Futurecat - Michael Karek

With less than a week until the launch of Windows phones and Windows Marketplace for Mobile, I wanted to take a minute to thank the global developer and ISV community for rallying around Marketplace and offer a quick update on what we’ve been up to.

First and foremost, the response to Windows Marketplace has been impressive in terms of the number of creative developers we’re working with and the depth of engineering- and process-oriented feedback we’ve received and incorporated. Our commitment to transparency has generated a surprising level of collaboration that impacts Marketplace development on a daily basis. I know that getting in on the ground floor of an ambitious effort like Marketplace isn’t easy. I sincerely appreciate your patience, feedback and desire to help us create a world class experience for both developers and end users.

In fact to show that we’re listening and responding, let me run through a few of the top issues you’ve raised or experienced around registration and certification, and what we’re doing about it.

Known issues that we’re addressing because they slow the application submission process:

1. Marketplace catalog icons: We need to ensure that icons meet the correct dimensions upon upload. We didn’t make this as clear as we could have on the submission portal. This was recently corrected.

2. Screen shots: Screen shots also need to meet the correct dimensions and aspect ratio. New guidance on screen shots is available on the Windows Marketplace for Mobile technical forum and we will update Marketplace before launch to ensure that only the correct screen shot dimensions are submitted.

3. Expanding to multiple markets: ISVs have experienced problems when submitting their app to additional markets through the developer portal. We are addressing this in a Marketplace update prior to launch.

4. Finding the answers: We’re working to make it easier for you to find what you need to know. We’ve updated the Marketplace FAQ, remained active in the forums and produced videos to help guide you through the app submission process.

We’re also frequently asked what developers and ISVs can do on their end to help speed the process, here are a few tips:

1. Review documentation: Be sure to read through the Application Submission Criteria, Policy Guidelines, Prohibited Applications List and Market Validation Guide prior to application submission. It sounds obvious, but it really is best to spend the time on the front end of the process.

2. Alert your team: Proactively contact the Corporate Approver you designated during Windows Marketplace registration. The Corporate Approver will receive several emails from GeoTrust, who is partnering with Microsoft to provide identity validation services. This will accelerate the identity validation process and reduce the time required before you can submit applications to the Windows Marketplace.

3. Have your ID ready: Individuals may be required to send a copy of government issued photo identification to GeoTrust. Notarized documents for individuals are no longer required. (note that the preferred method for GeoTrust support is through live chat at http://www.geotrust.com/support/chat/order-processing.html )

4. Use App Verifier on Native Code: Remember that Application Verifier only applies to applications written in Native code.

5. Start with the emulator: We recommend testing your application in the Windows Mobile 6.5 emulator prior to submission to the Windows Marketplace. Even better, test the application on a Windows Mobile 6.5 device.

6. Keep reading this blog: Check back to review technical criteria and top tips to help your certification go more smoothly.

As we’ve been discussing since July, our plan is to deliver the full Marketplace experience in two phases. First, we’ll launch Windows Marketplace for Mobile with Windows phones on October 6th. We’ve also discussed following this launch with an update that will include support for Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1 by the end of the year. More specifically, we’re targeting November for phase two. In addition, this second phase will bring the PC based catalog and shopping experience, user generated app reviews, advanced key-based anti-piracy protection and other enhancements that expand your business opportunity and make it easier for a larger number of customers to find and buy your application.

As you can see we’re working hard to deliver on our two core commitments with Marketplace; to create a more open, transparent and rewarding processes for developers and ISVs, and to bring to market a fresh take on the mobile application store that delivers strong value and a great shopping experience for customers. We’re engaged with hundreds of ISVs on a daily basis who are eager to certify their apps and offer great insight into how we can further distinguish both our process and our user experience – keep it coming! And don’t forget that the apps in Marketplace at launch will have a head start in the Race to Market Challenge, and who doesn’t need a Microsoft Surface table?

First, let me introduce myself.  My name is Mark Relph and I am a Senior Director with the Windows Product Strategy Group and I lead a group known as the Windows Ecosystem Team. My team and I focus on a few specific areas – compatibility of applications & hardware, working with our partners and driving developer excitement for Windows 7 (and beyond). As we count down to the launch of Windows 7, I will be posting updates from all of these areas.

Partners, both hardware and software, are essential to Windows. They build the products that help you at work or entertain you at home. We call this our “ecosystem” of partners and they help to make your experience with Windows great. So, with the launch of Windows 7 right around the corner, I want to spend some time talking about the Windows 7 Logo Program that highlights the products from this ecosystem of great partners.

The Compatible With Windows 7 Logo is designed to help customers make better purchase decisions by identifying products that have passed Microsoft designed tests for compatibility and reliability with Windows 7. Since we designed Windows 7 to be compatible with the products you use every day, many of these products will just work and thousands of partners are committing to meeting an even higher quality bar.

For Windows 7, we’ve made a number of changes to the Logo criteria and the process for granting Logo status. Our goal is to make the “Compatible with Windows 7 Logo” about the customer and ensuring them the best experience possible with Windows. A few of the changes we made include:

• We focused on robust testing requirements to ensure optimal Windows 7 experience. Products that receive the Logo are checked for common issues to minimize the number of crashes, hangs, and reboots experienced by the user.
• To be granted the Logo, products are tested to work with all versions of Windows 7 including 64-bit. This is an important change since 64 bit systems are becoming more mainstream.
• We changed the testing process, reducing the amount of paperwork required and making it less expensive for our partners to achieve the logo.
• We reached out to partners earlier giving them more time to test their products for use with Windows 7

These changes have already been met with positive results from our partner community. For the last several months we have been running a program for partners called Ready.Set.7 designed to help them achieve the logo. There are already over 6000 products that have received the logo and many more are added every day. You can see some of the partners who have already passed the logo tests at readyset7.com.

Like I said, the Logo is really about our end-users. We have a simple goal to help Windows customers to easily find great products that work exceptionally well with Windows 7. Hardware and software products that receive Compatible with Windows 7 Logo offer many advantages for our customers:

• It is very easy to identify products that are for Windows 7. The logo will appear on packaging and on retailer websites
• Devices that carry the logo will work seamlessly. For example, a digital camera will automatically transfer photos or a wireless router will easily be set up in minutes and you can add a wireless device to Windows 7 that has received the logo in seconds.
• Software will install without worry. Applications and drivers are signed so that you know the file has not been tampered with and can trust there is no malware or spyware.

If you are in the market for new hardware or software and you want to know it will work well with Windows 7, look for the Compatible with Windows 7 Logo.  If you are a software or hardware vendor, see how other partners are getting ready and learn more by visiting readyset7.com

You will hear more from me about the Windows Ecosystem in future posts and you can follow me on Twitter @mrelph.

Update: To be clear, this program “Compatible with Windows 7” is intended for applications and devices you purchase after you get a computer, which is why supporting 64-bit Windows 7 is a logo requirement. As part of the Windows 7 Logo Program for computers, we have separate requirements that ensure PC’s will have a great Windows 7 experience out of the box and can upgrade to any edition of Windows 7. We’ll have an update on PC’s and what you’ll see on shelves in the coming weeks.We already have tons of great new PC’s in the pipeline running 32-bit and 64-bit  in all types of form factors including small notebook PC’s (netbooks), tablets, desktops and all-in-ones)

Gastposting von Oliver Scheer , Developer Evangelist – Windows, Silverlight und UI-Technologien bei der Microsoft Deutschland GmbH. Nur noch 22 Tage bis zum Windows 7 Launch. Heute befassen wir uns mit einem nicht ganz so neuen, aber trotzdem recht spannenden…(read more)

Too many companies today are struggling to make do with fewer technical resources and they are looking to maximize the efficiencies of their technologies in order to reduce costs and business risks. HP is working with Microsoft to address these challenges and give companies the competitive edge they need to differentiate themselves in the marketplace.

Working with Microsoft on the launch of Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange 2010 and Windows 7 has been an exciting venture for the HP team. HP and Microsoft are continuously building on our expertise in providing customers with an unparalleled technology experience for business-ready technology environments.

Our collaboration with Microsoft on Windows 7 showcases the extensive capabilities and functionality of Windows 7 on HP’s portfolio of PC’s, notebook’s and workstations. The sooner companies adopt Windows 7, the sooner they can start reducing overall support costs- that is why HP is ready to design, plan, migrate, manage and deploy Windows 7. In addition to services, HP Virtual Desktop Infrastructure solutions are helping to control the cost, manage the complexity and improve security of desktop computing with Windows 7. We’ve also been working with Microsoft on unified communications and collaboration solutions so customers can integrate their choice of endpoint devices, including Windows 7 platforms, and connect people seamlessly regardless of technology used.

We’re excited to join forces with Microsoft in their mission to create the most efficient enterprise technologies across the board with Windows Server 2008 R2. HP’s collaboration on Windows Server 2008 R2 is helping customers build a secure, infrastructure that is scalable and adaptable to meet changing business requirements.

With Windows Server 2008 R2, organizations can now make a serious reduction in power consumption and improve consolidation ratios with HP ProLiant G6 servers. HP’s support of Windows Server 2008 R2 provides a unique cost savings by reducing network real estate and improving server consolidation ratio- HP Flex-10 technology reduces network real estate by up to 75% reduces networking costs by up to 66% and reduces power consumption by up to 50% and can help improve virtualization ratios in network constrained environments.

HP provides a significant advantage for Microsoft Exchange 2010, foundational element for a complete, end-to-end unified communications and collaboration infrastructure. With this solution companies can reduce risk by relying on a strong partnership. HP has the broadest base of servers and storage that help reduce power and floor space requirements, lower cost of storage while improving availability with DAS storage and allows for greater choice in deployment options with a broad portfolio of storage solutions.

HP offers a number of services for Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange 2010 and Windows 7. HP VDI standard set of services provides strategy and value workshop, planning and design, implementation and support services. Application Virtualization services help customers with the implementation of server infrastructure and support administration monitoring and management of server based computing servers.

HP is looking forward to the future of Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange Server 2010 and Windows 7 and we’re excited to be a part of this exciting development with Microsoft.

Meg Shea-Chiles
Director, Microsoft Strategic Alliance, HP Enterprise Business

Today, we announced a new reason to own genuine Windows software – free high-quality consumer anti-virus and anti-malware software from Microsoft! Available for use on genuine Windows PCs at no cost, Microsoft Security Essentials is an anti-malware service that helps protect consumers against viruses, spyware and other malware.

Microsoft Security Essentials is available in 8 languages across the 19 countries shown below, using it requires no registration, there are no trial conversions or renewals required to stay up to date with the latest version and it is available for download directly from Microsoft now at http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/.

During installation, you’ll be asked to validate Windows running on your PC to make sure that it’s genuine. As with all of our validation technology Microsoft doesn’t use any information collected during validation about the copy of Windows that is installed or the PC it is installed on to identify or contact the owner or user.

If a copy of Windows fails validation during setup then the screen below will be shown and the user will be offered an easy way to purchase genuine Windows directly from Microsoft.

Once installed, Microsoft Security Essentials provides you with real-time protection that runs quietly in the background, enabling you to continue using your PC without constant interruptions. And since it never expires and is updated automatically, you can feel safer knowing that your genuine Windows-based PC will be better protected by the latest advancements in security technology.

I’ve been using MSE on a few PCs for the last number of months and here’s what I love about it so far:

• MSE is independently certified by West Coast Labs – that makes me feel good about relying on it
• MSE uses the same core engine as Microsoft’s enterprise-class AV/AM products and is backed by Microsoft’s Malware Protection Center which makes me feel even better
• When it does find something that doesn’t belong it enables you to clean or remove it quickly and easily rather than loading a big heavyweight app.
• It’s free!

Click here to read the official press release or download Microsoft Security Essentials now.

Are you looking to learn more about Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange 2010 and other Microsoft products? Well the New Efficiency Virtual Launch Event is the perfect opportunity to do so.

What will you find there?

• Steve Ballmer’s Keynote Replay
• Over 100 sessions presented by Microsoft. Topics include:
  • Windows 7 Application Compatibility
  • Windows 7 Deployment Technologies
  • Windows XP Mode Overview
  • Saving WAN costs with BranchCache
  • Remote Desktop and Applications with WS08 R2
  • Microsoft Web Platform – What’s New in IIS 7.5
  • Voice Mail with Unified Messaging in Exchange 2010
  • Outlook Web App in Exchange 2010
  • Information Protection Solutions Overview
  • MDOP; Asset Inventory Services
  • and much much more
• Visit Virtual Partner Booths from:
  • Cisco, AMD, Dell, Citrix, Intel, plus many others
• Download full version trials of Windows 7 Enterprise, Server 2008 R2, Exchange Server 2010 and Microsoft Forefront.
• Virtual backpacks to you can download transcripts from every demo, documentation and more.
• Links to hundreds of additional Microsoft resources to help you
• Links to brand new Springboard Series Windows 7 content created just for the virtual launch experience.

The best part? All of this is available to you for free. Just visit www.thenewefficiency.com later today and see what happens when cost savings, productivity and innovation come together.

Today, we’re featuring a ‘guest blog post’ from a representative at Hewlett-Packard, one of our key Windows Home Server OEMs, who is making an important announcement today.  Bill Johnson, Marketing Manager in the HP Storage Works Division, shares with us…

HP is really excited to be able to offer a comprehensive data protection and file sharing system to our small business customers, the HP StorageWorks X500 Data Vault series.

*HP StorageWorks X500 Data Vault

Based on the Microsoft Windows Home Server operating system, the HP Data Vault provides an easy to install and easy to manage solution for our small and emerging business customers who do not have – nor need – a sophisticated IT infrastructure.  The HP Data Vault allows our small business customers to automatically backup their client PC’s, protect their data by making copies and remotely access data away from the office.  We feel the combination of the Microsoft Home Server operating system and the HP Data Vault will help our customers better protect their most important business asset – their data!  The HP StorageWorks X500 Data Vault – Store It, Secure It, Share It.

- Posted on behalf of Bill Johnson, Hewlett-Packard

Da Sicherheitsbedrohungen für heutige PCs immer weiter zunehmen, arbeitet Microsoft aktiv daran, PC-Anwender zu schützen, um ihnen eine sichere und produktive Windows-Umgebung bereitstellen zu können. Zusätzlich zu den Vorteilen der Sicherheitsfunktionen,…(read more)

Thank you to all of you who tuned in and posted or sent in questions for our most recent roundtable and made it another huge success. We will be posting all the questions and answers in the next few days so keep an eye out.

Missed the VRT? Here is the promo of what you can look forward to when the replay become available later this week.

To be the first to know when the replay goes live, follow our Twitter feed @MSSpringboard or watch for our blog post here.

This post originally appeared here on SocialMedia Talk with Michael Gannotti

I have done several video where I talked in the past about using the power of Windows Mobile for geocasting in business focused scenarios. The opportunity to leverage the ability to capture rich data with contextual commentary combined with rich ancillary data has powerful applicability in a wide range of scenarios. Law enforcement, emergency responders, physical plant inspection, researchers, news reporting, travel industry, and much much more.

Last week while on my Charlotte visits I used my dearly departed Windows Mobile phone, a Samsung Omnia from Verizon (learn about demise here , to create a geocast using the IncaX LiveMedia GPS application and talked through a scenario where I might be doing a physical plant inspection. I then combined this with a quick and dirty Photosynth of one of the Microsoft office buildings in Charlotte that I drove up to. During the geocast portion I talk about the scenario, road conditions, things that might be reported on, etc., all the while capturing information that in the event of a real business case could be played back in real time for analysis. With the addition of the Photosynth I then was able to create a rich 3-D view of the building in question that could also then be navigated and further analyzed. Finally, all this was then easily served up via my SharePoint dashboard page, an out of the box feature of SharePoint, making this a navigable record that could be further extended with textual reporting (oh say via InfoPath form services) and other data as desired.

The powerful combination of geocasting leveraging the Windows Phone platform with IncaX along with Photosynth and SharePoint delivery can be real business enabling features where rich data capture for analysis, entertainment, and so on is important. Think about the competitive advantage such a solution could bring to a cruise lines, the benefits to insurance companies assessing the damage done during a natural disaster, the evidence captured in law enforcement.

Check out the simple dashboard I have created with very little effort and think about how leveraging the Microsoft platform can enable your business. Be sure to toggle through the views (arial, road) in the geocast mashup stream (delivered via Microsoft Silverlight technology), zoom in and out,  as well as the blow out underneath  the video box. The click around the Photosynth itself and see how it is possible to create an immersive 3-D experience of a physical structure. All of this done using common, low cost equipment.

• Click here to view and interact with the geocast/photosynth dashboard

Technology resources cited/used in this demonstration:

• Windows Mobile
• Verizon Samsung Omnia
• IncaX LiveMedia GPS
• Photosynth
• SharePoint
• Silverlight
• Olympus 1030W Digital Camera

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,SharePoint,WindowsMobile,IncaX,Silverlight,Verizon,SocialMedia,Gannotti,Technology