Wizup Surfaces From Windows Phone 7 Developer.

It's not a brand new or anything, but rather than forcing mobile users to scan QR codes in order to access more information about a given product or advertisement, Wizup is able to recognize far more esoteric items. Created as a part of the Windows Phone 7 developer challenge, this piece of software is able to listen to radio stations (at least in France), understand images from magazines and even recognize TV channels. Simply snap a picture or let it listen in (much like Shazam for song titles), and it then delivers all sorts of germane content to the mobile's screen. It's a dream come true for marketers, but better still, it makes digging for more information a whole lot easier on the end user. Head on past the break for a demonstration video -- if you've been denying it thus far, good luck as you continue to resist the

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Windows 7 For Dummies Book + DVD Bundle

A terrific value-a full-size book plus video demonstrations of key Windows 7 tasks

Windows 7 is Microsoft's much-anticipated new release of the operating system that powers nearly 90% of the world's computers. This two-for-one package provides the step-by-step guidance that will get you up and running with all the exciting new features.

This bundle includes the complete Windows 7 For Dummies book plus a DVD with two hours of video training. Featuring the expert advice you get in the book, the DVD shows you how to accomplish various Windows tasks and displays the screens you'll see as you proceed.

• A two-for-one value - the full-size Windows 7 For Dummies book plus two hours of video training on DVD
  
• Windows 7 has new features, an interface with more graphical elements, better interactivitiy with other devices, and faster speed
  
• Whether you're new to computers or just to Windows 7, this handy package provides a simple, easy-to-use guide plus video illustration to help you accomplish basic tasks in Windows
  
• Covers the things most books assume you already know, as well as how to work with files and programs, get things done online, and customize Windows 7
  
• Shows you how to use movie, music, and photo management features, how to upgrade your system, and how to fix common problems you'll encounter
  
• DVD shows you what you'll see on the screen as you master each step

This great book-and-DVD package will have you comfortably using Windows 7 faster than you can say 1-2-3!

Price: $27.99 Click here to buy

Why Do Are Need To Buy a Windows Phone 7 Phone?

We will be cheering for Microsoft on this one. They need a good mobile device in their lineup. But if you're ready to buy a Windows Phone 7 device on day one... why?

There are plenty of reasons to avoid a Windows Phone 7 unit—it's a first-generation product; it lacks some basic features like cut-and-paste (although that's coming); other mobile operating systems are more advanced—but we think we understand those differences pretty well.

What we are curious about is why those of you who are getting ready to plunk down some real money for a Windows Phone 7 unit are excited about. Help us relieve some of our own ignorance.

If it were us, we'd guess the integration of Xbox Live could be a big selling point. We are a little too much of a cross-platform gamer for that to be a tipping point, but for hard core XBL players, We can see the connection. But we are putting words in your mouth.

Via Gizmodo

Windows Phone 7 Essential Apps Launch

The Windows Phone 7 section of the Zune Marketplace looks a bit like a barren wasteland at the moment, but there'll be worthy apps aplenty ready for next month's launch. Here are your first priority downloads.

There are still more apps to be announced before launch, and obviously the huge ramp-up will continue as the devices gain popularity. But as of right now, this is your must list. Not surprisingly—given the Xbox Live connection—it's relatively game-heavy.

Bye Bye:

You might be tired of tower defense games by this point. Don't be. Because as you can see, this one's 3D animations and perspective-shifting use of accelerometer make it a must-try.

Fruit Ninja: One of our favorites for the iPhone and iPad will be on WP7 at launch, so limber up those fingers for some pineapple-slicing action.

The Harvest:

It's a cool-looking, graphics intensive RPG Microsoft's got on its hands. But more importantly, it's an exclusive cool-looking, graphics intensive RPG. Meaning your only chance to slay this particular alien horde is on WP7.

Sims 3: EA played coy for a while when it came to WP7 development, but thank goodness they're along for the ride—and bringing the venerable Sims franchise with them.

Three Zombie Games: What can I say? I'm a sucker for all things BRAINS. And between Zombie Attack!, Zombies!!!!, and Age of Zombies it looks like I should be getting my fill.

Netflix: Netflix will be there from the start, along with Watch Instantly functionality—which is going to look pretty sweet on those WP7 displays. Even more ways to clear out my queue!

Slacker: Don't worry; Pandora's on its way. But in the meantime, it's worth giving Slacker a try—especially if you don't want to bother with a Zune Pass.

AT&T U-Verse Mobile:

Here's a neat trick: even if you're not a U-Verse customer, you'll have full access to U-Verse TV content for $10 a month. And if you are a U-Verse customer, you get all the same viewing options along with the ability to manage your DVR.

Twitter:

We were a little worried about Twitter when it didn't show up on our WP7 in-depth look in July, but it'll be there on November 8th, complete with the ability to locate nearby tweets with GPS and the ability to poke around without signing in to a Twitter account.

GoVoice
Windows Phone 7 doesn't have an official Google Voice app, but third-party enabler GoVoice is already in the Zune Marketplace. In any incarnation—even for three bucks, as in this case—Google Voice is downright crucial.

IMDb:
Want to know why Windows Phone 7 has a real shot? Look no further than the WP7 IMDb treatment. Matt's assessment—that it's "holy crap nice lookin'"—gets a strong second from me.

eBay:

Microsoft's been stressing that what they lack in quantity of apps they'll make up for in quality. That's good news for auction fanatics, who are going to be treated to a very slick-looking interface that lets you search, bid, and buy from your device.

Fandango: Fandango feels like one of those apps that's table stakes at this point, so it's good to see it here—although the clock's still ticking on Foursquare, Pandora, Amazon, and other essentials.

Via Gizmodo

How to Find Almost Anything on your Computer with Windows Search

The built-in desktop search tool is one of my favorite features of Windows. Unlike Google Instant, Windows Desktop Search cannot predict queries in advance but it can find you relevant documents, e-mails, programs and other files almost as fast as you can type characters in the search box.

Windows search can be accessed from a variety of places on your computer. This includes the Windows Start Menu, Windows Explorer or press the “Windows key + F” to open a standalone search window. The latter option is more useful as it offers hints as you type and thus you can easily construct complex search queries without knowing the exact syntax.

Windows Search supports simple operators to help you narrow down search results and find the exact file or email message that you’re looking for. Some real-world examples:

1. Find presentations (ppt files) that contain a particular word.

ext:ppt sales {Search for the word “sales” in file names as well the content of documents}

ext:ppt filename:sales {Search only file names, don’t look inside the file content}

2. Find documents that were created or modified this week.

ext:doc date:this week {replace doc with xls, ppt, etc. for other file types}

In addition to “this week”, you may use values like today, yesterday, last week, past month or even “a long ago” with the date: search operator. It also works with date ranges as in the following examples.

date:13-?09-?2010..?24-?09-?2010 {find files added /modified in this date range}

kind:pictures date:>23-09-2010 {find all photographs that were captured after this day}

3. Find files that are taking lot of space on your system.

The following search query will instantly find gigantic video files that are larger than 128 MB in size. If you replace the value “gigantic” with “empty”, you’ll see all the files are 0 KB in size.

size:gigantic kind:video {find large video files like mp4, mov, wmv, avi, etc.}

size:>500MB {all files that are larger than .5 GB}

size:500MB..800Mb {find files that are in this particular size range}

4. Find files within a specific folder.

Windows Desktop Search, by default, will find files across all folders that have been added to the search index. If your search results are cluttered due to this, you can quickly narrow them down to select folders as in the following examples:

todo folder:documents {search your My Documents folders}

folder:desktop ext:pdf date:today {find PDF documents that you saved today}

adobe setup.ini folder:c:\program files {search a file in Adobe’s installation folders}

5. Find Emails with Windows Search

Other than documents and files, Windows Search is an excellent tool for searching your Outlook emails and it works more or less like search commands in Gmail. Some examples:

from:aryaman date:this week {find emails from Aryaman that you received this week}

isread:false importance:high {find all your important but still unread emails}

hasattachment:true size:>5mb {find emails with bulky attachments}

subject:”credit card” from:bank.com {find all Credit Card related emails from the bank}

These are just a few useful examples but you should also check out MSDN for a complete list of advanced search operators that are supported by Windows Desktop Search.

Also, if you have trouble getting your files or your emails in the search results, chances are that you have not added the locations to your Windows Search Index. Go to Control Panel –> Indexing Options and modify your Indexed Locations.

Vi Labnol

Windows 7 Family Upgrade Pack Returns For a Limited Time Only

A few months prior to the launch of Windows 7 Microsoft tried to entice early adopters with a killer deal on a three pack of Home Premium licenses, and as far as we can tell it was a huge success. Windows 7 was the most quickly adopted operating system in the company’s history, but like all good things it came it came to an unfortunate and abrupt end in early December 2009.

Anyone who waited too long was stuck paying nearly the same amount for a single copy, but if you missed the first offer we have good news for you, it’s back! Starting today you can order the Windows 7 Family pack which includes three copies of Home Premium for a mere $149.99. Anyone interested can pick up a copy at the Microsoft Online Store, or from what we can tell just about every common retailer that normally carries the SKU.

If you haven’t jumped over to Windows 7 yet, there has never been a better time to hop on the bandwagon. Still not convinced? I’m guessing that’s because you haven’t checked out our comprehensive review & benchmark comparison. Maybe you’re worried about the obstacles you might face while upgrading? We have a Guide for that too.

The family pack deal is just for US citizens at the moment but dozens of other countries will see the offer go live on October 22nd. Want to see if your homeland made the cut?

Countries where Family Pack will be available are:

United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, China, Russia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Romania, and Ukraine.

Buy Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Pack

Windows Phone 7 Launches on October 11th 2010

There has been quite a bit of confusion over when exactly Microsoft [MSFT] will actually officially launch their new mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7.

It seems that they will be holding a special event next Monday, the 11th of October in New York, when they will finally launch Windows Phone 7.

And whilst the official launch date may be the 11th of October, it looks like they will start selling Windows Phone 7 smartphones from the 8th of November 2010.

The event will be a worldwide launch, and at the US event in New York, T-Mobile will be showing off some Windows Phone 7 devices.

Microsoft via Geek

Sony Ericsson To Release Windows Phone 7 Smartphones

The other day we heard that Sony Ericsson had decided to drop Symbian from their smartphone line up, and would be concentrating more on smartphones running Google’s Android OS.

Now it seems that Sony Ericsson will also be producing smartphones that run Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 OS.Sony Ericsson’s CTO recently stated that whilst Android smartphones were the main priority for the company, he also said that Windows Phone 7 had been added to their smartphone roadmap.

We have no idea when Sony Ericsson will start producing Windows Phone 7 handsets, as soon as we get some more information we will let you guys know.

HTC Mondrian Windows Phone 7 Smartphone

German smartphone site BestBoyz have managed to get their hand on some leaked product shots of the new HTC Mondrian Windows Phone 7 smartphone.

According to their anonymous source, the HTC Mondrian is headed to an unnamed German carrier, unfortunately we dont have very many details about the handset.
As soon as we get some more information on the HTC Mondrian, including specifications and release dates we will let you guys know.

via Slashgear