Mary Jo

On September 15, Microsoft released Windows CE 6.0 to manufacturing. Microsoft delivered Beta 1 of CE 6.0, code-named “Yamazaki,” in May. CE 6.0 is expected to be the foundation for the next version of Microsoft’s Windows Mobile platform,which was code-named “Crossbow,” last we heard.

Jim Allchin, co-president of Microsoft’s platforms and systems division (and acting Windows Vista development chief) posted late last week an open letter to software developers on Microsoft’s Vista Development Center Web site. “If you want to ride the wave we’re creating with Windows Vista, the best way is to have your application ready by the […]

Even if you’re already sick of hearing about Microsoft’s Zune portable media player, there are still a few tidbits worth calling out. Microsoft already is dropping hints that there’s a Zune phone coming. Meanwhile, the DRM scheme Microsoft is building into Zune is incompatible with Microsoft’s “Plays For Sure” protected audio and video content. (Thanks […]

Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office Second Edition – or, as we prefer to call it, Microsoft “Cypress” – has hit beta. The new VSTO, which will allow developers to build applications using features that are part of Office 2007, originally was slated to go to beta this summer. Cypress is slated to ship some […]

Microsoft is planning to Web-ify the core of its “Microsoft Works” consumer productivity suite, according to BusinessWeek. (Aha! Maybe that’s what Office Online chief Rajesh Jha meant when he said Microsoft would extend its Office Online offerings to individual consumers.) When we asked for confirmation, a Microsoft spokeswoman said that plan is not set in […]

We now have a few more details on Microsoft’s Zune portable-media players than we did yesterday. The first Zune model, a 30GB player with a three-inch screendue out some time this holiday season, will feature Zune-to-Zune wireless connectivity for sharing full-length sample tracks of select songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures. The devices will come […]

First, it went to a select group of technical beta testers. Then to those who had tested Beta 2. As of September 14, however, Windows Vista Release Candidate (RC) 1 is now available to anyone interested in testing the product. The bits can be downloaded from the Vista Get Ready site. Microsoft’s goal is to […]

The European Commission is not too keen on Microsoft’s decision to bundle its firewall and Security Center into Windows Vista. Guess that explains why Microsoft officials are on a press tour this week, making sure journalists know that Microsoft has decided (as of Vista Release Candidate 1) to make Windows Defender an OEM- and user-selectable […]

We’re not on the briefing list (sniff, sniff). But it sounds like Microsoft is planning to give its Zune iPod competitor its official debut on September 14. Invites to select press and analysts— and hopefully a few key bloggers — supposedly are out. Is there any Zune stone left unturned, hiding a new feature or […]

Volume License Activation 2.0: The Technology No One Talks About: Even though Microsoft has been allowing certain testers to dabble with its next-generation security platform that will control volume-license keys for Vista, Longhorn Server and Office 2007, the company hasn’t allowed testers to talk specifics about it. But we found a few folks with loose […]