Microsoft Corp. and Oracle Corp. yesterday announced a partnership that will enable customers to run Oracle software on Windows Server Hyper-V and in Windows Azure. Customers will be able to deploy Oracle software — including Java, Oracle Database and Oracle WebLogic Server — on Windows Server Hyper-V or in Windows Azure and receive full support from Oracle. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

For additional information:

– Microsoft Press Release at  http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/Press/2013/Jun13/06-24WSNewsPR.aspx

– Microsoft blog at  http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_blog/archive/2013/06/24/partners-in-the-enterprise-cloud.aspx

– Oracle blog at https://blogs.oracle.com/cloud/entry/oracle_and_microsoft_join_forces

Today I decided to upgrade my home computer to Windows 8 Pro. One thing you have to know is that this is a very critical system for us at home. It runs the entertainment system and most importantly feeds our TV system (XBox 360) in the living room. I was specifically nervous about the fact that the TV signal for the Media Center comes from a powerline connected devolo dLAN TV Sat PC device (that actually sits on the top floor of our house). Not much Windows 8 support information was given by devolo, but the Windows 8 upgrade assistant did say that there was a newer Version of the driver available (also I couldn’t find any Information on the web).

Well, I thought I just give it a try and start the upgrade process. I selected the option to include all the data, apps and settings … what a nice feature. After a couple of minutes Windows 8 welcomed me with the already familiar start screen. But, important to mention: not only the common, blank start screen was already there, when I first logged into the System … no! … since I used my existing Microsoft account (that I also use on other devices too), another nice Windows 8 Feature comes into Play: “Synchronize Settings”. All my settings like background screen, colours, accounts, etc.

But, back to enabling TV in the living room … you might have heard that Windows 8 does not automatically come with Media Center, you have to enable it in the Windows features (possible only in the Pro Version). After doing so, the Media Center appeared on the start screen, I launched it and the TV assistant asked whether or not I wanted to run a configuration wizard. Sure enough, that sounds like a good thing to do. One of the first options there is to migrate an old configuration that Media Center magically found. And then, after another couple of minutes … all channels, settings, options, recordings and even planned recordings of the Media Center are set-up.

What a great experience! What’s next? Well, at least a little bit of training for my wife on Windows 8 and all of its great new features.

If you are as addicted as I am with looking at Bing’s totally awesome photographs, there is now a way to actually create your own piece of art. Microsoft Research provides a nice little interactive app that gives users the power to create “Cliplets” — a type of imagery that sits between stills and video,  including imagery such as video textures and “cinemagraphs”. The app provides a simple, yet expressive way to mix static and dynamic elements from a video clip.

Try it out yourself … I did by creating this creative shot of Multnomah Falls, OR:

Below please find some new information on Windows Azure and related information:

• Now Available: New Services and Enhancements to Windows Azure: http://t.co/AnLkJ5DS
• Announcing New Windows Azure Services to Deliver “Hybrid Cloud”: http://t.co/m4SK8Pdi
• Case Study: E-Publisher Aims to Triple Revenues by Switching from Amazon to Windows Azure: http://t.co/Y4srAaiq

Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions!

Today, I noticed that the CD-changer of our BMW 5-series E61 hangs and it did not release the CD magazine. What made it worth is that it tried to release it every couple of minutes which started to hurt the car’s battery.

I bing’d and luckily found this post (in German) that describes how to fix it yourself.

Basically you have to follow these steps in order to solve this problem:

1. open the little covers on the CD-changer on the left and right hand side
2. use an allen key to remove the two screws
3. softly pull the CD-changer out of the frame
4. softly remove the cable plug
5. remove the upper access cover (1 screw and some clips)
6. carefully solve the blockade with a suitable tool
7. put the upper access cover back in place
8. assemble the CD-changer back in the car’s frame

done! took maybe 15 minutes or less 😉

P.S.: maybe I’ll add some pictures later

Skype for Windows Phone is now officially available in Marketplace. Download it now here.

It supports free voice and video calls to other Skype users (or cheaper calls to landlines and other cell phones with Skype Credit) along with other cool features like portrait mode video calling, support for joining audio conference calls, call-in-progress notifications and block and unblock contacts.

See more information at Big Blog or at Skype Garage.

See a nice video walk-through below:

If you always wanted to learn how to script using PowerShell, this tool makes it even easier to learn and explore all the cool features. Very nice new experience of guidance and content. Check it out at http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=29101

Finally, the long awaited Skype app for Windows Phone is here. This information has been announced today during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Please find a blog post here. Just in case the Zune link does not work, please try it via marketplace … this worked for me!

If you have some knowledge of Silverlight and .NET it will be so easy to leverage your knowledge and develop for WP7 codenamed Mango.

Please see this new ad for Mango update: !

Today I uploaded my first Windows Phone 7 Mango app to Microsoft’s App Hub. It is all about the service provided by OnlineTvRecorder.com. It talks to their API to view TV programs/schedules, shows your own recordings as well as future highlights and top-recordings. An integrated search lets you search the OTR catalog using keywords.

I just got confirmation that it is officially certified and published to private beta test.

Please let me know if you are interested in testing 😉