Microsoft Now Holds 10,000 Patents

Microsoft is marking on Tuesday the recent awarding of its 10,000 US patent, granted for its surface computing technology.

U.S. Patent No. 7,479,950 outlines how users can place objects, ranging from cell phones to fingers, on the surface computer's table-like display and the computer will identify the objects and track their position, orientation, and motion, Microsoft said. This allows objects to be associated with data or media, such as a collection of music or photos.

Microsoft was granted 2,000 patents in 2008, ranking it fourth among companies receiving US patents, Microsoft said. The company spends about US$8 billion a year on research and development.

"Most technology companies, Microsoft included, have been increasing their emphasis on IP in recent years, trying to derive greater business value from their intellectual assets," said Bart Eppenauer, chief patent counsel for Microsoft, in a statement released by the company.<<

Nokia Considers Entering the Laptop Market

Nokia's CEO says the handset maker is contemplating a move into the laptop market as a way to expand its business. While there have been rumors that Nokia has been considering making laptop PCs, it's the first time a company official has confirmed an interest in the notebook market.Nokia's comments come a week after No 3 PC brand Acer launched a foray into the phone business with eight cellphone models, joining leader Hewlett-Packard and No. 4 Lenovo in the high-growth space.
While strong profit margins in the smartphone industry attract PC brands, the attraction of the low-margin computer industry is less obvious.
"Nokia maybe nervous about entering a market segment that is already heavily commoditized, but it would be in a position to exploit its enormous scale in manufacturing, supply chain and distribution," said Ben Wood, research director at CCS Insight.

The death of the digital camera moved a step closer after Sony Ericsson unveiled the world's first mobile phone with a built-in 12.1-megapixel camera<

Sony Ericsson's new handset could render digital cameras obsolete by offering as many megapixels as many semi-professional and consumer cameras.
The Idou will also compete directly with Apple's hugely popular iPhone, and features a 3.5in widescreen touch-screen and powerful flash for high quality photos. It also has all the capabilities of Sony Ericsson's Walkman range of phones, which means it can be used for music and video playback as well as taking pictures. The device will run the Symbian mobile phone operating system, and users will be able to download extra software and applications to their device.
"The Idou is certainly an impressive change in direction for Sony," said Ernest Doku, a consultant with mobile phone comparison site Omio.com. "Sony has produced a slick, feature-rich handset to combat the iPhone's dominance, and Idou is bound to make waves with its built-in 12-megapixel camera.
"If you want one phone that can be a high-end camera, a fully-featured MP3 player and a robust mobile handset, then the Idou could be the only sensible choice."
Sony Ericsson's announcement comes just as Mobile World Congress, a huge technology conference focusing on mobile devices and services, gets underway in Barcelona, .
Over the next three days, mobile phone manufacturers from around the world will be showing off their latest handsets, and unveiling plans for new products and services that will help them compete with the all-conquering iPhone. Apple has sold more than 17 million units of it flagship device since July 2007, and it has raised the bar in terms of what consumers have come to expect from their phones.
In addition to the Idou, Sony Ericsson also showed off the W995, a mobile phone with 8.1-megapixel camera and Walkman music player. From various Soures

Microsoft has unveiled the latest version of its Windows operating system.

Microsoft is planning to ship its next major version of






Microsoft has unveiled the latest version of its Windows operating system.

It promised that it will deliver a better experience for users when it arrives sometime late next year.

Windows 7 follows Vista, which Microsoft claims has been a success, but which has been subject to fierce criticism from a number of users.

The system was demonstrated at the company's Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles.

Senior vice-president Steven Sinofsky described it as an "exciting new version of Windows" and claimed it would deliver a more personalised experience.

Windows--known internally as version "7"--within roughly three years, CNET News.com has learned.
The company discussed Windows 7 on Thursday at a conference for its field sales force in Orlando, Fla., according to sources close to the company.

While the company provided few details, Windows 7, the next client version of the operating system, will be among the steps taken by Microsoft to establish a more predictable release schedule, according to sources. The company plans a more "iterative" process of information disclosure to business customers and partners, sources said.

Windows Vista, the oft-delayed most recent release of Windows, shipped to businesses in November and to consumers in January after more than five years of development. Vista's gestation period was marked by shifting product details as internal priorities changed and problems arose with development.

Like Vista, Windows 7 will ship in consumer and business versions, and in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The company also confirmed that it is considering a subscription model to complement Windows, but did not provide specifics or a time frame.

Next up on Microsoft's agenda is Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista, which is expected before year's end.

The discussion of Windows' future isn't surprising, given that Microsoft has been criticized by business customers for delays related to Vista. Many business customers pay for Microsoft's software under a license agreement called Software Assurance.

Windows 7 was previously known by the code name Vienna. A Microsoft representative confirmed that Windows 7 is the internal code name for the next client release of Windows. The details were released "as part of our ongoing outreach to enterprise customers and partners, Microsoft has begun sharing plans for how they will continue to deliver value to businesses in the future?Software Assurance customers in particular," a representative said in a statement via e-mail.

"Microsoft is scoping Windows 7 development to a three-year time frame, and then the specific release date will ultimately be determined by meeting the quality bar," according to the representative

Brainwave controlled Force Trainer requires concentration!

Uncle Milton has designed a gaming device based on brainwave control. This Star Wars-themed tube called “The Force Trainer” requires a wireless analyzer to be worn around the head, now the brainwave control would need you to concentrate in order to raise the ping-pong ball up this 10-inch vertical tube. The more you concentrate, the fan underneath would spin faster and push the ball up. Well, if you’re really in for it, just wait until late this year, but be ready to shell around $100 anyway.