A couple of years ago, various laptop manufacturers began implementing “instant-on” solutions to their mobile PCs with lite variations of Linux for a fast boot experience. Although it didn’t catch on very well, Microsoft took the idea to the next level with a hypervisor-enabled fast-boot dual-boot solution that makes much more sense.

The patent application, “FAST BOOTING A COMPUTING DEVICE TO A SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE” outlines a boot process involving a general operating system like Windows alongside many special purpose operating systems that boots much more quickly to provide “appliance-like behavior” such as viewing entertainment content (TV, music, DVD).

Up until now it might just sound like a traditional dual-boot scenario, but since operating systems are running on top of a hypervisor, Microsoft proposes that after the user is launched into the specialized OS, the general purpose OS would actually start loading in the background too. Furthermore, once the two are running side by side, the system may automatically and seamlessly transition the user to the general OS.

The end result is instant gratification from a fast-boot experience, at the same time, the flexibility to do more without compromise. Win win.

Personally I think this could be a great practical application of hypervisor technology, especially Microsoft’s Hyper-V, in the consumer operating system space. Since boot time is a huge advantage of embedded devices over a PC, together with all the investments Microsoft has made in componentizing Windows like Media Center, it’s highly likely we’ll see this implemented sooner than later.

Update: Manan Kakkar has more evidence to suggest that this feature may even be a part of Windows 8 as “Direct experience”.

Good news for Australian Windows Phone 7 users (and other regional markets around the world), Microsoft has finally fixed the international transaction fee issue some users have experienced with credit card purchases of applications and games from the WP7 marketplace.

As suspected, the root cause was that Microsoft didn’t have payment processing facilities in a number of regional markets around the world to handle credit card transactions locally. In Australia’s case, these transactions were previously processed in Microsoft’s Asia Pacific hub, Singapore. Instead, now they are processed in Sydney as “MICROSOFT *WIN PHONE NORTH RYDE”.

Even though I have to point out oddly the problem was not experienced by every Australian user, some combination of bank accounts and credit card issuers resulted in an international transaction fee for every purchase transaction – a severe financial penalty when transactions are small but many for a mobile marketplace.

Due to the third-party and international nature of the issue, I applaud the Windows Phone 7 team to look into it and addressing it as quickly as they did. The Zune team could learn a lesson or two.

Ever since Internet Explorer 9’s unveil late last year, Microsoft has been touting the HTML5 flag high and proud with its industry-leading GPU acceleration feature (which to this day is yet to be matched by any other browser in development).

The latest demonstration of its prowess is a competition by Microsoft Netherland for web designers to showcase their HTML5 masterpieces in just a frame of 300 pixels squared, thus the name Framerate Fest.

Since the website just launched days ago there are currently only 8 submissions showcased. At the time of writing the most voted for is a dynamically generated and playable “Amazing maze“, and my personal favorite is an interactive bacteria-like visualizer “Pixel Outbreak“.

Submissions are open until 25th of March and will be voted on to determine the ultimate frame. The winner gets a XBOX 360 with Kinect and a 3D print of the competition logo to hang on their fridge. Technical guidelines for submissions can be found here.

In our first meeting with Brandon Watson and members of the Windows Phone 7 team about homebrew on the WP7 platform on-campus at Redmond, we received a “I was the first to jailbreak Windows Phone 7, and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.” Our meeting is now complete. Just kidding.

Microsoft has began promoting its new “Be what’s next” tagline with a duo of TV ads scheduled to air during the 68th Golden Globes awards presentation on January 16. This will be the first time Microsoft promote it to the public since its trademark late last year.

To fit in with the theme of the event Microsoft is sponsoring, the two ads – one briefly mentioning Windows Phone 7 and the other Bing, shows off a number of aspiring actors hoping to make a name for themselves. The text “You don’t know them. But you will” appears before the voiceover “Windows Phone pre-congratulates the Golden Globe winners of tomorrow” is heard.

Although the ads are motivating, especially to screen actors, they lack a sense of inspiration that I think was much stronger in previous Microsoft brand campaigns like the “You see” ads for the “Your potential, our passion” tagline.

On a related note, I feel the arbitrary product placement of WP7 and Bing are extremely out of place and distracting from the otherwise sincere message. Perhaps it might have been much better if it just said “Microsoft pre-congratulates the Golden Globe winners of tomorrow”. What do you think?

For Windows Phone 7 developers down under, Microsoft Australia is hosting a Windows Phone 7 Dev vs Dev competition to seek “an app worthy of claiming the Windows Phone 7 App Champion title” with the first-prize winner going to Las Vegas for the Microsoft MIX11 conference in April.

To enter, the Windows Phone 7 application must already be submitted to and approved in the Marketplace. Applications will be judged on originality, creativity, marketability and the potential popularity by a panel of local Australian mobile industry experts.

Everyone who submits an entry will receive a free Windows Phone 7 shirt so there’s no reason not to enter, plus five runner ups will also receive a HTC 7 Mozart phone. Entries close 28th of February.