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Microsoft, martyrs, and the sizzle of Natal

Curb your enthusiasm for Windows Phone 7

Radio Reg Sure, Microsoft has just released the latest installment in its multi-billion-dollar Office story, but it's not Microsoft's most exciting launch of 2010.

No, we don't mean Windows Phone 7 tops the excitement list - even though Windows Phone 7 certainly reinvents Windows for the smartphone crowd.

Nope. The product designated as the "one to watch" by chief executive Steve Ballmer is Microsoft's long-percolating Wii-wannabe, Project Natal. OK, Steve-o, you're the CEO.

In the latest issue of MicroBite, Reg software editor Gavin Clarke and All-about-Microsoft blogger Mary-Jo Foley discuss Microsoft's big 2010 launches and what's coming next, and yes, that includes Project Natal.

We also explore Redmond's relationship with HP. Hewlett-Packard is Microsoft's staunchest ally on Windows, but it just bought a Linux mobile operating system - webOS - after Microsoft cut HP from the shortlist of people it wants building phones on Windows Phone 7. How long is it before HP starts putting webOS on tablets and netbooks that would otherwise have used Windows?

And it's conspiracy theories ahoy, as Gavin and MJF assess why Microsoft locked smartphone maker and Google-Android partner HTC into a so-called patent-protection deal. Microsoft promised the religious war with open source was finished, but it seems that applications are one thing and Linux is another.

Join us we discuss the burning of open source martyrs. You can use the player below, MP3 here or Ogg here. ®

Microbite May 2010

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