Windows Live Messenger Goes Completely Cross-Platform

Windows Live Messenger, along with the remaining Windows Live products and services, is no longer limited to running on top of Windows Mobile. Microsoft is effectively kicking the Windows Live Mobile Developer Program up a notch, making the mobile versions of the Windows Live services completely cross-platform.
At the Mobile World Congress 2008, the Redmond company announced that the new version of Windows Live Mobile Developer Program will take Windows Live to all mobile phones by offering support for the entire range of device operating systems.

"Our relationships with operators and developers are key to our strategy. By providing developers with access to these platforms, we are enabling operators to provide access to Windows Live services for their customers and make money as well," said Matt Champagne, director, Product Management, Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft. "Our Windows Live @mobile program is all about enabling operators to deploy our services as quickly as possible by providing standard ways to launch our services."

In this context, new features have been added to the Microsoft’s Mobile Services Protocol via the latest updates to the Windows Live Mobile Developer Program. Mobile versions of Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Spaces can be introduced to additional phone operating systems on top of Windows Mobile via a new new software development kit (SDK) made available to developers. On top of the updated Windows Live Mobile Developer, the company also introduced Windows Live @mobile.

"Windows Live @mobile, a program that enables mobile operators to deploy a set of standard Microsoft mobile services such as Windows Live for Mobile and MSN Mobile to their customers quickly and efficiently. These standard deals support different business models, providing operators with several choices, including subscriptions, transactions or advertising so they fit with their existing business or new business ideas. Operators can choose to deploy browser-based services that work on nearly any phone with a data plan or with any of the certified third-party clients developed by Microsoft partners. Currently, @mobile is available in 46 countries and is expanding to additional markets in the next year," Microsoft added.

Micron to Introduce World's Fastest Mobile DRAM Memory

Memory specialist Micron Technology announced that it has started sampling industry’s fastest 512 Mb Mobile DRAM component, that will power the upcoming notebook and ultra-mobile PC systems. Mobile
applications are increasingly growing and demand more and more resources from a version to another, and memory becomes a critical element for the system's overall performance.

Micron's Mobile DRAM meets the mobile users' computing needs by delivering maximum clock speeds of up to 200MHz and impressive data transfer rates of up to 400 Mb/s. The delivered bandwidth will be enough to allow the notebook to engage in memory-intensive applications such as high speed video, 3D rendering or hardcore computing.

"The trend of full-featured mobile products that offer more audio, video and computing functionality only continues to grow, creating an increased demand for memory products that can support these advanced capabilities," said Bill Lauer, senior director of marketing for Micron’s memory group. "With its industry-leading speed, small form factor and reduced power consumption, Micron’s 512 Mb Mobile DRAM is ideal for meeting the requirements of today’s handheld products."

The Micron memory modules are fully compliant to the JEDEC standard 1.8 volt input/output (I/O), but, at the same time, the memory chips allow for a 1.2 volt I/O option that enhances high-speed and high-bandwidth signaling. The memory modules can work in extremely harsh, industrial environments, with temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius.

Micron also plans to mix the 512 Mb Mobile DRAM with NAND flash and Managed NAND parts, in order to offer it in a multi-chip package or a package-on-package stack. Although the company is sampling the first units of Mobile RAM to its selected partners, OEM vendors and system builders, the modules will hit the market during the second quarter of the year. There is no word on pricing yet.

Actiontec MegaPlug AV200: Ethernet-Over-Powerlines Strikes Back

Ethernet-over-powerlines connectivity solutions are gaining more and more popularity as people start to realize that plugging your ethernet cable in a power outlet is not as dangerous as it may seem. While
conventional Ethernet networks make use of the good-old CAT5E cable, the Ethernet-over-powerlines setups use converters placed directly on the wall outlets. The CAT5E cabling is replaced by the powergrid structure itself.

Recently built houses are rigged with all the necessary cabling for your home Ethernet network. The cables are hidden inside walls and connection points are available via the built-in RJ-45 outlets. Older houses do not include built-in Ethernet networking and will surely drive the user mad with rolling all the cable.

The MegaPlug AV 200 Mbps Ethernet adapter offers the convenience of TCP/IP communication but without the need to run CAT5E cables from one point to another. The concept is simple and requires the use of two adapters, each plugged in the wall outlets that power the two computers. The Actiontec MegaPlug AV is shipped in a router-like form factor and promises up to 200 Mb/s data transfer rates. The estimated data transfer rate is much above the rates you will actually get.

The units are typical wall-wart style adapters with three indicator LED lights placed on their case. They indicate the Power, Link and Ethernet states. The units are also rigged with venting slots all the way around the adapter to allow constant ventilation. On the other side, the device is equipped with a standard 2 prong plug, but it lacks the grounding – there is no problem since the unit is all made from plastic.

The adapter also features a female RJ-45 jack that allows connecting a computer, a switch or (wireless) router to the powergrid.

Microsoft Says NO(!) to an Open-Source Windows

Regarded as the anti-Linux poster child, Microsoft's business model is at the opposite end of the spectrum, when compared to open source solutions. And nowhere is this more relevant than when it comes to the company's proprietary platform. The Windows client is not only one of Microsoft's flagship products together with the Office System, but also the main cash cow. And the reason behind the Windows Client Division profitability is the business strategy build around the proprietary Windows operating system.

At the opposite pole, there are the open source community and the Linux platform. Increasingly being accepted as a mainstream alternative to Windows, the Linux operating system is generally offered for free with customers paying for support. Moreover, open source means that access to the Linux bits are free and that there are no restrictions
when it comes down to duplicating, reselling, tampering with the code etc. By contrast each Windows licence, that can cost up to $399 for the Windows Vista Ultimate SKU, only offers the rights to use the operating system on a single machine.

One scenario, that is continually proliferated for Windows, is a potential embracing of open source. Microsoft has shown a bitter disinterest in such a move in the past, and has also reiterated its position with every new occasion. Case in point: Microsoft's Chief Executive Officer, Steve Ballmer, speaking at the company's annual Minority Student Day in Redmond. Ballmer answered a question inquiring of the possibility of an open source Windows platform with a firm NO.

"Well, what does that mean? An open-source version of Windows would mean not only would we publish Windows source code, we would make it free. That's what open source means. We wouldn't be hosting Minority Student Day if we open-source Windows because we wouldn't have enough profit to pay people, let alone invite in people from the community. I'm not saying open-source is a bad thing, but it doesn't pay the bills in this company, so we can't embrace that way of doing things. ... We give out free soda pop to everybody who works here. We make our stuff free, people gotta give back the soda pop -- it's just inconsistent with what we do around here," Ballmer explained as cited by SeattlePI.

Even before Windows Vista was released to manufacturing back in 2006, Microsoft had made available rebranded Talking Rain sparkling water Lemon-Lime flavored as Vista soda. And don't imagine for a minute that the consumption of free beverages over in Redmond is not costing Microsoft a fortune. No less than 7,899,660 cans of juice are drank every year. Do you know how many Windows Vista Ultimate licenses Microsoft has to sell to pay for that?

"Microsoft campus stats: 18,573 Average number of customers served in cafeterias daily, 2637 slices of pizza consumed per day; 7,464,456 cans of soda consumed per year; 7,899,660 cans of juice consumed per year; 3,520,536 cartons of milk consumed per year; 2300 passengers ride the MS shuttles everyday and 10,500 phone calls come into the Microsoft switchboard everyday," revealed Frank Arrigo, Microsoft Corporate Director - WW Partner Lead and ISV DE Role Owner.