Microsoft invited the feature site owners for a Summit, in Redmond. Around 30 website owners are gathered here during these three days for some presentations, experience exchange and fun. Even though I arrived here with a 24 hours delay, thanks to Air New Zealand (they did a good job taking care of all passengers, but I really missed the time to rest after the long trip), it's been a non-stop sequence of presentations and bus trips from one Microsoft site to another.
Geekzone is currently listed on the Microsoft website under different categories as "third-party websites" related to Microsoft technologies:
In our first day we focused mainly on media technologies, including the Windows Media Player 10 for Windows XP and Windows Media Player 10 Mobile for Pocket PC and Smartphone devices based on the Microsoft Windows Mobile platform. We had presentations about the new MSN Music store and in the afternoon we jumped on a bust to go and visit the Microsoft Home of the Future, where they showcase how technology can be used at home.
We also had the chance to see the new media players announced a few weeks ago. These all adhere to the PlaysForSure programme, that ensures these media players will seamlessly connect with Windows XP based computer. By seamlessly I mean without need of installing any software, and with automatic synchronisation based on Windows Media Player 10.
After this we had time to visit the Microsoft House of the Future, a showcase of embedded technology being integrated to household appliances and environment - very nicely done. We then visited the Microsoft Office of the Future, which was interesting but I wasn't impressed too much with the scenario shown during the presentation.
Of course we had the visit to the Microsoft Store, which is only available to employees. Authorised visitors can sometimes purchase apparel, software and hardware at discounted prices - and we all took advantage of this offer, of course.
The collection of new media players
The Dell Axim X50v, with built-in Windows Media Player 10 Mobile
The Windows Mobile Smartphone Audiovox SMT-5600 (a.k.a. i-mate Smartphone3 or Orange C500)
