November, 2010

“The internet in the UK is worth £100 Billion

…

In the global internet league table, the UK sits at number six. Ahead of the US, Germany and France”

Nice video from Fresh Networks

Rob

In my last blog I mentioned….

“…and  if you are on Twitter you can follow @MicrosoftHelps which provides English language support via Twitter.”

Well since then I have been pointed to the fact that we have the equivalent support in other languages including:

• French = @MSVousAide
• German = @MicrosoftHilft.
• Spanish = @MicrosoftAyuda
• Portuguese = @MicrosoftAjuda
• Italian = @MicrosoftAiuta
• Japanese = @MSHelpsJP
• Dutch = @MicrosoftHelpt

Rob

The following list of 7 things to know about Windows Phone 7 comes from our EMEA customer support teams, and are some of the most frequently raised questions that they get.

1. Failed Initial Registration of Windows Phone 7  - if you get a failure with your initial phone registration for a Genuine Windows Phone due to something like a missing or invalid product key then a simple call to your local Microsoft Customer Service centre should be able to help, or you could try the hardware manufacturer direct
2. How do I import my Outlook contacts to Windows Phone 7 if I am not running Microsoft Exchange? First you will have to move those contacts to a service such as Windows Live, Google or Facebook, Check out KB 245811 for more detail
3. My Windows Phone 7 is not detected by my PC? While there are several things to try the easiest step is to plug the USB cable into a different USB port or a port directly on the PC (not a hub). The additional steps are documented in KB #410180 Windows Phone 7 is not detected by my computer and/or the Zune software or KB 953933 How to troubleshoot errors in Windows Device Manager for the Zune player or phone
4. I have Multiple Windows Live ID’s which one should I choose? You can easily walk through the ID Wizard if you have multiple Windows Live ID’s. Additionally, if you have an existing email address you can link that address to a new Windows Live ID and continue to use their current email address. More information can be found at Which Windows Live ID should I use?  and the actual Windows Live ID Selection Wizard
5. Country Settings don’t match with my Windows Live ID. So this is a real PITA if the location setting for your Windows Live ID doesn't match the setting for your computer. You may have to create a new Windows Live ID with the appropriate region and then create a new Zune account. Changing the region of your existing Windows Live ID will not correct the problem. More information can be found here You receiving an error while signing into the Zune Software that your location setting doesn’t match the settings for your computer. KB 245829
6. How can I change the Windows Live ID assigned to my Windows 7 Phone? in order to change the Windows Live ID used to access features like Marketplace, Xbox LIVE, and Zune Pass from your Windows Phone 7, you’ll need to reset your phone to its original factory settings. Resetting your phone to the original factory settings will erase all of your personal content, including apps that you purchased and downloaded, photos, videos, and music, and will restore the phone to its original factory settings. You may not be able to transfer purchased content to a different Windows Live ID.  More information can be found here How do I change the Windows Live ID I'm using in Windows Phone 7? KB 2430020
7. How can I expand the Secure Digital (SD) card in my Windows Phone? Some Windows Phones 7 devices have a Secure Digital (SD) card that's used to expand the amount of storage space on the phone.  However you should not remove the SD card in your phone or replace it with a new one because your Windows Phone won't work properly. Existing data on the phone may be lost, and that SD card can't be used in other devices or Windows Phones.  More information can be found at Windows Phone 7 Secure Digital Card Limitations

If you have more questions that don’t forget that you can get more help via self-help support online or community support at  MS Answers and  if you are on Twitter you can follow @MicrosoftHelps which provides English language support via Twitter.

Rob

Find out more at the “New Windows Phone 7. Designed to get you in and out - and back to life. http://www.windowsphone.co.uk/”

Rob

OK so this can be an annoying problem where Internet Explorer opens Office documents such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc. in the browser itself rather than the appropriate program after clicking a hyperlink..

But luckily there is a Microsoft Fix it available for it…

You can read more about this problem and other solutions

Rob

KB162059

OK so I have had my HTC Mozart WP7 for a few days now and am really enjoying finding out and using the new OS, and this article from Pocket Lint is a great place to start for tricks and tips for Windows Phone 7.

72 Windows Phone 7 tips and tricks

I particularly like and have found useful

10. What are the dots? - Whenever you see three dots at the bottom of the screen, that's a menu for more options. In photo playback for example, it will give you the options to delete the image or perform a quick upload.

32. Auto save your images to SkyDrive It's always a good to keep a backup of your pictures, and Windows Phone 7 comes with SkyDrive which lets you do just that. In steps the auto upload to SkyDrive option. If you got confused the first time it asked you when you went into the pictures area, don't panic, you can re-enable it via the Applications page hidden within Settings. Go to Settings, swipe to the left and then scroll down to Pictures & Camera. In there you'll find the option to set the Auto Upload feature on.

48. Finding more symbols on the keyboard. The keyboard is fairly comprehensive and simple to use, but it can't display all the symbols you might want at the same time. If that's the case press the "more" arrow to the left of the screen to reveal more keyboard options. Incredibly useful if you email address uses _ (took me ages to find this)

thanks to @stevecla1 for the tip

Rob

Courtesy of my Russian colleague Anton @afontanov is this new Windows 7 theme (only available from the Russian site)

Download Dima Bilan Windows 7 Theme

“One of the most prominent Russian artists of our time, winner of Eurovision, repeated winner of prizes of the leading music channels. Download the new theme for Windows 7 (c) Dima Bilan”

Translation by Microsoft translator

Rob

“Brighten your desktop with sparkling images of holiday celebration and winter wonder in this Windows 7 theme.”

Download Holiday Lights theme

Rob

Just spotted this data from @_netimperative_ about the average number of hours spent on social networking sites, per visitor in August 2010, and it looks like the Russians really love there social networking.

It doesn’t surprise me that the UK is high up as well.

Rob

Just like last year Windows is sponsoring Capital FMs Jingle Bell Ball being held on the weekend of 4th/5th of December.  It has it usual great line up including Kylie, JLS, The Black Eyed Peas and more.

This year you can be a star with Windows 7 by submitting your audition videos and if you win being treated like a VIP.

“Do you fancy experiencing what it's like to be a star, being escorted backstage by your very own security team while hundreds of fans scream for your autograph, waiting for you to go onstage at the 02 arena? Of course you do!

Get ready to be famous! Upload your picture and your name to our interactive video and see yourself as the star of the show! You can be the A-List celeb being led from your dressing room to the main stage, where hundreds of fans are screaming for you.

Also the Windows team in the UK are giving away tickets via competitions via there Facebook page - www.facebook.com/windowsuk

Rob