Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Microsoft Updates Azure Mobile Services to Support Android


Microsoft Updates Azure Mobile Services to Support Android

windows_azure-windows-phone-apple-ios-android

Microsoft is getting cozy with Google by releasing support for Android apps into its Windows Azure Mobile Services. This move allows developers to add authentication and push notifications to Microsoft's cloud service. Previous to this release, Azure Mobile Services supported Windows Phone 8, iOS and Windows 8. According to a blog post by Microsoft Product Manager Miranda Luna,

"We're committed to making it easy for developers to build and deploy cloud-connected applications for every major mobile platform using their favorite languages, tools, and services, and we will continue to make product improvements and pursue partnerships that allow us to keep that promise."

The release comes after some requests from Azure developers, who caught Microsoft's attention on their uservoice page by asking for support for Android. The request has gathered 55 votes so far, making it a popular request. Microsoft has answered by releasing their Android SDK for Windows Azure package on Github, which is open source. Developers running Android can now use the platform with no worries.

Also included in the update is support for Windows Azure Mobile Services to the East Asia region of its cloud, giving Microsoft a total of four supported data-center hubs. Microsoft's existing hubs are located in the East and West U.S., and North Europe.

[Via:The Register]

Microsoft Updates Azure Mobile Services to Support Android originally appeared on IntoMobile.com on 2013-03-06T01:05:18Z. FV1gMYsz9b5j


Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IntoMobile/~3/nHXmwZm0TYk/






Monday, March 4, 2013

Microsoft planning 'next release' of Windows Phone for this holiday season


Microsoft planning 'next release' of Windows Phone for this holiday season



A new job listing over at Microsoft has revealed when the outfit is planning to serve up the next iteration of its smartphone OS. According to the post, work on the current version is being finished up and they're "getting ready for our next release targeting the holiday of this year." Presumably, the update will be part of the wider Blue umbrella of tweaks for Windows. Though a vague "next release" doesn't offer any details in terms of features, it's likely the OS will carry a significant set of changes as the team in need of a developer is responsible for the Start screen experience, the shell, first party apps and more.



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Via: WMPoweruser



Source: Microsoft

[From Microsoft planning 'next release' of Windows Phone for this holiday season]

Friday, March 1, 2013

Microsoft brings Photosynth to Windows Phone 8, touts new camera integration and controls


Microsoft brings Photosynth to Windows Phone 8, touts new camera integration and controls

Microsoft brings Photosynth to Windows Phone 8, touts new camera integration and controls

It certainly took a little longer than Photosynth fanatics had hoped, but Microsoft's highly-rated application is available on Windows Phone 8 at long last. Just as we'd heard, Photosynth will seamlessly integrate with the WP8 Lens, allowing users to easily launch the panorama features without having to leave the main shooting interface. In addition, Microsoft gave the app a couple more boosts, including the ability to quickly adjust to different lighting scenarios thanks to more white balance and exposure locking controls, as well as making it easier to view Photosynths your dear friends would like you to see via Twitter, Facebook or email. Eager to give it a go? Then look no further than the source link to see what the Mango crowd has been enjoying for months.

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Source: Photosynth


Original Page: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/01/microsoft-photosynth-windows-phone-8/






The ever-expanding smartphone screen: how supersized became everyday


The ever-expanding smartphone screen: how supersized became everyday

Ever expanding smartphone screens

It used to be that any smartphone screen beyond three inches was considered big -- and it was, for an audience still weaning itself off of flip phones and PDAs. Flash-forward several years, however, and we're to the point where many won't even consider less than a 4-inch screen, and the once-unfathomable 5-inch display is quickly becoming the de facto standard for high-end models. It's clear that many of us like our phones supersized, Zack Morris style. But when the 6.1-inch Ascend Mate is a reality, and Mobile World Congress or future events may push the boundaries even further, there's still a worry that the focus on successively bigger displays might have gone too far. Have we pushed too hard for more glass? Or are we witnessing a wholesale shift away from the smartphone as we once knew it? There's truth to both sides. Follow along as we look at how smartphones have swelled over time, and how we're learning to love (or cope with) their dimensions.

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Original Page: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/01/the-ever-expanding-smartphone-screen/






Nokia CEO issues warning to BlackBerry: ‘I’m very interested in BlackBerry customers’


Nokia CEO issues warning to BlackBerry: 'I'm very interested in BlackBerry customers'

Steven Elop Interview
BlackBerry (BBRY) has clearly seen some early success with its next-generation BlackBerry Z10 smartphone, but there are still a number of barriers on the road ahead. BlackBerry 10 targets consumers and business customers alike, but while many saw a certain level of enterprise success as a sure thing just 12 months ago, increased competition from the likes of Apple (AAPL) and Samsung (005930) may be disconcerting. Adding further fuel to the fire, Nokia (NOK) CEO Steven Elop recently confirmed that he too is gunning for BlackBerry's business user base.

Continue reading...

Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBoyGeniusReport/~3/DJ62VDu8av4/






Nokia CEO issues warning to BlackBerry: ‘I’m very interested in BlackBerry customers’


Nokia CEO issues warning to BlackBerry: 'I'm very interested in BlackBerry customers'

Steven Elop Interview
BlackBerry (BBRY) has clearly seen some early success with its next-generation BlackBerry Z10 smartphone, but there are still a number of barriers on the road ahead. BlackBerry 10 targets consumers and business customers alike, but while many saw a certain level of enterprise success as a sure thing just 12 months ago, increased competition from the likes of Apple (AAPL) and Samsung (005930) may be disconcerting. Adding further fuel to the fire, Nokia (NOK) CEO Steven Elop recently confirmed that he too is gunning for BlackBerry's business user base.

Continue reading...

Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheBoyGeniusReport/~3/DJ62VDu8av4/






Android 4.2.2 code now pushing to Android Open Source Project


Android 4.2.2 code now pushing to Android Open Source Project

Android 4.2.2

Google open-source guru Jean-Baptiste Queru has announced on the Android Building group that the Android 4.2.2 source code will shortly begin pushing to AOSP -- the Android Open-Source Project. The build number is the same as what's now being pushed to Nexus devices -- JDQ39  -- and the tag is android-4.2.2_r1.

In addition, proprietary bits for all supported devices have been published online, and Android 4.2.2 factory images are also available from Google's developer site. Significantly, JBQ points out the Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 (all variants) now have a full set of proprietary binaries available online, bringing full AOSP support to these devices.

Good news for those wanting to roll their own Android, as well as anyone looking forward to Android 4.2.2 ROMs for other devices. Download info for the Nexus binaries can be found at the link below.

More: Google Developers




Original Page: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/vxbgrZfAO1A/story01.htm