Microsoft

Microsoft XBox 360 vs. Sony Playstation 3 - Game over man!

November 18, 2005

With the impending launch of Microsoft's XBox 360, inevitably comparisons will be made to Sony's Playstation 3 due out next year. But the battle has already been won by Microsoft without firing a single shot - without a single needle from the Needler gun (Halo) pricking Sony and without a single Covenant Energy Blade (Halo) slicing and dicing up the Sony competition. No, the reason is not because XBox 360 is launching this year before the "all important" holiday season, although that certainly gives Microsoft a huge advantage.

"So you're saying the XBox 360 has better graphics than the Playstation 3, right?"

Nope, I ain't saying that either.

"Ok, so you're saying the processing horsepower on the XBox 360 is better than the Playstation?"

Nope, try again.

"Better features? more multimedia capabilities?

Posted in Gadgets, Microsoft

Top XBox 360 Games to Buy for Christmas

November 17, 2005

Wondering what XBox 360 games to buy your kid(s) for the Christmas holiday season? (ditto for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.) Well, IGN Entertainment's GamerMetrics has pulled consumer data from three leading video game sites (IGN.com, GameSpy.com and TeamXBox.com) to rank the most anticipated XBox 360 launch titles. GamerMetrics tracks the awareness and activity of over 25 million gamers across IGN Entertainment's network of video game news and information sites, with the largest audience of video gamers online. Check out the Top 18 XBox gaming titles list below.

Posted in Gadgets, Microsoft, Reviews

Microsoft, cable companies, and some popcorn

November 16, 2005

Microsoft Corp. and Cable Television Laboratories Inc. (CableLabs) today announced they have reached an agreement that will allow Microsoft and PC manufacturers to bring to market digital-cable-ready (including HD) Windows Media Center-based PCs by the holiday 2006 time frame.

These Media Center PCs, capable of supporting a CableCARD module, will allow consumers to enjoy one-way cable programming, including premium high-definition cable content, on their personal computer and throughout the home on compliant network-connected devices, such as Xbox 360, while protecting cable operators' investments in high-value content in a digital environment. Digital HDTV provided by the cable companies to a Microsoft XBox 360 console or Windows MCE PC? Break out the popcorn - it doesn't get any better than this!

Posted in Microsoft

RealNetworks Helix streaming server

November 16, 2005

I don't hear too much from RealNetworks these days, so I was surprised to read that RealNetworks today unveiled its next generation enterprise solution, the Helix Server Unlimited, for wired and now wireless devices. This latest version of the Helix server provides Real's enterprise customers the ability to deliver 3GPP content to a wide variety of multi-media enabled mobile handsets. According to RealNetworks, "Mobile content on the handset have traditionally been focused on entertainment, but for the enterprise market such as corporations, higher education institutions and local governments it is also a valuable informational and educational tool."

I give it 6 months before Microsoft comes out with a similar solution. Perhaps Windows Media Services 10 Series?

Posted in Microsoft, Mobile Phones, Technology and Science, Wireless

Microsoft to remove Sony copy protection malware

November 15, 2005

Microsoft said it would remove controversial copy-protection software that CDs from music publisher Sony BMG install on personal computers, deeming it a security risk to PCs running on Windows. This is but another salvo shot fired between Microsoft and Sony. Not that I'm a fan of Sony's copy-protection scheme, but I think there is much more to this story than Microsoft trying to help remove the Sony malware (form of spyware) from their PCs. With the impending launch of Microsoft XBox 360 which is the arch-rival of the Sony Playstation, Microsoft has Sony squarely in its sights.

The XCP program, developed by First4Internet in Britain and used on music CDs by Sony BMG to restrict copying and sharing, has generated concern amongst computer users, because it acts like virus software and hides deep inside a computer where it leaves the backdoor open for other viruses.

"We have analyzed this software and have determined that in order to help protect our customers, we will add a detection and removal signature for the rootkit component of the XCP software to the Windows AntiSpyware beta, which is currently used by millions of users," Jason Garms, group program manager of the Anti-Malware Technology Team, said on Microsoft's Technet blog.

The original XBox was running a modified version of the Windows 2000 kernel. I'm not sure the operating system on the XBox 360, but as gaming consoles become more like PCs with more PC-type functionality, Microsoft has a decidely more competitive edge over Sony in providing integration between it's Windows XP (& Vista) operating systems and its current and future gaming platforms.

So to hear Microsoft removing a Sony technology doesn't bode well for Sony's future. Could this mean Microsoft could "disable" some sort of future Playstation integration with a PC?

Posted in Microsoft

PalmSource joins Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) Forum

November 14, 2005

Some news from PalmSource, about them joining a forum that is trying to "standardize" Linux components and APIs that run on mobile phone devices. The reason why Microsoft has been making such strong in-roads in the mobile phone market arena is because they have strict requirements and they provide a baseline operating system that makes it easier for developers to cross-develop applications for different, often competing Windows Mobile devices running Windows Mobile 5.0 (or earlier generations). Here's the release from their website.

PalmSource, Inc., provider of Palm OS, a leading operating system powering next generation phones and mobile devices, today announced that it is a founding member of the Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) Forum.

Posted in Linux, Microsoft, Mobile Phones

Salesforce.com calls out Microsoft's Bill Gates

November 10, 2005

I was forwarded a memo that Marc Benioff, Salesforce.com chairman and CEO, sent to his employees yesterday evening regarding the MSFT news. Even though the email looks legit and even says "To: All Salesforce.com" (indicating it was sent to all Salesforce.com employees), it's obviously a marketing ploy by their PR firm which forwarded me the memo. I'm sure the email was sent to all Salesforce.com employees, but with the intention of also then forwarding the email "memo" to the press. Still, I thought it was kind of funny, especially the "Microsoft Dead" pun on "Microsoft Live", so although I feel slightly used I will include the "memo" here in my blog.
_____________________________________
From: Marc Benioff
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 8:58 PM
To: All Salesforce.com
Subject: The Business Web

Today, I woke up to read on the front page of the Wall Street Journal how Microsoft is reorganizing to take on companies like Google and salesforce.com - building a new generation of products called Microsoft Live.

And just last week, Bill Gates gave a speech about the end of software that could have been a page out of our play book.

Posted in Call Center and CRM, Microsoft

Xbox 360 launch party

November 10, 2005

Breaking news on the XBox 360 launch! Check out this email I just got that is an invitation to play XBox 360 games at a secret undisclosed location in the Mojave Desert!

Hundreds of gaming stations fully tricked out with hi-def monitors and digital sound
Play the full Xbox 360 launch lineup
First opportunity to play a 32-player match of Perfect Dark Zeroâ¢ on Xbox LiveÂ®
Highly anticipated games that will ship this year and into 2006, from 2K Games, 2K Sports, Activision, Bethesda Softworks, Capcom, Electronic Arts, Microsoft Game Studios, Namco Hometek, SEGAÂ®, Square Enix, TecmoÂ®, THQÂ®, and Ubisoft
Full access to all Xbox Live Arcade titles
Demos and sneak peeks, including an exclusive look at upcoming Gears of Warâ¢
Round-the-clock refreshment stations
Live entertainment and music, including a genuine "Kaiju Big Battel" and rock band Louis XIV
Exclusive schwag, such as Zero Hour Xbox 360 faceplates
Onsite Best Buy store where partygoers can purchase their Xbox 360 consoles, games, and accessories

Where Is It? It's at an undisclosed location in the Mojave Desert. Top secret. When Is It? We'll play Xbox 360 games from sundown on November 20 through launch on November 22. What Do I Do? At an various times on November 10, signup forms will appear on various participating sites letting you enter to win! What Else Do I Need To Know?

You have to be at least 18 years of age to win. If you win the tickets you
will be responsible for your own transportation, lodging, etc.

Posted in Microsoft

XBox requires e911?

November 10, 2005

This morning I wrote about the congressional hearing discussing a draft of legislation to create a statutory framework for Internet Protocol and Broadband Services.

I didn't have time to listen to the entire hearing and comment on all of it, so I've been keeping my eye out for other news sources on this important piece of legislation. According to ZDNet, "In a joint letter, representatives from Google, Amazon, eBay and InterActiveCorp voiced opposition for the draft's failure to impose "Net neutrality" requirements equally on all three categories of services".

In addition, I learned that Microsoft's Paul Mitchell, senior director and general manager of Microsoft's TV division wasn't happy either. Mitchell complained about two provisions in the current draft.

Posted in Google, Microsoft, VoIP

Nero, Microsoft, Linksys - what a busy day!

November 10, 2005

Yesterday, was an extemely busy day for me as I had conference calls with both Microsoft and Linksys. Two huge big shots in the computing and networking worlds. I also an in-person meeting with one of my favorite software applications of all time, namely the good folks from Nero, who develop the popular Nero 7 Ultra Edition CD/DVD-burning software application.

Nero stopped by TMC to talk about their VoIP softphone application called SIPPS Connect. As far as I know, I was the first to discover Nero was offering a VoIP softphone application when I wrote about Nero back in October 2004.

Posted in Microsoft, Personal and Humor, VoIP

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