WinExtra Daily Brief Episode 1 … with less echo

Well we managed to get the echo problem figured out so unlike yesterdays’ promo for the show you should actually be able to hear the whole show.

Show links:

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Windows Phone 7 released to manufacturers – now comes the hard work

I can imagine that more than a few champagne corks are being popped right now at Redmond as word has come that after a lot of hard work Windows Phone 7 has been released to manufacturers. This means that handset makers can now start working on getting the final versions of their mobile handsets ready for launch day.

As Terry Myerson writes over on The Windows Blog

Today is the day that the Windows Phone team has been driving towards, and we’re very excited to say that we’ve reached the biggest milestone for our internal team – the release to manufacturing (RTM) of Windows Phone 7!  While the final integration of Windows Phone 7 with our partners’ hardware, software, and networks is underway, the work of our internal engineering team is largely complete.

Windows Phone 7 is the most thoroughly tested mobile platform Microsoft has ever released.  We had nearly ten thousand devices running automated tests daily, over a half million hours of active self-hosting use, over three and a half million hours of stress test passes, and eight and a half million hours of fully automated test passes.  We’ve had thousands of independent software vendors and early adopters testing our software and giving us great feedback. We are ready.

No kidding we’re ready. We’re ready for what has to be one of Microsoft’s most anticipated releases in a very long time. Even more so than Windows 7 Microsoft has a lot riding on this and considering they apparently readied some $400 million alone for advertising Microsoft realizes just how important the success of Windows Phone 7 is.

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Microsoft and Windows Round-up – 31.8.2010

Running a little late getting this round-up out tonight as I’ve been heads down figuring out video type stuff in preparation for our new video show that will be launching Sept. 1st.

Microsoft:

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Announcing WinExtra’s new show – Daily Brief

Yes folks, you can now get your daily dose of Microsoft and Windows headlines, with just a touch of snark, with myself and Paul O’Flaherty.

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Microsoft and Windows Round-up – 30.8.2010

It’s interesting to watch the general tech blogosphere report on the purchases of Google to bulk up its social network development. The response has been more positive than anything else which is in direct contrast to what the reaction would be if Microsoft was to do the same thing. Then you would have seen all kinds of negative posts about Microsoft trying to buy its way in.

Microsoft:

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Some hardware porn for a Monday afternoon: LG OLED monitor

I don’t do this hardware porn thing very often but every once in a while something comes along that makes me go – I.Want.Now.

In this case it is a 31-inch prototype OLED monitor from LG that measures a minuscule 0.11 of an inch thick.

Sadly this is just a prototype which the write up at DVICE makes sure to let us know and breaking our daydreams up in the process.

Meant to show off “next-generation” displays, the OLED set toggles between 3D and 2D imagery easily and has an impressive refresh rate of 600 Hz. The prototype will be on display at the IFA trade show in Berlin later this week. Of course, this TV isn’t a real product yet, so when LG actually starts selling larger-screen OLED screens like this, the mileage may vary. Still, sexy.

I still want it. Please LG, pretty please.

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Don’t think Windows Phone games won’t stop you in your tracks? Check This!

We’ve written a couple of times about the games that are coming to Windows Phone as as cool as some of the videos are this one blew me away. While it is just a demo of the 3D engine behind an upcoming game the fact that this will run on Windows Phone 7 is just incredible.

You can grab a look at the full specs for the EvoFX game engine over at WMPowerser but heres the demo video for the engine

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Windows Phone 7 to launch in Canada same day as US

Wow, this has to be a first. Canada is actually going to get something the same day that my friends in the US get to get their grimy mitts on some new toys.

Yes folks it is one of those rare moments in time where those of us in Canada who normally have to look on like forgotten relatives as our US counterparts dive in with unboxings and glorious reports of their new shiny objects can join in on the fun. For it seems that Windows Phone 7 will be launching in both countries on exactly the same day.

This video, via WMPoweruser, is with Microsoft Canada Mobility Solutions Manager Greg Milligan being interviewed by Lazyreviewzzz where Milligan notes:

the Canadian launch will be simultaneous with the US phones, with a line up by LG, HTC and Samsung, available on multiple carriers, unlike it seems the USA.  He however also go on to say Dell will be along before the end of the year, with other OEMs to follow in 2011.

Regarding the cost of the phones, as expected they are competitive with other smartphones price-wise, with the phones ranging from $99 to $199 Canadian on the standard 3 year contract there.

OMG will miracles never cease.

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