3 posts tagged “microsoft”
It's been over a year since I've been to Vegas. I'm not complaining because usually I'm there for a trade show and Vegas is not THAT fun when you're there for business. However, I'm getting ready to head over there (down there?) for Mix08 next week and I'm kind of excited. It will be the first trade show with Zumobi and it's actually a pretty cool crowd. But I'll also get to see some old friends in the media that I haven't seen in a long time. I will likely be hanging out at Microsoft's device bar there where Zumobi will be installed on the phones. So if you want to see what Zumobi is like, please stop by. Of course, better yet - if you have a Windows Mobile device you can get it now via your mobile browser at http://get.zumobi.com.
If you download it though, I expect you to come to the forums and let me know what you think. Well, okay, it's more of a "please" come to the forum and let me know.
And before I forget.....Rat City Rollergirls is gearing up for the Fourth Season and tickets are on sale now (go to the site for the link to buy). This is definitely going to be an interesting year, so if you are in the Seattle area and you haven't heard of RCRG, you have now and you have to go at least once. I should also mentioned that our venue capacity has decreased this year, so tickets will likely sell out. As they say, the early bird gets the worm.
I added the Gaping Void widget because i've been a huge fan of him for SO long and it's fun to have his work on your own personal blog, I think. He's very close to Microsoft, especially considering his Blue Monster work, but I think it's because he has close friendships with some Microsofties and he's always had a strong opinion about the tech industry, so good or bad he's been talking about them for years. I've never personally met Hugh, but I would love the opportunity for sure. I remember 'running' into his site back in the day when I did PR for Microsoft's developer division. These days I don't get a chance to keep up on his cartoons and views, so again a perfect solution!
On another note, AT&T announced early this morning availability for the Tilt. Although the Touch, Shift and Advantage have all got considerable buzz online, I think the Tilt really represents a device that HTC is well known for. It's a workhorse among smartphones, realy speedy especially considering 3G connectivity and the innovative flip up screen is well, frankly, just cool. If I wasn't with T-Mobile and have MyFaves, I would totally be using that device as my primary! The device will be available in retails stores tomorrow, and with a two-year contract and mail in rebate, it will run you as low as $299.99. Judie over at Gear Diary has posted her unboxing and will do some subsequent review but to say the least she's very excited about this device. Speaking of Gear Diary, to celebrate their first year anniversary on the web, they are giving away an unlocked TyTN II - which is basically the European version of the Tilt. Go over there now and wish them congrats on their first year and enter to win that TyTN II!
All I can say is October is going to be a crazy busy month for me! Oh yeah, I should say if anyone is going to be at the World Cyber Games in Seattle this weekend, well specifically Saturday. I'll be there hanging out with Xbox, who are having the Rat City Rollergirls there as a promotional appearance! Unfortunately, I don't think we'll be skating or allowed to skate, but drop by and look for Darth Skater!
Rumors of Microsoft "in talks" to buy Facebook are plastered everywhere. As a former MSN Spaces person, and current Facebook user, I'm not so sure how I feel about this. $10 Billion is a LOT of money, an obscene amount of money. Part of me wants to think that MS really must be insane if they are seriously contemplating that dollar amount, while the other part thinks Zuckerberg would be insane not to take the money and run.
But let's really think about that deal.... what would happen to Facebook or rather to the community on Facebook? Plus wouldn't Microsoft be better off looking at a more "global" social networking site for much cheaper? Facebook has a community of 40 million, with about 30 of those being in the US. With the right marketing mix, Microsoft could save money on another site or [brace yourself] build one themselves. I'm not sure whatever happened to a company that used to lean towards building rather than buying. Perhaps we need a little bit of the Blue Monster to inspire on this one. I could make my own opinionated theories on how this one could end in several different scenarios, but let me just wait and see.
In other things, I saw the craziest post today that highlighted how Scientists at the University of Iowa Public Policy Center (that's a mouthful) are testing pay-as-you-drive scenarios. It was an interesting concept, until I found out ultimately about the underlying reason - TAXES. As the government continues to look at more fuel-efficiency on the road, they are also predicting that it will directly impact the imposed gas taxes. Less gas purchsed, less taxes recieved. But yet, they provide tax breaks for purchasing a fuel efficient car...but I won't delve deeper into that irony. The pay-as-you drive testing is basically like a taxi meter and you'll pay taxes based on the mileage you incur in a month. I kind of think that's crazy but it could be just me?
It also got me thinking about what will happen with this scenario once the hybrids really reach mass market? They'll have to get taxes out of me somehow and apparently they are working on that now. I bet we'll even have to pay for the meter to be installed.
