For months, mobile-phone users have heard rumors that Windows Mobile 7 might be delayed. However, Microsoft’s mobile operating system may be in the hands of users sooner than expected.
Industry observers expect the software giant to introduce the updated platform next month at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which is where the company launched its latest version, Windows Mobile 6.5.
Microsoft wouldn’t say much about the platform during talks at the Consumer Electronics Show last week, but Microsoft’s Robbie Bach, entertainment and devices division president, did say Windows Mobile 7 will set the bar higher. The operating system is the fourth most popular mobile operating system with 7.9 percent of the global market, according to Gartner.
“We certainly have to expect more from 7,” said Carolina Milanesi, research director of Gartner’s Mobile Devices team. “Microsoft needs to make a drastic change to the user interface rather than evolving from the existing user interface, as was the case for 6.5 from 6.1.”
Facing Competition
Windows Mobile had seven million users in May. In July the number dropped to 6.6 million, but increased again to 7.1 million in October, according to comScore.
By contrast, rivals such as Apple have seen increases in the number of smartphone users. Apple’s iPhone gained 50 percent from May to October, and Research In Motion had a 20 percent increase. Google’s Android mobile operating system has done well with a 30 percent increase.
Windows Mobile 6.5 became available in October 2009, too late to have an impact on the third quarter, according to Gartner.
A Winning Formula
Microsoft needs to focus on making Windows Mobile 7 stand out from the crowd.
“Simplicity and richness are key,” Milanesi said. “Sometimes reaching the right balance between the two is not easy, but this is certainly the winning formula. Microsoft also needs…
Earlier this week we asked you what your email prejudices were. We dug through the comments, and now we’re back to highlight how you feel about certain email addresses and what they say about the people who use them.
Opinions were passionate in comments on the article, and as of the writing of this followup are approaching nearly 500 strong. From among all the comments several clear opinions emerged on the state of email and selecting an email provider and username.
The username you select is vastly more important than the provider you use. [email protected] is preferred to and more respectable than [email protected]—cutesy, offensive, or unprofessional nicknames are big mistakes.
Domains are important, especially in technology-related fields. An AOL address might be just as serviceable as any other address when it comes to sending and receiving mail but to most people in tech fields it says “Hi. I’m from 1996. What is this internet you speak of?”
As an IT exec, I definitely made judgments against prospective hires based on email addresses (as well as a wide array of other factors). It wasn’t uncommon for me to have 100-500 resumes for a single open position, and I didn’t care to rely on HR to sort through them, so I did it myself, and I needed some way to get down to a short-list of around 10 people. As such, it was pretty easy to toss a resume because somebody had a goofy email address. And I would certainly raise an eyebrow at a supposed IT tech who had an AOL.com address. – Mike De Lucia
As an IT manager in the tech field, I have to say that I’m a little prejudice when it comes to using a Hotmail or AOL address for business or on a resume. AOL is a more dated personal email address. Hotmail is known as an email for kids, for people who don’t care if their mail is thrown out if they don’t log in for awhile, and for a spam throwaway address. – Gankaku
More concerning than people using inappropriate emails handles on their resumes? Businesses that don’t have their own domain and personalized email. [email protected] or [email protected] were huge turn offs to readers and many expressed that they would question the professionalism of a company with such an unpolished image and do business elsewhere.
I’m a photographer and also wonder when I see other photographers without a domain name email.
It seems as though they aren’t serious about their career if they haven’t taken the time to create a website and therefore have a domain name email. – veronykah
The flood of comments wasn’t without dissenting opinion by any measure, many commenters weighed in pointing out that it was superficial and judgmental to make snap decisions based on an email address.
I don’t understand the prejudice against hotmail. I’ve had my hotmail address for like 15+ years. Though I’ve had it so long I was able to choose @msn.com for my address. Fortunately I took it over hotmail.com so maybe people don’t look down on me quite so much. When I see a hotmail.com address, I think, ‘wow, that person’s been using email for a long time.’ Read the rest of mrknowitall’s comment here..
One astute observation made by several readers was that it’s a huge hassle to switch email providers so most people never bother. One reader even noted that the hassle-factor could be a big reason why people get defensive:
This issue comes up every now and then, and it always gets people so riled up. People get defensive because so many e-mail services entrench their users – they can’t switch to a new one without a lot of hassle. Read the rest of veblen’s comment here.
As we noted in the original post, email addresses have become ubiquitous and because we had them out so liberally in professional and social situations it is worth taking the time to assess what your email address says about you. Your cute username might have been novel back in high school or college but entering the professional world it’d definitely time to retire SexyStud99 in favor of John.R.Smith.
Like your clothing, your hair style, and your manner of speaking, your email address is part of your personal image. Certainly it’s a type of prejudice that a hiring manager might look over you because you have an “antiquated” email address or a “stupid” username, but that’s not entirely different than a hiring manager being unimpressed that you showed up to a job interview sans a neck tie. Sure it might be unimportant or silly to you and you might say “I wouldn’t want to work at a company that uptight anyhow,” but it’s worth taking into consideration because whether or not a prejudice—big or small!—is fair or reasonable, it is still out there.
Have an email-related story? An awkward moment revolving around an email address? Some insight as someone who handles applications or other hiring processes? Let’s hear about it in the comments.
If your Japanese abilities aren’t quite what they used to be (or if they never existed in the first place), you’re going to have to sadly wait for Valkyria Chronicles 2’s summer USA release like all the other schlubs over here. Japan, however, is getting the game next Thursday, and Weekly Famitsu magazine had the first published review of it this week.
The results? Looking pretty darn good — the game got three 9’s and an 8 for a total of 35 points and a Platinum award.
“The charming, watercolor-like visuals of the previous game have been dulled a bit on the PSP,” wrote one reviewer, “but a mountain of pluses more than make up the difference. The system, which mixes action and simulation elements, is as good as ever and has been further enhanced. You can feel the originality in this game, and I love it.”
The “Return to Ostagar” downloadable content for Dragon Age: Origins has stealthily hit Xbox Live Marketplace, and will be coming to the PC shortly. The DLC, which was unceremoniously delayed last week via a forum post, was released today the same way. Chris Priestly announced that the DLC has come to XBLM, and will be coming to the PC later today. PlayStation 3 Dragon Age fans might have to wait a bit, however, as Priestly gives a vague “later” as the release target for it on that system.
This also comes with a title update for the 360 whether you’ve bought the DLC or not. We expect the PlayStation 3 version will as well, whenever it hits. Some early Ostagar adopters are complaining of minor technical issues, but Priestly assures that once the new Achievements are propagated across Xbox Live, those issues will sort themselves out. We still have no word on what caused the delay in the first place, but at least it didn’t last too long.
With the success of Assassin’s Creed II, Ubisoft is moving more quickly than ever to put out a sequel. In an Investor Relations release, the French publisher promised a ‘new episode of Assassin’s Creed’ in a section titled ‘Initial Infomation on the 2010-2011 Line-up.”
Ubisoft doesn’t reveal much about Assassin’s Creed III, but they do say that it will be “the first in the series to have an online multiplayer mode.” They also confirmed to Gamasutra that it will be a full game, and not a new episode of DLC.
The development team has previously acknowledged that a sequel is inevitable. Among other things, they have suggested that it could star a female assassin and be set in World War II.
Over in Japan this week, Atlus announced that a PSP release for Knights in the Nightmare is currently in the works. The port of Sting’s unique shooter/strategy hybrid (released last April for the Nintendo DS in America) is due out April 22 in Japan.
The PSP port of KITN will have you using the analog stick to control a wisp as it flits across an isometric battlefield, dodging enemy attacks and doling out orders to your fighting units. The DS version relied heavily on the touchscreen for stylus-based control, so it remains to be seen how well this port will handle by comparison.
New to the PSP version is a fully animated opening movie, as well as a tutorial mission to teach you the game system and a “talk collection” library that lets you listen to all the voiced dialogue you’ve heard before.
Bentley’s press conference at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show consisted of two things – the Bentley Mulsanne (which we’ll post about in just a few) and this special-edition Series 51 Continental GTC. The Series 51 package will be available on the Continental range’s GT, GT Speed, GTC and GTC Speed models
What’s so special about the Series 51 package? Well besides the starting price of $192,750 for the GT Coupe model, it provides thousands of configurations available through Bentley’s expansive colour and trim catalogue.
The Series 51 name comes from the year that the first official styling department was established in Crewe by the gifted John Blatchley, who shaped the original and iconic 1950s Bentley Continentals.
BENTLEY MOTORS SHOWCASES NEW FLAGSHIP MULSANNE AND SERIES 51 CONTINENTAL GTC AT DETROIT MOTOR SHOW
* Americas’ motor show debut for new Bentley Mulsanne and Series 51 Continental GTC convertible
* All-new Mulsanne to start at $285,000 in the United States with first deliveries to begin this Fall
* Series 51 specification provides an exciting new design direction for Continental GT and GTC owners
(11 January 2010. Detroit, MI USA) Bentley Motors, the only ultra-luxury manufacturer with a stand alone display at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, pulled the wraps off the all-new Bentley Mulsanne flagship sedan and ‘Series 51′ designer edition of the Continental GTC convertible during the vehicles’ first motor show debut in The Americas.
The new Mulsanne, designed and engineered at Crewe from the ground-up, reaffirms the marque’s intent to create a new flagship Bentley with refined performance and unparalleled levels of luxury with the coach building elegance for which the marque has long been renowned.
The Series 51 Continental GTC represents Bentley exterior and interior styling at its most vibrant and will enable customers to order ‘off the peg’ from an exclusive range created by Dirk van Braeckel’s renowned team of Crewe-based designers.
“The Detroit Motor Show remains an important stop for Bentley on the annual calendar of international motoring events,” said Christophe Georges, President & Chief Operating Officer for Bentley Motors Inc. “Detroit is also the motor show debut for our flagship Mulsanne and the Series 51 Continental in The Americas region – our single largest worldwide – so it is an important opportunity to reach key influencers.
“Our annual NAIAS private customer previews have also proved successful and that proud record looks set to continue especially as we’re the only ultra-luxury manufacturer with a stand alone display this year,” Georges added. “Bentley has a busy year ahead and displaying our Mulsanne and Series 51 Continental GTC among Detroit’s automotive insiders, influencers and customers is central to our launch strategy.”
Flagship Bentley Mulsanne
The Bentley Mulsanne, which goes on sale in the fall of this year, will be priced at $285,000 in the United States. The Mulsanne will offer customers a degree of choice when commissioning their cars which is unmatched in the industry. The luxury Bentley flagship offers a palette of 114 paint colours, 21 carpet colours, nine wood veneers and 24 interior leather hides, all of which will be tanned using a decades-old process to ensure this future classic retains its distinctive scent.
In addition, through Bentley’s bespoke service, unique colours can be developed which will exactly match a customer’s vision and taste. With more standard leather and wood veneer than any other Bentley in the modern era, it is understandable that each Mulsanne will take nine weeks to build.
Bentley’s legendary hand-assembled V8 engine pays homage to its predecessors yet for the new Mulsanne it has been comprehensively re-engineered to employ advanced technologies that deliver unstressed, refined performance. The new Bentley V8 engine is lighter and features cylinder de-activation and variable cam phasing, a combination that can significantly reduce both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Advanced technology is exquisitely packaged within the Mulsanne’s opulent cabin. Behind its heritage-inspired dials and new glass-effect switches lay leading edge features including iPod and mp3 connectivity, Bluetooth and a SIM card reader, as well as a 3G MMI system. Those opting for NAIM’s premium audio system will be treated to the world’s most powerful system fitted to a production vehicle – a 20-channel 2,200-watt experience.
Series 51 Continental GTC
The Series 51 package, available on the Continental range’s GT, GT Speed, GTC and GTC Speed models, will be priced from $192,750 for the GT coupe model. It provides for a virtually bespoke vehicle experience due to the thousands of configurations available through Bentley’s expansive colour and trim catalogue.
Series 51 is named after the year that the first official styling department was established in Crewe by the gifted John Blatchley, who shaped the original and iconic 1950s Bentley Continentals. Every Series 51 car will feature a highly-distinctive interior colour palette and unique exterior design cues.
Bentley’s Colour and Trim team, managed by Melinda – June Jenkins, has designed some specially tailored three-tone interiors which demonstrate the full potential of leather hide colours and showcase the creative application of contrast stitching and piping. The colour combination on the Detroit show car is Imperial Blue as the main and secondary hide, Linen seat and door inserts and Saddle contrast stitching and piping.
Bentley’s designers have also selected a range of premium-quality materials for the dashboard and centre console to complement the three-tone interiors. The Dark and Bright ‘Engine Spin’ aluminium options provide a striking contrast with darker and lighter hide colour choices and a special, limited-edition Amboyna veneer reserved for solely for Series 51.
Both the Continental GT and GTC offer a powerful road presence and the Series 51 cars further accentuate these sporting credentials with some eye-catching exterior styling. A 20″ 14-spoke polished Diamond wheel with a dark centre cap provides Series 51 cars with a purposeful and stylish appearance. The cars will be distinguished by a signature ‘51′ badge on the front wings.
To enhance and personalise the Continental GT still further, a new two-tone paint can be commissioned which complements the contrasting interior configuration. This highly distinctive colour split (with one colour running over the bonnet, roof and flowing down to the boot) is a classic design used on many sporting Bentleys of the past.
Pocketnow has published another comparison between browsing speed on the HTC HD2 and the Google Nexus One, this time using Skyfire on the HD2.
In contrast to the last video, on this occasion Skyfire is much faster at presenting the web page on the Windows Mobile handset compared to the Android version.
Is this a reasonable comparison? Let us know below.
Titanium La Portada es la Actual Torre mas alta de la Republica de Chile, tiene 55p (52 de ellos son habitables) en 200 Mts de altura, fue diseñada por la firma Senarq y costruida por Secncorp & Bethia
Esta torre, sera superada el año 2011 por la Torre Santiago 300 (Torre Gran Costanera de Costanera center) que contara con 70 pisos y 300 metros de altura convirtiendose en la Torre mas alta de Latinoamerica
Aca fotos de esta imponente torre inspirada en una Vela Nautica
*Las fotos no son mias, si a los deños les molesta que las suba, las puedo sacar.
Titanium La Portada es la Actual Torre mas alta de la Republica de Chile, tiene 55p (52 de ellos son habitables) en 200 Mts de altura, fue diseñada por la firma Senarq y costruida por Secncorp & Bethia
Esta torre, sera superada el año 2011 por la Torre Santiago 300 (Torre Gran Costanera de Costanera center) que contara con 70 pisos y 300 metros de altura convirtiendose en la Torre mas alta de Latinoamerica
Aca fotos de esta imponente torre inspirada en una Vela Nautica
*Las fotos no son mias, si a los deños les molesta que las suba, las puedo sacar.
For many years, we’ve wondered why the major labels haven’t gotten in trouble for what appears to be clear price fixing — having all of the major labels band together to both demand identical wholesale pricing and attempt to dictate retail pricing by partners as well. There have been various investigations by both local and federal officials, along with a few lawsuits — but nothing has really gone very far. One lawsuit was tossed out by the district court back in 2008, but in a surprising move, the 2nd circuit appeals court has revived the lawsuit, claiming that the evidence is “sufficient to plausibly suggest” price fixing by the major labels with regards to digital music. So now it goes back to the lower court. I still doubt this will really have much of an impact, but it’s nice to see some recognition of what’s seemed pretty obvious for quite some time.
Splinter Cell: Conviction has had a few delays under its belt. The original game (the one with the rougher-looking Sam Fisher) went through a couple, and the current incarnation was pushed back in mid-2009. It seems Sam
Honda will recall up to 7600 Ridgeline Pickups manufactured between January 17 2005 and June 7 2006 over potential heating, ventilation and air conditioning(hvac) issues.
According to the recall notice released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a wiring harness connector above the front passenger footrest is vulnerable to kicking. A strong kick delivered by a passenger can cause the connector’s terminal to overheat and this can damage the wire insulation or the c… (read more)
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) will release 2009 fourth-quarter and year-end financial results at 6:30 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010.
The release will be available on CAT.com/earnings at about 6:30 a.m. Central Time.
The news release will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) via a Current Report on Form 8-K (Form 8-K) on the date of the release or within four business days after the release, in compliance with applicable SEC rules.
Teleconference and webcast access:
A real-time, listen-only teleconference of the quarterly and year-end results call that Caterpillar conducts with security analysts and institutional investors will begin at 10 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010.
The one-hour conference call can be accessed by telephone from both domestic and international locations, with a listen-only entry code provided below:
To access a telephone replay of this call shortly after the live event, please dial 800-332-6854 (for domestic callers) and 973-528-0005 (for international callers) and enter “5621″ as the conference ID.
This telephone replay will be available for 90 days. The call can also be accessed through CAT.com/IRwebcast.
Listeners should go to the Web site at least 15 minutes before the live event to download and install any necessary audio software.
The transcript from the conference call will be filed no later than Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010, on a Form 8-K with the SEC and available through: CAT.com/SEC_Filings.
For those unable to participate in the live broadcast, the replay will be available through CAT.com/IRwebcast shortly after the live event.
There is no charge to access the webcast. Those without access to the Internet may request a fax of Caterpillar’s transcript by calling 800-228-7717 (U.S. and Canada) or 858-244-2080 (for all other regions).
About Caterpillar
For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent.
With 2008 sales and revenues of $51.324 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.
The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services.
1952 Jaguar C-Type – Click above for high-res image gallery
Lovers of Jaguar sports-coupes – of which there are more than a few here at Autoblog – have only had the XK to subsist on for quite some time now. And a silken cat it is, to be sure, but soon it’ll have company. According to a report from Inside Line, Coventry is proceeding with preparations to launch an oft-rumored and long-speculated new sportscar.
Tentatively dubbed “C-Type” and (unimaginatively) referred to internally as the “small sports car,” the new vehicle will reportedly be based on a new aluminum monocoque chassis. IL indicates that the engine bay will be big enough to accommodate the company’s 5.0-liter V8 (supercharged C-Type R, anyone?), but power is is initially expected to come from a turbocharged V6, developed in-house off the V8’s architecture. Both coupe and soft-top convertible bodystyles are expected to form part of the formula when the new sportscar arrives to take on the likes of the Mercedes SLK, BMW Z4 and Audi TT within the next two years.
While we eagerly anticipate the C-Type’s arrival, our compatriots at IL also report that the rumored XJ coupe – targeting the likes of the Bentley Continental GT and Mercedes CL-Class – is not currently in the running. But given the choice between a small, lightweight sportscar and an oversized coupe, we’ll gladly take the former.
Before Opera Mobile 9.5 Access’s Netfront browser was a real competitor in the then anaemic Windows Mobile browser arena. Unfortunately the browser did not keep up with the times on Windows Mobile, and their latest 3.5 version has not won many over.
It seems Access is now set to bring their latest version Netfront 4.0, which has been seen on the PSP previously, over to Windows Mobile. The software features 20 times faster Javascript performance, smoother page scrolling, animated zooming and panning and other improved browsing features.
Access is set to release the software soon as part of their never-ending beta program (a bit like Opera I guess) and the version released should last for 6 months,
Keep an eye on Access’s website here for the appearance of the software.
The Lady Hawks traveled to Rock Valley and fell, 61-71.
Peggie Parhas led in scoring with 20 points, Noreen Davis added 17 points (including 4 of 7 in 3-point shooting, and Anna Kirchoff contributed 15 point (with 7 of 11 from the free throw line).
The team is now 11-6 overall and 11-5 in conference play.
Former Jon & Kate Plus 8 star Kate Gosselin will return to television in a new TLC reality show later this year, the network said Wednesday.
The still-untitled show will feature the newly-divorced mother of eight as she embarks on “different jobs and tasks and showing how she performs in the different environments,” an network executive told The Wrap.
Shooting on the project is already underway. In December, the blonde was photographed working the lunch counter in a Carolina greasy spoon. Kate’s latest tango with reality will not feature her children or former husband, Jon. In November, TLC pulled the plug on The Gosselin’s docu-series after five seasons and a tabloid-driven infidelity scandal. Jon and Kate divorced last month ending 10 years of marriage.
The sometimes unlucky-in-love Jennifer Love Hewitt will immortalize her greatest love lessons in a new relationship manual, The Dog Ate Cupid, debuting later this year. If you decide to pick it up, be sure to check out the chapter on decorating your catbag with crystals. On last night’s Lopez Tonight, J. Love recalled a heartbreaking split with a former flame. To cheer herself up, the Ghost Whisperer star allowed a friend to “Swarovski-crystal her precious lady.”
“It shined like a disco ball!” she beamed. “I have a whole chapter in there about how women should vajazzle their va-jay-jays.” Jennifer enjoyed the experience so much that she continues to regularly decorate her crotch. “I haven’t had any complaints,” the beauty teased.
Earlier this week we asked you what 
Honda will recall up to 7600 Ridgeline Pickups manufactured between January 17 2005 and June 7 2006 over potential heating, ventilation and air conditioning(hvac) issues. 
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) will release 2009 fourth-quarter and year-end financial results at 
