I was speaking to a co-worker of mine a few minutes ago and he mentioned they have two really cool new job opportunities in the product management area.  They're looking for marketing rock-stars for on Internet Explorer and Windows Media Center Extender:

• Internet Explorer Product Manager Job Description
• Media Center Extender Product Manager Job Description

While these two job openings are unrelated, they both fall under consumer marketing.  Consumer marketing at Microsoft is different than many other companies- you own the product business & strategy, you own the release. Big ideas are rewarded. You'll work very closely with the development team, customers, partners- own and drive the product end to end.  It's a great feeling of empowerment. If you're an all-star at consumer marketing/product management, these are great gigs to consider.

If you're interested, send your resume via the links above and as Robert Scoble likes to point out, if you have a good blog, that's also a good thing to note to help get you noticed, but certainly not a requirement. :)

And I think it's always important to note Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer and supports workplace diversity.

I've received a number of inquiries since posting about our experience helping a local family with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.  Here are a few updates to some common and FAQs:

Q: How can I contact the Phoenix Bed and Breakfast that the Dore Family is opening?
A: I received an update yesterday from our folks that the family is settled in and is working to open the B&B later this year. Jonathan Hager sent me mail as well that they've put up a temporary webpage at http://thephoenixbnb.com/ and inquiries can be made via that webpage. Thanks Jonathan- the power of the Web strikes again :)

Q: Why didn't we see much technology on the show?
A: That's not the point- it's not a tech show, but if you really want to see a few examples...

• Picture of the"Great Room" - The black unit over the TV is an HP Digital Entertainment Center. Silver unit is an all-in-one home theater that was also provided by Sears.
• Picture of Bedroom - Note the HP Media Center 1050y PC next to/on the dresser.

The other gallery pictures don't really show what was done.

So there you go, you have contact info. Enjoy.

Back in December, I noted that Update Rollup 1 for Media Center Extender devices (not Xbox) was available.  This update fixed some bugs and added support for playback of TV programs using the CGMS-A broadcast flag such as HBO (no, it's not MS technology but we have to honor it). 

The good news is that as of yesterday, Media Center Extender for Xbox-customers can get an update to play back CGMS-A protected content.  The core update is available via Xbox Live for download , however viewing CGMS-A protected programs requires new Extender for Xbox discs. To obtain the new discs, click here (reg req'd).

Starting this week, every Friday we'll showcase a Media Center of the Week from the Media Center Flickr Pool.

This week's selection by Phil Weber has a high "SAF" or "Spousal Acceptance Factor". His setup includes a Linksys Media Center Extender connected to his HP m1050y Media Center PC enclosed in a hideaway armoire. Also included is a Tivo Series 1 and a few other items you can see in other pictures in his Flickr Pool including a "Mobile Hair Distribution Device". Click on the images for notes on each of the components.

We're up to 66 photos in the pool and still growing. Be sure to add your Media Centers and tell your friends. 

Also, don't forget to tag at least the general region (City/State/Country) your Media Center is in- I'm hoping to use the ultra-cool mappr.com service to offer up a map of Media Center's around the US and eventually around the world. Since the site only supports single-word entries, I'm going to have to replace my pictures with "MediaCenter" as a single word...

Engadget, MSMobiles, and iPaqAbilities have been abuzz about the new HP hw6500 iPAQ Mobile Messenger.  MSMobiles has some good real-world pics (link above) showing it next to the Audiovox SMT-5600.  Assuming this device has Windows Media Player 10 Mobile on it, it just might be my next favorite phone.  I just hope the GPS stuff isn't totally locked down in the US and we have the ability to use it for oh, say, navigation? While bigger than my Audiovox SMT-5600, this is exactly the type of phone I need for business travel.  And it looks like it's going to be released around my birthday- how do I add this to my Amazon wishlist? :) Heck, my current phone is the one BillG and I used on-stage at the Windows Digital Entertainment Anywhere launch last October, a seldom-seen perk of doing the demo (and continuing to do ad-hoc over time).

Speaking of travel, a few of us are planning to go to the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco March 1-3. I've never hosted, attended, or suggested a geek dinner before but maybe it's time?  Anyone planning a meet up yet?

Niveus Media, makers of high-end Media Center PCs has opened up its Media Center Pocket PC application for 3rd party purchase without a Media Center PC.  With a WiFi-enabled Pocket PC, you can turn your Media Center into a dedicated Music Server and leave the display off during a party, or control a wide range of settings.

If you have multiple Media Centers around the home, you can control Media Centers there as well. A 10-day trial version is available here as well as additional information on the product.

Earlier today, I got an email from a firm representing Waves (maker of audio signal processing technology) earlier today. What was refreshing was the fact that this was how the email started- they noted they had a product that might be of interest and were completely up-front about their relationship with their client.  Think what you want, but this was an interesting way to start a conversation IMO.

Here's a link to their latest release of MaxxPlayer. It purports to do volume normalization, bass and treble enhancement, and spatializing. I haven't had a chance to take a look yet, but will do so this weekend. In any event, they should list this on www.wmplugins.com too.

According to Engadget, Skype and Motorola are getting into bed together, with Moto announcing they're working on a line of accessories that are "Skype Ready".  Chris noted a few weeks ago I've been using Skype, and I like the fidelity it offers.  My Dad is using it now as well and with the array mic of my Toshiba M200 Tablet PC, I can easily put it down in the same room as my son for a quick chat with "Granddad".  My Dad gets a kick out of this, particuarly given he just got bband out in his area of CA.  It's neat to see how excited some can still get about broadband at a time when most of us have had it for years.

What I really need is a good array mic and Skype for Media Center. Now that would be cool. Anyone at Skype listening? :)

Last week I had the opportunity to meet Cameron O'Reilly of the G'Day World and he convinced me once again I need to get to Australia on business. I'm really looking forward to where he and Mick they take The Podcast Network which they just launched. I have only one word: subscribe. In other news, Doppler 2.0.0.3 is out.

Now we just need a Podcasting client for MCE and I'll be sooo happy :).

Well, by now you've heard the news- the IE team has been hard at work on a new version, and a summer beta is in the works. If you had any doubt that dev't has been underway, Robert nixes that thought months ago.  I met Dean Hachamovitch, the GM for the IE team at a party this weekend and he noted he reads my blog.  I was surprised. I was even more suprised to realize that Dean has a pretty darn good blog himself with the IEBlog. My wife has worked with Dean, and introduced us.  Dean's passion and dedication to listening to customers (of all types) and his passion for delivering a better browsing experience is going to go a long way IMO.

I remember back when I first joined MS and the day that IE4 and 5 were launched, the network came to a crawl from everyone internally and externally downloading it. I couldn't wait to get in. There's a certain "Holiday Effect" that happens when a new IE version is released both internally and externally.  That feeling is back.

My old boss is now in charge of IE on the Product Management side.  I'm sending lots of ideas over the fence.  Hopefully a few of them will show up.  As a former Web developer and literally one of the first dozen users of ActiveX controls before I joined MSFT (and the occasion of my first contact w/ Microsoft directly).

It's like the old times are new again.  People are fired up.  I'm fired up about IE7, Longhorn, and bunch of other things I can't talk about publicly yet.  Until then, send the team YOUR feedback on the IE Wiki here.

Let's do the same on the MCE Wiki here as well? Keep the ball rolling... and I'll talk to the Player folks about doing the same there as well.  :)

In all the noise around 3GSM, I missed the announce that Reuters has launched their free news service for Media Center Edition 2005 customers in the UK. The service, already available in US, is part of Reuters strategy to significantly grow the number of consumers using its media services. It features the latest video news footage, supplied by Reuters 197 news bureaus around the world and is available on demand.  See a demo here.

I just wish Reuters offered a "To Go" style option- similar to Podcasting, I would download the latest news to my Portable player to listen to it on the ride into work.

At 3GSM yesterday, Nokia and Microsoft announced plans with Loudeye to collaborate so that consumers can enjoy digital music purchased from Windows Media Player's digital media mall (eg. Nokia's Mobile Music Service, MSN, Napster) on Nokia handsets:

This collaboration includes support for Windows Media(R) Audio, Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) 10 and Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) on music oriented Nokia handsets, and including support for Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Digital Rights Management and the MPEG Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) family of codecs in Windows Media Player via a plug-in.

The mobile music service from Nokia and Loudeye is based on the OMA DRM and MPEG AAC standards and enables a wireless operator's customers to search, listen, download and pay for music using an operator branded music application on their mobile device. Windows Media Player is used for the PC component of the music solution, and wireless operators will be able to brand their music service when it is integrated into the Windows Media Player.

Complete release is here. In other news, Motorola is adding Windows Media Audio and Video support to the new E1060 due out in Q4 2005. No note on OS at this time. In other news, Nokia also licensed the ActiveSync protocol for syncing with Exchange servers (a key feature that Windows Mobile Smartphones have today). 

Adam points us to Andrew Davey's new podcatching client for the Windows Mobile Pocket PC platform. 

My wife is so happy she is now getting CSI in HDTV. You have to understand I showed my wife the Internet back in college for the first time while getting her degree in Musical Theater.  She calls herself a, "Geek Convert".

The long wait is over- now we just need to get UPN 11 in HD and the circle is complete.   Thanks Comcast for breaking through the log-jam!   

According to the folks over at MacinTouch, Mac OS X 10.3.8 has been released which addresses the following issues:

Doppler 2.0 is out and I've been running it through its paces. One feature I did find lacking was an easy way in Windows Media Player 10 to catch up on all of my feeds in a single, smart, Auto Playlist that organizes all my latest feeds for listening on my Desktop or in Media Center and syncs just the ones I want to my portable player. These Auto Playlists will automatically organize your feeds (eg. new feeds just downloaded, those not listened to etc.) and prepare them for easy Sync to a portable music player such as the Creative Zen Micro or Portable Media Center. 

Organize your Podcasts by:

• Today's Podcasts
• Unfinished Podcasts (in case you listen on PC and Portable )
• Last Week's Worth
• All Podcasts

For power users*, just download the playlists here or read below for step-by-step instructions:
Download: MP10_Podcast_AutoPlaylists.zip (.97 KB)
Download: MP10_Podcast_AutoPlaylists.exe (30 KB)

Please note this is for Windows users of Windows Media Player 10 and has only been tested on Windows XP - don't kill the messenger!

Step 1: Pick your Podcatcher
The first step is to pick your preferred podcasting app.  I recommend Doppler 2.0. While it requires you to download the .Net Framework, it's fast and downloads multiple feeds at the same time.  The search function makes it easier to find feeds and if you're just starting out, you can find feeds to subscribe to under File|Import from Directory.

By default, Doppler will create static playlists in WM Player 10 for each of your shows, but this can be hard to navigate on a device or if you just want to catch up on all your latest feeds. Now you need to set Doppler to update the "Genre" tag on downloaded feeds. To do this, choose Tools|Options, and select the Default Feed Settings tab at the top, and then Tags. Set the tag to, "Podcast" for my Auto Playlists, or whatever meaningful alternative (eg. "Audio Blog") you prefer. You'll find Podcasters aren't too stringent about format for using Album, Artist, and Genre tags so this fixes it. Now go ahead and download some podcasts or if you already have some, choose, Tools | Apply default feed settings to all feeds to fix the genre tag on all feeds.

Step 2: Install the Auto Playlist Pack
This step is pretty simple.  If you don't have Windows Media Player 10 yet, click here.  I've created two versions of the Playlist Pack, one is a standard .zipfile, the other is a self-extracting .exe. 

Download:

The .exe will by default prompt you to install the Auto Playlists in the following location: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Music\My Playlists which is shared for all users.

Note: For per-user installation just unzip to My Documents\My Music\My Playlists

Step 3: Search and Auto Sync!
WM Player 10 should automatically add the playlists into your library in a matter of seconds and they will show up on the left-hand pane under "Auto Playlists". If you're really impatient and they haven't shown up, hit F3 and tell WM Player to search for files in the folder you placed the Auto Playlists.

Now you're ready to enjoy your Auto Playlists on your PC, or your portable music player. Just add the new Auto Playlists to your sync relationship and every time you connect your device, it will transfer your preferred podcasts onto your device. Certain devices such as the Creative Zen Micro with the latest firmware update (MTP support) will even sync your playlists to the device for easy playback, organized the way you like it. Not all devices do this yet- I'll try and get a list together shortly.

I hope you enjoy these playlists as much as I did creating them for you :).

* You're a power user eh?  Well, this was a quick fix and I'm sure there are other Auto Playlist combos I didn't think of. Windows MP10 Auto Playlists are just XML-based search queries designed for the Media Library and stored as text files with a .wpl extension. You can make your own by R-mouse clicking on the Auto Playlists category in the Media Library and choosing "New".  A powerful yet under-utilized feature of WM Player 10. Feel free to send your Auto Playlists to me to add to the pack.

Regardless of what you call it - Audio Blogs-Podcasting etc., my favorite aggregator for syndicated radio and talk shows for drive-time, DopplerRadio 2.0 Gold was just released.  Congrats to Erwin and Cindy.  What are you listening to?

News Flash: Creative just released a beta firmware update on Friday so that Napster to Go works with the Zen Micro :). I'll have to try this out later.

I had no idea this was coming.  I saw the Pepsi/iTunes ad early last week, but the Napster ad, "Do the Math" was a complete surprise. To sum it up, it basically says:

Do the Math. How much will it cost to fill up your player?

• iTunes + iPod (10,000 songs to fill) = $10,000
• Napster to Go + (choice of devices, 1M tracks available to fill) = $15/mo

It's back to the whole purchase vs. rental issue which is a personal decision.  I bet this is going to turn some heads though. Napster has almost exactly the same library as iTunes and works with more devices.  This will be interesting to watch over time. I wonder if Apple is working on an iTunes subscription model?

Oh and I just noticed the first 1000 people to sign up for a year of Napster to Go get a free iRiver H10 5GB Music + Photo player with FM radio built-in.

Napster to go also works with Portable Media Centers by Creative and Samsung ;).

Enough people have noted I don't have an "About" page up, I've buckled and put one up in the navigation list.  It's nothing fancy, but gives you some context.  Photoshopped/Fark'd pictures of my mug can be send to the email address included. :)

Thanks Robert for the Nine Guy earlier this week.  My Moblog pic this week is of my new Nine Guy on his perch in my new office. :)

Variety.com is reporting that script development has begun on a major theatrical release inspired by Microsoft's smash-game franchise, "Halo". Reportedly this is being penned by the scriptwriter for "28 Days Later" and "The Beach". Once the script is complete and approved by Microsoft & Bungie Studios, reportedly ex-Columbia Pictures President Peter Schlessel will keep a close eye on its development.

No doubt the movie opening will be an unofficial Microsoft employee holiday just as the launch of Xbox and Halo 2 were ;).  That's what floating vacation days are for. 

One of my favorite online retailers, Gamestop.com has just launched the Windows XP Game Advisor.  This cool utility will check to see if your system is optimized performance-wise for running a particular game or games.  There are also some discounts ranging from $5 to $25 on select games. 

A cool link that explains how the new MSN Search works.

Matt Goyer points us to new updates for the HP Digital Entertainment Center z545 (dual tuner) and I just discovered the same for the z540 (single tuner) version as well.

It's great to see HP doing this. There are some really good fixes included here for USB-related issues and PC performance related to the LCD et al.

Matt wishes for a cult around MCE.  I would argue an enthusiast community is much more valuable long-termand they already exist in the blogosphere, sites like The Green Button and the explosion in 3rd party apps that have been appearing both pro and enthusiast on sites like MCESoft.  Even TiVo just announced their own SDK and you have to wonder if this is in response. 

My recommendation: contribute to the MCE Wiki and the community will follow.

Good news for Sony Vaio Media Center 2004-based systems- you're going to get an upgrade after all. Click here for more. 

Family has been sick so I've been taking a break from blogging to take care of them.  Here are a few notes I've been meaning to make:

- MSN launches new cleaner homepage and new search with a letter from Bill.  No doodles so far as I can tell.

- Peter Gabriel Music Videos in 5.1 surround sound now available. Now you can get sledgehammered six-ways from Sunday.

- WM Player 10 Album Art Fixer: Thomas reviews and says it's pretty darn good. Waiting to do it myself.

- Skype: Chris points out I've joined the Skype bandwagon. I've learned the array mic in my tablet PC makes the ultimate wireless speakerphone so that "Granddad" can talk to my son.  Son is still weirded out by the voice coming out of the tablet. But all is not perfect- I spent 20 minutes fixing my Dad's computer because the recording device was set to "Modem" and Skype would just throw a recording error.

- Visual Thesarus is very cool and somewhat useful for marketing folks.

- Passed 100,000 Unique Users on the blog. Welcome.

- Thinking about starting an, "Ask the Microsoftie Monday" segment.  Send your questions in email and I'll start compiling answers. Keep in mind I'm not going to talk about Longhorn... yet ;)

- Now I've almost seen it all - the iDog. Still waiting for the iSheep or have they already arrived? ;)

- Matt says we need better DIY guides for building MCEs.  MCE was never designed for individuals to build and that's clearly outlined on the kits intended for pro system builders that are being sold on NewEgg and other sites. But, why not use the MCE Wiki to create a new area on building your own MCE? Unofficially of course.

- I was contacted by a rep for another celebrity who wants to buy a Media Center PC and wants advice on which one to get.  He wasn't even trying to get a free one. Is Hollywood taking notice? ;)

- I received a notice and guide book in the mail making it official- Comcast is upgrading customers with HDTV set-top boxes to Microsoft TV Foundation Edition very shortly in the Seattle area. Two points for Comcast but I'm taking one back because they've forgotten I returned my stand-alone box over a month ago. ;)

You gotta love NetFlix- I received AvP in the mail on Tuesday - the same day it released.  I've just started watching and noticed at 10 mins 12 secs into the movie, "Weyland" is using two Compaq Tablet PCs next to each other. Cool.

One more cool thing from Netflix- I found two movies I reported as lost earlier and was billed for the value of the DVD.  Upon returning, Netflix "apologized" for the billing error and refunded the previously charged amount. That's customer service.

ATI's new Home Theater 550 Pro-based ATI TV Wonder Elite TV Tuner board was just released and started shipping to retailers today.  I just got my hands on a board and have personally seen the quality of this standard-def tuner beat that of an upsampled signal on a high end HDTV set from a major manufacturer.  That's saying a LOT.  Thanks to the 3D comb filter, you don't get the "jitter effect" you normally see on overlayed graphics such as a CNN or NBC logo or sports scorebox. I cannot wait to put this board through it's paces personally on my MCE box this weekend.

The Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) has certified this board as meeting or exceeding specifications for high-end consumer AV electronics.

If what I've seen hold true, this board significantly raises the bar for other PC-based TV tuner manufacturers. I know ATI has been investing heavily to develop this card to exacting quality.

Thomas, I think this board was made for you.  While I understand the perception might be that "Media Center" doesn't deliver the level of video quality you're looking for, it's important to distinguish between the OS's capabilities, and the particular components that make up your Media Center system. I agree- the bar needs to be raised across the whole but we both know there's variability in hardware for everything from gaming to overall system performance, hence the need for an ISF logo program.

The premiere of "Rize" at the Sundance Film Festival was a historic event—the first feature film to be delivered via wireless technology.

...But first, here's how it worked: Intel technicians in Hillsboro, Oregon, encrypted Rize, which was shot on high-definition digital video. The file was streamed to Salt Lake City, then beamed via microwave to Park City and through a WiMax connection to the top of a 10,000-foot mountain.

A receiver at the ski lodge sent the file to an HP Media Center PC, where it was decoded and projected through a high-end digital projector. Intel's wireless connections allowed huge amounts of data to travel quickly -- at up to 24 Mbps, about 20 times as much throughput as DSL provides...