NEW YORK – Oct. 12, 2010 – The third annual Microsoft Open House kicked off yesterday with Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer’s presentation of Windows Phone 7 as the centerpiece of the company’s holiday lineup of consumer products. Immediately following, Microsoft and industry partners hosted members of the press in a Manhattan loft space to experience the products for themselves.
Among the Microsoft products showcased at the daylong event were Bing, Kinect for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, Office 2010, Mediaroom, Windows Live, Zune — and the recently released Internet Explorer 9. But the highlight was clearly Windows Phone 7, the much-anticipated update to Microsoft’s mobile operating system.
Windows Phone 7 is designed to help you get to everything you love in an easier and faster way, by organizing the stuff you love most into six Hubs: People, Pictures, Games, Music & Video, Marketplace (for applications) and Office. These Hubs offer consumers a seamless way to experience some of their favorite Microsoft consumer products — all in one place, right from the Start screen on their phone. In addition, the customizable Start screen with Live Tiles provides real-time updates so you can keep tabs on the latest weather forecast, your favorite band, a friend’s Facebook page and more, all with just one glimpse.
The slideshow below highlights some of the products showcased at this year’s holiday showcase.