As usual, Engadget has posted information about a Microsoft event, before it has happened, thanks to early access to press releases. There is a huge list of dev partners that Microsoft has gathered for Windows Phone 7 Series to boot with. It includes big names like EA Mobile, Foursquare, Seesmic and the likes. Based on XNA and Siverlight, these early apps and games look pretty good. Check out the screenshots and complete partner list after the jump.
Silverlight
Microsoft officially confirms Windows Phone 7 Series development to be on .NET, Silverlight and XNA
As if a few leaked internal documents were not enough to convince most mobile developers out there, Charlie Kindel, the Microsoftee in whose hands lies the future of application development for Windows Phones, has confirmed that development for Windows Phone 7 Series will be done using .NET, Silverlight and XNA. This is good news from Microsoft because as I said a few days ago, they have an uphill battle against the App Store.
Windows Phone 7 Series development documents leaked – development in XNA and Silverlight, multitasking available
There are always a bunch of leaks after Microsoft successfully demonstrates a new product which was previously kept under covers. We’ve seen this pattern with Windows 7, Office 2010, Project Natal and now with Windows Phone 7 Series. XDA-Developers have gotten their hands on a couple of confidential development documents for Windows Phone 7 Series which answer some of our questions about the development platform as well as multitasking.
Microsoft OneApp – hands on demo video
Microsoft OneApp is a new application that will allow feature phones ( phones which are not classified as smart phones ) to access web services and applications such as Windows Live Messenger, Twitter, Facebook and the likes. It is being launched by Microsoft Unlimited Potential program for developing countries where not everyone can buy an iPhone or a Blackberry. To start with, it’ll launch in South Africa for users of Blue Label Telecoms as part of their service called ‘mibli’.
Watch the NFL live in HD thanks to Silverlight
NBC has partnered again with NFL to stream the NFL Sunday Night Football games live through Silverlight with IIS Smooth streaming at 720p HD quality. Starting on 10th September, you’ll be able to see the HD broadcast stream which will include DVR and picture-in-picture functionality which will let you pause and rewind the game or even watch it in slow motion. Along with the main stream, there will be 4 additional streams.
Download the new and improved MSN Toolbar for IE and Firefox
Microsoft has updated the Silverlight MSN Toolbar and it’s now available for download for Internet Explorer ( 6+ ) and Firefox 3. It’s a lot more flashy in terms of looks and animations than the previous version and provides a great experience to common MSN website and Windows Live Services. Some of the new features include great Bing integration in search as well as better customization with different toolbar colors and scenes. Here’s a quick run down of the MSN Toolbar:
Apps for Windows – Desktop Apps for Facebook
If Twitter clients weren’t enough already, Facebook recently updated its API to allow developers to create client applications that would let you update your status or keep an eye on your stream. But which are most popular Facebook clients amongst them all? To answer that question, this edition of Apps for Windows is dedicated to Desktop Apps for Facebook.
Windows Mobile 6.5 Marketplace Apps will be for sale in only 29 countries; OS built in 9 months
Microsoft demos Facebook on Silverlight and WPF
Server Quest II – A game for IT Pros by Microsoft
If you’re a geek and cherish the good old days of games with 8 bit graphics and Mono sound in the early 90’s along with a hidden aspiration to become an IT professional, this game has been tailor made for you. Server Quest II helps you learn more about IT and the software involved ( an example being Vista in offices. really! ). There’s a lot of mention of Microsoft software and technologies now and then, and you’re also given interesting missions with some what of a cheesy sense of humor sometimes. You play the role of either a Server God, Database Guru, Desktop Whiz, Hardware Hero, IT Commando or God’s Gift To Programming. There are just two main characters in the game and either of them can be used for any of the mentioned roles.
The game starts with a video that looks to be a flashback from the 90’s with the style, although the technology that’ll be talked about in the game is the latest. You’ll be using Outlook to check your tasks or missions and complete them. There are a lot of cut scenes in which even Windows Live Photo Gallery comes up. 
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