Rumors surfaced this week concerning Microsoft’s upcoming mobile operating system, Windows Phone 8.  The rumors come from a leaked video featuring Joe Belfiore, a Microsoft senior vice president and manager of the Windows Phone project, and include a few obvious features as well as a particularly intriguing new initiative for Microsoft’s mobile phone division.

Most of the updates focus on scalability and versatility. For example, WP8 (codenamed “Apollo”) will support multicore processors, multiple screen resolutions, removable storage via MicroSD cards, and support for NFC radios. These changes seem to serve mostly as a catch-up measure to iOS and Android devices, which have historically beat Windows Phone in side-by-side hardware comparisons.

Data consumption seems to be another major component of Apollo. A feature called DataSmart will provide a breakdown of data usage, and will attempt to reduce consumption by giving Wi-Fi connections precedence and routing Internet Explorer web page requests through a proxy server for compression, which Belfiore claims could reduce data usage by 30%.

The most interesting detail from the leaked video is that Microsoft plans to unify Windows Phone 8 and the desktop version of Windows 8, going as far as to share a kernel, networking stacks, and security features such as BitLocker encryption. The goal of this unification is to allow developers to reuse large portions of their code between mobile and desktop versions of their software. Microsoft also intends to create a new, dedicated desktop application for syncing a WP8 device, dropping support for the Zune application and addressing a major complaint from users of the platform.

This move to unify the desktop and mobile versions of Windows could prove to be lucrative for Microsoft—if developers are able to easily port their apps to run on PCs, tablets and smartphones, they may flock to the Windows ecosystem to get the most exposure for their products. Since the Windows Phone ecosystem current trails Android and iOS in app selection by a factor of ten, this unification could boost WP device sales significantly.

Although Microsoft has traditionally lagged behind Apple and Google in the mobile phone sector, Windows Phone 8 may give the platform a much-needed advantage over its competition. We believe WP8 will be released sometime in mid-2012.

Before long, your computer is going to be watching your every move—Microsoft is reportedly working on integrating the Kinect motion sensor into laptops. The Kinect, which is a special Xbox peripheral that uses a camera and microphone to watch and listen to a user for commands, has been successfully hacked to work on a computer by hobbyists, but the device would need to be modified significantly to work in a portable product such as a laptop.

The Kinect was released in early November 2010, but hasn’t been overly successful as a gaming controller due to fairly poor participation by game studios. Its uses as a user interface controller have been decidedly more interesting; only a few weeks after the Kinect hit shelves, videos were posted online of people using the device to play a piano as they tapped imaginary keys on a desk, control robotic arms, and navigate through web pages.

Microsoft has been surprisingly supportive of open-source Kinect products, and has released an SDK to allow programmers to more easily access its functions. This news about integrating a Kinect sensor into laptops could lead to Minority Report-esque interfaces in the future, with users speaking commands to their computers and businessmen in airports waving their arms around to view documents on their laptops.

Microsoft provided no estimates as to when we might actually see laptops with motion tracking features, but we do know that they will be licensing the technology to manufacturers rather than building a solution in-house.

baass.com

BAASS Business Solutions Inc. (BAASS), a distinguished Microsoft Dynamics NAV and Sage ERP partner within central and southern Ontario, today announced that it has acquired Mississauga based ProfitPoint Inc. The acquisition enhances BAASS’ Microsoft Dynamics business unit with the addition of consulting, development, and project management resources.

“ProfitPoint Inc. provides our organization with a depth of experience spanning seven years within the Greater Toronto Area. Their vertical expertise within the manufacturing, distribution, job shop, and apparel industries aligns seamlessly to BAASS strategic focus,” said Joseph Arnone, President of BAASS Business Solutions Inc. “We will have expanded reach for all of our offerings including integrated IT services, custom software development, accounting, and technical support.”

ProfitPoint Inc. helps companies leverage the Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP solution, targeting small and medium-sized businesses. ProfitPoint has delivered solutions to organizations including manufacturing, distribution, financial management, construction and trades, and fashion and apparel.

“Organizations today are looking for more than business systems. This merger increases our service delivery bandwidth and solution offering, resulting in better value to our current and target clients”, said Len Vanspall, ProfitPoint Inc., President.

“This acquisition reflects BAASS’ commitment to growing our Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM practice”, said Chuck Jerome, BAASS, Vice President & General Manager – MS Dynamics Business Unit. “Bringing together best-in-class products and services with a gifted team of resources strengthens our competitive advantage and allows us to add tremendous value to our customers.”

BAASS is a full-service technology consulting firm with over twenty years experience in providing quality products, services, and support to clients in a number of industries across Southern Ontario. Industry recognitions include being ranked in Accounting World’s Top 100 VARs, Accounting Technology Magazine’s Pacesetters Award, and two consecutive Business Partner of the Year recognitions from Sage Software Inc.

With a complete team of certified IT and e-Business consultants, BAASS offers a comprehensive line of services, from needs consultation and network setup, to software training and technical support in accounting, CRM, e-business, EDI, software customization and web solutions, specializing in Sage Accpac and Microsoft Dynamics products.