From: Zune Insider Blog

Subtle. Only a few weeks ago did Microsoft deny all allegations and speculation about the ‘Argo’ and Zune projects. A week later, “Hey everybody, let’s talk about the Zune for a second. Never heard of it before? That’s alright. Neither have we.”

What does this slide confirms to us about the Zune?

• It is going to be integrated experience (store, format, device, accessory, etc.)
• It is not just the player, Zune encompasses software too
• Release and ship before end of year
• Sharing entertainment in a community level

That’s great. Just as I got hold of a Clix, my first DAP ever, then Microsoft delivers the iPod-killer.

Also, just some tidbits I found around the interweb.

• Zune comes with pre-loaded content
• Zune utilities Wifi 802.11b (11mbps/2.4GHz) for wireless connectivity

Lately there has been a lot of outrage in the Firefox community over the public preview of the new Microsoft.com homepage set for public release at the end of 2006/2007. The general consensus has been that Microsoft is only focused on Internet Explorer users and is not supporting any third-party browsers like Firefox or Opera. However, this is definitely not true. Anyone who did a little deeper research would have found the design supports browsers across the board, not just Internet Explorer.

As you can see, through a simple spoof of the user-agent in Firefox, the design actually works. Apart from the popout window bug, which isn’t hard to fix, it proves Microsoft is just as dedicated to ensuring the design will work on as many browsers as possible. I’ve also been told it works in Opera just as well.

Some people even go to the extent to argue Microsoft is forcing users with Firefox or Opera to the current design because they want to promote Internet Explorer’s superiority, but everyone is overlooking the obvious reason behind all this. This is clearly a beta, a work in progress. This redesign isn’t mass-marketed at the public because not enough development and testing has been achieved. The ‘popout window’ bug is good example of why Microsoft wouldn’t have wanted Firefox users to access the site, because not displaying the site is arguably much better than a displaying a broken site.

Have a look at the following pictures, see if you notice anything special. They get closer sequentially.

That’s right. It was small wasn’t it. And in-case you missed it, it was this small icon . Sneaky little bugger.

So what’s so special about it? Well in this case, a certain amount of money. Because some creative agency decided to contact me through Flickr’s fantastic photoset comments, I was totally unaware of their attempts. Mind you, that was four months ago. Only today, did I notice a small, ambiguous and uncolored icon in one of my photosets. First I thought it was something embedded in my photo, but when I hovered over it, I discovered the wonderful (but hidden) worlds of photoset comments.

I received no email notifications through either FlickrMail or my subscribed email account. Because Flickr likes to send me bundles of emails when someone adds me to their friends list, but not when I have a potential monetary reward.

Nevertheless, I gave the design agency a call this evening and asked to speak to Sam Morel. Just out of curiosity’s sake to inquire about which photo he was interested in. The receptionist took my message and forwarded it on. I hope to speak to Sam soon.

Update: I haven’t heard from Sam in a week. I guess he is no longer interested.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing
So is a lot
— Albert Einstein (e=mc²)

EUReKA is the newest smash-hit science fiction drama in the US. It generated the biggest ratings in Sci Fi channel’s 14 year history. Apart from its witty dialogs, lovable characters and secretive plot, EUReKA integrates the mysteries of Area 51, X-Files and Lost in a neat Smallville-like township that is full of scientific geniuses who’s been responsible for every scientific invention in the last 50 years. They claim global warming was an accident.

Nestled in the Pacific Northwest, Eureka is a seemingly ordinary town whose residents lead ordinary lives … at least to the naked eye. Shrouded in secrecy, the picturesque hamlet is actually a community of scientific geniuses assembled by the government to conduct top-secret research.

From unrequited love to professional jealousy, from addiction to depression, the problems of Eureka’s townsfolk stem from life’s myriad of everyday challenges. But with the population’s unique talents, troubled psyches and limitless resources, these small-town concerns have a way of becoming big-time problems. It is at that intersection, where human frailty and super-science collide, that Eureka begins….

You can watch the full 2-hour pilot episode free at SciFi.com

This is the first time I’ve come across an originally composed soundtrack originally made for one movie, being used again for another movie with a different director, producer, sound department and production company.

“My Name is Lincoln” by Steve Jablonsky from The Island soundtrack is one of the best soundtrack scores I’ve ever heard. I was surprised today when I heard it again on the Flyboys trailer.

Often songs used in blockbuster movies does not get reused for another movie in such short periods of time, especially originally composed soundtracks. Nevertheless even if the title is totally irrelevant to the Flyboys movie, it is a great piece of soundtrack that fits the mood of Flyboys quite well. I certainly do hope it makes it into the final music score!

I’m more than honored to be invited by Bernard Oh to go to Microsoft’s TechEd Australia 2006 conference this year and help Frank Arrigo showcase Windows Vista Office 2007 to a group of ~800 university students on Tech.Ed Student Day.

This is going to be an extraordinary experience as I’ll be meeting some of the Microsoft Student Ambassadors around the country, having a look around TechEd and screencasting live to an audience the size I’ve never stood infront of. It would also be a great opportunity to meet some of the Australian technology bloggers and evangelists that I’ve come across in my short blogging career.

You can catch me play with Windows Vista Office 2007 on August 22nd, TechEd student day, as well as throughout the TechEd conference from the 23rd to 25th in the Sydney Convention Centre.

Update: I’ve been told I’m actually demoing Office 2007, not Windows Vista.

If you’re in Sydney and would like to attend Tech.Ed Student Day, register for your free ticket at the official Tech.Ed registration page.