Microsoft Goes Virtual, Moves Windows Summit Venue

Windows Summit 2010 is aimed at developers who haven't attended a Microsoft event since the company's 2008 Professional Developer Conference and November 2008 WinHEC conferences. The goal was to give developers face time with Microsoft staffers, but demand was apparently high enough to warrant a change of venue -- to the Web.

"To meet a variety of needs of folks looking for information on Windows, the Windows engineering team decided it was in the best interest of both current and future designers, testers, developers and engineers to make the information more broadly available to a larger audience we decided to make Windows Summit 2010 an online event," a Microsoft spokesperson said in an email.

The first Windows Summit 2010 track, for technical implementers of devices, will be held on May 25. The system track will be held June 2 and the software track is slated for June 16. The event is also meant to provide coders with tips on improving performance, reliability and battery life as well as implementation of touch-enabled PCs.

Microsoft has updated its Windows Summit 2010 homepage with the following message: "We've moved online! Windows Summit 2010 has become a virtual event! This is a special opportunity to learn—straight from the Windows team—how you can best use Windows 7 and Internet Explorer to enable great solutions for your customers. This event is designed for people who want to build great products on Windows 7."

Michael Angiulo, general manager for the Windows Planning and PC Ecosystem teams, and a 16-year Microsoft veteran, will deliver the opening keynote. Angiulo helms Microsoft partner engagement programs including WinHEC, Logo programs for hardware and systems, and one-to-one engagements with top tier OEMs, IHVs and ISVs.