Microsoft had its annual shareholders meeting on Thursday. And reading the press release, it sounds like the biggest snoozer ever.

But apparently things were a little different if you actually were there. A shareholder questioned Microsoft CEO (grilled may be a better term) Steve Ballmer on why Microsoft seems so much less cool than, say, Apple, especially when it comes to younger users. (Let's see: Exhibits A, B and C come to mind.) And the quote of the day:

"I'm just wondering why your marketing group can't do something to try to rein in this next generation, because you've got a real bad image out there."

No kidding.

Ballmer's probably as tired of that question as we are. Of course, he's in a slightly better position to do something about it. And simply deflecting talk about Windows phones — which absolutely don't get a fair shake — to Windows 7 and Office 2010 is a cop-out. The people want their phones, sir. They want their apps. They want their music. They want their video. And they want it now.

We've said it before, and we'll say it again. Microsoft has all the pieces. It's time to put them together and market them smartly. And it's far past time to deliver.

Techflash via Gizmodo

Let's toss a little water on some of the latest unconfirmed rumors flying through the blogosphere (and I really don't like that term) regarding Windows Mobile 7, that Office 2010 screenshot and just when Microsoft will announce WM7, shall we? Join us after the break.

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Microsoft has made the Office 2010 beta available for public consumption, which means you and I can download it for your desktop as well as your phone. The mobile version is available in the Windows Marketplace for Mobile, and you can get the desktop version here. The beta includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint Workspace and OneNote. Exchange 2010 will require your Exchange provider to push it out once it's released.

Do note that the beta will expire on April 5, 2010, so don't be expecting to use this forever. We'll be tinkering with Office 2010 over the next few days. Share your thoughts in the comments, and let us know what you would like to see.

It should come as no great surprise that Microsoft's upcoming Office 2010 (now in beta) will bring a refresh to Windows Mobile. After all, we've covered it here and here. (And here's the one you really should watch.) But just in case you were worried that Microsoft was holding out until Windows Mobile 7, fear not. Office 2010 will be coming to Windows Mobile 6.5. Some features (such as Sharepoint and Exchange) will be dependent on your Exchange provider having upgraded to 2010. But you've been looking for another reason to bug them, right? [Microsoft via Mobile Tech World]