If you have seen the new Android (Googles phone) adverts where the guy grabs his phone takes a picture of a barcode and is immediately comparing prices on his phone, then you we will really dig this new mobile app called Microsoft Tag.

You can quickly create create tags and define what action (URL, vCard, Free Text, Dialer) that tag will take. Below is a tag I created in about 5 seconds … download the mobile app from here and check it out. You do not have to even get the camera to focus accurately and the app quickly picks up enough information to pull down the command for the mobile action.

My tag simply display some text on your cell phone (I am curious how it reacts on non Windows Mobile phones), but you can also prompt your phone to dial a number, add a contact or navigate to a URL. I really think the applications for this are endless from advertising, real estate, to every day purchase … below is an example of a Microsoft game that is using a tag. Give it a try and find out all about the Halo Wars gaming!

I thought the Vectorform application for the Surface was awesome. The following is a demo that was recorded by Channel 9 at the 2008 PDC.

I remember posting what was a rather critical attack of the Microsoft Points system. Just days later I was posting a retraction on that critique. It has been many moons since I realized the value of being able to acquire points or even used those points across the MSN\Zune\Xbox eco system.

I recently entered the MSN autos Design Challenge. I was immediately eligible for 100 microsoft point (about 1 song) for submitting a design for the Dodge Challenger. I can also gain as much as 2100 points (about 2 1/2 albums worth) by providing feedback on other car designs.

I am always concerned with closed economic systems that do not allow you to take the full value of items you have acquired into the real world. I have, however, committed to using the points I acquire to purchase MP3's in the Zune Market Place. That is the only valuable item that I can find that is truly independent of the Microsoft eco system.

I have watched a couple of the MIX 08 session and I must admit they are pretty fascinating. I really like the Using RESTful API with WCF.

While working today I was listening\watching the MIX 08 web cast. Let me very briefly highlight what is hot!

• WPF - It uses direct access to your graphic card! Your CPU will thank you!
• Visual Studio 2008 & Expression Blend - Developers & Designers together at last! [Scott used the term 'Dev-igners']
• Nokia (S60) - Now using Silverlight!  [but Flash is not going to be on the iPhone ;( ]
• Hard Rock Cafe (Memorabilia section) - Silverlight is awesome!

I have just had my first glimpse of the WorldWide Telescope demo and I must say I am impressed! The WorldWide Telescope is a new product of Microsoft Research and it has apparently taken images from the worlds best telescopes and linked them in a seamless homogenous view of the universe.

I always love looking up into the sky when I am away from the intrusive lights of the big city, the number of viewable stars seems to grow exponentially. Now is my chance to see everything without having to leave the comforts of my own home. The demo kind of reminded me how impressive I thought Google Earth was when it was released, this figures to be so much more.

I am eager for the release in early spring, seeing the viewable universe up close will be a delight! Consider downloading a high def version of the demo you will not regret it!

Video: Bill Gates Last Day CES Clip

One of the big stories in CES 2008 was the fact that Microsoft will be partnering with NBC to provide the online video access for the entire Olympics experience.

What I am wondering about is why the current MSNBC beta video program is being completed in Flash. Should this not server as another golden (or silver)opportunity to push the Silverlight experience.

I did notice, however, that NBA.com has released some pictures using Silverlight!

The Microsoft Surface seems like a very cool concept ... for a commercial retailer. At approximately $10,000 I am not sure that anyone is seriously considering buying one for home use, but if someone is wealthy enough please consider the following video I found on YouTube.

I think if I walk into a library, hotel lobby, or may be even some section of the mall this would be a great tool!

"Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to my conscience, above all liberties." - John Milton

This topic has been discussed actively at our company in relation to the potential effects on our customers. After receiving this email from Microsoft I thought I would post it for the good of the developer community:

Dear Valued Microsoft Customer,
In 2005, the United States government passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This act changes the start and end dates for Daylight Saving Time (DST) as of spring 2007. These changes may impact the way applications run. Microsoft is releasing an update for Windows through Microsoft Update that reflects these changes.
Developers who use the .NET Framework may find their applications affected if the application uses the time zone information for historical purposes or if they have derived custom classes from System.TimeZone to provide custom time zone information. The standard System.TimeZone class provides a managed wrapper for the underlying Windows Operating System time zone functions.
In addition, developers who use Visual C++ may find their applications affected if they use the CRT time functions, or the TZ environment variable. Microsoft is currently working on a fix for this issue and will post information about its availability on the Visual Studio Support page.
Most applications that use these affected classes will not need to be modified as this update will ensure that the correct data is provided seamlessly to the application. However, applications that use these classes or the underlying Windows API to perform historical time look-ups will need to be modified.
In most cases, developers who have extended the .NET Framework’s time zone support by creating custom time zone classes derived from System.TimeZone, or by direct access to the Win32 API, will not have to update their applications as long as the available updates to the operating system are applied. However, solutions that rely on private time zone data, or that retrieve system time zone information by accessing the registry directly, may need to be updated. Applications that deal with historical time zone data may also need to be updated.
Microsoft advises all developers who make use of time zone data to test their applications against this update to ensure that their applications function correctly.
For more detailed information and the latest updates please visit http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/bb264729.aspx, Preparing for daylight saving time changes in 2007, and KB928388: 2007 time zone update for Microsoft Windows operating systems.
Further Assistance
Microsoft values your business.  For more information visit http://www.microsoft.com/dst2007, or contact Microsoft for assistance.  A list of phone numbers is located at http://support.microsoft.com.  Microsoft Premier Customers may engage their Technical Account Manager directly.