Silverlight: The Cup is Three-Quarters Full

Last week, I wrote about an interesting post by ZDnet’s Mary Jo Foley in which Bob Muglia, president of Microsoft’s servers and tools business, seemed to be downplaying Silverlight, Microsoft’s Flash-like plugin for rich Internet applications. Muglia has followed up with a blog post of his own at Microsoft’s site in which he sounds more upbeat about Silverlight--although he’s equally high on HTML5. I don’t think there’s any basic conflict between what Muglia said in his interview with Mary Jo and what he says in his post. It’s a matter of spin, and he wanted to reassure Silverlight developers that the platform has a future.

There’s no question that Silverlight (and Flash) can do many things that HTML can’t today, and which HTML5 won’t be able to do anytime soon. As a user of Web sites, though, I’m way more excited about cool stuff that works in any modern browser than I am about cool stuff that requires a plugin from a particular company. The quality of the support for HTML5 and other new technologies in the Internet Explorer 9 beta is encouraging evidence that Microsoft’s Silverlight strategy doesn’t involve cramming the plugin down anyone’s throat.

The Worst Android Fragmentation is Yet to Come

At the Android developers website, Google has some ostensibly encouraging statistics: More than three quarters of Android users are now running version 2.1 or higher.

The stats are based on how many people have accessed the Android Market in the last two weeks, so while it’s not a completely accurate measurement of total phones, it does help developers understand what versions are most popular among app shoppers. At this point, app makers can use tools and features specific to Android 2.x and still reach the majority of active Android owners.

But with more updates on the way, this seemingly unified market isn’t going to last. Android 2.3 is rumored to be coming soon, and Android 3.0 will follow. Though we don’t know whether existing phones will get either of these upgrades, Android’s track record isn’t encouraging.

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The JooJoo LivesLives!

Remember the JooJoo, which seemed at least semi-exciting until the iPad came out? Cnet’s Rafe Needleman has an update on Fusion Garage’s plans for its tablet, which involve building an Android version with cloud-syncing capabilities.

Personal Workout Plans to Go

Last Gadget Standing Nominee: BodyMedia FIT Armband BW

Price: $249

Calorie balance–calories consumed vs. calories burned– is the key ingredient to weight loss. BodyMedia FIT, a body monitoring weight management system, lets users to actively manage their weight by checking their calorie balance on demand. The user completes his or her calorie balance profile using the app’s food logging tool, then the Armband BW provides near real-time caloric burn data, as calculated by BodyMedia’s system. Now achieving the desired calorie balance is as easy as using the BodyMedia FIT app to create a personalized workout based upon caloric, activity, or step targets. And for those seeking extra motivation, the app even lets you choose music from your favorite playlist to power you through those final tough calories.

The Armband BW will be available on November 15th.

Bizzy Gets Busy With a New Local-Business Recommendation Engine

A little over two months ago, I wrote about a new local-business site called Bizzy which aimed to help consumers stay in touch with their favorite neighborhood establishments. It was an interesting idea, but one which would only work if said local businesses knew about it and committed themselves to participating. At the time, I wondered what the chances were that they’d sign up in large enough numbers to make it all work.

Well, the Bizzy folks found that getting restaurants and other small businesses to participate wasn’t a cakewalk–and rather than redouble their efforts to make the concept work, they’ve gone back to the drawing board. They’re previewing a new version of the service that’s still about eateries and other local outfits. But instead of focusing on helping you learn more about the ones you already know, they want to help you find new ones you might like.

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Living With Apple’s 11.6″ MacBook Air

I like ridiculously small notebooks. There was a time when I used a truly diminutive Fujitsu subnotebook called the Lifebook B112 as my main mobile machine. I also have a soft spot for netbooks. I’m willing to make compromises to shed weight–such as dealing with cramped keyboards, squinting at small screens, and learning to use abnormal pointing devices.

In recent years. though, I’ve tended to use laptops that were reasonably compact–13″ is my favorite–but not ridiculously small. That’s in part because I’ve used Macs as much as I have Windows laptops, and no Mac notebook has been anywhere near midget-sized. The closest Apple has gotten to tiny has been the MacBook Air, and until last week, the MacBook Air (with its 13.3″ screen) hasn’t been so much small as thin and light. All Airs up until the new models have also pretty basic in terms of specs and kind of pricey–which is why they never tempted me.

But a week and a half ago, Apple announced the first all-new Airs since the original version. The prices are lower, the specs are better, and there’s a new model with an 11.6″ display. It weighs 2.3 pounds and is .11″ at its thinnest point, making Apple’s smallest Mac portable ever–much more so than my late, lamented 12″ PowerBook, the smallest Mac I’d used until now. It also starts at a temptingly low $999. I’ve been living with one (loaned to me by Apple) since the press event.

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Engadget on Samsung’s Galaxy Tab

Engadget’s Joanna Stern is pretty impressed overall with the Sprint version of the Galaxy Tab, although the lack of tablet-optimized Android apps is a major sticking point.

Is Time Running Out for the TV Remote? Nope.

Over the weekend, the New York Times pondered whether the television remote control is on its way out, thanks to smartphone and tablet apps that can do the job instead.

Although doomsday predictions can be dangerous for any technology, I’ll gladly join the chorus of people who think the remote should be put out to pasture. But before that can happen, a lot of things need to change in the phone and TV industries, all of which will take a very long time.

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Supreme Court Hears Violent Video Game Law Tomorrow

On Tuesday, the video game industry and the state of California will argue before the U.S. Supreme Court on whether violent video games should be regulated like pornography. I’ll have some thoughts after both sides present their oral arguments, but for now, Kotaku’s Stephen Totilo has an excellent FAQ on what’s at stake.

Windows Phone 7: A Gamer’s Review

Video games are supposed to be one of Windows Phone 7′s main attractions, and rightfully so; the Xbox is a rare success for Microsoft’s entertainment division, so it’s about time the brand moved off the television and on to mobile phones.

After spending some time with the Xbox Live feature of Windows Phone 7 on a pre-release  HTC Surround handset, my conclusion is similar to the general consensus on the entire OS: There is plenty of potential in this gaming platform, certainly enough to challenge Apple’s iPhone. But as it stands, the phone’s Xbox Live feature has too many drawbacks and missing features to be a major selling point for gamers when the first Windows Phone 7 models hit the US next week.

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Tablet Phone Seekers, Here’s Your ViewSonic ViewPad 7

When I asked you all for questions on Samsung’s Galaxy Tab, I was surprised by how many people wanted to see a 7-inch tablet that doubles as a phone. Since the Galaxy Tab won’t have voice service, tablet phone seekers may consider ViewSonic’s ViewPad 7 instead.

ViewSonic announced U.S. pricing and launch details for the 7-inch tablet today. The ViewPad 7, running stock Android 2.2, will be available in November or December for $479. ViewSonic also announced the ViewPad 10, a 10-inch tablet that dual-boots Windows 7 and Android 1.6, coming in January or February for $629.

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