instantwebmeetings.com - Internet Video Collaboration, emeetings, E Learning with internet video classes, Internet Video Meeting Rooms - Instantwebmeetings : Austria & UK

Microsoft: Games to be front and center for Windows Phone 7 | ZDNet

atulabraham — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:32:49 +0000

Microsoft: Games to be front and center for Windows Phone 7 | ZDNet

instantwebmeetngs.eu, internet video collaboration

Cannibalize Business Development by Popularizing your API

atulabraham — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:18:35 +0000

The great fad of the last several years is self-serve and the ability to scale the distribution and access to your technology, product, service or data. The Twitter API, Facebook Connect, Yelp API for reviews, Youtube Embed codes, Google Maps API, you name it. And everyone knows the APIs out of the media darling’s Foursquare, Zoho and Dropbox.

more >>

instantwebmeetings.eu, online video collaboration

The Top Three hottest new majors for a career in technology : Microsoft JobsBlog

atulabraham — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:07:52 +0000

The Top Three hottest new majors for a career in technology : Microsoft JobsBlog

instantwebmeetings.eu, internet video collaboration

Google Shows the Future of Browser Games

atulabraham — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 09:22:38 +0000

Earlier today at GDC Europe, which takes place before Gamescom this week in Germany, Google’s new game developer advocate Mark DeLoura and Chrome developer advocate Michael Mahemoff talked about Google’s major entry into the browser game space with its app store for Chrome. Set to launch this October, the store aims to make a proper marketplace for browser games — one that solves a lot of the issues of games on the web today, from discovery to monetization.

First, Mark discussed the benefits of Chrome for browser gaming (mainly its speed) and why developers should be excited about its app store, which you can watch in the video highlight below. After that, we’ll walk you through the rest of their presentation.

After the intro about Chrome and why developers would want to create content for the app store, the two spoke about all of the technologies that will aid developers in making browser-based games and the features of the app store itself.

Mark shows how the store will work. It’ll use Google Checkout to keep purchases simple.

This is what the latest version of what the app store looks like.

This is an individual game page on the store. It’ll have customer reviews and you’ll be able to see your friends’ ratings.

Google explains what it means by web apps.

Google stressed how easy it will be for publishers to publish content via their service. There is no approval process for getting content posted.

Unlike typical digital stores, in which a content publisher usually keeps about 70 percent of the profit, Google isn’t seeking a rev share — only a 5% processing fee. Google will also allow free games, but not games that require you to pay later. It isn’t ready to handle Microtransactions for launch, but will later on (in the meantime gamemakers can use their own solutions).

One of the flash games that runs great in Chrome, Plants vs. Zombies.

Google also showed off a flash version of Lego Star Wars.

Google said it’s interested in a lot of classic games — they showed a port of Nethack.

Then Michael Mahemoff came out to talk about developing games using HTML5 and associated technologies.

He talked about how much HTML has evolved; how there are so many more common libraries now.

He also talked about how members of the Google Web Toolkit team did a port of Quake II using HTML5.

Michael then discussed how the web began as sort of a black art, but now lots of libraries are available.

He mentioned Atwood’s Law: “Any application that can be written in JavaScript, will eventually be written in JavaScript.” Essentially, he pointed out that if games can be written for browsers, they will be.

Michael highlighted FreeCiv.net, a multiplayer strategy game playable in a browser.

This was an example of what’s possible with CSS these days; the fail whale demo, in which the Twitter whale was entirely accomplished via CSS.

Another example, this time the game Lemmings accomplished with absolute positioning (!).

Google’s own Pac-Man stunt was done with HTML5.

One of the benefits of browser-based games is that you can easily include web content inside a game, or web-based widgets or modules.

Of course, Google took the opportunity to show off video playing in HTML5.

Google also discussed how Web GL (apps that can take advantage of your computer’s hardware) and C++, a language many developers are already well versed in, being used for browser-based games will be incredibly exciting for the space. Obviously, Google’s presentation was a big pitch for developers to support Chrome and its app store initiative, but it was neat to see just how much is possible via the browser these days. We’ll have further updates on the app store as it nears its launch this fall.

source >>

instantwebmeetings.eu, internet video collaboration

Why Apple’s iTV Will Change Everything

atulabraham — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:08:16 +0000

The rumor: Apple will be releasing a revamped/renamed version of their ‘Apple TV’ set-top box, called ‘iTV’. The box will run the Apple iOS (same as the iPhone/iPad), and be priced around $99.

Why will this change everything?

iOS TV Applications: Expect to see an iPhone/Pad like marketplace for television applications. Video sharing/streaming/recording apps, interactive news apps, and of course games.
a la carte (app) stations: With Apple’s iAds, content producers …
more >>

instantwebmeetings.eu, internet video collaboration

Kindle Outselling iBooks 60 To 1

atulabraham — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:58:28 +0000

If you follow the ebook market you were likely stunned this June when Steve Jobs claimed to have captured 22% of the electronic book market overnight with the release of iBooks and iPad. Many of us who watch this market with careful eyes were leery of the numbers that Jobs was tossing around, they sounded too good to be true.

Now authors are a fun lot, but it is usually quite difficult to pry numbers out of them. There is a wonderful exception to that rule in the fiction market, J. A. Konrath, whose personal blog is a treasure trove of advice and commentary for and to young and upcoming authors. Konrath is bullish on ebooks, and is making a killing selling his books that used to be in paperback on Kindle and other platforms for $2.99 a piece. It’s transformed his life as a mid-list author into something much more: a very financially successful man.

more >>

instantwebmeetings.eu, internet video collaboration

25 must-have iPhone apps, according to Jason Hiner

atulabraham — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:20:55 +0000

25 must-have iPhone apps, according to Jason Hiner

internet video collaboration, instantwebmeetings.eu

Back to school tech: The 2010 do-it-yourself guide

atulabraham — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 20:15:33 +0000

There is a distinct problem with recommending ‘back to school’ technology and gadgets, especially to the Generation Y. By definition, young consumers are not always swayed by the most popular, and often retain a high level of free choice - even if it’s different, quirky or unconventional.

Every year, news networks and blog sites go crazy for back to school gadgets, software, hardware and the like - and for good reasoning. Even though a year has passed, a lot has changed. We didn’t have the iPad this time last year, and that’s changed the entire spectrum of mobile device productivity.

So instead of pontificating to the masses and stating what you should and shouldn’t buy for the upcoming academic year, I’ll give you a few ideas of where to focus and allow you to find the best deals (before the rush kicks in and the prices go up) and you can find the best based on consumer and site reviews, popularity, reliability, support, compatibility and of course - price.

Handy tip: Try and use Amazon in your locale as a good benchmark when buying tech products. You don’t need to buy from Amazon but the product reviews, data and information is most handy. Don’t necessarily focus on the good reviews; check out the bad ones too, because these can raise unspoken compatibility issues you wouldn’t find elsewhere and gives you a sense of balance and perspective from your peers.

Moving into halls of residence on campus?

You’re probably a first year if you’re living on campus. Not all tech works in campus accommodation, and be mindful of the fact you’ll probably only have a couple electrical plug socket!

Netbook: they’re cheap, they are tough, they will last you all day on campus and perhaps more, and are good enough for the vast majority of things that you need it for. Plus, if you are one for open-source operating systems, netbooks are often sold without a Windows license so it cuts down the price dramatically.
Games console: when you start university in a completely new setting, brand new people and no idea where to start, remember the iGeneration gaming culture. Consider which console is the most popular amongst your corridor, block or friendship group and go with that choice. Gaming is a big aspect of modern day socialising, and it’s important to wind down and have down-time too. This gives you the best of both worlds.
Digital voice recorder: many lectures are recorded nowadays but some lecturers avoid it because of copyright and intellectual property - or rather, that’s the excuse they give. Not only is it useful to go over your recorded lecture notes at the end, it puts you back exactly where you were to refer to it later. Just don’t get a digital voice transcriber; write your notes up and commit it to memory, because come exam term you will need it.
Wireless headphones: rocking out in your dorm doesn’t have to be restricted by wires which tether you to the table where your laptop is. Wireless headphones give you the freedom to bring out your air guitar and bop it out. Plus, it doesn’t distract your fellow flatmates and blocks out the noise that they will inevitably make.

And for those who want to splash out with extra cash, these are definitely far from necessary but still cool to have:

E-reader: look at your reading lists and see where your books can be downloaded from in an e-reader format. This way you won’t be stuck with an expensive paperweight. Also consider getting one with wireless network capabilities, and don’t be too tempted by the all-singing, all-dancing iPad.
Digital camera: consider a compact flash camera than a full DSLR, as compact flash cameras are point-and-click and compatible with more novice photographers than the latter. Plus, they’re much cheaper and sometimes aren’t covered under home insurance policies. (CNET has some good quality advice, though some of these are a little out of the student price range).
Pocket projector: no student will actually need one, but the cool factor is beyond the scale. Just think of what pranks you can pull - perhaps during nighttime hours and with the side wall of the library…

Don’t get a wireless router or any device which relies on a wireless connection. The chances are in halls, you won’t get wireless signal and will have to rely on a single Ethernet port in your room. Sure, you could buy a wireless device but these are often restricted (and usually very securely) and don’t work from your study bedroom to prevent bandwidth abuse.

Source

internt video collaboration, instantwebmeetings.eu

Image Gallery: 90 images of Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Technical Preview

atulabraham — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:18:38 +0000

Windows Phone 7 developer phone from Samsung
Microsoft reached a major milestone with development of Windows Phone 7 and has devices loaded with the Technical Preview that will be sent to thousands of developers. We have one of these in hand and it is performing near flawlessly at this time, which is a good sign of things to come from Microsoft as they get back in the game. Windows Phone 7 has a rather unique user interface and is designed to help you work better without focusing on the individual application approach seen on the iPhone. Check out the 8 page article and 6 videos that go with this image gallery, Definitive Guide to the Windows Phone 7 Technical Preview.

Source

Microsoft Launches Outlook Facebook Integration [Exclusive]

atulabraham — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:07:58 +0000

Microsoft is announcing today that it has integrated Facebook () and Windows Live Messenger () into Outlook, bringing the streams of millions of Facebook users into inboxes across the world.

Last year, Microsoft launched Outlook Social Connector, a plugin that syncs social networking feeds with your Outlook contacts, giving you immediate data on what they are doing and thinking. It started last year with LinkedIn () integration, but soon the company announced MySpace and Facebook were coming.

Today, Outlook completes the cycle with not only Facebook integration, but support for Windows Live Messenger as well. Not only that, but the company is releasing the plugin for Outlook 2003 and 2007 users as well, bringing Facebook, MySpace (), LinkedIn, and Windows Live Messenger to millions of business and personal inboxes worldwide.

Last week, we got a sneak peek at the new Outlook at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Here’s what you can expect from the new Facebook integration, as well some features that you can expect in the near future:

Facebook + Outlook = Realtime Contact Data

Facebook and Microsoft worked together to get the launch of Facebook’s integration in Outlook Social Connector right. Facebook’s Strategic Partner Manager Rick Armbrust told us that they worked closely with the Office team to make the experience more social. One of the things he immediately highlighted was the pulling of Facebook profile pictures into Outlook.

The entire experience is a step above the Outlook-LinkedIn integration, which itself was pretty strong. Not only does it pull Facebook profile photos so that you can associate a name to a face, but it pulls the news feeds of your contacts into your inbox. When you’re looking at someone’s email, you’ll also get a glance at their status updates, picture uploads and wall posts, among other activities.

When you combine that with LinkedIn, MySpace, Windows Live Messenger, and Outlook data, you get a very detailed history of your interaction with your contacts, as well as an at-a-glance look at their activities and interests. Knowing that a potential client just returned from a trip to Hawaii can be all that you need to have the upper hand against your competition.

Microsoft Group Product Manager Paco Contreras told us that there’s another new feature to the Facebook integration: realtime updates. Thanks to a new update to the social connector platform, also being released today, updates from your contacts will automatically be pushed to your inbox. There’s no need to refresh anything: new Facebook status updates will pop up in realtime within Outlook.

The Facebook integration does have limitations, though: except for friend requests, Outlook can only pull data from Facebook. There is no “liking” posts or updating your status via Outlook, at least right now. Microsoft says that the next step is to provide a richer social experience by integrating the ability to push data to other social networks, improving the look and feel of Outlook Social Connector, and adding other social networks from other regions.

The Social Inbox

Microsoft has known for a while that social technologies are going to dominate the web. That was made evident by its $240 million stake in Facebook and its many partnerships and attempts at social media (some of which have bombed).

However, Outlook Social Connector has always felt like one of the company’s smarter social media plays. Facebook’s Rich Armbrust probably put it best:

“What’s unique is that it’s bringing social elements and context from Facebook form your colleagues and your friends into the Outlook experience, which is pretty unique given that there are so many that use Outlook as their primary communiction tool.”

Email isn’t inherently a “social” experience (it’s not a one-to-many platform), and attempts at integrating social into the inbox (think Google Buzz) have mostly fallen flat. However, social data can be incredibly useful in the business world, especially when you need to understand what your client or colleague is thinking or doing right now. While we’d still love to see Twitter () integration in Outlook, Facebook is far larger and, in most cases, has far more useful information.

Microsoft’s also learned a few lessons from the privacy fiascos Facebook and Google () have undergone in recent months. Outlook will only pull data from emails connected to Facebook accounts. If your business email isn’t linked to your Facebook, your data stream won’t appear in Outlook Social Connector. It gives users a choice, although most people do choose to add their work emails to Facebook in order to join their company’s Facebook network.

If you want to learn more about the announcement, Microsoft has also released a short video articulating Outlook’s new features:

Facebook Outlook Social Connector Announcement Video

internet video collaboration, instant web meetings, atul abraham