Building Windows 8 Blog
DISCLAIMER: I know nothing more than you do!
The Windows 8 development team here have launched the Building Windows 8 Blog where they will be showcasing some of the new features in the next version of Windows. So far they have shown support for USB 3.0 and then yesterday they shared a video showing the new way that file copying will be handled.
As we are in the run up to the BUILD Conference, expect to see lots of updates on there showing what’s coming next!
Microsoft Datacentre Tour
So I am a bit of a hardware nut, there is nothing better than racks and racks of servers 
This video turned up last week and its just the kinda thing I love:
My Press Coverage of Empire Big Screen
Through TheRemembrall.org, I have got my hands on a press pass for the Empire Big Screen, and here is my report:
WB Harry Potter Studio Tour
The main event, for me anyway. Evanna Lynch, Warwick Davis, Sammy Davis (as a Gringotts Goblin) and Nick Dudman (Head of Creatures & Effects) were all on stage giving their thoughts on the Studio Tour. It sounds like its going to be amazing! 150,000 sqft of sets, props and costumes! The exhibit will be by pre-booked tickets only which you can order at http://wbstudiotour.co.uk from October 13th.
After the public announcement, the stars came up to the press room for a short 5 minute Q & A session which you can see below:
WB Harry Potter Studio Tours Announcement – EMPIRE Big Screen from The Remembrall on Vimeo.
Also, I couldn’t help myself:
Me and Warwick Davis
Disney
- Real Steel – Robot Boxing….need I say more? It’s got Hugh Jackman in it I guess.
- John Carter – Based on the book….guy ends up on mars, meets aliens, treated as a criminal (looked very Star Wars-y)
- Warhorse – Spielberg does the book/play…looks amazingly well done
- Lion King 3D – the classic animation, turned 3D, looks restored as well. Will def. be going to see.
Muppets Live NYC Linkup
A hilarious link up with Kermit and the films director (but the satellite delay was awful at times). Showed a brand new clip from the film, including a song….def going to be a box office breaker!
David Tennant – Fright Night
I hadn’t planned this, but I ended up on the press line for David Tennant chatting about Fright Night. He kept making it very clear that we have had “enough sparkly vampires” and that is this actually terrifying!
Exclusive Insight into life as a Microsoft UK Intern and Graduates
Last years Interns and MACHs (Graduate Hires) made this video giving you a look at what it is like to work at Microsoft…..not going lie….working here is pretty epic!
Young Rewired State 2011 Finals
On Friday I attended the Young Rewired State finals in the Microsoft Offices in London. I originally had no idea what this was apart from being a hashtag on Twitter until Ben Nunney encouraged me to go along, and I have to thank him, it was an amazing day!
For those that don’t know (like me a few days ago!) YRS is a programming/coding/prototyping/designing competition that has been running for 4 years aimed at teenagers to build amazing applications using Open Data. These ranged from Beach Finders, to NHS Portals, to a game of asteroids where each rock was a county and its size was its happiness! Teams meet up for a week in centres across the country to work on their projects and then come together for a grand final which is judged by experts…in this case the panel was made up of:
- Andrew Sampson: Samfry Ltd
- Chewy Trewhella: Google
- Helen Milner: UK Online centres and Digital Inclusion Task Force
- Jonathan Luff: Prime Minister’s Office, Number Ten Downing Street
- Mark O’Neill: Department for Communities and Local Government & Department for Culture, Media, and Sport / Founder, UK Government “Skunkworks”
- Mike Butcher: TechCrunch Europe / TechHub
There were some brilliant prizes for the winners, phones, laptops, chance to work with developers, and my favourite, an extract from the first every bit of Google code on a plaque (there are only 10 in existence!)
There were some truly amazing projects there from people half my age….I felt very stupid and humbled by the end of it. Rather than listing them all here, I am going to point you to the YRS website with full run downs and links to each projects site. You can also watch back the presentations here.
Ripping to be Legal
Finally some good news out of the land of copyright. Ripping media is to become legal in the UK!
The BBC is reporting this morning that this motion is expected to be widely accepted when it passes through the commons.
“"We are talking about big changes," he said. "Bringing the laws more up-to- date to have a proper balance which allows consumers and businesses to operate more freely, but at the same time protect genuinely creative artists and penalise pirates."
The business secretary said the economy would benefit by £8bn over the next few years by updating the legislation.”
about me
Engineer at Microsoft - Lover of technology, Harry Potter (TheRemembrall.org) and all other sorts of geekery!