Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[CNET details the death of Microsoft's Courier and Bill Gates' 'allergic reaction']]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/cnet-details-the-death-of-microsofts-courier-and-bill-gates-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/cnet-details-the-death-of-microsofts-courier-and-bill-gates-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/01/cnet-details-the-death-of-microsofts-courier-and-bill-gates-a/#comments For those that follow the twists and turns of the technology news business, the Microsoft Courier has practically become the stuff of legend. First leaked on Gizmodo in the fall of 2009, the device was never even officially confirmed by Microsoft until it axed the project in April of last year. And while we wound up learning quite a bit about the dual-screen tablet despite that lack of official information, we never really got the full story of its rise and fall within the company. Now CNET's Jay Greene has published an extensive look at the device's short history, which he says was "pieced together through interviews with 18 current and former Microsoft executives, as well as contractors and partners who worked on the project." The story, as you might expect, is fascinating -- read on for some of the details.

Continue reading CNET details the death of Microsoft's Courier and Bill Gates' 'allergic reaction'

CNET details the death of Microsoft's Courier and Bill Gates' 'allergic reaction' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bill gatesBillGatescouriergatesj allardJAllardmicrosoftmicrosoft courierMicrosoftCourierrobbie bachRobbieBachTue, 01 Nov 2011 12:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft shutters Pioneer Studios, we pour one out for J Allard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/20/microsoft-shutters-pioneer-studios-we-pour-one-out-for-j-allard/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/20/microsoft-shutters-pioneer-studios-we-pour-one-out-for-j-allard/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/20/microsoft-shutters-pioneer-studios-we-pour-one-out-for-j-allard/#comments
It's been about a year since he left Microsoft, but the J Allard era came to a more definitive close yesterday, with the shuttering of his brainchild, Pioneer Studios. Microsoft opened the incubation lab more than three years ago as an entrepreneurial space where designers could toy around with new consumer technologies. The tragically shelved Courier tablet was first developed within Pioneer's exposed brick walls, where Allard and his Alchemy Ventures team also worked on the Xbox, Zune and Windows Phone 7. Now, however, a Microsoft spokeswoman has confirmed that the downtown Seattle office is no longer occupied, telling CNET that many of the lab's employees have either left, or moved on to different positions within the company. Pioneer co-founder Georg Petschnigg left Microsoft in April to pursue an "undisclosed new venture," while fellow godfather Jonathan Harris is still at Redmond, where he serves as "principle experience director," according to their respective LinkedIn profiles. The spokeswoman didn't offer a specific reason for the decision, but in a now-ominous video posted to Microsoft's developer site back in October, Petschnigg acknowledged that the unit's innovative spirit would frequently lead to dead ends. "Often times our work just doesn't go anywhere," he explained, adding that Pioneer would only pursue projects expected to bring in more than $100 million a year. "That's one of the perils of being an entrepreneur." See the full video after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft shutters Pioneer Studios, we pour one out for J Allard

Microsoft shutters Pioneer Studios, we pour one out for J Allard originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 May 2011 05:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alchemy venturesAlchemyVenturesallardclosingcourierCourierTabletdesignentrepreneurGeorg PetschniggGeorgPetschniggincubatorincubator labIncubatorLabindustryinnovationJ AllardJAllardlabMicrosoftmicrosoft pioneer studiosMicrosoftPioneerStudiosPetschniggPioneerpioneer studiospioneer studios closingPioneerStudiosPioneerStudiosClosingredmondseattletabletvideowindows phone 7WindowsPhone7xboxzuneFri, 20 May 2011 05:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Entelligence: Market caps and dunce caps]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/06/entelligence-market-caps-and-dunce-caps/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/06/entelligence-market-caps-and-dunce-caps/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/06/entelligence-market-caps-and-dunce-caps/#commentsEntelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he'll explore where our industry is and where it's going -- on both micro and macro levels -- with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.

The buzzword of last week was "market cap." To those unfamiliar, market cap is the total value of outstanding shares of a company, and on May 26th at around 3PM Eastern, Apple's market value reached $225.1 billion, surpassing Microsoft's $222.3 billion. Apple isn't the largest technology company around, but it's become the most valuable, and it's valuation is second only to Exxon in the US. Later that same week, Microsoft announced that Robbie Bach and J Allard, the head of its Entertainment and Devices group and the division's CTO, were both leaving the company. There's been speculation that these two events were somehow intertwined, but I don't think that's the case. In addition, as good as Robbie and J are, there's more to the E & D team than two people -- as grandpa used to say, the cemeteries are full of people who couldn't be replaced.

Historically, Microsoft has always been two companies, the parts that made lots of money (Windows, Office, Server) and the parts that don't make money yet but might someday soon. E & D is the latest incarnation of the latter. Let's take a closer look.

Continue reading Entelligence: Market caps and dunce caps

Entelligence: Market caps and dunce caps originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecolumncourierentelligencej allardJAllardmarket capMarketCapmicrosoftrobbie bachRobbieBachwindowswindows phone 7windows phone 7 seriesWindowsPhone7WindowsPhone7SeriesxboxSun, 06 Jun 2010 19:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Robbie Bach: Project Natal a 'midlife kicker' for Xbox 360, 'absolutely confident' Courier innovations will appear elsewhere]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/robbie-bach-project-natal-a-midlife-kicker-for-xbox-360-abs/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/robbie-bach-project-natal-a-midlife-kicker-for-xbox-360-abs/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/robbie-bach-project-natal-a-midlife-kicker-for-xbox-360-abs/#comments Now that the proverbial cat's out of the bag, Tech Flash has caught up with Robbie Bach about his impending retirement from Microsoft. In a far-reach interview, the former President of Entertainment & Devices Division says he made his ultimate decision just last Thursday, and that while he and also-gone J Allard "had been talking [Allard's] situation for awhile," the conversation never went both ways and the timing of the departures is "pure coincidence... serendipity." Bach further claims that it was his choice and was not asked to leave, and as for pundits who might've thought he was in line for one day taking the reins from CEO Steve Ballmer, Bach downplays that possibility and says he never had interest and such discussions never took place.

But enough business talk, what about some of the projects Bach oversaw? There were a couple choice quotes we noted from the report. First up is Natal, a motion-sensing project that he views as a "midlife kicker for the [Xbox] 360." For those watching a calendar, that would give the console an approximately nine-year perceived lifespan on the corporate side -- from November 2005 to 2014. Of course, we could be reading too much into that, but we could certainly believe it. On the subject of Courier, Microsoft's now-cancelled internal tablet project, Bach is "absolutely confident... a bunch of that innovation will show up in Microsoft products." It's a stronger wording that what we originally read, and given just how excited we were watching that leaked video, we can only hope his prophecy is foretold. Do yourself a favor and take 15 minutes to read through the interview -- hey, you're welcome.

Robbie Bach: Project Natal a 'midlife kicker' for Xbox 360, 'absolutely confident' Courier innovations will appear elsewhere originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 May 2010 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>360bachcouriere and d divisione d divisionEAndDDivisionedEDDivisionentertainment and devicesentertainment and devices divisionEntertainmentAndDevicesEntertainmentAndDevicesDivisionj allardJAllardkinectmicrosoftmicrosoft courierMicrosoftCouriernatalproject natalProjectNatalrobbie bachRobbieBachxboxxbox 360Xbox360Tue, 25 May 2010 16:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft's Robbie Bach and J Allard leaving as part of broader shakeup; Xbox and Windows Phone teams now reporting directly to Ballmer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/microsofts-robbie-bach-j-allard-leaving-as-part-of-broader-sha/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/microsofts-robbie-bach-j-allard-leaving-as-part-of-broader-sha/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/25/microsofts-robbie-bach-j-allard-leaving-as-part-of-broader-sha/#comments Well, it looks like the rumors were true. Not only is Microsoft's J Allard now officially leaving the company, but so is Robbie Bach, President of Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices Division, amid what's described as a broader restructuring that will effectively dissolve the division and give CEO Steve Ballmer more direct oversight of Microsoft's consumer initiatives like Xbox and Windows Phone as of July.

Contrary to earlier reports, Allard says that he's not leaving due to the cancellation of the Courier, but instead says that after nineteen years with the company, he simply wants to devote more time to his personal interests, "particularly adventure sports." Allard also insists that he won't be moving on to Apple, Google or any other Microsoft rivals -- in fact, he's staying on as an advisor to Steve Ballmer. Robbie Bach's departure is equally curious -- despite being just 48, his move is being described as a "retirement," and he says that the decision was his own and that he wasn't encouraged to leave. He'll also apparently remain with Microsoft through the fall to aid in the transition.

When all's said and done, mobile communications VP Andy Lees and interactive entertainment head Don Mattrick will each separately report to Ballmer -- both have headed their divisions for some time now, so we'd assume that things will otherwise proceed as planned. Still, the loss of talent at the top is certainly noticeable -- we'll see how Microsoft responds now that Ballmer is firmly driving its mobile and gaming efforts.

We've got Ballmer's full letter to the company and Microsoft's official PR after the break, so take a peek.

Update: Mary Jo Foley has J Allard's parting email to his employees.

Continue reading Microsoft's Robbie Bach and J Allard leaving as part of broader shakeup; Xbox and Windows Phone teams now reporting directly to Ballmer

Microsoft's Robbie Bach and J Allard leaving as part of broader shakeup; Xbox and Windows Phone teams now reporting directly to Ballmer originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 May 2010 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allardbachballmerbreaking newsBreakingNewsEntertainment and Devices DivisionEntertainmentAndDevicesDivisionj allardJAllardkinectmicrosoftmicrosoft Entertainment and Devices Divisionmicrosoft Entertainment Devices DivisionMicrosoftEntertainmentAndDevicesDivisionMicrosoftEntertainmentDevicesDivisionnatalproject natalProjectNatalrobbie bachRobbieBachshakeupsteve ballmerSteveBallmerwindowswindows phoneWindowsPhonexboxxbox 360Xbox360Tue, 25 May 2010 11:54:00 EST<![CDATA[WSJ: Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division getting a 'shakeup,' J Allard expected to leave]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/24/wsj-microsofts-entertainment-and-devices-division-getting-a-s/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/24/wsj-microsofts-entertainment-and-devices-division-getting-a-s/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/24/wsj-microsofts-entertainment-and-devices-division-getting-a-s/#comments We were surprised enough to hear tales of J Allard possibly leaving Microsoft, but the Wall Street Journal is painting a bigger picture, saying "the organizational shakeup is broader than Mr. Allard's departure." We're taking that to mean there could be a larger changing of the guard here, particularly since the article is worded somewhat oddly and seems to imply the reshuffling could reach even Entertainment and Devices Division president Robbie Bach. As for Allard, WSJ reaffirms Mary Jo Foley's earlier report that there's a strong correlation between his departure and the Courier's swan song. An announcement pertaining to these moves is said to potentially come as early this week, so stay tuned -- this could be big.

WSJ: Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division getting a 'shakeup,' J Allard expected to leave originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 May 2010 21:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allardbachdevicesdivisione and d divisionEAndDDivisioned divisionEdDivisionentertainmententertainment and devicesentertainment and devices divisonEntertainmentAndDevicesEntertainmentAndDevicesDivisonj allardJAllardmicrosoftrobbie bachRobbieBachshake upShakeUpMon, 24 May 2010 21:05:00 EST<![CDATA[J Allard leaving Microsoft over Courier axing?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/21/j-allard-leaving-microsoft-over-courier-axing/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/21/j-allard-leaving-microsoft-over-courier-axing/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/21/j-allard-leaving-microsoft-over-courier-axing/#comments Well, it looks like the Courier's demise could be having some far bigger implications for Microsoft than anyone had suspected. According to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, Microsoft's Chief Experience Officer and CTO for its Entertainment and Devices division, J Allard, has been on sabbatical from the company for the past short while and is "unlikely to return" -- all due to the fate of the Courier. According to Foley's sources, Allard was "the champion" of the Courier, and had reportedly made his feelings about the device and its ultimate demise clear on numerous occasions -- including, of course, directly to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. According to another of Foley's sources, things eventually got so heated that Ballmer "showed Allard the door" because of their disagreements about the Courier's potential. So, did he jump or was he pushed? Microsoft isn't saying, and Allard is seemingly nowhere to be found.

J Allard leaving Microsoft over Courier axing? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 May 2010 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allardballmercourierdramaj allardJAllardmicrosoftquitsteve ballerSteveBallerFri, 21 May 2010 12:10:00 EST<![CDATA[J Allard's 'Magic Wand' patent application for Microsoft puts Nintendo, sorcerers on notice]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/18/j-allards-magic-wand-patent-application-for-microsoft-puts-ni/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/18/j-allards-magic-wand-patent-application-for-microsoft-puts-ni/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/18/j-allards-magic-wand-patent-application-for-microsoft-puts-ni/#comments It's been awhile since we've heard from J Allard; the man who assumed responsibility for Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division (think: Zune and Xbox) in mid 2008 in an effort to unify the experience into a centralized package. Now Microsoft's CTO and CXO (that's, Chief eXperience Office) has co-signed a patent application for a "Magic Wand" first filed in November of 2007 and made public just a few days ago. The patent application reads very much like a Wiimote, hand-held controller,
"The architecture can utilize one or more sensor from a collection of sensors to determine an orientation or gesture in connection with the wand, and can further issue an instruction to update a state of an environmental component based upon the orientation."
It's worth remembering that Microsoft has been rumored to be working on such a controller since at least August 2007. Something they've apparently scrapped for a camera-based solution that will allow gamers to control the action with their bodies and hand-gestures without requiring a hand-held controller -- you know, if current rumors are true. How many days until Microsoft's June 1st E3 press conference again?

[Via TechFlash]

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J Allard's 'Magic Wand' patent application for Microsoft puts Nintendo, sorcerers on notice originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 03:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controllere3e3 2009E32009j allardJAllardmagic wandMagicWandmicrosoftpatentpatent applicationPatentApplicationwandwii remotewiimoteWiiRemotexboxxbox 360Xbox360Mon, 18 May 2009 03:25:00 EST<![CDATA[J Allard, CXO, surfaces at Microsoft C-level]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/j-allard-cxo-surfaces-at-microsoft-c-level/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/j-allard-cxo-surfaces-at-microsoft-c-level/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/j-allard-cxo-surfaces-at-microsoft-c-level/#commentsJ Allard, previously of Veep stature, has been elevated to the position of CXO (Chief eXperience Officer) and CTO of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division. That puts the man synonymous with the Zune, Xbox, and once questionable, 80's style in charge of "the technical architecture and user experiences related to products and services of the Entertainment and Devices (E&D) division." He's also cracking the whip on the E&D's "incubation team" responsible for scouting out new opportunities for the division. You know, like the Zune Phone, Xbox 360 with Blu-ray, and Microsoft Surface Sphere. Thus making him the most important man inside Microsoft... from our perspective anyway.

[via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

J Allard, CXO, surfaces at Microsoft C-level originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ctocxoentertainment and devicesEntertainmentAndDevicesj allardJAllardmicrosoftsurfacexboxzuneTue, 01 Jul 2008 05:28:00 EST<![CDATA[J Allard talks failure, hope, convergence of Zune and Xbox services]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/16/j-allard-talks-failure-hope-convergence-of-zune-and-xbox-servi/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/16/j-allard-talks-failure-hope-convergence-of-zune-and-xbox-servi/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/16/j-allard-talks-failure-hope-convergence-of-zune-and-xbox-servi/#commentsJ Allard, the mysterious, bedreadlocked, Lex Luthor-ish cat behind the Xbox, Zune and Zune 2 (amongst others) sat down for a Q and A with the New York Times and revealed some deep feelings -- as well as future plans. Mainly, Mr. Allard talks about the hardships of dealing with record labels, the failure of the first Zune to penetrate the market, his hopes for the current generation of Redmond-anointed media players to kill, kill, kill, and the fact that a "Zune Phone" isn't anywhere close right now (though doesn't seem to be off the table). On the flip side, he hints at a future of merged Microsoft services, where you'll be able to order up music, games, and videos on demand -- all in one, centralized package. Says J, "Today we have Xbox live for $50 a year. We have Zune Pass at $15 a month. We don't have a rationalized premium version yet. Fast forward a little bit, and you can image a menu like DirecTV. There is basic, there is enhanced, there is movie pack and NFL Sunday ticket." Of course, right now it's just a crazy tripped-out dream floating around the mind of J Allard... let's hope it floats onto our screens soon.

Read - J Allard: Microsoft's Plan to Be King of All Media
Read - J Allard: The Failures of the Zune and the Record Labels
Read - J Allard: Dancing Around the Cellphone Question

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J Allard talks failure, hope, convergence of Zune and Xbox services originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>interviewj allardJAllardmarketplacemicrosoftmicrosoft liveMicrosoftLiveportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideoq and aQAndAxboxxbox 360Xbox360zunezune 2Zune2Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:21:00 EST<![CDATA[J Allard says no Zune Phone on the horizon, Zune tattoo guy weeps]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/03/j-allard-says-no-zune-phone-on-the-horizon-zune-tattoo-guy-weep/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/03/j-allard-says-no-zune-phone-on-the-horizon-zune-tattoo-guy-weep/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/03/j-allard-says-no-zune-phone-on-the-horizon-zune-tattoo-guy-weep/#commentsThe funkiest and freshest dude in Redmond, J Allard, has once again reached out to the people and dropped straight-up knowledge in regards to Zune Phone rumors. According to the report, during an interview with Reuters Allard shrugged off the chatter, saying that the company was focusing on the new Zunes at the present time. It would have seemed like a total dead-end, but the Microsoft exec then noted that the Zune was built on top of Windows Mobile, and added that the giant has, "The flexibility to take these in a different direction where [sic] our customers, our partners and we are ready." Sure, some new product would be nice, but let's be honest folks -- why would you need to make a phone when everyone is running your software anyway?

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J Allard says no Zune Phone on the horizon, Zune tattoo guy weeps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>j allardJAllardmicrosoftmobilerumorspeculationwindows mobilewindowsmobilezunezune phoneZunePhoneWed, 03 Oct 2007 11:21:00 EST<![CDATA[J Allard says no Zune Phone on the horizon, Zune tattoo guy weeps]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/03/j-allard-says-no-zune-phone-on-the-horizon-zune-tattoo-guy-weep/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/03/j-allard-says-no-zune-phone-on-the-horizon-zune-tattoo-guy-weep/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/03/j-allard-says-no-zune-phone-on-the-horizon-zune-tattoo-guy-weep/#commentsThe funkiest and freshest dude in Redmond, J Allard, has once again reached out to the people and dropped straight-up knowledge in regards to Zune Phone rumors. According to the report, during an interview with Reuters Allard shrugged off the chatter, saying that the company was focusing on the new Zunes at the present time. It would have seemed like a total dead-end, but the Microsoft exec then noted that the Zune was built on top of Windows Mobile, and added that the giant has, "The flexibility to take these in a different direction where [sic] our customers, our partners and we are ready." Sure, some new product would be nice, but let's be honest folks -- why would you need to make a phone when everyone is running your software anyway?

Filed under: , ,

J Allard says no Zune Phone on the horizon, Zune tattoo guy weeps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>j allardJAllardmicrosoftportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideorumorspeculationzunezune phoneZunePhoneWed, 03 Oct 2007 11:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft doesn't think Sony can stick to single PS3 SKU]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/28/microsoft-doesnt-think-sony-can-stick-to-single-ps3-sku/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/28/microsoft-doesnt-think-sony-can-stick-to-single-ps3-sku/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/28/microsoft-doesnt-think-sony-can-stick-to-single-ps3-sku/#commentsSince Microsoft apparently didn't suffer enough indignity with the whole J Allard-in-dreads happenings -- we were sure our caption contest sealed the deal -- another Xbox exec has gone on record making predictions on Sony hardware, unfortunately without similarly high stakes. Xbox director of technical strategy Andre Vrignaud is betting a steak dinner with the staff of Level Up that Sony's going to hit the market with a $399 PS3 SKU by Black Friday 2007. His thinking is that Sony won't want to stick with a $599 80GB PS3 as its sole offering, and therefore will drop the 80 gigger to $499 and supplement it with a stripped down $399 40GB PS3 that skips out on WiFi, a memory card reader and backward compatibility. Of course, Sony's not talking much about SKUs ever since its total PR disaster on the 60GB price cut during E3, but that doesn't necessarily mean the company is ready to take a page out of Microsoft's book and go all PS3 "Core" on us.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

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Microsoft doesn't think Sony can stick to single PS3 SKU originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Jul 2007 22:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andre vrignaudAndreVrignaudbetj allardJAllardmicrosoftps3sonyxboxxbox 360Xbox360Sat, 28 Jul 2007 22:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Caption contest: J Allard / N'Gai Croal mashup]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/11/caption-contest-j-allard-ngai-croal-mashup/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/11/caption-contest-j-allard-ngai-croal-mashup/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/11/caption-contest-j-allard-ngai-croal-mashup/#comments

So the story goes that Microsoft's bald J Allard and Newsweek's bedredlocked N'Gai Croal are at dinner together, and they make a bet: if the PSP sold 10m units faster than did the PS2, Allard has to dress up like N'Gai (during his next E3 keynote, which never came); if not, J gets to shave N'Gai's head. Guess who won. Not that we think of ourselves as particularly cruel, but surely we can't be expected to let this one go without a caption contest, can we?

Evan: "After that unfortunate night with the Rastafarian gamers, Allard swore off marijuana forever."
Ryan: "Headline: J Allard hired to manage Weird Al's White & Nerdy tour."
Don: "You mean it doesn't cost an extra $100 to add WiFi to this thing?" [Snap! -Ed.]
Paul: "Yeah, but does this come in Simpsons yellow?"
Ross: "Behold the Zune Elite. Now with HD-UMD and minoxidil."

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Caption contest: J Allard / N'Gai Croal mashup originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 May 2007 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betcaption contestCaptionContestfeaturesj allardJAllardmicrosoftn'gai croalN'gaiCroalnewsweekFri, 11 May 2007 10:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft to introduce Zune song sharing incentive program?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/30/microsoft-to-introduce-zune-song-sharing-incentive-program/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/30/microsoft-to-introduce-zune-song-sharing-incentive-program/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/30/microsoft-to-introduce-zune-song-sharing-incentive-program/#commentsYou may have heard a rumor floating about the internet that the Zune would adopt an incentive-based distribution system. The idea, supposedly, is that each song sent to your Zune-toting buddy that he/she decided to buy at your recommendation would earn you a small reward (think Zune Marketplace Points) for promoting and sharing legal digital music. Good Morning Silicon Valley revived the discussion on Wednesday, and points out that J Allard recently discussed the system at the Music Tech Summit in Seattle, but Microsoft has made no official remarks on the topic. Well we went digging through the US Patent and Trade Office site and came across a 2003 filing from Redmond that describes a very similar system that says "The first license also specifies the conditions upon which the content may be redistributed and licensed for use on a second device" and that "these conditions may specify a price for the second license, and/or a requirement that a portion of the purchase price be paid back to the owner of the first license, and/or a requirement that the first license be revoked upon creation of the second license." GMSV also says that there seems to be some confusion about the role of Shared Media Licensing, the parent company of Weedshare.com, which apparently has a very similar patent. Still, the question remains, if this really exists, when's Redmond going to let it see the light of day?

[Via Good Morning Silicon Valley, thanks Gern B.]

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Microsoft to introduce Zune song sharing incentive program? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Nov 2006 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>distributionincentivej allardJAllardmicrosoftmusic tech summitMusicTechSummitpatentsportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideozuneThu, 30 Nov 2006 10:44:00 EST<![CDATA[The Engadget Interview: J Allard, Microsoft Corporate Vice President]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/#comments We only got a mere 20 minutes of his time, but Peter and I got a chance to talk to the one and only J Allard about the Zune, digital media, and the direction Microsoft is taking things in what could be their most public marketplace battle since the browser wars. We'll let J do the talking.

So, you guys have heard an awful lot about Zune already leading up to the press release, what can we clarify?

Well, we've been following it pretty closely, obviously, since we first started hearing about it. Obviously today is the big unveiling, and we wanted to get a better idea of Zune not just as a device, but as a platform, and where you guys want to take all this stuff. So maybe you can start off by giving us an overview of where the device is, and where you see it going both as a device and as a platform.

Sure, I think it's a great question the way you phrased it because we actually really think about Zune more as a platform than a device; you used both those two key words. If you step back a little bit in terms of where we're going as a company and where we think we can move forward with the industry in the entertainment space, we have this idea of connected entertainment. You're too familiar with the transition from analog to digital, we think there's a transition that goes one step beyond that called "connected," where the community gets to have greater participation with their entertainment experiences. We want to bring that across all forms of entertainment. What we're doing with Xbox and Xbox Live in the gaming space, what we're doing with MS TV and the Media Center in the television space, and Zune is really our first foray into a deep connected music experience. The first product we'll introduce this holiday will be a connected one -- that's why we put in WiFi in every device, because we think those connected experiences are really going to signal what the future of the music industry looks like, and the future of television and film and everything else. And the community wants to play a big part in it. So while we're starting now and sharing between devices where you can share songs with your friends (3 plays for 3 days), and sort of get the recommendations of your trusted circle of friends and experience and discover new music. You guys know all too well 802.11 devices there are out there. Think about what else we can connect to. Think about all the other scenarios we could do, whether location-based, etc. The device itself is intended to be a future-proof platform that's part of this connected entertainment world where entertainment will become more personal, more interactive, and more engaged with community.

Continue reading The Engadget Interview: J Allard, Microsoft Corporate Vice President

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The Engadget Interview: J Allard, Microsoft Corporate Vice President originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital mediaDigitalMediafeaturesinterviewInterviewsj allardJAllardportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideozuneThu, 14 Sep 2006 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Zune: what we know, think we know, and don't yet know]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/21/zune-what-we-know-think-we-know-and-dont-yet-know/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/21/zune-what-we-know-think-we-know-and-dont-yet-know/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/21/zune-what-we-know-think-we-know-and-dont-yet-know/#comments Ok, so we got off the horn with Microsoft just a few minutes ago and realized that making heads or tails of all this Zune stuff is probably driving some of you crazy . (We know others are probably just getting driven crazy by all the posts we've been writing about it. Sorry, it's our job!) So here's what we know for sure, think we know according to inside sources (i.e. yet unconfirmed information), and what we don't yet know at all about the Zune.

What we know (for sure)
  • Zune is the name of the project, the brand, and the device.
  • The first Zune device will be launched this year, with more devices to come in 2007.
  • The Zune brand encompasses not only the device, but the software that will drive it, as well as a music, movie, and media service the Zune device family will use for acquiring, sharing, and discovery of said media. Music will be the first angle of service that is launched, "connected entertainment" being the ultimate goal.
  • The Zune media service will heavily leverage community aspects and recommendation; emphasis is being placed on using Zune to discover new artists, media, etc.
  • The Zune media device will be drive-based, and have WiFi.
  • The Zune brand is intended to be an entirely vertically integrated end-to-end solution, not unlike the iPod / iTunes / iTunes Music Store triumvirate.
  • The service and device will not be PlaysForSure compliant, meaning you will not be able to use your Zune player with Napster or Vongo, for example. This will be an entirely new system. Microsoft will continue to support and develop for their PlaysForSure initiative, but all things PlaysForSure are handled by two entirely separate division that will not have any crossover.
  • Zune is under Microsoft's new Entertainment & Devices Division, and is headed by, among others, Robbie Bach, J Allard (Corporate Vice President and Chief XNA Architect), and Bryan Lee (Corporate Vice President and CFO, Entertainment and Devices Division), which accounts for the division of this project from the rest of Microsoft, similar to how the Xbox project was also strictly separated.
  • The logo we had is, of course, real.
  • Microsoft's launched the Zune viral marketing site, ComingZune.com. [Thanks, bv]
What we think we know (and are pretty sure of)
  • They'll be showing off the device by the end of next month, and will aim for a November release.
  • Microsoft will buy your way out of iTunes in order to convert you to a Zune user.
  • The Zune will come in multiple colors.
  • Pyxis is the codename for their nano competitor which would also include video capabilities; Alexandria is the codename for the software that powers the Zune experience.
  • A Microsoft portable gaming system is in the works, and will be a part of the Zune family. This device should have Xbox Live Anywhere integration. This may or may not be an Xbox co-branded portable, but is probably going to be the portable gaming / media device we've been hearing about for years.
  • Microsoft's ad campaign will include a Super Bowl commercial.
  • The Zune will have a bevy of accessories at launch; it'll probably be cheaper for accessory makers to develop for the Zune port than pay the Made For iPod tax.
What we don't yet know
  • Whether the Zune media service will offer the same kind of all-you-can-eat subscription media services as PlaysForSure media services like Napster and Vongo. Supposedly subscription will be offered, but downplayed in favor of song purchase (which is the opposite of most PlaysForSure services).
  • Whether you'll actually only be limited to sharing with up to 10 people nearby, as rumored, and that they won't get the protected files, but will "bookmark" them for later purchase.
  • Exact device specifications for the first Zune device, as well as its price (though we hear it could be as much as $399).
  • Whether it'll include XM and/or Sirius service as rumored (we doubt it).
Let the analysis begin!

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Zune: what we know, think we know, and don't yet know originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>argoj allardJAllardmicrosoftportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideozuneFri, 21 Jul 2006 17:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft DAP said to be part of Xbox-branded product lineup]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/10/microsoft-dap-said-to-be-part-of-xbox-branded-product-lineup/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/10/microsoft-dap-said-to-be-part-of-xbox-branded-product-lineup/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/10/microsoft-dap-said-to-be-part-of-xbox-branded-product-lineup/#comments
Some more details have leaked out about Microsoft's unannounced-but-well-known WiFi-enabled digital music player that shed some light on its role in Microsoft's overall home entertainment strategy -- though you'll still have to deal with that blurry pic for now. According to sources cited by The Seattle Times, the upcoming DAP is only one of several offerings that will be part of a larger lineup of Xbox-branded products, which will also include Microsoft's upcoming online media service -- the one that will dupe all your iTunes tracks for free -- and a dedicated software media player. Codenamed Project Argo, this initiative is said to be spearheaded by Xbox co-founder J Allard, and is rumored to support the so-called XNA toolkit for allowing developers to easily port games to multiple platforms -- possibly setting the stage for that heavily-rumored Xbox2Go. There's not too much here that we didn't already know, but it's becoming increasingly clear that Redmond has a definite battle plan for waging war against Apple and others in your living room (and pocket), and that the company is starting to make good on its promise of turning the 360 into a true digital hub.

[Via Joystiq]

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Microsoft DAP said to be part of Xbox-branded product lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jul 2006 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>argobrandingdapdigital hubdigital mediaDigitalHubDigitalMediaipoditunesj allardJAllardmicrosoftplatformsportable audioportable videoPortableAudioportablevideoseattle timesSeattleTimesstrategieswifixbox 360xbox2goXbox360Mon, 10 Jul 2006 13:49:00 EST