Winextra – Microsoft and Windows Round-up

Well today has sure seen a lot of Windows Phone 7 stuff getting posted. You’d almost think that there were some people who actually cared what Microsoft is doing and looking forward to what is in the pipe.

Microsoft:

Outlook’s Facebook Integration Is Great; Could Do Without the Farmville Updates, Though – Digital Daily
In four years, social networking services will replace e-mail for about 20 percent of business users says Gartner. If that’s true than Microsoft’s (MSFT) integration of Facebook into its Outlook e-mail client today will prove particularly prescient.
Microsoft small-business server futures: 5 things to know – Mary Jo Foley
Microsoft is trying some new things — and sticking with some tried and true ones — with its next-generation small-business server offerings.
Microsoft Security Updates July 2010 – gHacks
Microsoft has just released four security bulletins on this months’ Patch Tuesday fixing vulnerabilities in Microsoft software products.

Windows & Xbox:

Service Pack 1 Beta for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2: Direct Download Links – SuperSite
If you go through Microsoft’s Download page for the Service Pack 1 Beta for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, you’re going to have to jump through some hoops to get it.
Walmart now accepting preorders for its $199 Kinect bundle – CrunchGear
It’s no secret that retailers love them some gaming system bundles. Easy money. Traditionally they include a random 3rd-party accessory pack along with a sub-par game.

Bing:

Bing Travel Planner for Outlook – Bink.nu
Researching travel options can be challenging. It takes time to review all the options and determine the best time to fly, what airline has the lowest fares, and where you will stay at your destination.
Bing: Android client coming – LiveSide
At a Bing Search Summit in San Francisco, Microsoft executives showed off in rapid style (with no video or pictures allowed) a bunch of stuff in the Bing pipeline
Bing team: Yahoo on-track for fall, vague on profitability – VentureBeat
Engineers for Microsoft Bing said today that plans to use their search results to power Yahoo search are proceeding on schedule and that the switch should occur sometime this fall.

Windows Phone 7:

Intuit Partner Platform Delivers Windows Phone 7 SDK – Windows Phone Developer Blog
I am pleased to announce that Intuit is developing an SDK for Windows Phone 7, making it easier for developers to write Windows Phone 7 applications that interface with the Intuit Partner Platform’s cloud services for businesses, including QuickBooks.
Windows Phone Live companion site announced for Windows Phone 7 – replacement for Microsoft My Phone? – LiveSide
Today on the Windows Phone blog, Aaron Woodman, Director of the Mobile Communications Business division, made an announcement of a new companion service coming for Windows Phone 7 named Windows Phone Live.
Windows Phone 7 Embraces the Microsoft Cloud - GigaOM
Microsoft this morning shared additional details of its upcoming new mobile platform, Windows Phone 7, focusing on service and entertainment connectivity.