PDC Live in Silicon Valley

PDC10 is now sold out, but you can still join in on the excitement via the live stream, starting at 9:00 am PST on October 28. This year’s groundbreaking event will include live streaming of the keynotes, as well as concurrent live streaming of sessions. All content will be available on demand within 24 hours of recording. Be sure you’re on the PDC email list to get a preview of what’s planned for this year’s online experience

If you are in Silicon Valley and If you would like to join in on the excitement via the live stream and in-person delivered sessions.  Attend this October 28^th event at the Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus – this year’s content will focus on the next generation of Cloud Services, client & devices, and framework & tools. You can get the highlights of PDC without heading to Redmond.  Welcome keynote by Dan’l Lewin (CVP, Strategic and Emerging Business Development for Microsoft) and two in-person session on OData & Windows Phone 7. Join us for an opportunity to receive limited edition t’s, enter to win an XBOX w/Kinect, Windows Phone 7 and more!  Register here: 1032464622.

Windows Phone 7 Developer Launch Event – Mountain View (Oct 12-13), San Francisco (Oct 20-21)

If you have a cool idea or wanting to build a app/game for Windows Phone 7 then come and join us for an event near you and get hands-on experience with Windows Phone 7.Windows Phone 7 Developer Launch Windows Phone 7 is here – and with it comes a new world of opportunity for passionate, creative developers. Windows Phone 7 gives you the power to build complex, robust applications using consistent hardware specs, a comprehensive development toolkit, and the all-new, full-service Marketplace for selling your apps. Get ready to capitalize on this exciting new frontier with two days of fast-paced learning and Windows Phone 7 development sessions. Pick the day that best fits your needs – or join us for both. Either way, you’ll get the information you need to build high-demand apps with Windows Phone 7. Day 1: Jump-Start Your Mobile Development | 8:30am – 5:15pm In the first of this two-day launch event, we’ll take you under the hood of Windows Phone 7 and the Windows Phone 7 platform with a progressive set of learning sessions. We’ll start with the basic tools and fundamentals of Windows Phone 7 application development and as the day unfolds, we’ll go deeper into development scenarios using Silverlight, XNA and the Windows Phone 7 SDK. You’ll also see how to earn cash for your apps in the fully loaded Marketplace. Day 2: Unleash Your Best App Workshop | 9:00am – 4:00pm This hands-on workshop is designed to help you turn those napkin sketches and subway scribbles into real, sellable apps. You’ll apply fundamental Windows Phone 7 design principles to build an app and upload it to the fully revamped Marketplace. Go at your own pace or follow along with a proctored group lab. Either way, you’ll get step-by-step advice from Microsoft and community experts. It’s an unprecedented opportunity to stake your claim in the marketplace – using familiar tools and consistent specs.   Mountain View, CA Microsoft Silicon Valley Office October 12 – 13, 2010 Day 1: Jump-Start Day 2: Workshop San Francisco, CA San Francisco Design Center October 20 – 21, 2010 Day 1: Jump-Start Day 2: Workshop Seating is limited. Register online or call 1-877-MSEVENT. These dates don’t work? Watch the Windows Phone 7 Launch Event online, live from Mountain View, CA. October 12, 2010 For more Windows Phone 7 developer events, visit: www.msdnevents.com/wp7

eBay Simple Lister beta

As a next step to the story that began on the of the keynote with Scott Guthrie at MIX10 and  Silverlight4 launch keynote at Devconnetions today launched the the eBay Simple Lister app is now in a public beta in eBay garden. This new Simple Lister beta as mentioned on the eBay garden is an experiment to radically simplify selling on eBay by using eBay’s rich database of product details to create item listings, get more pricing guidance on items you want to sell and quickly crop, resize, edit photos, scan barcode.

This is really exciting as this is first Line Of Business application built on Silverlight4.

This Silverlight 4 application was built using Sketchflow, Blend, and Visual Studio 2010 and some features of Silverlight4 that was is building the app are as follows:

• Elevated Trust for Out of Browser
• Notification Windows (toasts)
• WebCam
• Silverlight as a Drop Target
• Field Level Validation
• Digitally signed elevated trust out of browser application
• File system access (for photos)
• Custom window chrome

This application was designed and developed by Cynergy Systems for eBay in 8 weeks.

My good friend and colleague John Papa a Sr.Technology Evangelist in Microsoft who was part of this project has a very nice and simple blog post on how to install and use the eBay Simple Lister.

As the eBay Simple Lister application is in beta so please make sure to provide feedback after giving it a try.

 

UStream IE8 Web Slice Add-on

Ustream the leader in live interactive broadcasting which allows anyone with a computer, an Internet connection and a web cam to create their own channel and broadcast live has released this week an Internet Explorer8 web slice.  The Ustream web slice enables to get updates on the recommended live show broadcast on ustream. from your favorites toolbar.

To download the Ustream Internet Explorere 8 web slice go here :

http://www.ieaddons.com/en/details/photosvideos/Ustream_Recommended_Live/

http://www.ustream.tv/

Netflix Announces OData Catalog API Preview

Last week at MIX10, we presented about how Open Data Protocol (OData) can contribute to a more programmable web and Netflix OData API was central to the day#2 keynote by Doug Purdy.

OData enables data integration across a broad range of clients, servers, services, and tools (see the below ODATA ecosystem). OData builds on a few conventions, popularized by AtomPub, to using REST-based data services. These services allow resources, identified using Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) and defined in an abstract data model, to be read and edited by web clients using simple HTTP messages.

A real life example of ODATA is from Netflix and recommend checking out the blog from Michael Hart, Director of Engineering, API & Community at Netflix.

For more details, consult the protocol documentation on the OData site where you will also find a list of services and products that are already using OData.

Read “Open Data for the Open Web” by Doug Purdy for more perspective on OData and check out the MIX10 session Implementing OData and how to create the feed on that by Mike Flasko.

Flixster Internet Explorer 8 Accelerator & Web Slice

In time for the summer Flixster the leading online destination for movie enthusiasts with over 30M unique visitors per month and 2 billion movie ratings that leading movie application on Facebook , MySpace, iPhone have released this week a Internet Explorer8 search accelerator and web slice.  The Flixster search accelerator enables to quickly get access to Movies and Actors by simply selecting the text in your browser and getting the result back with out loosing context of your browsing experience. The Flixster web slice enables to get updates on new movies and watch trailers directly from your toolbar.

To download the Flixster Internet Explorere 8 add-ons go here :

http://www.ieaddons.com/en/search/?search=flixster

 

Silverlight4 Release Candidate Announced at MIX10

 

Wow! it was a really wonderful exiting MIX10 event in Las Vegas (4000 attendees, 46000 online viewers …) with some great product demos , announcement of Window Phone7 Series, Silverlight RC, IE8 developer preview and ODATA.

You can watch the MIX10 event on demand at http://live.visitmix.com/videos.

We also announced a release candidate (RC) for Silverlight 4, available for download today at MIX10. Silverlight 4 builds on the beta version released at the Professional Developers Conference in November 2009.

Get started with Silverlight 4.

Silverlight 4 RC provides powerful media and enterprise application and media capabilities, out-of-browser flexibility and world-class tools support via Visual Studio and Expression Blend with Sketchflow to enable robust application development and rich interactive experiences.

Expression Blend 4 Beta, a design and development workflow tool, was announced. New features such as Path Layout enable developers and designers to build and animate innovative user interface design via a groundbreaking visual layout mechanism, without the need to write code. Expression Blend 4 Beta also adds support for Silverlight 4, .NET Framework 4 and Visual Studio 2010. 

Download Expression Blend Preview for .NET 4.

Silverlight adoption has continued at a rapid pace with installations approaching 60 percent of all Internet devices worldwide — an increase of nearly 15 percentage points in just four months. Customers such as Major League Soccer, BBC, eBay Inc., Netflix Inc., NBCOlympics.com and CT Corp., a Wolters Kluwer business, demonstrated how they are taking advantage of the power of Silverlight to deliver compelling consumer and enterprise experiences.

For a complete list, see What’s New in Silverlight 4 Beta?

Here’s some highlights for business application development:

• Printing support
• A full set of forms controls with over 60 customizable, styleable components.
• WCF RIA Services introduces enterprise class networking and data access for building n-tier applications.
• Localization enhancements with bi-directional text, right-to-left support and complex scripts such as Arabic, Hebrew and Thai and 30 new languages.
• The .NET Common Runtime (CLR) now enables the same compiled code to be run on the desktop and Silverlight without change.
• Enhanced databinding support,
• Managed Extensibility Framework

You can get started by getting developer tools. See Get the Tools.

To help you get started in development, we’ve created some initial learning material for you. Here are some resources to help get started with your hands-on development of Silverlight 4 Beta!

• Videos
  This is a series of videos covering the top Silverlight 4 Beta features in more detail with available source sample code in C# and Visual Basic.
• Sample Applications
  Download the sample applications including the ones shown during the PDC09 keynote presentation.
• Guides and labs
  Explore Silverlight 4 using these hands-on labs.
• Read the “What’s New” Whitepaper By John Papa

60-minute Architect focused Webcast

Each month through June 2010, we’ll bring you a 60-minute Architect focused Webcast to educate on the latest trends/topics and how new technologies can align with your business needs.

 

March 25, 2010 at 1:00pm – 2:00pm EST

Title: Extending Your Sites Reach with IE8 Add On Features

Abstract Today’s users are getting more sophisticated and they expect more features from the sites and services they use. In this session learn about how to implement low effort, high value add-ons that expand your sites reach and bring value to your customer base . 

Link to Register: https://swrt.worktankseattle.com/webcast/4240/preview.aspx

 

Presenter:
Jim Cirone
Architect Evangelist, Microsoft
Jim Cirone is an Architect Evangelist with Microsoft’s Developer and Platform Evangelism team. He joined the DPE team 3 years ago after spending 10 years in Microsoft’s services group architecting and delivering complex solutions. In his current role he is focused on new and emerging web technologies.

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March 26, 2010 at 1:00pm – 2:00pm EST

Title: Windows Azure Design Patterns

Abstract: One of the challenges in adopting a new platform is finding usable design patterns that work for developing effective solutions. The Catch-22 is that design patterns are discovered and not invented. Nevertheless it is important to have some guidance on what design patterns make sense early in the game.

This webcast attacks the problem through a set of application scenario contexts, Azure features and solution examples. It is unique in its approach and the fact that it includes the use of features from all components of the Windows Azure Platform including the Windows Azure OS, Windows Azure AppFabric and SQL Azure. In this webcast you will learn about the components of the Windows Azure Platform that can be used to solve specific business problems.

Link to Register: https://swrt.worktankseattle.com/webcast/4241/preview.aspx

Presenter:
Bill Zack
Architect Evangelist, Microsoft

Bill Zack is an Architect Evangelist with Microsoft. He comes to this role after serving as a Solutions Architect in the Financial Services Unit of Microsoft Consulting Services. His experience includes developing, supporting and evangelizing .NET/SOA based frameworks used to jump-start development projects for financial services companies.

Shop at eBay with IE8 Daily Deal Web Slice

In time for the holidays eBay has just released a new Internet Explorer 8 Daily Deals Web Slice that I have been collaborating with them. Every day eBay showcases popular products selling at deep discounts. Customers will receive continuing updates and detailed information about these Daily Deals for eBay (as shown in the below snippet from my desktop), all within the Favorites Bar in Internet Explorer 8. With almost 200 million live listings combine Internet Explorer 8 security, privacy and features such Web Slice it will make online shopping more fun and easier this holiday season.

It’s a great example of what a web slice should be (if you need more info on web slices read here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/features/easier.aspx?tab=0).

This simple and innovative eBay model will pave for other online marketplace as a way to engage with its customers and increase revenue.

For more information on the Daily Deal Web Slice, please see the following related articles:

Press Release:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/nov09/11-25IE8HolidayPR.mspx?rss_fdn=Press%20Releases

Download:

http://ie8.ebay.com

http://www.ieaddons.com/en/details/shopping/Get_the_latest_eBaycom_Daily_Deals/

Silverlight4 Beta Availability for Developers

Silverlight 4 Beta Information

Earlier this week at PDC09 in Los Angeles we unveiled a Beta version Silverlight 4. This latest version delivers hundreds of features and controls that, when combined with the continued innovation in Microsoft’s world-class tools for designers and developers — Microsoft Visual Studio and Microsoft Expression Blend – present the leading edge in rapid, powerful application development. With printing support, rich reporting and charting, and integration with back-end systems and server products including Microsoft SharePoint, Silverlight is ready for business.

What’s New in Silverlight 4 Beta?

Silverlight 4 delivers a full suite of powerful capabilities to business application developers, bringing the best-of-breed .NET platform to browser-based experiences. Silverlight provides an ideal platform for developing and deploying modern business applications for both customer facing and staff-facing applications.

To learn more about beta release here are some good resource:

http://silverlight.net/getstarted/silverlight-4-beta/

http://channel9.msdn.com/learn/courses/Silverlight4/Overview/Overview/

http://channel9.msdn.com/learn/courses/Silverlight4/Overview/WhatsNew/

Additionally the Day#2 keynote announcement of Silverligh4 beta release from PDC09 is available on demand at:

http://microsoftpdc.com/Sessions/KEY02