AJAX & Microsoft & New Product Ideas
Last week I wrote that
- Web applications will begin to rival and exceed the functionality of their client/server or desktop cousins. Expect the next webmail version of Outlook to have more functionality, richer experience, more dynamic, and maybe easier to use than the Windows version. I wouldnt be surprised if MSFT tried to charge more for it.
I guess its just got here in the form of Microsoft Communicator.
Communicator Web Access will parallel the firm’s Outlook Web Access e-mail offering in terms of giving workers expanded opportunities for using the company’s communications tools, particularly when they are out of the office, he said. In addition, companies that haven’t upgraded their desktop software to the latest Windows operating system will still be able to access the tools.
Simnett said that technical details of the client software are still being worked out, but he indicated that the interface for Communicator Web Access will closely mimic the controls the company has built into the desktop version of the messaging tools.
Lots of companies have made a living taking MSFT’s intra-enterprise applications and creating an open interface + extranet web enabled version for public consumption. Trumba has some of the functionality of outllook’s calendering invitation functionality. Evite was almost an exact copy. I think there is an opportunity here to do the same. The article mentioned that
For instance, out-of-office messages will pop up automatically in Communicator, as will a user’s IM presence information. If companies integrate the software with their traditional or Internet telephony gear, workers can also start phone calls through their PC and redirect incoming calls when they are going to be away from their desk.
With some clever API integration to either Skype or AIM, API integration into Outlook or Plaxo, and a landline & phone connected to a PC with a modem, some one can probably write an application that replicated these functionalities. For example, the PC would know if someone is at their PC (ie presence) through the IM client, if not there, reroute calls to a mobile phone # stored locally; OR IM “not at the desk messages” to that person using caller ID and matching that # to the IM handle in the address book. . . . even better, use SKYPE to reroute POTS calls to VOIP… tons of cool functionalities that can be implemented around creating a consistent/integrated communication channels amongst all the various apps and gadgets we gathered the last few years. I’m waiting eagerly for the app. . .
, Google is giving out over 600K in stock grants (Not options, stock grants!) to PHD graduates of top CS programs in the nation . . . vested over 4 years ofcourse. Essentially guaranteeing that they will become millionaires in 4 years, adding in salary. 
