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Microsoft launches ExcelMashup.com, looks to make spreadsheets both hip and exciting
Most of our day jobs aren't nearly as amusing as life at Wernham Hogg and Excel doesn't make things any more exciting. But, if you're looking to spice up your spreadsheets, Microsoft's ExcelMashup.com may be just what you've been waiting for. The site lets you create apps of your very own using Redmond's various products. For example, you can combine some Excel JavaScript, a workbook stored on SkyDrive and a little HTML to create apps that run in a browser. Add a dash of Bing Maps and you've got a Destination Explorer! For the uninitiated, there are tutorials and for the showoffs a shared code space. There's even nifty Interactive Code Snippets for trying out bits of script before adding them to your own project. Want to make the cute girl in reception notice you? Coding your own apps in Excel won't help, but it'll probably land you in less trouble than putting Gareth's stapler in Jello again.
SkyDrive juices up document sharing and uploading, grabs a HTML5 smoothie afterward (video)
Omar Shahine has sent SkyDrive off to the Microsoft gym in the hopes that it'd trim up ready for its forthcoming update. Users will soon be able to enjoy beefier document management powers, share individual files from private folders, control permissions and post files to Facebook in a couple of clicks. They'll also be able to upload groups of documents whilst navigating the site and best of all, can use the HTML5 file api to drag'n'drop documents in any standards-compliant browser. Slideshows are much improved this time out, and right-clicking fans will be able to edit individual documents and photos inline. The service will purportedly now load in around half the time it did before -- clearly it's been told to shed some of those Silverlight pounds.
Windows 8 details: new features, UI enhancements and everything in between
Today, Windows Division prexy Steven Sinofsky treated Build 2011 attendees to a walkthrough of the various tweaks, subtle or otherwise, Microsoft's made to Windows 8. Staying true to its roots, the new OS implements the familiar keyboard commands users have become accustomed to over the years -- you know, like CMD and Ctrl+F. And as for its update to Internet Explorer, MS has imbued its tenth iteration with the ability to switch between the much-hyped Metro-style UI and plain old desktop view -- all according to your whimsy. Of course, Redmond's instituted other sweeping changes across the platform, and you can check some of the highlights after the break. %Gallery-133511%
Mango quietly enables music streaming from SkyDrive, hides amongst your spreadsheets
Here's a little feature that Microsoft quietly sneaked into Mango -- you can stream music straight from your SkyDrive account. With the latest WP7 update comes some nice integration with Redmond's cloud storage service, but it's not just for pulling up spreadsheets. You can navigate to any folder and, if you tap on an compatible sound file, it'll start playing the tune in the music app. It's not a full fledged streaming and syncing service like Google Music or a tightly integrated ecosystem such as iTunes and iCloud, but it is a pretty neat trick. And, lets be honest, no matter how cumbersome, sometimes those unofficial solutions are much more gratifying. Check out the video of it in action after the break.
Microsoft delivers Live integration for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devs
Can't seem to part from that Hotmail account you established back in '96? Good news, because Microsoft is providing app developers with the necessary tools to hook into your Windows Live account -- and it's bringing Messenger and SkyDrive along for the ride. Now, publishers of Windows Phone, iOS, and Android applications will be able to empower you, the end user, to access your contacts, photos, and other personal bits from your dominant smartphone of choice. According to Redmond, consumers should expect a seamless experience when signing in and granting application privileges, which will be required only once, as third-party apps will remain authorized for Live access until its privileges are specifically revoked. For developers, Microsoft is providing standardized sample code, and software can be registered with Microsoft by simply providing the name and language of the app. It's an unholy matrimony for sure, but we'll gladly crash the reception.
Microsoft upgrades SkyDrive, reminds us of its place in the cloud (video)
Microsoft is sending out a subtle reminder this week that, despite all of the fanfare surrounding its newly announced service, Apple isn't the only game in the cloud. Redmond has unveiled updates to SkyDrive, including speed boosts, a revamped UI, and improvements to photo viewing. The latest version of the almost four-year-old service has cut wait time on actions like clicking folders, from six to nine seconds down to 100 to 300 milliseconds. The updated software also features H.264 video playback, a navigation system more akin to desktop browsing, and a single view for files, docs, and photos. Let Microsoft hold your hand through a video tour of its cloud below.
Microsoft details SkyDrive integration with Windows Phone Mango (video)
We already knew Windows Phone Mango would include SkyDrive functionality, but Microsoft has now released a few more details on some of the cloud storage features we can expect to see when the update rolls out, later this year. With the update, SkyDrive users will be able to share their stored photos via text message, e-mail or IM, and to upload their videos to the cloud with the touch of a button. They'll also be able to browse, share and edit uploaded MS Office documents directly from their handhelds, while searching through their entire SkyDrive via the Office Hub. Storage limits remain capped at 25GB, though Microsoft says we should expect to see more cloud-based features roll out in the near future (including a revamped, HTML5-based SkyDrive web interface), so more changes may very well be on the horizon. Soar past the break for some demo videos from Redmond, along with a hands-on clip from WinRumors.
Latest WP7 Mango leak hints at added Windows Messenger support
The upcoming Windows Phone update is looking better with each subsequent leak. What initially appeared to be primarily targeted toward programmers has since begun bearing fruit on the user's end, a trend continued with this latest unauthorized glimpse. We're certainly taking it with a few tablespoons of salt -- the Mango screens appeared on and were subsequently pulled from Chinese site Cnblogs -- but we like what we see. Perhaps most significant among the newly glimpsed features here is integration between WP7's People hub and Windows Live Messenger, making it possible to IM people directly from the contacts list. Also present, Bing Image Search, support for East Asian languages, and added SkyDrive functionality, which we've already seen previewed. No doubt we'll be hearing more on this very subject in the near future. More info as the story ripens. [Thanks, All]
Microsoft releases OneNote app for iOS
Microsoft has released a OneNote app for iOS, designed to sync with the company's OneNote software, which is a part of Microsoft Office for Windows and has a web version that Mac users can take advantage of. The OneNote app allows you to create notes and sync them with the Windows Live SkyDrive cloud storage. The app will allow use of the iPhone's camera to add pictures to your notes, but it doesn't have all the features of its web-based sibling or the Windows desktop version. As Macworld points out, some of those advanced features will not sync to the iPhone app. The app is free for a limited time. Microsoft has not indicated what the app will eventually cost, so it's worth grabbing now if you utilize OneNote. Thanks to all those who submitted the tip!
