Tech.Ed Australia 2009 [video]

While at Tech.Ed last week, I took a bunch of photos and videos. What better way to show that off, than an Animoto video.

Feel free to share it around, especially with other Tech.Ed attendees.

Windows 7 – Top 10 reasons to deploy

About 4 people raised their hand for having deployed Windows Vista in their organisation.

Enthusiastically, a large number of attendees raised their hands to the question ‘how many of you are currently doing test deployment / trials.’

10. Deployment

• Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 (has now gone RTM).
• Imaging
• Driver Injection
• Device Drivers inbuilt
• Install from USB
• WAIK

Basically need 2 imagines when deploying.. 32-bit or 64-bit.

http://microsoft.com/deployment

9. Remote Working

• Direct Access
• Multiple Default Printers (Location aware printing – useful for multiple sites, can be set through Group Policy Preferences)

8. Branch

• Branch Cache
• SMB 2

7. UI

• Libraries
• Search Scopes
• Jump Lists
• Aero Shake
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Multitouch

Flickr federated search example code from istartedsomething.com

6. Management

• Diagnostic
• PSR
• Power Management
• WMI
• Powershell
• Group Policy (an additional 500)

5. Networking

• Wireless
• Mobility Center
• Broadband support
• Active Firewall policies

4. Virtualisation

• VDI enhancements
• XP Mode
• MED-V
• Boot VHD
• RDS

Tip: If an application crashes when trying launch in Windows 7, try starting it 4 times within an hour, some automatic application compatibility code will be kicked off and your app may indeed launch.

3. Security

• AppLocker
• Bitlocker
• Bitlocker To Go
• UAC enhancements

2. Web

• IE8

1. Performance

• Machine spec
• Battery life (attendees in the crowd, say they’ve got between 2 and 3.5hrs of battery life from their netbook).

Windows Mobile

Below are some notes from the Tech.Ed session on Windows Mobile. Some very interesting information was revealed.

• PC growth 3.9%
• Mobile 5.8%
• Mobile PCs 18.6%
• Converged devices (smart phones) 34.1%

Windows Phones made by 50 device makers.

Microsoft remain focused on the Windows Mobile platform and not building a dedicated Microsoft Phone.

Application developers now receive more share of the development. Since the introduction of the App Store, developers now get a better deal. Previously around 20%.

Windows Mobile 6.5

• UX Upgrade with great new touch capabilities
• Improved browsing with Internet Explorer
• Widgets
• Windows Marketplace for Mobile

Windows Marketplace for Mobile

• Phase 1 – Eliminate distribution barriers (On-device client, Attractive Economics, Global reach).
• Phase 2 – Eliminating purchase barriers (Purchase choice, Purchase convenience, Purchase confidence)
• Will have application trials. Return within 24hrs. Aiming for higher priced apps.
• Ability to buy apps from PC, Phone or Web. (Web will work basically the same as Xbox online).
• No in-app purchases available.. yet.
• Your app cannot contain the marketplace.
• Expectation is that Games will be the most popular category.
• Will contain screen shots, Review, version number. Very similar to iPhone App Store.
• By the end of the year Windows Marketplace for Mobile will support all 6.x devices.

Windows Marketplace for Mobile items.

• Showcase
• Most popular
• Operator store
• What’s new
• Categories
• My applications

Transparent processes & policies

All declined apps will be fully explained. Available from http://developer.windowsmobile.com/

Cost

For the cost of becoming a developer, $119 (which gives you the ability to publish in the Windows Marketplace for Mobile). allows you to publish 5 applications. The problem is, that every region counts as an app. Furthermore, any additional apps will cost you $99. This pricing structure is ridiculous, there was a collective gasp from attendees as this was confirmed. In comparison, the competition – the iPhone development platform, allows developers to publish with worldwide distribution for around $130.

Tech.Ed 09 – Keynote liveblog

Update – The keynote has now finished, feel free to use the replay button if you missed out watching live.

I’ll be live blogging this years Tech.Ed keynote using CoverItLive.. watch the action below.

Tech.Ed 09 – Welcome Party

Tonight was the start of Tech.Ed Australia 2009. There was a mix of Microsoft and their partners showing off new hardware, software and services.

Highlights were:

Forza 3 
Attendees got hands on with the game (unreleased), and also got to watch / race against Jamie Whincup and Rick Kelly. I drove in a Lamborghini LP640, Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Evo X on 2 brand new tracks. Unfortunately Microsoft were unable to obtain a recent built of the game, so V8 supercars were unavailable. We did however see the new damage engine, cars roll, graphically I wasn’t blown away, but without seeing the final build, I’d hesitate to judge that at this stage. Overall I was impressed with Forza 3 and hated to give up the controller.

Other games available to be played were Street Fighter IV, Fifa 2009 and Guitar Hero 5.

Intel launch of the Core i5
Before the official embargo is lifted and the product officially deemed ‘released’ attendees got to see the Core i5 in action. The skinny on the i5 is that it will take the place (fairly quickly) of the current Core 2 Quad offerings. The difference with i5 is that it has a turbo mode. This means a single-threaded app will result in the other 3 cores being switched off, while the remaining core is dynamically over clocked, making that app as fast as possible without user intervention.

Core i5 CPU’s will start at A$199.

Windows Mobile 6.5
October 7 2009, is the official release date for Windows Mobile 6.5. Microsoft were showing it off on a HTC handset. After discussing WinMo 6.5, Microsoft’s aim is very clear. They are almost solely aiming at the Enterprise with this release, co-incidentally where the iPhone has yet to dominate. They couldn’t resist a couple of pointy comments about security.

I enquired about the plan for Windows Mobile 7 (due mid-2010), the crux of it is that it’ll have many more consumer oriented features like multi-touch (which they say comes from their surface technology, not a response to the iPhone). Integration with Zune was also discussed, and as you’d expect Microsoft need to build the services associated with that device in Australia, before introducing it here, or integrating into Windows Mobile. 

Windows Live
Wave 4 of Windows Live is scheduled for mid next year. Nothing confirmed, but multi-chat conversations could potentially add multi-video conversations.

Bing
Whilst exact numbers aren’t released by Microsoft, I was told Bing accounts for around 25% of Australian search. Anyone who’s used the US version of Bing will know their shopping, travel and review sections are awesome features lacking from Bing Australia. I enquired if there’s plans for correct this and indeed there is. Look for movement in this area shortly.

Overall
While it’s not a massive diversion from previous years, Microsoft have made a good start to this years Tech.Ed conference. So that’s about it, I had a great evening, meet some twitter-famous people for the first time in-person. Word on the street is that most attendees are enjoying their netbooks. Goodnight.

Tech.Ed 09 – Pre-conference

After arriving in Queensland on Sunday, I’ve enjoyed the sunshine, the beach and the lightning, but now the action is about to start. Attendees are starting to arrive (invade) in preparation for tonight’s Welcome party. It starts at 6pm, might see you there !

I’ve just picked up my press pass, and shwag bag. On the way I passed a bunch of recharge bays full of early attendees punching away on their new Netbooks. I’ll be getting hands on with one soon, so look out for my review on that soon.

Watch all the conversation on twitter – #auteched