Windows 7 License Looking ahead to 2011 What's on

It;s that time: Time to start plotting the travel timetable and penciling within the Microsoft activities (that we learn about up to now) for your new year.CES 2011: CEO Steve Ballmer could be the kick-off CES keynoter on January 5 at six:thirty p.m. PT. Microsoft execs are remaining tight-lipped about what;s about the agenda, but early leaks have indicated that Ballmer will speak about Microsoft;s and its partners; options within the slate/tablet room (once more,Purchase Windows 7, like he did last 12 months). While some are expecting Microsoft to share details about ideas to port Windows to ARM and/or about Windows 8, I;m pondering Windows Embedded can be a a lot more most likely topic — and possibly the operating system that are going to be behind whatever kind of new slates/tablets the Softies unveil at the show this 12 months. The Windows Embedded team has posted a CES press preview article,Office 2007 Activation, making it seem as even though Windows Embedded Standard devices are going to be one of the big pushes for the company at CES.
Dynamics CRM 2011 launch: The virtual (Webcasted) launch event is January 20, 2011,Windows 7 License, for Microsoft;s “CRM 5″ release. The Online version of the product will probably be available in January; the on-premises version in the first quarter of 2011.
Mobile World Congress 2011: In February (14-17 in Barcelona), Microsoft is expected to speak up some of its future update strategies for Windows Phones at the show. Maybe we;ll hear a bit about “Mango,Office 2010 Professional Plus Key,” the next release of the Windows Phone OS (possibly 7.5) that some of my tipsters have said will deliver in-browser support for HTML5 and Silverlight.Microsoft MVP Summit: This yr, the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) invite-only summit is slated for February 28 to March 2 in Bellevue, Wash.Game Developers Conference 2011: Could Microsoft be ready to share additional about its future programs for Kinect by February 28? (GDC runs from February 28 to March 4 in San Francisco in 2011.)Microsoft Management Summit 2011: In Las Vegas from March 21 to 25, MMS could be dedicated to the latest on all products and services management-related. Expect possible updates on Windows Intune, the various System Center products, virtualization and a lot more.Convergence 2011: The annual confab for Microsoft Dynamics ERP/CRM customers and partners is April 10 to 13 in Atlanta. There will probably be news around the upcoming versions of Microsoft;s four ERP suites, no doubt — and maybe even some very early CRM six talk (?).Mix ‘11: A beta of Silverlight 5 is one of the expectations for this 12 months;s Mix, which is happening (sadly again) in Las Vegas from April 12 to 14. Maybe we;ll see the final Internet Explorer 9 release at Mix, as well.TechEd 2011: Microsoft;s annual educational conference,Office Pro Plus 2010 Key, where the talks (typically) focus on already-announced products, is happening from Can 16 to 19 in Atlanta this 12 months. Who knows: Maybe we;ll hear much more concerning the Office 365 rollout (which my sources are hearing will happen about the first week of June).E3 2011: This year;s game extravaganza is June 7 to 9 in Los Angeles. As usual, lots of Xbox, Xbox Live, games and game peripherals should be on the agenda.Worldwide Partner Conference 2011: It;s off to Los Angeles again this yr for Microsoft;s annual partner confab, taking place from July 11 to 14.Professional Developers Conference 2011: No dates or location on this one (yet), but many Microsoft watchers are expecting this year;s PDC to be where Microsoft rolls out a public beta (or at least a Community Technology Preview) of Windows 8.Any other Microsoft-specific events already in your calendar?