Microsoft Secret Prototype Phone Stolen 249
bossanovalithium writes to tell us that details are emerging about the theft of a top secret prototype mobile device stolen from an executive's pocket. Time to start watching eBay. "There are fears that leaks regarding the features and early bugs in the software could mar the launch of Windows Mobile 6.5 which the company hopes will give it the edge over the iPhone and the new Google Android operating system. The new product includes support for touch-screen technology similar to that found on the Apple iPhone. Among the features offered in the new service unveiled by Microsoft's chief executive, Steve Ballmer, on Tuesday, is a version of Windows Marketplace for Mobiles, which is set to compete with the popular Apple's App Store and provide easy ways to download music and products to mobiles. "
The "secret" is (Score:5, Funny)
that it's an iPhone with the word "Microsoft" engraved on the back
Well one thing's for sure (Score:5, Funny)
The thief has been caught already (Score:4, Funny)
His lawyer stood up and said "Thanks, your honor, however my client only has $300 on him at this time, but if you'd allow him a few minutes in the crowd he will gather all the required monies."
Oh, and what's the difference between a Peeping Tom and a pickpocket? A pickpocket snatches watches.
We had the next iPhone killer.... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:andnothingofvaluewaslost (Score:1, Funny)
It was actually rescued from a chair that Steve Ballmer was about to throw.
Ebay (Score:4, Funny)
Your search returned 0 items.
0 results found for phone+brown+squirt
[ Save this searchSaved to My eBay. ]
Unfortunately... (Score:3, Funny)
I've seen that thing already . . . (Score:3, Funny)
. . . like, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_can_telephone [wikipedia.org]
Those executives have big pockets to hold these.
Re:Well one thing's for sure (Score:3, Funny)
I see you're trying to locate a stolen prototype.
Would you like help tossing that chair?
</clippy>
Re:how much you want to bet... (Score:5, Funny)
My Boss has a WinMo6 phone that locks up when he answers calls from his wife. He calls this a feature.
Re:An edge? (Score:3, Funny)
Microsoft announces new Zune-phone (Score:4, Funny)
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer today announced a new era at the Seattle software company, announcing their entry six^Wnine^Wtwelve months hence into the cell phone market with the exciting new Zune Phone [today.com], to finally get the company properly into the rapidly changing digital media landscape.
Ballmer, speaking to a group of trained-monkey analysts and cynical bloggers at the company headquarters today, unveiled mockups prototypes of the Zune Phone, which combines the Zune music player (with wifi for "squirting" songs), a CDMA cell phone, a PDA, an eight gigabyte hard disk, a camera, a laser pointer and a bottle opener into one semi-portable device. It will also allow you to "squirt" music to and from your Windows 7^W8 Service Pack 1^W2 Media Center computer.
The product underscores the shift the company has attempted to make in recent years from an office supply company to a consumer electronics darling as it aims not to become utterly obsolete in the digital future. "And even Linux fanboys admit our hardware is pretty nice," Ballmer said before the somewhat sullen and cynical crowd. "It's definitely the best music player we've ever made."
Ballmer called the Zune Phone a revolutionary device that will leapfrog current technology. He said the company expects to sell about 100 million of them next year. "Maybe two hundred million. This is so the coolest music player ever." Unlike the MP3 player market, which the iPod has dominated even with the entrance of Microsoft's Zune, the cell phone market is much more fragmented. "There is not one device that everyone buys," said completely independent analyst Rob Enderle, "but this fabulous device should trounce all comers. I've ordered three already in anticipation."
Weighing in at only 15 ounces (425 grams), with a 5-inch 640-by-480 pixel screen, the $498 (with three-year $80/month contract) Z-Phone, a rebadged version of the LG Smart Display from 2003 with new firmware, looks like a Classic Brown Zune (to come in mission, chocolate, corduroy and meconium) with a phone touchpad in place of its imitation scroll wheel. It runs Windows Mobile, Pocket Internet Explorer, Pocket Microsoft Office, Pocket Solitaire and Pocket Pool. MSN will supply e-mail, mapping, search and other Internet services to the Z-Phone. It also features an amazing 1.3 megapixel (300,000 pixels interpolated) black and white camera. Battery life is estimated at up to four hours in Microsoft tests.
To better work with its content partners and ensure that you, the user, can rest safe in the knowledge that the artists and their representatives have been paid properly for all their hard work, Microsoft has limited "squirtable" songs to encrypted WMA files purchased from the Zune Music Store, which can be listened to three times or within three days before automatically being deleted from both the Zune Phone and the Media Center computer. Songs may also be "squirted" between two Zune Phones (though not the original Zune) if both are registered with Microsoft as being linked to that installation of Media Center. Users are advised to purchase Microsoft Zune Secure Headphones ($129), which encrypt the signal between the Zune Phone and your ears, as playback quality is degraded on conventional "analog hole" earphones or when playing back unencrypted MP3 files. Phone calls may be made to or received from any number on the network carrier you bought the Zune Phone from, with only a 99-cent charge for humming a song to someone you call or are called by on the phone or ten cents per use of the camera, laser pointer or bottle opener. Microsoft will also pay $20 from each Zune Phone sold to Universal Music. In addition to the ability to "squirt" songs, the user may "squirt" his calls, which are stored on Microsoft Zune Live servers and cost $40 per month to access.
In other news, Ballmer said that Microsoft had reached over 600 music downloads since introducing it
Re:andnothingofvaluewaslost (Score:3, Funny)
Why would they even be giving out a secret prototype to an executive? Shouldn't it be behind a locked door? Or was this just a way to generate hype?
At least we know their new prototype sucks balls and doesn't have GPS...
Re:andnothingofvaluewaslost (Score:3, Funny)
Well, other than the gact that is wasn't one of their people.
I have a feeling the above message was typed on that missing mobile device...
What a competition (Score:4, Funny)
Am I the only one reading "Windows Marketplace for Mobiles, which is set to compete with the popular Apple's App Store" and imagining handcuffs competing with bracelets?