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Tag: Microsoft

  • Play with Chhota Bheem on Windows smartphones and tablets

    Play with Chhota Bheem on Windows smartphones and tablets

    NEW DELHI: The animation character Chhota Bheem is coming on the Windows platform with his gang on the ‘Play with Chhota Bheem’ app.

    With the introduction of the brand new app on Windows 8 and Windows Phone, children can interact with Chhota Bheem via fun games and other interactive content.

    The app has been designed as children love the eminently lovable Chhota Bheem. It will show Chhota Bheem’s mood change with each tap of a finger, dancing and singing, and will help kids hone their learning skills along the way with games like ‘Memory game’, ‘Bulls-Eye challenge’ and a set of jigsaw puzzles. With every level that they complete successfully, kids can unlock Chhota Bheem’s most popular moves – ranging from juggling and eating laddoos to pulling the moon down to earth.

    Talking about the app, Green Gold Animation VP – business development Govinda Talluri said, “Our association with Microsoft goes a long way and we are committed to work more closely with them in future to bring our hugely popular kids icon Chhota Bheem closer to kids. We are confident that our latest offering for Windows 8 and Windows Phone – ‘Play With Chhota Bheem’ will be loved by all the kids.”

    On the partnership with Green Gold Animation, Microsoft Corporation India director – Evangelism Harish Vaidyanathan said, “We are proud to partner with Green Gold Animation to create this engaging and interactive app for children. This app is available exclusively on Windows 8 and Windows Phone, underlining our commitment to bringing unique app experiences on the Windows platform. We are sure that kids will enjoy the app greatly.”

    This app can be downloaded on the Windows Phone 8. The Kid’s Corner feature on Windows Phone 8 allows you to store apps and other content meant for children separately that can be accessed by swiping left from the lock screen of the phone.

  • Microsoft builds a brand new collaborative portal for developers

    MUMBAI: Microsoft has released a new developer network experience portal developer.microsoft.com, an intuitive single point of entry to help developers interact with Microsoft. The collaborative portal will enable networking amongst the developer community, offer expert guidance to developers and remotely solve their queries, empowering them to be more efficient as they go from idea to app.

     

    The portal offers a set of functionality to help developers leverage the collective power of the community.  With the second largest developer population based in India with 1.6 million developers; this is a very powerful tool for the entire developer community.  It also allows developers in India to connect with their peers across the world. Experts from Microsoft are just a click away once the developers are on the portal.

    Developers can bounce off their app ideas in a specially crafted area called “Perspective”. Similarly, community blogs and social feeds in the “Connect” area allow developers to share their stories, get advice and connect with Microsoft experts. The new portal provides and organises content in a way that is easy to find, identify and collaborate with.

     

    “The new developer network portal provides a single point of entry for all developers. It also resolves the issue of finding the right information which is often spread between different locations and is difficult to access. It enables developers to be more efficient, learn faster & connect with the vibrant Microsoft developer community across the world,” said Microsoft Corporation (India) director – strategic audience marketing Pratima Amonkar.

     

  • Apple TV gets Disney Channels app, Microsofts Xbox offers Time Warner Cable

    Apple TV gets Disney Channels app, Microsofts Xbox offers Time Warner Cable

    MUMBAI: Apple and Microsoft have added new channels to their streaming video devices that boost their available content. It’s a step forward for both gadgets but doesn’t break the a la carte wall just yet. Apple TV was upgraded to include apps for Disney channels – pay TV subscription required – Vevo and the Weather Channel, while Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console added a subscription-contingent Time Warner Cable app. The latter offers access to 300 TV channels including CNN, AMC and Comedy Central.
        

    Blair Westlake, corporate VP of Microsoft’s media and entertainment group, told the Wall Street Journal’s Digits blog that his company had considered licensing channels directly from media companies to create a service similar to the kinds of online cable TV products planned by Intel and Sony. “We looked at it and said if we can deliver an app or apps like the one we are lighting up today” with Time Warner Cable, that’s “really what people expect.”

  • Apple TV gets Disney Channels app, Microsoft’s Xbox offers Time Warner Cable

    MUMBAI: Apple and Microsoft have added new channels to their streaming video devices that boost their available content. It’s a step forward for both gadgets but doesn’t break the a la carte wall just yet. Apple TV was upgraded to include apps for Disney channels – pay TV subscription required – Vevo and the Weather Channel, while Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console added a subscription-contingent Time Warner Cable app. The latter offers access to 300 TV channels including CNN, AMC and Comedy Central.

    Blair Westlake, corporate VP of Microsoft’s media and entertainment group, told the Wall Street Journal’s Digits blog that his company had considered licensing channels directly from media companies to create a service similar to the kinds of online cable TV products planned by Intel and Sony. “We looked at it and said if we can deliver an app or apps like the one we are lighting up today” with Time Warner Cable, that’s “really what people expect.”

  • Silicon Valley Tech Entrepreneur Karl Mehta Launches: Code For India

    Silicon Valley Tech Entrepreneur Karl Mehta Launches: Code For India

    MUMBAI: Karl Mehta, the Silicon Valley technology entrepreneur and venture capitalist, today announced Code For India (CFI), a global community of software engineers from around the world to build technology for public service to solve developing world problems. With India as the test-bed, CFI proposes to build tools that will help solve problems on the ground, and empower citizens to actively participate in partnership with local government to give communities the power to help themselves.

    “As a firm believer in the power of crowd sourced and open sourced technology, we have created Code For India to provide tools to fight day-to-day public service issues,” said Mehta.
    “Code For India’s use of technology will promote transparency, participation and efficiency in the way local people can voice their concern and find solutions. The transformative power of technology will aid India — and other developing countries facing similar problems.”

    Code For India has support from Indian-origin tech professionals around the world. Software engineers from Microsoft, Google, eBay, VISA and Facebook have volunteered in developing social awareness apps in the first phase of Code For India. Potentially adding thousands of volunteers, the organizations TiE Silicon Valley, TiE Mumbai, TiE New Delhi and The Morpheus Fund have partnered with Code For India to encourage their large network of tech community members to get involved. In addition, Professor Vijay Pande of Stanford University, Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Manipal Global Education and Vish Mishra, Venture Director at Clearstone and mentor to The Hive and The Fabric have joined the Advisory Board.

    “Code for India is a unique and commendable initiative whereby the sharpest of computing minds can apply themselves to altruistic causes. TiE Delhi NCR are proud to be associated with the program,” said Deep Kalra, President of TiE-New Delhi.

    “TiE is volunteerism at its best as demonstrated since its inception. We are thrilled to partner with Code For India in leveraging Silicon Valley technology and entrepreneurial talent to solve pressing needs of the Indian society,” said Venkatesh Shukla, President of TiE-Silicon Valley.

  • Australia’s Ten unveils Xbox app

    Australia’s Ten unveils Xbox app

    MUMBAI: Through a new agreement with Microsoft, Network Ten is launching the Network Ten Xbox app, which is the first commercial free-to-air (FTA) channel VOD application available in Australia.

    The app gives Xbox Gold Live users instant access to a library of more than 25 programs, among them Offspring, The Graham Norton Show, Bondi Rescue and Totally Wild. It will also update with the latest news from Ten News At Five and Ten Late News as it breaks.

    Network Ten chief digital officer Rebekah Horne said: “We are delighted to be the first Australian commercial free-to-air network to join forces with Xbox to provide its consumers with new entertainment, comedy, reality and news content.”

    “This is the first product release in Ten‘s TV anywhere strategy. Our goal is to deliver a TV experience anywhere that consumers are engaging with video content. Ten‘s TV anywhere strategy will be realised over time by a number of product releases across different platforms and devices,” she added.

    Microsoft Australia interactive entertainment business lead Jeremy Hinton said: “We are thrilled to be adding Network Ten content to the Xbox platform and our content library.”

    “Our aim is to provide Australian Xbox Live members with the best and most popular television content, alongside movies, music and games, and now they will be able to access some of Australia‘s highest rated local and international shows,” he added.

  • Spielberg to create ‘Halo’ TV show for Microsoft’s Xbox

    Spielberg to create ‘Halo’ TV show for Microsoft’s Xbox

    MUMBAI: Along with the unveiling of the new Xbox console, Microsoft and Halo developer 343 Industries have also announced that they are developing a ‘Halo’ TV show.

    The director will produce the project, which will be exclusive to the new console.

    Spielberg said, “For me, the Halo universe is an amazing opportunity to be at that intersection where technology and myth-making meet to create something really groundbreaking.”

    The Xbox One is the software major’s first new gaming console in eight years. The product interacts with a television, responds to voice and gesture commands. It‘s offers includes group video calling on Skype, 15 game titles and content.

  • Dentsu acquires digital agency Webchutney from Network18

    Dentsu acquires digital agency Webchutney from Network18

    MUMBAI: It‘s cashing out on its investment. Media conglomerate Network18 today announced that it was finally divesting its equity holding in digital marketing agency Webchutney to Japanese ad giant, Dentsu. The latter had been circling Webchutney, ogling it as an acquisition for nearly a year. Founded in 1999, Webchutney will reportedly be Dentsu‘s first local acquisition in the digital agency space.

    Network18 had acquired a majority stake in Webchutney through its venture capital arm Capital18 in November 2007 and it says it has managed to get a 300 per cent return on its investment through the current transaction.

    Webchutney, a leading interactive marketing and technology services agency, reported a net profit of Rs 6.35 crore in the financial year 2011-2012 on revenues of Rs 21.55 crore, according to media reports. It boasts a healthy clientele including Airtel, Microsoft, Unilever, Marico, Titan, MasterCard, Barclay‘s, Procter & Gamble among many others, and ranks among the top digital agencies in India.

    Its full suite of digital offerings includes online advertising, web designing and development, search engine marketing and social media consulting. Its award winning teams are spread across Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore and consists of over 200 professionals.

    Network18‘s 80 per cent Webchutney stake is bifurcated between Capital18 Mauritius which holds 49.42 per cent and Capital18 Fincap which has a 20.64 per cent.

    Commenting on the transaction, Network18 MD Raghav Bahl says: “The divestiture of Webchutney, is a reflection of our commitment to profitably monetise our investment portfolio for the benefit of our shareholders and to also facilitate the growth of these businesses to the next level. We would like to convey our best wishes to the Webchutney team as they embark on the next phase of their journey.”

    Webchutney co-founder and CEO Sidharth Rao says: “I am personally grateful to Sarbvir Singh who has been my mentor for the past five years and his team at Capital18 for ensuring that we shared a wonderful journey together. In Dentsu and Rohit Ohri, we have found a partner who is willing to invest in and cultivate our passion to provide path breaking digital creative services to our clients.”

     

    Dentsu India group executive chairman Rohit Ohri along with Webchutney co-founders Sidharth Rao (L) and Sudesh Samaria (R)

     

    Dentsu India group executive chairman Rohit Ohri opined that he is delighted to have India‘s No 1 digital agency as a part of the Dentsu India group. He explains: “We’re now going to be able to put world-class digital solutions in the centre of our offering to our clients.”

    Now that could be music to anyone‘s ears.

  • eBay India announces Latif Nathani as managing director

    eBay India announces Latif Nathani as managing director

    MUMBAI: eBay India today announced a shift in leadership. Latif Nathani, a senior executive in the technology space in both India and the US will join eBay India as managing director.

    Nathani is taking over from Muralikrishnan B, who will be completing his responsibilities by the end of the quarter and then will be looking at exploring entrepreneurial opportunities.

    Nathani said, "I am excited about leading the thriving eBay India business, a market leader in India, that has helped thousands of entrepreneurs make a livelihood as well as provide vast selection and great deals to millions of consumers. The marketplaces business model fascinates me and I look forward to steering the talented India team to even greater heights."

    Nathani has 22 years of experience including a 15 year career at Microsoft and Symantec and most recently served as CEO of product strategy consulting firm. He has extensive expertise in building and leading high performance global business, engineering and marketing teams. He also led a consumer incubator for Microsoft India (including equity investments in mobile payments), headed global product marketing for Symantec‘s Norton business and was cofounder of eMemories.com.
     
    Muralikrishan said, "It has been my proud privilege to lead the India team and business through two of the most exciting years the industry has seen. We have set new benchmarks improving the customer experience along with building a stronger brand and reputation among government, industry, entrepreneurs and consumers."

  • ZeeQ to presents second edition of the World Children Expo

    ZeeQ to presents second edition of the World Children Expo

    MUMBAI: The second edition of ‘World Children Expo 2013’ (WCE) will be held in Gurgaon. The three day event will start from 17 May and go on till 19 May. The expo is conceptualised by Creative Children Media Pvt and presented by ZeeQ.

    WCE 2013 is a platform showcasing children centric consumer brands catering to kids up to 15 years. The carnival gives an opportunity to the kids and their families to meet popular cartoon characters like Doraemon and Chhota Bheem. The ZeeQ kid zone will have games like Balloon Maths, Puzzle games, Larger than Life Scrabble, English Wordmatch and Multiple Intelligence quiz.

    WCE 2013 has been divided into three parts: WCE – The Business Conclave, Kidzooka – India's first ever recognition awards for children centric brands on 17 May at the Crowne Plaza, Gurgaon; WCE – The KiddZone – A carnival like expo area for kids to be held over the weekend of May 18-19 (10 am- 7 pm) at The Island, Ambience Mall, Gurgaon.

    Creative Children Media and World Children Expo founder Rahul Gupta said, "WCE is now being acknowledged nation-wide as India's biggest and most formidable kids’ expo catering to the ecosystem of children and children centric brands. It is gratifying to see that our exhibitor brands range from top corporates to upcoming start-ups. The philosophy of WCE is essentially to be a platform for start-ups to launch and the top brands to expand their offerings and interact with children through one singular event.”

    ZeeQ business head Subhadarshi Tripathy said, “We are very happy to associate with WCE. WCE is one of the largest engagement platforms for kids in India. Kids being ZeeQ’s focus as well, this is an ideal for us to connect and engage with children and their parents and communicate how learning can be fun.”'

    Interactive Entertainment Business Microsoft India business group head Anshu Mor added, “Microsoft is delighted to leverage the opportunity to showcase the upcoming technology it has to offer to children. Through the Interactive Entertainment Business which comprises the gaming console Xbox 360 with Kinect, Microsoft aims at establishing an environment of playful learning for children.”

    TNS Consult executive director Rima Gupta says, “India is one of the youngest countries and for us as marketers, understanding teenagers is very key. We are pleased to partner with WCE to develop and share a customized report on Indian teenager’s lives, hopes & attitudes. This will provide insights for both marketing and communicating with young ones.”