Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Microsoft lowers hardware requirements, opens Marketplace to 23 more countries]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/microsoft-lowers-hardware-requirements-opens-marketplace-to-23/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/microsoft-lowers-hardware-requirements-opens-marketplace-to-23/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/27/microsoft-lowers-hardware-requirements-opens-marketplace-to-23/#comments
If there was a theme for today's Nokia keynote, and, by extension, Microsoft's plans for Windows Phone, it's that the OS is being targeted toward lower-spec phones worldwide. The SDK update that'll soon roll out to developers will include an emulator for developers to ensure their apps work on devices like the Lumia 610 that only has 256MB RAM. The company's promising that nearly all apps will work on the cheaper hardware, promising that fragmentation will be kept to a minimum. Any app that runs poorly on the slimmer hardware will be flagged as unsuitable in the Marketplace. Speaking of which, Microsoft has announced it'll be rolling it out to a further 23 countries shortly including China, the UAE and much of Eastern Europe -- increasing the total market reach by up to 60 percent.

Microsoft lowers hardware requirements, opens Marketplace to 23 more countries originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>256 MB Emulator256MB Emulator256MB RAM256MbEmulator256mbRamDev KitDevelopersDevice FragmentationDeviceFragmentationDevKitDevsEmerging MarketsEmergingMarketsEmulatorFragmentationJoe BelfioreJoeBelfioreLow-SpecLumia 610Lumia610NokiaNokia Lumia 610NokiaLumia610OS FragmentationOsFragmentationQualcomm 7x27Qualcomm7x27SDKTerry MyersonTerryMyersonWindows PhoneWindows Phone 256MB EmulatorWindows Phone 7Windows Phone 7.5WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone256mbEmulatorWindowsPhone7WindowsPhone7.5ZTE OrbitZteOrbitMon, 27 Feb 2012 05:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows Phone 8 detailed: dual cores, Skype Integration and NFC are a go]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/02/windows-phone-8-detailed/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/02/windows-phone-8-detailed/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/02/windows-phone-8-detailed/#comments Windows PhoneIf you thought Mango was the bee's knees, just wait till you get a hold of Apollo. No, seriously, keep waiting 'cause we have no idea when that will happen. While we still can't say when Windows Phone 8 will be making its way to a handset near you, we do have quite a few new details about the mobile OS courtesy of the folks over at PocketNow. The site managed to snag a copy of a video starring Windows Phone manager Joe Belfiore talking about what's coming in the next major revision. Those of you concerned with Microsoft's inability to go toe to toe with Apple and Google on specs can breathe a bit easier as new screen resolutions (four in total) and dual-core CPUs will be supported, while those clamoring for more storage will be happy to hear that microSD support has returned -- this time in an official capacity. Rounding out the new hardware features will be NFC support, including the Beam-like ability to share content by tapping, though, it'll have the advantage of being able to share with Windows 8 based tablets and laptops as well. And, speaking of Windows 8, its similarly numbered, phone-centric sibling won't just share a UI, it'll have many of the core components, including large chunks of the kernel, networking stack and security features -- which should make porting apps from the desktop to the handset a relatively simple affair.

Amazingly enough, the list of improvements doesn't end there. If you've been wondering when Microsoft was going to put its Skype acquisition to good use, wonder no more. A Windows Phone app for the VoIP service will debut alongside Apollo and will feature deep integration with the OS, including the ability to place calls the same as you would standard voice calls. A new live tile and app called DataSmart will make it easier for users to manage their data usage and ensure they don't end up eating insane overage fees. To milk every last bit out of that data plan Windows Phone will favor WiFi over a cellular connection and can be programmed to automatically connect to carrier-owned hotspots when they're in range. And, if that weren't enough, Microsoft plans to use proxy servers to compress web pages before feeding them to the mobile version of Internet Explorer 10, not unlike Opera Mini. Those of you who doubted that Windows Phone could actually keep pace with Android and iOS, now might be a good time to reevaluate your position. Hit up the source link for a few more details.

Update: If you want to get all of the details in a nice easy to glance list head after the break for a convenient bullet point presentation.

Continue reading Windows Phone 8 detailed: dual cores, Skype Integration and NFC are a go

Windows Phone 8 detailed: dual cores, Skype Integration and NFC are a go originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ApolloJoe BelfioreJoeBelfioreleakleakedleaksMicrosoftMicrosoft Windows PhoneMicrosoftWindowsPhonemobilepostcrossWindows PhoneWindows Phone 8Windows Phone ApolloWindowsPhoneWindowsPhone8WindowsPhoneApolloWP8Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Joe Belfiore kicks off iOS5 'we did it first' contest, sarcasm meter hits 11]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/microsofts-joe-belfiore-kicks-off-ios5-we-did-it-first-contes/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/microsofts-joe-belfiore-kicks-off-ios5-we-did-it-first-contes/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/microsofts-joe-belfiore-kicks-off-ios5-we-did-it-first-contes/#comments Joe Belfiore is hardly average, you know -- he's Windows Phone Program Director at Microsoft. And you don't scale those heights by being the kind of wimp who would just lie down and be trampled over by a herd of new iOS 5 features. No sir. While more timid men might have distracted themselves with minor problems like disappointing sales, Belfiore instead reached deep into that strong place we all discover when we're backed into a corner and pulled out his Twitter login. What ensued was a list of WP features that he feels "flattered" to see imitated by Apple, starting off with that most original of originals: a dedicated camera button. We're guessing it's just a matter of time before Andy Rubin follows suit.

Microsoft's Joe Belfiore kicks off iOS5 'we did it first' contest, sarcasm meter hits 11 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 22:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleimitationiOSiOS5Joe BelfioreJoeBelfioremicrosoftsteve jobsSteveJobstwitterWindows Phonewindows phone 7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7Tue, 07 Jun 2011 22:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Joe Belfiore confirms: Skype coming to Windows Phone 7 'this fall']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/microsofts-joe-belfiore-confirms-skype-coming-to-windows-phone/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/microsofts-joe-belfiore-confirms-skype-coming-to-windows-phone/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/13/microsofts-joe-belfiore-confirms-skype-coming-to-windows-phone/#comments You heard right -- Skype just went from "nowhere near" Windows Phone 7, to "on the roadmap," to "definitely coming this fall." That last tidbit is courtesy of Microsoft's own Joe Belfiore, stating that "Skype will be coming to the Windows Phone 7 platform this fall" while speaking live at MIX 11. We hesitate to act surprised, but given the prior reports that it may be a pipe dream, we're most certainly breathing a bit easier hearing this. Now, if only a WP7 phone would ship with a legitimate front-facing camera...

Microsoft's Joe Belfiore confirms: Skype coming to Windows Phone 7 'this fall' originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Joe BelfioreJoeBelfioremicrosoftmixmix 11mix 2011Mix11Mix2011skypesoftwarevoipwindows phone 7WindowsPhone7wp7Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft Rally Ball demo shows Windows Phone 7, Kinect, Xbox Live living in perfect harmony (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-rally-ball-demo-shows-windows-phone-7-kinect-xbox-li/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-rally-ball-demo-shows-windows-phone-7-kinect-xbox-li/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-rally-ball-demo-shows-windows-phone-7-kinect-xbox-li/#comments Though it's billed strictly as a technology demo -- not something we'll necessarily see in any imminent over-the-air update -- Microsoft showed off a pretty cool demo of how Windows Phone 7's Xbox Live integration could take advantage of Kinect down the road at Steve Ballmer's MWC keynote today. How, you ask? Using the Rally Ball game, a Windows Phone user was shown tossing balls to an on-screen character that's controlled by someone else on an Xbox using a Kinect. Simple, yes -- but perhaps as interesting as the Kinect aspect is the viability of real-time cross-platform gaming that Microsoft seems to be throwing its support behind. Seems like a good way to torture your friends into working out from thousands of miles away, doesn't it?

Update: We have a video of this in action after the break!

Continue reading Microsoft Rally Ball demo shows Windows Phone 7, Kinect, Xbox Live living in perfect harmony (video)

Microsoft Rally Ball demo shows Windows Phone 7, Kinect, Xbox Live living in perfect harmony (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerbelfiorejoe belfioreJoeBelfiorekinectmicrosoftmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011rally ballRallyBallsteve ballmerSteveBallmervideowindows phone 7WindowsPhone7wp7xboxxbox liveXboxLiveMon, 14 Feb 2011 10:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows Phone 7's multitasking uses zoomed-out cards to check on your apps]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/windows-phone-7s-multitasking-uses-cards/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/windows-phone-7s-multitasking-uses-cards/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/windows-phone-7s-multitasking-uses-cards/#comments Want to know how the eventual, inevitable implementation of app multitasking on Windows Phone 7 will look? Wonder no longer: it's cards, which seems to be the way a lot of guys are going after webOS showed how to do it right a couple years back, and it looks hot. To see this in action on WP7, simply hold the back button and you'll get a card-like view of all running apps. Pick your app and you're back where you left off in that one. You can multitask even in games, have Slacker playing in the background, and if you press a volume button while on the home screen you'll get a quickie interface for changing track, pausing, and playing.

Microsoft indicated it didn't previously allow for third-party multitasking due to battery life concerns, but those concerns have been mitigated -- somehow. We're not sure of the API-level details that's letting all this magic happen, but we'll look for those later. All we know right know is that it looks great and we can't wait to try it out for ourselves.

Windows Phone 7's multitasking uses zoomed-out cards to check on your apps originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerjoe belfioreJoeBelfioremicrosoftmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011steve ballmerSteveBallmerwindows phone 7WindowsPhone7wp7Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft shows off WP7's future with multitasking, Twitter integration, and IE9, all coming this year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-shows-off-windows-phone-7s-future-with-multitasking/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-shows-off-windows-phone-7s-future-with-multitasking/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/14/microsoft-shows-off-windows-phone-7s-future-with-multitasking/#commentsMicrosoft shows off Windows Phone 7's future with multitasking, Twitter integration, and IE9, all coming this year We've just barely begun to get ready with Steve Ballmer's keynote at MWC 2011, yet the company's Twitter and press feeds just scooped its main man. It's confirmed that Windows Phone 7 is getting multitasking for third-party apps and a suite of other updates, including Twitter integration and IE9 Mobile. We're still waiting on details on the multitasking, but the company has confirmed a "new wave of multitasking applications" in this next release, though hopefully that means open to all.

Twitter will be integrated into the People Hub, so you can get your real-time "what's for dinner" updates right there. And, of course, Microsoft confirmed IE9 is coming. It'll deliver a "dramatically enhanced web browser experience" thanks to graphics and hardware acceleration that'll make the most of what your handset has to offer. Sounds tasty to us. We're told to expect the update in "early March," which isn't that far away at all.

Continue reading Microsoft shows off WP7's future with multitasking, Twitter integration, and IE9, all coming this year

Microsoft shows off WP7's future with multitasking, Twitter integration, and IE9, all coming this year originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerbelfiorebreaking newsBreakingNewsfeaturefeaturedfeaturesie9internet explorer 9InternetExplorer9joe belfioreJoeBelfioremicrosoftmultitaskingmwcmwc 2011Mwc2011steve ballmerSteveBallmertwitterwindows phone 7WindowsPhone7Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Joe Belfiore live from D: Dive Into Mobile]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/07/microsofts-joe-belfiore-live-from-d-dive-into-mobile/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/07/microsofts-joe-belfiore-live-from-d-dive-into-mobile/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/07/microsofts-joe-belfiore-live-from-d-dive-into-mobile/#comments
We're about to hear from Microsoft's Joe Belfiore at the D: Dive Into Mobile event -- stay tuned, there's no telling what could happen! (copy paste copy paste copy paste copy paste...)

Continue reading Microsoft's Joe Belfiore live from D: Dive Into Mobile

Microsoft's Joe Belfiore live from D: Dive Into Mobile originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all things dAllThingsDcopy pasteCopyPasted: dive into mobileD:DiveIntoMobiledive into mobileDiveIntoMobilejoe belfioreJoeBelfioreliveblogmicrosoftwindows mobilewindows phonewindows phone 7WindowsMobileWindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7wp 7wp7Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive interview with Joe Belfiore, corporate VP of Windows Phone]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/exclusive-interview-with-joe-belfiore-corporate-vp-of-windows-p/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/exclusive-interview-with-joe-belfiore-corporate-vp-of-windows-p/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/19/exclusive-interview-with-joe-belfiore-corporate-vp-of-windows-p/#comments By now you've probably read our in-depth blowout of Windows Phone 7 (and if not, what are you waiting for?). But what you haven't seen yet is our exclusive sit-down with Microsoft's Joe Belfiore, wherein we talk about the ins and outs of the new mobile operating system. We grill the Windows Phone corporate VP about a whole stack of items, and do our very best to make him start crying like a Barbara Walters interview subject (spoiler alert, he doesn't cry). Still, we think there's some good insight here into what the company thinks of its odds in the smartphone wars, and what kinds of features we will (and won't) see when these devices launch this fall. Take a look at the video after the break -- you won't regret it.

Continue reading Exclusive interview with Joe Belfiore, corporate VP of Windows Phone

Exclusive interview with Joe Belfiore, corporate VP of Windows Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exclusiveinterviewJoe BelfioreJoeBelfioremicrosoftmicrosoft windows phone 7MicrosoftWindowsPhone7videowindows mobile 7windows phonewindows phone 7WindowsMobile7WindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft announces Windows Phone 7 Series dev partners and details apps: Sling, Pandora, Foursquare and Xbox gaming (video!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/microsoft-announces-windows-phone-7-series-dev-partners-sling/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/microsoft-announces-windows-phone-7-series-dev-partners-sling/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/15/microsoft-announces-windows-phone-7-series-dev-partners-sling/#comments Microsoft just dropped its first press release of MIX10 on us, and in addition to detailing the Sliverlight and XNA-based Windows Phone 7 Series development situation, we've also got a list of launch software partners and some screenshots of apps in action. There's some heavy hitters here, and everything from games to enterprise apps are represented -- notables include the Associated Press, Citrix, EA Mobile, Foursquare, Namco, Pangeonce, Pandora, Seesmic, Shazam, and Sling. We've seen a handful of this new software in action, so check out the full list and details after the break.

Updating with impressions (and video!) after the break!

Gallery: Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Series apps


Gallery: Windows Phone 7 Series app demos

Continue reading Microsoft announces Windows Phone 7 Series dev partners and details apps: Sling, Pandora, Foursquare and Xbox gaming (video!)

Microsoft announces Windows Phone 7 Series dev partners and details apps: Sling, Pandora, Foursquare and Xbox gaming (video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsbreaking newsBreakingNewsdemofoursquarehush hushHushHushjoe belfioreJoeBelfioremicrosoftmixmix 10Mix10netflixpandoraseesmicslingthe harvestTheHarvestwindows phonewindows phone 7windows phone 7 seriesWindowsPhoneWindowsPhone7WindowsPhone7Serieswp7wp7sxblxblaxbox arcadexbox liveXboxArcadeXboxLiveMon, 15 Mar 2010 13:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Joe Belfiore interview on WMCE - Engadget]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/04/joe-belfiore-interview-on-wmce-engadget/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/04/joe-belfiore-interview-on-wmce-engadget/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/04/joe-belfiore-interview-on-wmce-engadget/#commentsJoe BelfioreIn case you missed it, Engadget ran a great interview with Joe Belfiore on all things WMCE, Vista, HD-DVD and more on Thursday evening. Stephen Speicher got a chance to chat with Joe and the first part of the interview provides the Microsoft insight into topics we've been bantering around as late. Joe provides clarification as well as rationalization on the costly CableCARD certification process for both large and small OEMs. Microsoft's dealings with the satellite television industry get some attention, which is good news for you DIRECTV subscribers. If you were looking for Microsoft's involvement and reasons for Managed Copy (required in HD-DVD, but optional in Blu-Ray), that's in there too. All in all a great first part to the interview with something for everyone interested in high-def.

Joe Belfiore interview on WMCE - Engadget originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 04 Mar 2006 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CableCARDDTVhdHD BeatHD-DVDHdBeatHDTVJoe BelfioreJoeBelfioremanaged copyManagedCopyTVVistaWMCESat, 04 Mar 2006 09:38:00 EST<![CDATA[The Clicker: A sitdown with Microsoft's Joe Belfiore (Part I)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/02/the-clicker-a-sitdown-with-microsofts-joe-belfiore-part-i/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/02/the-clicker-a-sitdown-with-microsofts-joe-belfiore-part-i/http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/02/the-clicker-a-sitdown-with-microsofts-joe-belfiore-part-i/#commentsEvery Thursday Stephen Speicher contributes The Clicker, a weekly opinion column on entertainment and technology:

You might not know the name Joe Belfiore, but chances are you know his work. As the VP in charge of Microsoft's eHome division, Joe has been instrumental in helping to grow Microsoft's dream of a media-rich computing experience into a SKU, Media Center Edition, that at last tally has sold over 6.5 million copies.

This week I sat down with Joe. What did I learn? Quite a bit. I learned that even though Joe is one of the key industry-leaders in the DVR space, his wife wears the remote in their family. I learned that, perhaps, producing a "Digital Cable Ready" computer might not be as difficult as you think. But, most importantly, I learned that if you spend an hour with a fast-talker who is incredibly passionate about his work, be prepared to do some editing.

Below are some highlights from the discussion:

Continue reading The Clicker: A sitdown with Microsoft's Joe Belfiore (Part I)

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The Clicker: A sitdown with Microsoft's Joe Belfiore (Part I) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Mar 2006 22:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresInterviewsJoe BelfioreJoeBelfioreMedia Center PCmedia pcmedia pcsMediaCenterPcmediapcmediapcsThu, 02 Mar 2006 22:35:00 EST