included in the ad… Maybe just holding the phone. Guaranteed sales… Well more than the Kin .

While Windows Phone 7 is just a month away (or more depending on your location) development for WM replica designs have yet to stop. This new theme is designed on the Wad2 structure and was made available by pecco, who lives happily in the Windows Mobile theme development forum over at XDA. This theme is made for those that want to have the look of WP7 just before the get the real deal. It is free but sadly no body except WQVGA device owners can have it, and last I check… That was the least popular screen resolution.

I cannot say I would use this on my device. To be honest I really do not like the whole Metro concept being on WM phones… It is frankly stupid to me. I mean Metro is not that attractive to begin with and the only reason why it works with WP7 is it has those great hubs behind it and that gives it all the grounds to look like what it does (that and some artistic centering concept).

If you feel another way and love have Metro on your Wad2 based homescreen, then head over to XDA and give it a go on either the Samsung Omnia or LG Incite.

The Apple fall music event came and went and with it, the IOS platform, through the freshly minted iTunes 10, introduced a “magical” social component called Ping. The conference room was filled with tech bloggers and journalist but from all the cheering and clapping during several occasions by the audience as Mr. Jobs introduced yet another new feature or device to the platform, one had to wonder what kind of objectivity they would have when time came to write articles about the event. Setting that aside, the introduction of Ping validated Microsoft’s effort with the social aspects of the Zune ecosystem and shows that Apple is paying attention and perhaps a little worried of what WP7 will bring to Zune as a whole.

On November 13, 2006, Microsoft unveiled the Zune with the tagline, “Welcome to the Social”

As Microsoft launches Zune this week, the goal is not to manufacture another digital music player but to create a shared, social experience that will be shaped by the collective imagination of consumers and will inspire discovery of new music and artists.

When you read articles about the Ping service, you will be hard pressed to find one (although cnet does in this article) that mentions that the “un-innovative” Microsoft had a social music feature almost 4 years ago! After the initial fanfare about Apple’s social aspirations, most people are finding out and writing that it is basically a dud as it now stands and needs a huge upgrade for it to be of any relevance at all in the future. That Microsoft’s press release for the Zune four years back went on to say this

Zune features wireless technology that enables friends to spontaneously share full-length sample tracks of select songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures among their Zune devices. The full tracks of these songs can be listened to up to three times over three days, and, if the recipient enjoys the song she hears and wishes to buy it, she can flag it on her device and easily purchase it from the Zune Marketplace, which features over 2 million songs. A consumer has the choice between downloading individual songs and "Zune Pass" subscription plans. This is especially attractive for the MySpace generation, who frequently use the power of community to share common interests and promote social networking.

Very prescient words in the light of last week’s developments I must say! This however does not mean that the Zune team needs to seat on its laurels. In fact, it should act as a catalyst and elicit a sense of urgency for them to build and improve on the already great foundation with competition now nipping at their heels. I recently proposed a deeper integration with Facebook  together with ability to purchase tickets and event notifications. However, I would like to delve deeper into music discovery and local bands/artists promotion for this post.

The Zune marketplace now boasts over 7 million songs but it still nowhere as big as the iTunes store. The promotion of unsigned artist and local bands would go a long way in providing more unique content without having to deal with expensive licensing terms from music labels. A few years back, I had the privilege of living in Wilmington, a small charming town on the coast of North Carolina for a short time. During my stay there, I got my introduction to  the bluegrass/folk/americana genre of music by bands that played live events at downtown restaurants during dinner hours. Being from a big city up North, I had never really listened to this kind of music but, I got hooked and fell in love with the acoustic and raw nature of the arrangements. The music offered such a deep contrast to the glut of commercially produced music which often dominate the airwaves. These bands had a small group of loyal followers and often struggled to gain exposure by playing from bar to bar or the local festival circuits because their music is not what is considered mainstream.

During the aforementioned Zune event Microsoft’s Matt Jubelirer explained

Music comes from social places. But over the years, it started to become an isolated experience – people would listen with their headphones but not talk to the people around them. We wanted to add the social back into entertainment.

The Zune social experience would have been a great method to share these experiences with my circle of friends not exposed to such music in a way that is superior to just word of mouth, via the artist pages that consist of tracks , videos, bios, (*lyrics-not yet available) related artists e.t.c. I have since moved but having the artists available on the Zune would also make it easy for me to keep track and stay in touch with them in one central place instead of having to go to MySpace for example. As an added bonus, I would like a see a better location aware intelligence so that let say I’m in a new town, I can easily browse local live events featuring my favorite genres of music or artist but even better yet, a listing of my friends (who lived in that town) favorite local bands that may diverge from my everyday taste! To top it all off, the Zune client provides the most elegant, polished and clean interface that puts iTunes and MySpace music to shame.

In order for all this to happen, Microsoft needs to invest in people who will go and discover these local bands and also provide a way for the bands to painlessly establish their pages on the Zune network and all the related content. An easy, concise set of guidelines should  be implemented to prevent the marketplace from being flooded with subpar content. The addition of a new location aware listing also doubles as a way to narrow down the artists a user may be interested in at any given time.

A few things to note. The song sharing feature only works for songs available in your collection(if you don’t have a Zune Pass) AND also in the marketplace as far as I know. I’m not also sure about the home recordings, picture, and playlist sharing because this is a device to device feature of which I don’t own one. I would like our readers with Zune devices to enlighten us on those points.

If you are curious about the bands that so enamored me during my stay in Wilmington, they are, Woodwork Roadshow, L Shape Lot and The Root Soul Project. From there, I went on to discover the music of Avett brothers and the Old Crow Medicine  among many others. I bet a majority of our readers have a few favorite local bands of yet unknown artists that you would like to find a way to easily share with your friends, in an environment a little more specialized than Facebook. The Zune Social with a little more improvement could be the answer. I will now end with a video from the Avett brothers. Enjoy!

Part two of the Lessons learned from the Apple fall music event will be coming soon.