Microsoft rolls out Windows Vista soft drink

Windows Vista, the operating system, is still not due out until whenever Microsoft is ready maybe January 2007, but the refrigerators in Redmond are already stocked for the party. Presumably in an attempt to get those lackadaisical coders back on track, Gates and Co. has ordered a supply of Windows Vista beverages to compliment the plethora of other free refreshments available at the office. Decked out with the updated Windows logo and a URL to the company's internal Vista site (we've already tried to access it to no avail), the special-edition can of Talking Rain "sparkling water" is apparently just the thing to get those gears churning at Microsoft HQ. Although we don't expect these to be made available anywhere that undercover gold master copies of Vista aren't shuffling around, this just might be an obscure sign that we'll see the OS on store shelves this decade, and hey, we'll drink to that.

[Thanks, David]

[KawF @ Aug 3rd 2006 3:04AM]

Windows Vista - The only case where the soft drink promo item is better than the actual product.

Or something like that...

[Ben @ Aug 3rd 2006 3:05AM]

I wonder how much they're going to be worth when Microsoft dies.

[Gordo @ Aug 3rd 2006 3:10AM]

Haha, the colour is beige. Just like all PCs should be coloured!

[giveaphuk @ Aug 3rd 2006 3:10AM]

that has to be one of the ugliest, most uninspirational promo can's i've ever seen.

i wonder if vistas gonna have the same effect on me.

no wonder so many designers prefer macs..

[javaflash @ Aug 3rd 2006 3:38AM]

Let's hope Vista goes on sale before these drinks' expiration date.

[Keith L. Dick @ Aug 3rd 2006 3:56AM]

So we have to be Drunk in some way to be able to use VISTA???...

Ahhh, CTRL-ALT-DEL just removes all those pics you were hidding...

I see now...

[winberg @ Aug 3rd 2006 4:00AM]

microsoft being dead? it will never happen man.
and bill he will be frozen at space mountain with john wayne and walt disney himslef, so for future ideas they can just you know defrost him and get his ass to work.

[Paul Lucian @ Aug 3rd 2006 4:02AM]

As 1:00 am today, August 3, 2006, a can of Vista Lemon-Lime is up for auction at Ebay, standing at $21. Shipping and handling; $6

[Atanas Boev @ Aug 3rd 2006 4:03AM]

Sooo, who will give out a copy of the http://vtweb/windows/vista? :)

[Richard @ Aug 3rd 2006 4:07AM]

I was in Tokyo for the Windows 98 launch, and I happened to pick up a slightly dented can of Kirin beer with a Microsoft logo... For $25, I need to track that sucker down, and put it up on eBay.

[Sean @ Aug 3rd 2006 4:21AM]

Proof positive that reality is in fact more strange than fiction.

[gecko @ Aug 3rd 2006 4:25AM]

"microsoft being dead? it will never happen man.
and bill he will be frozen at space mountain... so for future ideas they can just you know defrost him and get his ass to work."

that'll be such a waste because even when bill is alive, he wasn't able to contribute much. steal - yes, imitate - definitely, but contribute new ideas?

hmmm....

[Johnny @ Aug 3rd 2006 4:58AM]

Windows Vista leaves a bad taste in my mouth?

[noel @ Aug 3rd 2006 5:02AM]

doesn't anybody else see the irony of the flavor of windows vista is lemon

[Johnny @ Aug 3rd 2006 5:05AM]

Windows Vista leaves a bad taste in my mouth?

or

..after trying Vista, I threw up a little, in my mouth......

[Fredrik @ Aug 3rd 2006 5:28AM]

I have tasted Microsoft before. At CeBit in Germany we got this:
http://home.halden.net/zion/alvenes.com/CeBIT%20side%202_files/DSC01384.jpg
http://home.halden.net/zion/alvenes.com/CeBIT%20side%202_files/DSC01469.jpg

It says: "Prepare for your ideas to gush" :S

[lettcco @ Aug 3rd 2006 5:49AM]

so the "soft" in Microsoft is actually soft-drinks?

[Richard @ Aug 3rd 2006 6:27AM]

This is sad. Someone had to say it....

Now, if this was apple, it would be a crystal glass (somehow sealed) flute, containting only the finest champagne that would never freeze, a laser cut minimalist apple logo on the side, and a magical mighty mousse to accompany it afterwards. The iDrink, or maybe the mac cup pro, depending on Steve's mood. However, it would be far to warm to appreciate, and cost $8 - $2 for the contents, $2 for the design of the glass, and $4 for the name.

[Dave @ Aug 3rd 2006 6:42AM]

The theory that designers prefer Mac's is bull. Sales don't support that idea.

And besides, all the newest software comes out first for the PC, and minor software (Sothink Quicker-- invalable for editing 3 year old SWF files without the FLA, which is increasingly common due to the sheer amoutn of people without a clue) for systems such as Flash come out only for the PC. This is not even talking about 3D software.

In fact, the only place where Mac's lead is in the designers HOMEs. because they aren't expected to really know how to use their computers without the IT guys hovering around them, so at home that's what they use because Mac's are a combination of exclusivity, culture, and ease of use (I do admit, that Macs are easier to use for the non-tech saavy, with fewer problems from Trojans and Virii).

As a tech saavy designer and coder, I can't live with a Mac no matter how the interface is blingin' (and I do say blingin' because that's all it is, I'm not the type to install stupid widgets on the desktop-- I'm just not the target market, and I have dual wide 20's), due to the lack of options and software (sure, all the majors are there, but the invaluable small tools are impossible to get). In fact, the first thing when I get to a new PC or Mac is to try to turn off every and all "enhanced" graphical settings to squeeze as much juice out of the system as possible so I can save a bit more of my previous time as possible, instead of waiting around for a 300 megabyte PSD layer file to save, or if I'm using Final Cut or Premiere Pro, for my videos to render.

The only places where the Mac's are a little better in my opinion is "luxery" department, and I mean "luxery". For example, for the little pulsing LED costs about 5 bucks for them to implement, but end up costing you 20, and so on. But much like the difference between an expensive BMW and the Camaro, and what your intended goals are, I prefer my work done fast.

PC's may be ugly, finnacky, and everything, but they get the job done. Cheaper. Often Faster. And they often to jobs that Macs just can't do.

I can't believe I actually went off on a rant about the Mac vs PC thing. Flame war in 1....2.....

[Dave @ Aug 3rd 2006 6:44AM]

woah, all the mispellings. *smacks self*

[David @ Aug 3rd 2006 6:44AM]

Now they just need that bald black guy from the 1980's to pitch the slogan....

Windows Vista..... No good code. Never Had it. Never Will.

[Zappr @ Aug 3rd 2006 6:59AM]

Just a daily dose of Vista Koolaid

[Syntenic @ Aug 3rd 2006 7:03AM]

This is about the funniest thing i've ever seen microsoft do, its a bit ridiculous...but funny nonetheless.

L O F--KING L

[sebastian @ Aug 3rd 2006 7:04AM]

wow looks really yummy! but seems that it's easier to get an copy of vista :)

[Richard @ Aug 3rd 2006 7:09AM]

And I bet you need to sign a EULA before drinking it. And enter a serial code on the vendor, and activate it by entering the code on its back back into the vending machine. And THEN it secretly checks to make sure it is the real thing.

[Diego @ Aug 3rd 2006 7:11AM]

Apparently it tastes like crap and gives you explosive diarrhea. :)

[Richard @ Aug 3rd 2006 7:23AM]

Wow Dave, you really don't know what you are talking about. I have been working in the printing for 15 years and I can tell you that 95% of my clients use Macs. (Note, I am not comparing the platforms, only responding to Dave's comments.)

This goes back to the 80's when Microsoft did not support PostScript or have WYSIWYG. If a designer wanted to see what they were designing on screen they had to use a Mac. The dominance has held to present day.

Now if you are talking about web design which is a small portion of the "design", there may not be the same ratio, but in all of the print shops that I have stepped foot in, Mac files far outweigh PC files. I do not know of a single ad agency that is PC based, a lot have mixed and some are Mac only, but I don't know of any that are PC only.

[joe @ Aug 3rd 2006 7:25AM]

that can design seems to be as finished as the vista itself. no wonder how bad it tastes - what? the drink or the software experience?

[Scorp 56 @ Aug 3rd 2006 7:47AM]

Wow, even Microsoft thinks Vista is a lemon!

[Shaun @ Aug 3rd 2006 8:03AM]

If they'd been drinking Jolt Cola instead of Vista Lemon, perhaps they'd have shipped by now.

[Shaun @ Aug 3rd 2006 8:13AM]

Dave, for "Sothink Quicker" there's FutureCandy's 'Gordon' Flash decompiler and a couple of others.

Stick to your narrow view of the world and us proper designers will get on with using both platforms.

[chenry @ Aug 3rd 2006 8:26AM]

"My soda crashed!"

[tiuk @ Aug 3rd 2006 10:00AM]

gecko - Do you have any idea how much of his personal fortune Bill has donated to charity? Seriously, hate on Microsoft all you want, but don't disrespect Bill Gates.

[KawF @ Aug 3rd 2006 10:02AM]

Windows Vista - Leaves a Sour Taste
Windows Vista - A Catalyst for Toothdecay
Windows Vista - Properly Mature in 2020
Windows Vista - Consume Before 2008
Windows Vista - Easy-Open
Windows Vista - If shaken, may explode in your face

The list could just go on and on... :)

[Tender @ Aug 3rd 2006 10:06AM]

I have one of those cans. And, it does not taste good at all. but, in many years maybe I can sell it on ebay.

[Andrew Bowser @ Aug 3rd 2006 10:10AM]

If Apple were to do this, would they server... Apple... Juice? *drumroll rimshot*

[blahblah @ Aug 3rd 2006 10:11AM]

What's next? Vista-branded motor oil?! 0_o

"Make bluescreens a thing of the past with Vista-branded motor oil!" (and then there's a disclaimer at the bottom of the ad saying, "Your milage may vary...").

[javaflash @ Aug 3rd 2006 10:21AM]

"Doesn't anybody else see the irony of the flavor of windows vista is lemon"

LOL.

Dave, look at your screen right now (if it's a Windows). Could you honestly tell me that there is a drastic difference between Windows 98 and Windows XP (excluding all the supposed bug-fixes and features refinements, which should be done several iterations ago with much lesser time + cost to consumers).

There is a reason Vista continue to delay...

... because Microsoft, as a monopoly, can afford to delay it with little consequences.

[O'Boogie @ Aug 3rd 2006 10:27AM]

"Guess that's why Mac's are the dominant force in personal computing!"

Are you on crack? PCs outsell Macs--always have, always will. I think it is lovely that you prefer Macs, but the whole world doesn't happen to agree with you.

God, I get so sick of you Mac dorks.

[David @ Aug 3rd 2006 10:32AM]

Actually, I was at Redmond around a month ago and they had these cans then. These have been around for a while. I believe since they started rolling out Vista to some of their (guinea pigs) employees. It doesn't taste that great. I will stick with Apple juice for now ;-)

[David @ Aug 3rd 2006 10:36AM]

O'Boogie, you're a moron. Perhaps you should read the whole response before flaming. He was being ironic. And you being an obvious Mac-hater, couldn't get past yourself to realize that. He could have actually been referring to the fact that OSX is years ahead of Vista or any other Windows OS and always will be. If nothing else, at least Apple can release a decent upgrade every 18 months.

[Moogle @ Aug 3rd 2006 11:30AM]

O'Boogie -- sarcasm!

There are (or at least were) niche communities that use Macs primarily. Apple gave a lot of colleges a great deal on media labs full of macs, so many art students first computer experience 10-15 years ago was on a Mac. That may be changing today, but it has historically been true for some very small markets.

Gecko - obviously, for future ideas of what to steal next. :)

[Jason @ Aug 3rd 2006 11:44AM]

We've had these on the MS campus for well over a month - it's just a private label for that particular flavor of the Talking Rain sparkling water.

As for the http://itweb/windows/vista, that's an internal MS site that only works if you're on campus. It's not a big deal, it's just the internal page for downloading the Beta 2 that everyone else can grab too, just on an external page.

I see how you could think this is funny, but it's really just not a big deal.

[Jim @ Aug 3rd 2006 12:07PM]

While I don't work for Microsoft, my company has space in the same office building complex as Microsoft Game Studio and the Xbox Marketing group. Been seeing those cans in the trash (don't these guys recycle?) for the past several weeks...

[Yunar @ Aug 3rd 2006 12:33PM]

Odly enough this reminds me of "Google Gulp", except that here it's not fake :D

[Pringle @ Aug 3rd 2006 12:39PM]

So what does the url say????
It clearly cant be vtweb/windows/vista, cause thats not a valid url!

[Tiffany @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:18PM]

Wow this is way old news. Those cans have been here on campus for at least 3 months.

[Cullen @ Aug 3rd 2006 1:36PM]

THis is very old. I had a can sent to me with a box of schwag last month.... The drink made its debut in may so. yeah it isnt really news now is it?

[ano @ Aug 3rd 2006 2:00PM]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Windows-Vista-Lemon-Lime-Unopened-Soda-Can_W0QQitemZ180013956027QQihZ008QQcategoryZ35695QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


hahahahahah awsome just waiting for it to happen

[Bryan @ Aug 3rd 2006 5:51PM]

And you guys haven't even seen the Engadget edition yet. ;)

http://www.vulomedia.com/images/149envista.jpg