It’s no TouchFLO or SPB Mobile Shell, but it turns out you will be able theme Windows Phone 7 Series … a little. Although we’ve only ever seen the classy “dark” theme with the black background, Microsoft just demoed a “light” theme with dark text on a white background. Earth-shattering, we know.

We couldn’t shake the feeling that the mysterious Samsung-branded Windows Phone 7 Series device being passed around at MIX10 this week was just a warmed-over i8910 HD , and it turns out there’s a very good reason for that: Samsung says it is a warmed-over i8910 HD. Even crazier, TechRadar writes that its contact at Samsung basically pegged the stunt entirely on Microsoft, simply saying “they used the i8910 HD to demo Windows 7″ and that “this demo was a one-off.” The whole thing reeks of the original Zune, which began life as a Frankenstein’d Toshiba Gigabeat — but we don’t think this new trick is going to make it all the way to retail since the i8910 HD clocks in with 640 x 360 resolution (WP7S requires 800 x 480) and a processor that falls well short of the standard-issue 1GHz Snapdragon. At any rate, we’re trying to get the straight dope on this from Microsoft now that Samsung’s washed its hands of it and we’ll update you when we’ve got more. Windows Phone 7 Series device from Samsung is just a hacked i8910 HD originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .

The most interesting parts of Microsoft’s Mix conference have come to a close, leaving us with two steaming news lumps: One for Windows Phone 7 , and one for Internet Explorer 9 . Here’s what’s in them! More

Microsoft is having a good old time at MIX10 , showing off all sorts of new things. New things like… Internet Explorer 9 , which has just been previewed at the developer event, and here’s what we’ve gleaned about it so far. First off, as expected it will support HTML5 video , boast a new Microsoft JavaScript engine which is codenamed “Chakra,” and it’ll support new-fangled web technologies like CSS3 and SVG2.

Dear Microsoft, you did a good job at out-Appling Apple with the Windows Phone 7 . At least on paper. But instead of trying to beat them completely, it seems that you want to screw it all with two stupid decisions. More

Windows Phone 7 won’t have full multitasking for third party apps, which, given Windows Mobile’s multitasking past, took people off guard. Here’s how Microsoft’s Scott Guthrie answers for this. Warning: The rationalizations might sound a little familiar. More

If this morning’s news of Internet Explorer 9’s support for HTML5 and video acceleration got you excited, and you happen to run Windows XP , prepare to get unexcited: You won’t be able to install it on your OS. Sorry! [ IE9 ] More

Microsoft’s two new HD LifeCams shoot 720p video on the cheap, for $50 and $60 respectively. What sets them apart is their TrueColor technology, supposedly delivering more vivid colors in any situation. How do they fare? You be the judge. More

Looking to upgrade that built-in or non-existent webcam in your laptop or LCD monitor? Then Microsoft hopes you’ll consider one of its three new LifeCams , which each not only boast a 720p resolution, but the company’s new TrueColor technology that promises to provide “superior color and brightness in even the worst lighting conditions.” Apart from that feat of optical wizardry, the webcams look to provide all the basic features you’d expect, including auto focus and face tracking, along with a flexible base on the HD-5000 and HD-5001 that can be adapted for use on a desk, or attached to a laptop or desktop monitor — the HD-6000 is designed for laptop use only. Look for the HD-5000 and Best Buy-exclusive HD-5001 to roll out first later this month for just $50 apiece, while the HD-6000 will be available in April for $60. Hit up the gallery below for a closer look at each. Gallery: Microsoft announces three new 720p LifeCams with TrueColor technology Microsoft announces three new 720p LifeCams with TrueColor technology originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:29:00 EST.

From Bill Buxton ’s presentation to the Mix conference about user interfaces, one of the first 3rd-party apps created with Microsoft’s recently released WinPho 7 SDK : A cheeky Twitter app, for electrical telegraph operators. [ Mix 2010 ] More