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With most of the engineering done, Microsoft releases Windows Phone 7 to its OEM and carrier partners for final customization in preparation for a holiday launch.

The Ping social-music feature in iTunes 10 is what Microsoft imagined when it launched the Zune with one critical difference: an addressable user base of more than 100 million.

The two companies say the move to combine advertisers on Microsoft’s AdCenter tool is on track to be completed by the end of October.

Google.org’s home electricity monitoring Web app gets feature for organizing energy efficiency jobs, pitting PowerMeter in more direct competition with Microsoft’s Hohm.

CNET’s Ina Fried shows what she likes–and doesn’t like–about Windows Phone 7, Microsoft’s effort to get back into the phone game.