Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM) is an enterprise-scalable solution for managing BitLocker technologies, such as BitLocker Drive Encryption and BitLocker To Go.

MBAM, which is part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, helps you improve security compliance on devices by simplifying the process of provisioning, managing, and supporting BitLocker-protected devices.

This guide describes how to deploy MBAM, with a focus on automating the deployment and configuration of the MBAM client to managed devices. It first describes the MBAM components. Then, it shows you how to prepare for deployment and provides step-by-step instructions for deploying the MBAM client by using the following tools and technologies: Group Policy software installation, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2012, Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager, and scripted installation (e.g., command prompt).

• WHITEPAPER: Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring Deployment Guide (80pgs, 1.62MB)
  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=38398

The Bing Translator App for Windows is your companion when you need to quickly translate what you are looking at. Use your camera or just type the text you want to translate. Text and camera translation work offline with downloadable language packs, so you can get the power of Bing Translator on-the-go, even when you don’t have an Internet connection.

Features

• Text translation – Type and translate text into more than 40 languages.
• Camera translation – Translate signs, menus, newspapers, or any printed text with your device’s camera in an instant.
• Text to speech – Hear translations spoken with a native speaker’s accent.
• Offline translation – Translate when you are not connected to the Internet and when you want to avoid expensive data roaming charges by using downloadable offline language packs.
• Translate from anywhere – Translate text from other Windows Store apps using the Share charm. Just select and share
• Multitask with Snap View – Translate quickly while doing other tasks by snapping Bing Translator to the right or left of your screen.

To download this free tool for Windows 8, click below:

• RELEASE: Bing Translator for Windows 8http://blogs.msdn.com/b/translation/archive/2013/06/06/a-window-to-the-world-bing-translator-app-for-windows-now-available.aspx

Did you ever wish you could report a piece of email as SPAM so that you could fight back against spammers and make a difference in other people’s email experience by tagging it as SPAM so that others might not have to receive it?

That’s where the “Junk Email Reporting Add-in for Microsoft Outlook” comes in.  Add this add-in to your Outlook configuration and when you use it on a piece of email in your inbox, that email:

• Automatically gets moved to the “Junk Email” folder
• Gets submitted back to Microsoft’s anti-spam service for analysis

Note:  This will also work for multi-selected emails & has multi-language support.

Read the following to understand & download the Junk Email Reporting add-in:

• INFO: Junk Email Reporting Add-in for Microsoft Office Outlook
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj723127(v=exchg.150).aspx
• INFO: Install and Uninstall the Junk Email Reporting Add-in for Microsoft Office Outlook
  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj723139(v=exchg.150).aspx
• DOWNLOAD: Microsoft Junk E-mail Reporting Add-in for Microsoft Office Outlook® (Feb 2013)
  http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=147248

A lot of training on the upcoming R2 releases has been released… and it’s free so check it out!

• Free expert-led training: Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2
  Join this live multi-day MVA Jumpstart online event with Microsoft Senior Technical Evangelist Rick Claus and Cory Hynes from HOL Systems to learn about the new capabilities and features coming in Windows Server 2012 R2. Sign up today.

• Free expert-led training: Introducing System Center 2012 R2
  Join this live MVA Jumpstart online event with Microsoft Senior Technical Evangelist Symon Perriman to learn how the next version of System Center will deliver an end-to-end cloud stack through advanced integration with Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Azure. You will discover the new capabilities in infrastructure provisioning and monitoring, automation and self-service, IT service management, and application monitoring. Sign up today.

"Fable 3" by Microsoft Studios appears to be a free 5.6GB download on Xbox Live right now per WPCentral’s post.  It lists as $19.99… but the key is selecting “Microsoft Points” and suddenly, it’s free.

These are the steps I followed:

1. Go to the URL below.
   http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Fable-III/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8024d5308d6?noSplash=1
2. Click "Download to Xbox 360" button on "Fable 3". (Note: Don’t select "Fable 3 Demo" – be sure to select “Fable 3”).  It will be listed at $19.99.
3. Click "Use Microsoft Points" link on the "Confirm Purchase" dialog box. The price should now list as "FREE".
4. Click "Confirm".

No points were taken from my account.

(Source: WPCentral)

Major was good enough to summarize where one can view the E3 media briefing at Galen Center from the Xbox team.

• MAJOR NELSON: “How to watch the Xbox E3 2013 Media Briefing”
  http://majornelson.com/2013/05/31/how-to-watch-the-xbox-e3-2013-media-briefing/

Windows Phone Playback
It seems that folks are forgetting that there is also the video player on the Windows Phone that you can take advantage of:  If you have a Windows Phone 8 device, download this special app to watch the Xbox E3 2013 Media briefing tomorrow.  It works in both portrait & landscape!

• DOWNLOAD: Live Video Player (FREE)
  http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/live-video-player/0ae9f9fa-29b2-4318-845f-4e24ce52ca94

Wow.  It’s been a banner week for Microsoft in the financial press this week.  All this an Xbox One’s second announcement phase begins on Monday with the E3 press conference… and more later in the week!  (Stay tuned)

FORBES: Microsoft a Top 25 Dividend Giant With 2.64% Yield
http://www.forbes.com/sites/dividendchannel/2013/06/07/microsoft-a-top-25-dividend-giant-with-2-64-yield/

MOTLEY FOOL: Microsoft: The Tech Play of 2013?
http://beta.fool.com/nmaithya/2013/06/06/microsoft-the-tech-play-of/35752/?source=eogyholnk0000001

MIDEAST TIMES: Microsoft Corporation given new $39 price target at Oppenheimer
http://www.mideasttime.com/microsoft-corp-given-new-39-00-price-target-at-oppenheimer-msft/24596/

SEEKING ALPHA: Where Will Microsoft Shares go?
http://seekingalpha.com/article/1479731-where-will-microsoft-shares-go

INSIDER MONKEY: 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/

MOTLEY FOOL: Tablet Roundup: One Stock to Buy, One to Avoid, and One to Watch
http://beta.fool.com/pon555587/2013/06/07/tablet-roundup-what-to-buy-and-what-to-sell/36367/

MOTLEY FOOL: Windows 8 Is Doing Just Fine
http://beta.fool.com/reubengbrewer/2013/06/07/windows-8-is-doing-just-fine/36487/

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.