Microsoft’s big reveal about the next version of Windows Phone is scheduled for Tuesday morning in New York. But that didn’t stop CEO Steve Ballmer from laying the groundwork during a speech in Japan on Monday.

Speaking to developers in Tokyo, Ballmer noted that the “Mango” update later this year will have more than 500 new features. With Windows Phone 7, released last year, Microsoft essentially started over in the phone business, going with an entirely new approach. Though praised for its clean look, the company has acknowledged that it still has a lot of catching up to do on the feature side with rivals such as Apple’s iPhone OS and Google’s Android. With Mango, the company is hoping to close that gap, as well as to expand on some of what makes Windows Phone different, such as its hub-based approach to organizing activities.
“Not only is it a new release that is now much more global, but we’ve added over 500 new features to Windows Phone,” Ballmer said, according to a transcript that Microsoft posted on its press site. “We have a big launch event to talk about the next release of Windows Phone tomorrow. So, that information will be forthcoming, including some of the particulars about who is going to be building Windows Phones, and which carriers will be offering them here in Japan.”
Indeed, Microsoft has already said a fair bit about the next release of Windows Phone. Back at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Microsoft mentioned a few features, including improved multitasking, Twitter integration and a version of its Internet Explorer 9 browser. Since then, the company has also talked about other features, such as better cloud services for Office and deeper access to hardware features to allow for applications like augmented reality.
The new release, due on devices by the holidays, is expected to be the basis for the first crop of Windows Phones from Nokia and new devices from a variety of other hardware makers. Nokia executives said last month that they already have test builds of Mange running on Nokia Hardware.
Microsoft will have more to say, for sure, at its event on Tuesday, which is also being Webcast. AllThingsD will be covering it live starting at 7 am PT.

ESPN Executive: 3D Adoption Growing by Chris Tribbey

When ESPN 3D launched in June 2010, Bryan Burns, VP of strategy business planning and development, said the network was seriously concerned about whether the station would flop.
With few 3DTVs in the market at launch, “we didn’t know if we would have any subscribers,” he said, speaking this week at the Display Week 2011 conference held by the Society of Information Display. “A small problem.”
Nearly a year later, thanks to carriage deals with DirecTV, Comcast, AT&T U-verse, Time Warner Cable and, mostly recently, Verizon FiOS, ESPN 3D has 65 million households that can subscribe to the channel — assuming they have 3DTVs, of course.
“What a difference a year makes,” he said. “All has fallen nicely into place.”
In a positive note for the 3D at home industry, Burns said adoption of ESPN 3D has far outpaced adoption of ESPN HD when it first launched in early 2003. The station celebrated its 104th 3D telecast March 17 with the broadcast of game one between the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Western Conference finals.
“Consumer replacement cycles [for TVs] are shrinking,” Burns noted, adding that research shows a year-over-year price $978 price drop in 3DTVs. He added that 14 months ago there were only 19 3DTV models, while there were more than 60 as of March. And with Blu-ray 3D discs being released at a quickening pace, content from both studios and broadcasters is giving consumers more incentive to make the 3DTV leap, he said.
“We’ve come a long way in a short time from Hannah Montana and anaglyph glasses,” Burns said.
While the production costs to shoot sports in 3D are expensive — ESPN uses two separate crews to shoot a 3D sporting event, one for regular broadcast, one for 3D — the network is seeing positive consumer feedback for both content and 3D advertising.

MICROSOFT STORE GRAND OPENING- MAY 27 10:00 AM

 

 Please come out and join us at the Microsoft Grand Opening on May 27, 10:00am at Lenox Square in Atlanta, GA.  Volt Systems is a proud member of Microsoft Partners Network and we are happy to be a part of this celebration. 
Grand opening ceremonies begin at 9:30 AM and the store officially opens at 10:00 AM. They'll be giving out gift bags and wristbands to a performance starring the 2011 American Idol winner and top two finalists on May 28th!

The first 150 people will receive two "guest premier access" passes plus one pass to meet the performers at the Microsoft Store. The following 800 people will receive two "guest premier access" passes. More general admission wristbands will be available as supplies last, but they expect a big crowd (read: long line) and an RSVP does not guarantee access.

Acer ICONIA 14" LED Tablet PC:New Product Alert-Release date April 24:

Product Specs
Product Type: Tablet PC Processor & Chipset Processor Manufacturer: Intel Processor Type: Core i5 Processor Model: i5-480M Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz Processor Core: Dual-core Cache: 3 MB 64-bit Processing: Yes
Memory Standard Memory: 4 GB Maximum Memory: 8 GB Memory Technology: DDR3 SDRAM Memory Standard: DDR3-1066/PC3-8500
Number of Total Memory Slots: 2
Storage Hard Drive Capacity: 640 GB Hard Drive Interface: Serial ATA Hard Drive RPM: 5400 Display & Graphics Screen Size: 14"
Display Screen Type: Active Matrix TFT Color LCD
Display Screen Technology: CineCrystal Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Display Resolution: 1366 x 768
Dual Screen: Yes
Backlight Technology: LED Color Support: 16.7 Million Colors
Touchscreen: Yes
TV Card: No
Network & Communication Wi-Fi: Yes Wi-Fi Standard: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth: No Ethernet Technology
Gigabit Ethernet Interfaces/Ports HDMI: Yes # USB Standard: USB 2.0 # USB 3.0 Number of USB Ports: 2 VGA: Yes
Network (RJ-45): Yes
Built-in Devices Webcam: Yes
Microphone: Yes
Software Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
Operating System Architecture: 64-bit Battery Information
Number of Cells: 4-cell
Physical Characteristics Height: 1.26" Width: 13.66" Depth: 9.78" Weight (Approximate): 6.17 lb Miscellaneous # Package Contents: ICONIA ICONIA-484G64ns Tablet PC # Lithium Ion Battery # AC Adapter Certifications & Standards: ACPI 3.0 # Security Features: Kensington Lock Slot # BIOS Password: * User * Supervisor * HDD Green Compliance: Yes Green Compliance Certificate/Authority: Energy Star Warranty Standard Warranty: 1 Year

Pros

Dualscreen form factor is interesting
Virtual keyboard and Handwriting works
Power Packed with a large Harddrive and Loads of memory

Cons

Two-hour battery life
Bulky, heavy form factor
Windows 7 still not touch-friendly

I was very excited to see the Acer ICONIA hit the market.  I think this product is both trendsetting and innovative.  I particularly like the dual screen technology.  It allows you to run a host of applications simultaneously and with 4gb of memory standard(expandable) to 8gb there is no bog down and the flow is seamless.  The bottom screen(keyboard) needs to cleaned on  a regular bases due to finger print build up.  Both screens are 720dpi HD capable and present a radiant picture. I was not impressed with the battery life coming in at just under 3 hrs. Acer calls the ICONIA a tough book and that is a fact, both screens are reinforced with "Gorilla Glass" and are extremely durable. It comes pack with Windows 7 Premium.  You will need an external optical drive(CD/DVD/Bluray) as it is not equipped.  Overall, I think the Acer ICONIA is a exciting piece of technology and I predict it will change the scope of the notebook as it merges with the Tablet PC.

Visit us at www.volt-systems.com to learn more about this and many other products!

Delivering Tomorrow's Technologies Today

Volt Systems is the result of the pairing of industry experts in the fields of home and office integration and technology. We bring combined 60 years experience sales, service and support in this industry. Our mission at Volt Systems is to provide our customers with the latest technologies to make your life a little easier.  We pride ourselves on keeping up with trend setting innovation with regard to product.  But more importantly, we pride ourselves on gaining customer satisfaction for the services we render.  Call us today at 888-659-7917 or visit us on the web at www.volt-systems.com.


This blog will be used to promote new items in our inventory and also give important industry information.  This is also an opportunity for you to ask interactive questions about  products and or services that may be of interest to you.  We thank you for following our company and we look forward to serving your electronic and computer needs! 


Sincerely,


Darren Spaulding
Volt Systems Inc.