Flickr using Windows Azure and other cloud happenings

There were a couple interesting cloud-related stories I saw that I wanted to highlight as the week raps up.

Recently, Yahoo needed a cloud service provider that could help them quickly release their newest Flickr app for Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7. They wanted a dynamic platform that would help engage users across a wide spectrum of connected devices. As reported in ReadWriteWeb, Yahoo found what they were looking for in Windows Azure. In the articles Marcus Spiering, a product manager at Yahoo responsible for Flickr mobile products says, “Azure allowed us to build an app quickly and do it with quality.” With the capability to manage various complexities that can arise from the way data and meta data gets handled, Windows Azure proved to be the right platform to help Yahoo bring their highly anticipated app to market. Be sure to check out the video from the story below for more:

[View:http://blogs.technet.com/themes/generic/utility/

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On a similar note, there was also a post from the Windows Azure AppFabric team on their blog about a Gartner paper saying that “continuing strategic investment in Windows Azure is moving Microsoft toward a leadership position in the cloud platform market.” For more read what the Windows Azure team had to say here.

Also, for a look at the differences between Microsoft and Google’s enterprise cloud offerings, here’s an interview that PCMag.com conducted with Tom Rizzo, Senior Director of Microsoft Online Services. PCMag.com’s Samara Lynn leaves no stone unturned as they discuss everything from Office 365 v. Google Apps to Microsoft’s latest cloud campaign.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on these stories and more, so feel free to comment below. As always if you’re looking for more information on Microsoft’s commercial cloud offerings, be sure to check out the Cloud Power site at this link.

Have a great weekend - Larry