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June 29  You've already seen bits and pieces of this morning's Today Show, but another segment in the broadcast managed to grab a trip inside Microsoft's Mobile Design Lab where engineers and "audio geeks" look to be hard at work as they try to "redefine cool." Notably, the video fails to show any undercover shots of prototype mobiles that Microsoft may have up its sleeve, and it seemed that this "sneak peek" was intentionally devoid of innovation (secrets we can't know about?). Nevertheless, we do get a chance to see dedicated ringtone makers, and while it's already understood, any future mobiles coming out of Redmond will reportedly attempt to cram "as much of your PC into your cellphone as possible." Best of all, however, is the aptly-dubbed isolation room, which left the interviewer grumbling over how tough it was to peck out an email on the tiny keys of his smartphone. And whether you want to believe it or not, Robbie Bach was seen stating that the iPhone "doesn't change Microsoft's strategy nor its approach."
Source: Microsoft working feverishly on answer to iPhone? - Engadget June 26 
According to a super-secret, top level official inside Microsoft's megaplexing-hyper-bunker in Redmond, the Zuneinites are readying an 80GB Zune 2.0 called the "Scorpio", which will be a companion to the also-rumored 4GB or 8GB flash-based "Draco". The rumor additionally proffers that production on the Scorpio will begin towards the end of July, although we can't recommend any fancy breath holding. The diabolical naming convention apparently stems from the original Zune codename "Argo" and its WiFi component, called "Pyxis." Regardless, if Microsoft was trying to make their products sound less Satanic, it isn't working Source: Next-generation Zune "Scorpio" set for July production? - Engadget 
We've seen plenty of medical conditions named after various products before, but it's not often we see a company go so far as to invent an ailment to help hype their latest wares. The practice seems to be getting slightly less uncommon though, with Microsoft now following Sprint's forays into "connectile dysfunction" with their own "digital amnesia" -- which, apparently, we are all suffering from. Of course, when you invent the disease, you also get to invent the cure, which in this case just happens to be Microsoft's own Windows Home Server. Unfortunately, you can't actually get it just yet (unless you want to play around with a release candidate), so you'll just have to suffer with your imaginary ailment for a little while longer. Microsoft touts Windows Home Server as cure for "digital amnesia" - Engadget June 25 On our forum , many have complained that they have lost all their Halo preloaded content because their Zune crashed, something was wrong with the software, or they deleted them accidently. For those who lost their preloaded Halo content, or is just a die hard Halo fan, this is perfect for you. dres79 , a member of our forum, gracefully uploaded them after recieving requests from many users. The contents include the Halo preloaded images, trailers, Red vs Blue video, and some Halo documentaries. Go 'head and get 'em while you can!
Download thread: click here . Source: Zune Boards - Download: Halo 3 Preloaded Content 
High definition video streaming over power jacks? We say bring it Sharp, if you can. Meet the HN-VA40S pair, a HomePlug AV 1.1 PowerLine Computing (PLC) solution with the promise of an effective 85Mbps (200Mbps theoretical) across your home's electrical outlets -- ample bandwidth and QoS to stream HD video throughout the home. The ¥17,000 (about $137) HN-VA10 adapter feeds whatever data you bung down its Ethernet jack to the 4-port, ¥13,000 (about $105) HN-VA40 Ethernet hub plugged into any outlet up to 150-meters away. Better yet, save a few bills and buy the set for about ¥24,000 (about $194) when these ship August 24th in Japan. Don't be shy now; you can connect up to 16 units to the same network although we'd suggest waiting for a review before dropping that much dough. Source: Sharp's HN-VA40S HomePlug AV 4-port Ethernet HUB: HD streaming over electrical wiring - Engadget June 22 
Attention Linux, Vista, and Apple fan boys: put on your gloves... it's time to rumble! A 6-month vulnerability report issued by Jeff "Security Guy" Jones has caught the eye of Redmond and the ire of places beyond. The report which bases its security assessment upon vulnerabilities found (not actually exploited) claims that Vista is "more secure than OS X and Linux." In fact, the much maligned XP even crushes the competition using their calculations. Of course, it's worth noting that Jeff is a member of Microsoft's Security business unit which will probably sway your opinion as to the integrity of the data. Still, as incomplete as the assessment may be, it certainly appears to be a good showing for Vista considering the vast community of hackers attempting to thwart its security. Of course you know what Billy G's probably saying right about now? Dy-no-mite JJ! Source: Report: Vista more secure than OS X and Linux - Engadget June 19 
June 18 2007 - After our leaks regarding the flash Zune, Zune 2.0, and Zune factory were confirmed we decided to seek some new info regarding future Zune products. Once again we will protect our sources, but be assured, this info comes from inside Microsoft. The codename for the flash Zune player is Draco. Keep in mind this is not the marketing name, that name is still unknown to us. Draco will be available in two sizes, specifically 4GB and 8GB models. These numbers are eerily analogous to the iPhone storage options. As we stated in our previous story, this unit will be available for the 2007 holiday and sport unique features such as video playback and WiFi. Source: 8gb Zune is Draco June 18 
A tenacious Zune user has recently stumbled across some potentially eyebrow-raising information while dipping into the device's desktop software files. It seems that embedded in an innocent looking ZuneMarketPlace.dll file is some internal code that suggests a new content partnership with MTV, VH1, and CMT the Zune Marketplace. We know that Zune software has its roots in Windows Media Player, and Microsoft and MTV are pretty tight with their Urge integration in WMP11 -- but that doesn't necessarily mean this is holdover code. The found strings are very specific about mentioning "VH1 on Zune" and the like, so that's clearly cause for speculation. Too bad they didn't find anything about Lionsgate or some other movie studios though, this thing is way overdue for some video content. Source: Zune Marketplace to get MTV, VH1, and CMT content? - Engadget June 17 
YouTube Mobile is a new, xHTML site optimized for your cellphone. The service will require your phone to be capable of video streaming already (RTSP/3GP with H263/AMR), but that shouldn't be a problem for most our techbling Gizmodo readers. Plus, using MMS, you can upload YouTube videos directly from your phone. Were both of these functions possible in the past with the right setup? Yes. But broadcasting yourself (still sounds perverted) will be easier and faster than ever with YouTube's new streamlined interface Source: YouTube: YouTube Mobile Goes Live - Gizmodo June 16 
Texyt got their hands on two of the Ricavision-designed prototype Sideshow PDAs that we first heard about a few weeks ago: specifically, the MK140 eChatter (pictured) and Fridge Magnet models. Winbond representatives said that the Sideshow devices could cost as little as "about $80" for the smaller Fridge Magnet device, and "about $150" for the larger eChatter with a QWERTY keyboard, but as Winbond's background is chip manufacturing, they could have meant that this is how much the devices will cost to manufacture and not how much they'll go on sale for (so don't get your hopes up just yet). We'd love a Bluetooth enabled, 5-inch touchscreen PDA for 150 bucks as much as the next gadget maniac, but we'll try and keep it down until we see it confirmed. Source: Ricavision Sideshow PDAs in-the-wild, to sell for $80? - Engadget June 14  It looks like Microsoft's upping the street view ante in the cold map war against Google. Tipster The Red Monkey just sent us the shot to the right. We'll let him continue: "This morning on my way into downtown I spotted the Microsoft live "street view" truck. I only had time to grab one picture before my exit onto J street. Its a cameraphone pic so its not great but you can see the cameras on top of the truck and the Microsoft Live logos on the back. I did not catch the name of the company out on the prowl for them either." Source: Candid Camera: Microsoft Live Truck Spotted Prowling On The Highway - Jalopnik June 13 
Never before have we had so many options for getting HD content, but these marketing claims are getting out of control. DirecTV kicked it off at CES this year, claiming 100 national HD channels, then followed up with commercials just to make sure everyone got the word. The cable companies responded by suing, and now in what we can only call: if you can't beat em' join em', a Comcast exec announced that they will have 400 HD channels this year, and 800 in 2008. Never-mind the fact that there are nowhere near that many HD channels of available content, but 800 quality HD channels would take up almost 11 Gbps of throughput (using today's technology). So in order to make this work, we presume they will need to deploy Switched Digital Video, which is great and all, but renders every CableCARD device made today obsolete. Source: Comcast promises 400 HD channels this year and 800 the next - Engadget June 12 
Microsoft has just announced a tasty banana for all you code monkeys out there, in the form of the first publicly available download (well, for non-beta testers at least) of the widely anticipated Windows Home Server operating system. Release Candidate 1, as this build is known, is said to offer a number of improvements over previous betas, and is the first version that participants in the Code2Fame Challenge can use to work on their entries. So go ahead, get your download on, and try to whip up some WHS add-ins that'll net you a portion of the $50,000 prize package. Source: Windows Home Server RC1 available for download - Engadget 
Remember those WildCharge wireless chargers we played with back at CES? They're almost here. You'll be able to get one July 9. Thoughts of hand cancer aside, the way these WildChargers work would require a couple of physics classes to completely understand. The layman's explanation is that it uses inductive charging—the type you see in Sonicare toothbrushes—that will charge your gadget just by placing it on a sheet. Some more familiar companies other than WildCharge such as Apple, Motorola, and NTT DoCoMo all have their own wireless charging devices in development as well. What's the point of all this wireless charging? Mostly convenience in not having to have multiple chargers and charging adapters, which may win out over our current favorite charging system, the Chargepod. Read More Source: Wildcharge: Wireless Gadget Charging Makes World Debut July 9 - Gizmodo
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