Kurt Shintaku's Blog

We finally supported Video Messaging on our own operating system with the release of Skype for Windows Desktop 6.5.  Yay.

Per the Skype announcement:

• Video Messaging
  We continue to improve video messaging while it’s in preview and encourage you to try it. Video messaging enables you to share life moments with contacts whether they’re off or online. With this release we improved the stability of video messaging and made video messaging easier to find with improved notifications.
• Simplified Way to Add Contacts
  We’ve made it more intuitive how to send and accept contact requests. Accepting a contact request will now appear right in your instant message view.

For more information or to download the update:

• INFO:  Skype for windows Desktop 6.5 with Easier Ways to Share and Add Contacts
  http://blogs.skype.com/2013/06/05/skype-for-windows-desktop-6-5-with-easier-ways-to-share-and-add-contacts/
• DOWNLOAD: Skype for Windows 6.5
  http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-windows/downloading/?intcmp=blogs-_-generic-click-_-skype-for-windows-desktop-6-5-with-easier-ways-to-share-and-add-contacts

Motley Fool brought a spotlight on some interesting statistics in the mobile market.

Source: Kantar Worldpanel ComTech.

The question is, “Why?”  And where are the losses & gains coming from.  Take a look at the full article for a breakdown of this massive single year swing in marketshare.

• Motley Fool: “Microsoft is Crushing Blackberry”
  http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/06/07/microsoft-is-crushing-blackberry.aspx

For you “tl;dr” types, here’s a hint:

• You May Not Want to Hear It, but the Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)-Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NOK) Deal IS Working
  http://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/you-may-not-want-to-hear-it-but-the-microsoft-corporation-msft-nokia-corporation-adr-nok-deal-is-working-161364/
• Canalys predicts Windows Phone and iPhone to be neck and neck in 2017
  http://wmpoweruser.com/canalys-predicts-windows-phone-and-iphone-to-be-neck-and-neck-in-2017/

Available only for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, "Halo: Spartan Assault" is a new top-down action shooter that brings a "Halo" video game to touch-based devices for the first time in franchise history. Developed by 343 Industries in conjunction with Vanguard Games, "Halo: Spartan Assault" provides an accessible, pick-up-and-play experience for fans and newcomers alike.

Set between the events of "Halo 3" and "Halo 4," "Halo: Spartan Assault" is a new chapter of the award-winning "Halo" universe that explores the first missions of the Spartan Ops program and dives deeper into the backstory of Human-Covenant wars. Play through the eyes of either Commander Sarah Palmer or Spartan Davis stationed aboard the UNSC Infinity as they fight never-before-seen battles against Covenant forces.

With rich storytelling, intuitive controls, and best-in-class action, audio and graphics, "Halo: Spartan Assault" brings the epic scale and action of the "Halo" universe to mobile devices through unrivaled action and intensity.

UPDATE 6/24/13:

Gartner went public on their recommendations around Windows.

• Windows 8.1 Could Become What Windows 8 Should Have Been
  http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2521615

—————–

UPDATE 6/8/13:
Looks like Erwin Visser wrote another post that I failed to mention about the business features of Windows 8.1 that breaks down the features into the following categories:

• Networking features optimized for mobile productivity
• Security enhancements for device proliferation and mobility
• Improved management solutions to make BYOD a reality
• More control over business devices

Check the full article out here:

• WINDOWS FOR YOUR BUSINESS BLOG:
  Modern Business in Mind: Windows 8.1 at TechEd 2013
  http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/business/archive/2013/06/03/modern-business-in-mind-windows-8-1-at-teched-2013.aspx

——————

ORIGINAL POST:
After the announcement of Windows 8.1 a.k.a. “Blue” for Windows, a couple notable articles released focused on the Enterprise.  This one breaks down the features into these categories:

• B.Y.O.D (Bring Your Own Device) Enhancements
• Mobility Enhancements
• Modern UI experience
• Security Enhancements

Read the entire post here:

• SPRINGBOARD BLOG:
  ”What’s New For The Enterprise In Windows 8.1”
  http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/springboard/
  archive/2013/06/03/what-s-new-for-the-enterprise-in-windows-8-1.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
• TECHNET:
  ”What’s New in Windows 8.1”
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/dn140266.aspx?ocid=wc-bl-sprblog

A very comprehensive review of Windows 8.1’s announcement was made by Ed Bott & Paul Thurrott:

• ZDNET: Windows 8.1 unveiled: will it change your mind about Windows 8?
  Ed Bott Report
  http://www.zdnet.com/windows-8-1-unveiled-will-it-change-your-mind-about-windows-8-7000016112/
• WINSUPERSITE: Microsoft Makes Its Case for Windows 8.1 in Business – Windows 8.1 may just put Windows 8 over the top in business
  Paul Thurrott
  http://windowsitpro.com/windows-8/microsoft-makes-its-case-windows-81-business

Also notably, a big name in the Enterprise space released an advisory report on their thoughts around Windows 8.1.  Yup.  It’s Gartner Group.

• GARTNER ADVISORY G00253274:  
  “Windows 8.1 Could Become What Windows 8.0 Should Have Been”
  http://www.gartner.com/DisplayDocument?doc_cd=253274 (Requires Gartner access)

(Since I can’t specifically call out what it is that Gartner says, I will tell you that it’s very much worth reading and if you company is a Gartner customer, you will want to take a look at this brand new advisory dated May 30th, 2013, written by Gartner VP & Research Director, Michael Silver.)

In case you hadn’t heard, Major is hosting a community event at the Microsoft Store in Century City featuring Xbox One.  Here’s the announcement:

If you are in the Southern California area, we’ve got a special Xbox Community meet up scheduled for Monday, June 10th at the Microsoft Store in Century City. Join me and members of the Xbox team as we show off Xbox One to the public for the first time. Plus we’ll also have hands-on time with the new Xbox One controller.

I may have one or two other surprises there as well

Here are the details:
Where: The Microsoft Store, Westfield Century City in Los Angeles (Directions)
When: Monday, June 10th from 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Why: Come meet members of the Xbox team and see the Xbox One with your own eyes, plus take the Xbox One controller for a spin and see (and feel) for yourself the improvements we’ve made to one of the best controllers in gaming.

The event is free and open to the public but we expect a crowd, so I recommend getting there there early.

Since this is my backyard, I’ll be there and I hope you will too.  Here’s a few details that I’ll add for your benefit:

Parking:  The costs for parking are $1/hr up to 3 hours.  After that it get’s pricey and shifts into $1/15min.
Food:  If you want to arrive early and are interested in dinner or food, there’s several places for food outside of the food court that are 50 yards away from the store. (The food court, by the way, is really excellent.  Remember: Beverly Hills-types are the target market for the food court here in Century City)
– Pink Taco (Massive tequila bar.  Nice.)
– The Counter (BYOBurger.  Yum.)
– BJ’s Brewery (Brews, brews, brews.  Mary Jo Foley would be proud.)
There’s also Toscanova or the Gulfstream, which are more fine dining.
Discount:  If you’re an employee of the Walt Disney Company & you plan on going, please contact me and I’ll extend my store discount to you if you plan on picking up a game, accessory, or computer.

By now you’ve probably heard that the veil was taken off of some of the features of the “Blue” release of Windows 8, a.k.a. Windows 8.1.

We wrote a blog post that goes over most of what’s been announced:

• BLOGGING WINDOWS: “Continuing the Windows 8 vision with Windows 8.1”
  http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2013/05/30/continuing-the-windows-8-vision-with-windows-8-1.aspx

Now for you tl;dr types, here’s a video that goes over much of the same materials, featuring long time Microsoft FTE, Jensen Harris:

• WINDOWS VIDEOS: “First Look at Windows 8.1”
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQb5caeSo00

Sorry for the absence… but most of you should all know why by now. 

I’ll try to get back in the saddle in the evenings but I’ve been a BIT overwhelmed recently, so much so that it’s kept me away from the ol’ faithful blog.

In the meantime, here’s a comparison ad that we’re running.  This is particularly interesting considering that it’s being demonstrated with current processor technology.  With the massive tsunami coming of next-generation Intel processor-based devices this Summer/Fall that increase battery life to 10-12 hours for full power, x64 processing tablets & touch PCs, incredible graphics acceleration comparable to an Nvidia GT650M & USB 3.0 support… it promises to be a very good opportunity to introduce Windows-based tablets & touch everywhere.

If you need a cheaper stylus for your Surface Pro – one that is small, designed for an WACOM ACTIVE DIGITIZER and not capacitive touch glass, one that has an “eraser” on the end of the pen at the opposite end of the tip, and a right mouse click button along the side, you’re in luck.

How about one for $9.99?

These work with Surface Pro.  They’re conventional Wacom stylii and I’ve bought a few of them as “backup” stylii because at $9.99… y’might as well have a few ‘just in case’ because I use my Surface Pro primarily as a OneNote note-taking or drawing device that synchs with SkyDrive & OneNote in the cloud, constantly updating my other production ultrabook device as well.

• NEW Gateway C-5817C Wacom Executive Stylus Pen 8011717R ($9.99+$2.07s/h)
  http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Gateway-C-5817C-Wacom-Executive-Stylus-Pen-8011717R/270371763774
• DEAL: IBM LENOVO ThinkPad X60 X61 X200 X201 W700 X230T Tablet Digitizer STYLUS PEN
  (Works with Surface Pro 1 or 2)
  http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-LENOVO-ThinkPad-X60-X61-X200-X201-W700-X230T-Tablet-Digitizer-STYLUS-PEN-/221591739481

Today, we at Microsoft announced something called the “Worldwide Water Cooler” at http://www.theworldwidewatercooler.com/.

It’s both a survey and an portal of sorts & the focus is on the utility of social collaboration tools to enable the workforce to get work done faster & more efficiently.

There is also a survey that we commissions with Ipsos that goes over how information works use social tools to get work done:

You can download it at:
http://www.theworldwidewatercooler.com/Original_MSFT_Survey_Infographic.pdf

We’ve officially announced the availability of Lync-Skype connectivity for customers around the world, which includes presence sharing, instant messaging, and audio calling. 

The Skype “Big Blog” has all the details:

Today, we’re excited to announce Skype and Lync customers around the world are now able to connect with each other from across these platforms. With Lync-Skype connectivity, Skype users will now be able to reach a broader network of colleagues, partners and customers who are using Lync, Microsoft’s unified communications platform, connecting them into organizations of all sizes. Lync provides a consistent, single client experience for presence, instant messaging, voice, video and meetings for business productivity and is owned by over 90 of the Fortune Global 100 companies.

…

Read more at:
http://blogs.skype.com/2013/05/29/skype-and-lync-connecting-the-living-room-to-the-board-room/