Once a newspaper touches a story, the facts are lost forever - Norman Mailer
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Microsoft research paper reveals 'Menlo' project details
NOT SO SMART smartphone developer Microsoft has for some time been teasing users with its 'Menlo' mobile phone that many hoped would be some sort of second coming for the software outfit. However the reality is somewhat disappointing.
While the world plus dog was getting excited over the shiny Iphone 4, Microsoft was working on a device that incorporates a barometer. In a research paper the project has been laid bare. It said, "Menlo is a prototype mobile device with a capacitive touch screen (4.1 inch diagonal, 800x480) running Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 which incorporates a Bosch BMA150 3-axis accelerometer and Bosch BMP085 digital pressure sensor (barometer)."
That's Windows CE 6.0, known more commonly as Windows Mobile 6 or perhaps more accurately as the operating system that managed to almost kill Microsoft's mobile phone ambitions. The device itself is basically a navigator's dream with various programs that use the device's sensors to do amazingly useful stuff such as finding out where you've been. That's somewhat ironic given Microsoft's slogan, "Where do you want to go today?".
Apparently the Vole has managed to get some prototypes of the device made, however it is unlikely that Microsoft will put this into production. After all, its last mobile device managed to remain on sale for less than 55 days.
Menlo will most likely serve as a proof of concept and a project that is used to highlight potential use cases. Given that Windows CE 6 is finally about to be put out to pasture, the paper managed to get out just before it was completely obsolete.
This paper should serve as a warning to those who get excited that Microsoft might be coming out with something exciting. After all, it can't be expected to produce revolutionary software like Clippy every decade. µ
Tags: Microsoft
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You are wrong! Windows Mobile 6.* uses the same Windows CE 5.2 as Windows Mobile 5. Windows CE is kernel and Windows Mobile is rather framework build around Windows CE.
Windows Mobile 7 was canceled and replaced by Windows Phone 7. But Windows Phone 7 without copy-paste, multitasking, .Net Compact Framework and with aplications restricted to Windows Marketplace is only usefull for entertainment devices for Facebook fans.
It if useless for buisenes users.
So Menlo will be next buisenes mobile OS from Microsoft.
Me draw fun pictures with my crayons. Gremlin brain freeze should be illegal. Me want to fly like birdie.
HayWard Motion. Menlo made me think, ONE Dedicated Software string. Then thought about super cold testor whom hits 8 Gh/z or 7 Ghz/s or Had Brain Freeze.
Very One Time Linear Record & test Running. Maybe McWillee sells software. Hummmm. Maybe even Licenses. mcMike License.MicroMike. Funny Little RED, Orange, Yellow & Green Gremlin, SpinCating Out Rolls & Rolls of Forecast Data.
Probably Begging Off Airline Right Now.
TICKETS....iTab Tickets.... DataLog:
Hi McMike Here ,Got Any MicroMike Tickets, Ya. Ok Take One. OK.
vondrashek md
Windows Mobile 6 is actually based on Windows CE 5 as is Winmo 6.5. Similar to the way that Windows 7 is actually version 6.1
Lawrence,
While you were so busy ejjaculatting passionately your misconceptions of Microsoft you forgot to actually report what the thing does, or perhaps you were already exhausted by then?
hint: read the research paper completely, and educate yourself on the mission statement of Microsoft Research Center(s).
Free giveaway: the purpose of Microsoft Research is not to develop a product, its to do research that may help (hint: later) develop products.
Remember next time, Lawrence, to actually write substance first, then attempt to add wit to it and if you fail at that again, then do your usual and just rub away your misconceptions on us, your poor and now masochistic readers.
Oh Mike Magee, where art thou?