Windows Phone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

"International CTIA Wireless 2009 is where broadband communications come to life. From April 1 to 3, more than 1,000 exhibiting companies and tens of thousands attendees from more than 125 countries will converge to do business, discuss innovation and exchange ideas. Join us for four days to learn more about the emerging technologies that enable us to work toward the common goal of taking wireless and broadband communications to yet another level."

Earlier in the day, we gave you a look at what Microsoft has in store for CTIA Wireless 2009. Robbie Bach is scheduled to unveil it all in a little under fourteen hours - 10AM, PDT to be exact. As always, there's the opportunity to watch it live (world times listed below). But if you prefer to digest it all in one go, keep your eyes peeled for our post-keynote report.

• Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle: Thursday, 10:00 AM
• Chicago, Houston: Thursday, Noon
• New York, Washington, DC: Thursday, 1:00 PM
• London: Thursday, 6:00 PM
• Paris, Berlin: Thursday, 7:00 PM
• Moscow: Thursday, 9:00 PM
• Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Perth: Friday, 1:00 AM
• Tokyo: Friday, 2:00 AM
• Sydney, Melbourne: Friday, 4:00 AM
• Auckland: Friday, 6:00 AM

Microsoft's Mobile World Congress 2009 press conference is scheduled to take place in a little under four hours. Alas, not everyone and their pet dog has the luxury of attending, but that doesn't mean you can't live vicariously through the live webcast (local times featured below). We'll also be reporting the announcements as they happen - and Microsoft is promising plenty related to Windows Mobile, Windows Live for Mobile, and MSN Mobile - so simply watch the front-page for updates.

• Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle: Monday, 6:00 AM
• Chicago, Houston: Monday, 8:00 AM
• New York, Washington, D.C.: Monday, 9:00 AM
• London: Monday, 2:00 PM
• Paris, Berlin: Monday, 3:00 PM
• Moscow: Monday, 5:00 PM
• Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong: Monday, 10:00 PM
• Perth, Tokyo: Monday, 11:00 PM
• Brisbane: Monday-Tuesday, Midnight
• Sydney, Melbourne: Tuesday, 1:00 AM
• Auckland: Tuesday, 3:00 AM

After a few minutes of beatboxing and a seemingly enthusiastic Gary Shapiro introducing Steve Ballmer on to the stage, Microsoft's keynote was under way. This was Ballmer's first keynote at CES since taking over from Bill Gates, who delivered it for the first time almost 15 years ago and has traditionally done so up until last year. The question on everyone's mind was whether this keynote would be as memorable as the last. In a time when the very word, "recession", strikes fear into both consumers and businesses, would Microsoft have enough up its sleeve to turn 2009 into a year of ambition, innovation, and prosperity?

Read more...

In a little under nine hours, Steve Ballmer and Robbie Bach will deliver the Microsoft keynote at CES. What's in store for Windows, Windows Mobile, Windows Live, Office, the Xbox 360, and Zune? You'll have to tune in at 6:30 PM (PST) to find out, or simply wait for our post-keynote report. Whatever tickles your fancy.

• Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle: Wednesday, 6:30 PM
• Chicago, Houston: Wednesday, 8:30 PM
• New York, Washington, D.C.: Wednesday, 9:30 PM
• London: Thursday, 2:30 AM
• Paris, Berlin: Thursday, 3:30 AM
• Moscow: Thursday, 5:30 AM
• Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong: Thursday, 10:30 AM
• Perth, Tokyo: Thursday, 11:30 AM
• Brisbane: Thursday, 12:30 PM
• Sydney, Melbourne: Thursday, 1:30 PM
• Auckland: Thursday, 3:30 PM

Live Webcast: 100k, 300k, 750k

CTIA was where it all happened - the unveiling of Windows Mobile 6.1, the parade of devices running said OS, and the showing off of other bits and pieces that you'd expect to see at a mobile and wireless trade show. Robbie Bach, and a few others, were at CTIA to do the unveiling, so if you're interested in reading or watching the keynote, click here. It's a little over 26 minutes long, or however long it takes you to read a lengthy article, if videos just aren't your thing.