Last year I attended the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but unfortunately I do need to miss one of the best technology shows on the planet this year. Since I’m passionate about Windows Phones and other Microsoft products I didn’t want to miss the Microsoft CES 2010  keynote with Steve Ballmer and Robbie Bach.

While Steve Ballmer announced to the public that the HTC HD2 will become available in the US via T-Mobile in upcoming spring, I was far more excited by an announcement made by Robbie Bach, President, Entertainment & Devices Division @ Microsoft: “Project Natal for Xbox 360“.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFrvHSEQKTU

What is Project Natal for Xbox 360 ?

While the video above of the announcement describes Project Natal for Xbox 360 pretty well, but you might want to look at a Project Natal definition from the Wikipedia page:

“Project Natal is the code name for a “controller-free gaming- and entertainment experience” by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 video game platform. Based on an add-on peripheral for the Xbox 360 console, Project Natal enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without the need to touch a game controller through a natural user interface using gestures, spoken commands,or presented objects and images. The project is aimed at broadening the Xbox 360′s audience beyond its typically hardcore base.”

Both the video and the definition shown that Project Natal for Xbox 360 is a complex but very challenging innovation from a technical- and scientific perspective. In the Project Natal video above you can see some behind the scenes with the some Project Natal team members, each having a different professional- and educational  background !! I think this story tells it all …

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9tmr8VDqN8

Some concluding thoughts about Project Natal

I used to play with the Atari 2600 “gaming console” as a child, but I have never really played a lot on gaming consoles. However yesterday the little child in me woke up yesterday after I saw the announcement and demo of this technical masterpiece.

Some critics might say that the first steps into a different way of interacting with the gaming console were set by the Nintendo Wii Console. This might be true, but the types of games and “game-richness” on a Nintendo Wii Console totally differ from the types of games on the Xbox 360 or the Sony PlayStation 3. Furthermore the Nintendo Wii Console still requires a kind of controller, despite the form may differ from the traditional controllers.

The Project Natal video above provides some realistic scenario’s which outline the new way of interaction between man and machine. I really like the part where the skateboard is scanned and loaded into the game so the boy can ride his own skateboard in the game, or the steering, clutching and tire changing in the racing game.

I think it is fair to say that Microsoft has developed a great new technology for the Microsoft Xbox 360 with Project Natal. In order to further boost the return on investment (ROI) on this excellent outcome of Microsoft Research, I started to think if there are different applications in other markets within the Microsoft Ecosystem.

I can think of future scenarios where you can control the machines in your kitchen, or interacting with your home electronics or I can even think of scenarios in the car industry. This might sound like future mapping, but I honestly do believe that Microsoft has a powerful technology in their hands with great potential. I hope we can see some results in the future.

“Microsoft tonight announced it would start shipping its Natal gesture and voice controller for the Xbox 360 game console in time for the Christmas holiday shopping season.”

Like you can read in the LA Times article above,  Robbie Bach, President, Entertainment & Devices Division @ Microsoft tonight announced that Project Natal is available for consumers early 2010. In other words this is soon, and I’m definitely gonna see if I can replace the good old Atari 2600 memories with a brand new Microsoft Xbox 360 (Elite) gaming console, of course combined with the Project Natal add-on !!

HTC recently announced two touch-based devices:  HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 at MWC 2009 earlier this year.  ”Has HTC forgotten the Windows Mobile Standard users ?” The answer is certainly NO, since today the HTC SNAP is announced as a successor of the extremely popular HTC Excalibur. This article will provide an overview of the HTC SNAP specifications and a focus the clever and innovative features.

Specifications

To introduce the HTC SNAP let’s have a look at the picture above, and the specification list below.

• Processor:  Qualcomm MSM 7225, 528 MHz
• OS:  Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard
• Memory:  256MB ROM, 192 MB RAM
• Memory Expansion:  SDHC capable MicroSD slot
• Dimensions:  116,5 mm. x 61,5 mm. x 11,9 mm. (L x W x T)
• Weight: 119,9 grams (including battery)
• Display: 2,4″ QVGA (320×240)
• Battery:  1500mAh Li-Ion 
• Network:  HSDPA – WCDMA 900/1200 MHz,  GSM - GPRS - EDGE 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
• Connectivity:  Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, GPS / AGPS
• Camera:  2.0 megapixel, with video capture
• User interface:  full exposed QWERTY keyboard (with offset keys), and Jog ball
• Operating times:  Talk time up to 8.5 hours GSM / up to 5 hours WCDMA, Standby time up to 15.8 days GSM / up to 20 days WCDMA

At first I have to admint that both the picture as well as the specification list above get me really excited about the HTC SNAP. First thing I noticed is the extremely fast but energy friendly Qualcomm MSM processor running at 528 MHz. A while ago a video leaked on YouTube, which shows the fast speed and responsiveness of the device. Second one of the problems I always experience is, that you can’t have enough battery power. The HTC SNAP gets standard a 1500 mAh under the battery-cover, which results in a great standby- and talktime. Finally HTC has implemented some great hardware on the HTC SNAP in terms of daily use or user interface perspective. The HTC has a large front-facing full QWERTY keyboard, with dedicated hotkeys for messaging, e-mail and Inner Circle (which I will talk about in a minute).

“The full QWERTY keyboard is ergonomically designed with extra-large domed keys and responsive tactile feedback to make typing emails and text messages fast, accurate and comfortable.” [ref01]

The full QWERTY keyboard has off-set keys, which is also the case on the keyboard of the  HTC  Touch Pro 2. Thumbs up for HTC on this one, since it makes life easier for heavy e-mail and messaging people. Another remarkable piece of hardware is the Jog Ball, which replaces the directional pad (on the HTC Excalibur) and makes fast navigation a piece of cake. I must say that this trackball is very well implemented on the Blackberry devices, so I expect the same experience on the HTC SNAP.

Inner Circle Feature what is it?

“A recent study conducted by Harris Interactive® and commissioned by HTC* found that 44% of US adults are often overwhelmed by the amount of email they receive, and over half (55%) of US adults prioritize five or fewer people with whom they communicate via email. In response to these issues, HTC’s innovative Inner Circle feature allows HTC Snap users to  press a dedicated Inner Circle key to bring emails from a preselected group of people to the top of their inbox, enabling important messages to be acted upon immediately.” [ref01]

I think this innovative feature is very helpful for business users in particular. While you would normally do a quick scan and put some follow-up flags in Microsoft Pocket Outlook on the device, the Inner Circle feature seems to make life a lot easier and do the prioritizing for you. Honestly I can’t wait to see a demo of this very usefull feature. 

“The HTC SNAP is expected to be available in select channels during the second quarter of 2009, rolling out in markets around the world throughout the second half of the year. Additionally, an unlocked version supporting HSDPA at 850/1900MHz for the US market will be made available under the name HTC S522 during the summer. ” [ref01]

The timing of the availability makes me hopful there might also become a Windows Mobile 6.5 upgrade to this device, like it is the case with the HTC Touch Diamond 2 and HTC Touch Pro 2 (announced on MWC 2009).

First thoughts and wrap up 

HTC keeps on surprising the public, with every announcement of a new device HTC presents new very clever and innovative features. As I truly love the stability of the Windows Mobile Standard platform, and have put the label on the  HTC Excalibur of  “one of the BEST smartphones ever made”, I simply can’t wait to get my hands on the HTC SNAP. It really gives me the excitement I had when I first got my hands on the HTC Excalibur. However I don’t think I will be the only happy person with such a device since:

The HTC Snap is powerful enough for experienced business users looking for an affordable, straightforward choice for remotely synchronizing email, calendar and contacts with their Microsoft Exchange server. However, the flexible Microsoft Windows Mobile® 6.1 Standard platform allows the HTC Snap to also be simple enough for first-time smartphone users wanting to keep their family life organized.  [ref01]

Finally there is no official word or detail about the pricing of the HTC SNAP, but I would expect it to be in the range of the HTC S740 (+/- E450,-). Anyway  I will be saving money, since the HTC SNAP will definitly become my device of choice. Thank you HTC for not just keeping the focus only on the touch-based devices, and the HTC SNAP is a marvelous Windows Mobile Standard device !!

What are your idea’s -as a reader- about this device ?

UPDATE:

The local Dutch PR Press Release provides me with the following info:

• Availability in Q2  2009, which it already is since today April has started !
• The pricepoint is extremely intersting, E329,- including VAT / TAX. In my opinion this pricepoint makes it even more a killer device to hit the market really hard !

Mike Temporale of MobileJaw has written a nice article with some interesting remarks about the HTC SNAP !!

Reference list

1. PRESS RELEASE:  HTC Snap™  makes staying in touch with more people less complicated
2. SPECIFICATION SHEET:  HTC SNAP

During the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Windows Mobile 6.5 was announced, however not much information was revealed about the second service: Windows Marketplace for Mobile. Just befor the start of CTIA 2009 Microsoft has a lot of new things to announce:

1. More details on Windows Marketplace for Mobile, 
2. Individual customization of the Windows Phone,
3. New ways to connect with friends and family (social networking).

This article looks at al the three key topics in more detail, complemented with some early thoughts.

1.  Windows Marketplace for Mobile

The screenshots above provide a good idea how the Windows Marketplace for  Mobile will look like. The press  release provides a list a of top application developers who commited to the Windows Marketplace for Mobile program. Personally it is good to see such an extensive list, and there are really great developers on this list, which means quality on-board !!

“Companies representing the top-selling categories of mobile applications today signed on to be among the first to offer applications through Windows Marketplace for Mobile. They include AccuWeather.com., The Associated Press, CNBC, Developer One Mobile Software, EA Mobile, Facebook, Gameloft, Glu Mobile, Handmark, Ilium Software Inc., Jeyo Inc., Kinoma, LiteScape, Magmic Games, Melodis Corp., MySpace, Namco Networks, Netflix, Pandora, PhatWare Corp., Resco s.r.o., ShoZu Inc., Sling Media Inc., SBSH Mobile Software, Spb Software, Web Information Solutions Inc. and Zagat Survey.” [ref01]

However the Windows Marketplace for Mobile seems to be announced -at leat according to the press release- for the next generation of Windows Phone, which simply means Windows Mobile 6.5 devices. Personally I think this is the wrong decision, because the Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 userbase is large, while Windows Mobile 6.5 will be on relative few devices by the end of the year. Windows Marketplace for Mobile should be a downloadable application, that is backwards compatible with Windows Mobile 6.

“Resulting applications will provide new and unique gaming, social networking, media, utility and personal productivity experiences for the next generation of Windows phones.” [ref01]

Finally an interesting option is that Mobile Operators can partner with Microsoft on the Windows Marketplace for Mobile. The operator can get access to a specific (branded) set of software titels from the whole population of titels on the Marketplace. Although I live in the Netherlands I won a Samsung BlackJack II, which is fully loaded with AT&T custom software. I hope that throught partnering the amount of this specific software is limited so that end-users can add their own prefered software titles.

2. Customized Themes for Windows Mobile 6.5

On the current Windows Mobile devices it is sometimes tricky to personalize the device in terms graphics.  Apple iPhone, Google Android, Symbian S60 and Windows Mobile all serve a specific set of customers. The buying process of a mobile device is becoming more and more comperable with buying a car:  “an emotional purchase”. Microsoft takes the personal representation, customization and individualization of a Windows Phone to the next level !

“Through new partnerships with the Design Museum London and Council of Fashion Designers of America, Microsoft will offer a variety of free* designer themes to help people express their personal style on Windows phones. Microsoft today announced Mizrahi as the first in a series of designers to create exclusive themes, including color palettes and wallpaper.” [ref01]

The Mizrahi designs are shown in the screenshots above.

“In addition, the new Theme Generator will provide people with yet another way to personalize their Windows phone. The Theme Generator, available at http://www.windowsmobile.com later this year, will enable Windows phone users to select pictures from their PC to set as background images, as well as choose colors to personalize their navigation bar, scroll bar and highlighted text. Once finished, their personal theme will be sent to their phone.” [ref01]

This theme generator is a very cool tool to easily personalize your device, and could be combined with the MyPhone Service I wrote about earlier this year, or other services. However currently it seems like the Theme Generator will only support Windows Mobile Professional devices, and not Windows Mobile Standard devices. It’s a fair decision since the whole process of customizing a skinning is totally different, which means two different products and two different development cycles.

3.  Social networking and more 

I think the booming of social networking doesn’t need any further explenation.  Screenshots of the new Facebook application are shown above. Microsoft did also three announcements in the social networking area:

“Windows Mobile users will be able to engage and experience some of the most popular global social networks right from their Windows phone, including Facebook, MySpace and Windows Live.

• Microsoft has created a new Facebook application, available for Windows phones for free* in April, that makes it easy for people to capture video on their phone and upload it to Facebook.
• A new MySpace application, available for free* this summer, gives Windows phone customers real-time access to their global MySpace network. LG Electronics Inc. will preload the MySpace application on its Windows phones.
• Microsoft also announced that Windows Live for Mobile will be available for free download this week for customers in 25 languages. Windows Live for Mobile is the company’s mobile suite of Internet services designed specifically to take advantage of the Windows Mobile platform. It includes mobile versions of Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Contacts, Windows Live Spaces, Microsoft Live Search and enhanced photo upload capabilities.” [ref01]

The Facebook application will be compatible with Windows Mobile 6.1 and higher. Within the Live services there is some additional good news on the Hotmail-front.

“The company also will launch a new beta version of Windows Live Hotmail available through a mobile Web browser. The release includes a new and improved user interface, navigation enhancements for touch-screen devices, the ability to see full HTML pages within e-mail messages and a new search feature that enables people to find important e-mail messages more easily.” [ref01] 

Some personal thoughts

At first I simply CAN’T understand the business reasoning why the Windows Marketplace for Mobile isn’t Windows Mobile 6.0 (and higher) compatible. I had the chance to use the Google Android G1 with the linked Android Marketplace. There I became aware how easy and convenient it is to search for, download and install top applications from one central place without accessing each developers website. This ease of use is also applicable to the CURRENT userbase, since not everyone is an early-adopter or geek buying the latest device.

It is a cool trend to see large companies hooking up with designers from the fashion sector, like HP did for the Vivienne Tam edition of the HP Mini 1000 netbook. The theme generator can become a very cool feature, since sometimes it is not easy to create a theme for your Windows Mobile device.  Furthermore it is a unique service, which no other mobile platform offers (to my knowledge).

Finally social networking is becoming more and more important. And in line with the strategy of using software or services on your pc, in the cloud and on you mobile device, it’s good to see Microsoft developing on this front. Special interest has the Facebook application, as well as the Windows Live Messenger. I like the idea that these programs are offered via download, and can be installed on any device (if compatible of course). This concept should also be applied to IE6 for Mobile, which currently only is available pre-loaded in the Palm Treo Pro ROM. To get your applications out to the large public, your business model needs to outperform competition …

I’m looking forward to the keynote of Mobile Entertainment & Devices President Robbie Bach @ CTIA 2009. Hopefully we can see some very nice live demo’s of the applications and services addressed in this article.

Reference list

1. MICROSOFT PRESSPASS:  Microsoft gains support for next generation Windows Phones
2. THEUNWIRED:  ROADMAP: Microsoft gains support for next generation Windows Phones
3. ENGADGET MOBILE:  Microsoft announces Windows Marketplace partners, tweaked policies, designer WinMo 6.5 themes

The technology enthusiast may know that it’s less than 2 weeks to go until the start of the world’s largest Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Within this show a special event is organized by Eric Hicks, Johan van Mierlo, Mike Temporale and Steven Hughes (all members of the Microsoft MVP program), which can be summarized as:

“CntrStg (pronounced Center Stage) is a proactive, community-led effort that strives to match up influential bloggers with representatives of products and companies in order to drive meaningful interaction, discussion and word-of-mouth referral. CntrStg actively represents the wants and needs of bloggers, allowing them to better interact with companies, their products and associated messages. CntrStg also provides a centralized, controlled environment for companies and product managers to share their message with interested and engaged audiences through direct, meaningful interaction.” [ref01]

While the concept of CntrStg tries to minimize the logistic problems for both manufacturers and journalists, it’s also a place to meet old friends and make new friends. In the modern online world there is a lot of interaction on the web, although it’s not a given fact that all the online journalists know each other in person. Personally I’m really looking forward to catch-up again with one of the CntrStg organizers, Johan van Mierlo, as the editor emeritus of  Pocektinfo.nl. Furthermore, it will be great to meet some fellow Mobians, Microsoft Most Valuable Persons, as well as other journalists and manufacturers !!

On the CntrStg website there is a nice overview of the presenters, among which Nigel Dessau, AMD chief marketing officer and  Stephen DeWitt, SVP and GM for HP Americas. Great to see the “top management” will present and interact during the CntrStg event.  However my personal favorite is the Windows Mobile Team, which has confirmed to present at CntrStg:

“The presentation lead by Greg Sullivan, Senior Product Manager will take place for registered CntrStg attendees at 11 AM- 12.30 PM on Saturday January 10th at CntrStg . The Windows Mobile team will present some new hardware and never been seen software running on the Windows Mobile platform with some real-time demos.“

I’m really looking forward to this session, not only to see what news Microsoft has to present, but also to meet the developers who build the Windows Mobile platform. I hope there will be some time to interact and provide feedback about the current Windows Mobile “status” to them.

My fellow friends, Willem Ditters, Paul Willen and Mark Briggeman and myself are really counting down to this great event. The last preparations and registrations will be done this week. If you attend CES 2009, don’t forget to register for the CntrStg event.  And don’t forget to drop me a line or two so we can catch a cup of Las Vegas’ cofee  ….

If you want to keep up-to-date in this last hectic weeks before the start of the CES, pleas subscribe to the CntrStg Twitter Feed !!

Reference List:

1. HOME:  CntrStg Website
2. REUTERS:  CntrStg at CES 2009 Facilitates Face-to-Face Meetings and Improves Communication Between Companies and Influential
3. TWITTER:  Follow CntrStg on Twitter