Microsoft apologizes for not-so-Ultimate Extras

As anyone's that's sprung for the top-end Vista Ultimate can tell you, the much-ballyhooed "Ultimate Extras" have been anything but, having all but ceased after a brief Texas Hold 'Em-fueled flurry when they first went live. Now it seems that even Microsoft itself has owned up to their utter lameness, with Vista Ultimate director Barry Goffe taking the somewhat unusual step of issuing an apology on his blog. In addition to saying sorry for "taking so long to provide a status update to customers," Goffe says that Microsoft is on track to release the long-in-development DreamScene add-on by the end of the summer, along with an additional 20 language packs, and a couple of yet-to-be-announced mystery extras.

[Via Ars Technica]

[ScOObyDoo @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:26PM]

Pfff. More dreamscene crap. I don't even use them as it is nothing but a resource hog.

They'd better come up with something better than language packs (I mean, seriously; bragging about 20 of them is just pathetic, who uses more than one or two anyway).

I'd be happy if they finally got off their asses and fixed media center so I can stream more than just one format onto my xbox. The current media center extender functionality is pathetic.

[IsLNdbOi @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:27PM]

Language packs count as Ultimate Extras? Don't the other versions of Vista get these language packs too?

[Chuckles McGee @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:12PM]

Shhh...you're spoiling their "apology".

[CoryB @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:28PM]

Glad to see all the vocal complaining that has taken place recently on the web at least got a "we are still working on them" update out of Microsoft.

[BandB @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:39PM]

for how much the ultimate cost, this is a real kick in the teeth.

next they'll remind us the Vista is in color

[waiownsyou @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:42PM]

I can't believe I paid an extra $100 over the regular Vista Home Premium for a Texas card game. Damn Microsoft. I'm so switching to OS X Leopard when it comes out. Ridiculous.

[Lack @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:22PM]

What about the "business" features the ultimate has?

[david @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:55PM]

Was that sarcasm (?) What business features does it have over the business version?

[Rick @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:10PM]

I guess its just easier to call you an idiot for not paying that 100 for both the features of business and enterprise.

[Lack @ Jul 4th 2007 1:17AM]

It has multimedia features over business version.

[Colin @ Jul 4th 2007 1:41AM]

@david:
It leverages vertical markets and shifts paradigms. For profit!

[Roflgoat @ Jul 4th 2007 11:56PM]

And spend another 130USD? You're kinda stupid.

[lyl545646 @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:48PM]

you guys do realize that there's a DreamScene hack for non-ultimate vistas, right?

hint hint....

[Jaxim @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:50PM]

Exactly how many people care about language packs?! That's a pretty lame Ultimate Extra.

It would be cool if they released Media Browser (formally known as Photo Triage), which was demo'd back in 2003-2004.

http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=14275

Getting this software would definitely be worth having Vista Ultimate.

[IrishGandalf @ Jul 3rd 2007 6:48PM]

u do realise that the developer showing u the review on that link is running xp? lol even the windows coders aren't using vista. And i have used vista ultimate on this laptop but i went back to XP MCE, It a lot more stable, it's more compatible, more customisable, and less power hungry then vista (at the moment at least). I'm waiting till sp1 at least maybe sp2 b4 i'll consider switching back.

[Roflgoat @ Jul 5th 2007 12:00AM]

u do realise he wrote "2003-2004" , rite? k. lol.

SHUDDUP

[sentient.exe @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:51PM]

The worst part about all of this is that their dreamscene files are only in widescreen format; since I have a 5:4 format monitor, all I really got out of deal was texas hold'em. We was robbed, we was robbed.

[james @ Jul 3rd 2007 4:59PM]

THis is just sad, why have they not done anything? Are they too busy sitting in each other offices like we always see on Channel 9 website talking about stuff to actually come together and release anything? Wondering if its anything like my company where the managers sit in there office and never talk to the employees unless you go talk to them first?

[Dale @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:09PM]

I'm experiencing the WOW.

[Slippery Jim DiGriz @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:30PM]

So am I, its called OS X

[Alex Padilla @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:17PM]

Good job, Microsoft.

I think the next Ultimate Extra should be a fully-functional operating system.

[Ellianth @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:22PM]

Lol, that's just mean. Like 'low blow' mean.

[KC @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:27PM]

Like... WOW, I can't believe it's $100 for a card game.

[Camperton @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:39PM]

For a company as gargantuan and omnipresent as Microsoft you'de think they'd have their shit together by now... Oh wait that's exactly why they don't.

[Dale @ Jul 3rd 2007 5:46PM]

I'm still holding out for the printable colonoscopy voucher.

[Tosh @ Jul 3rd 2007 6:01PM]

Wow, Mac OS X Tiger has had this for a long time. It's called Onyx

[ScOObyDoo @ Jul 3rd 2007 6:09PM]

Yeah, and ALL versions of OS X come with smug as well.

[rob @ Jul 3rd 2007 6:12PM]

Language pack as an Ultimate Extra. Are you kidding me. Thats Microsoft taking something that should go out to everyone and trying to pass it off as an extra...LAME.

[jon @ Jul 3rd 2007 6:19PM]

everyone does realize most of the delay is not letting star dock get the credit bc they already finished making allot of the dreamscape package. i think the $50 for star dock package makes xp look ad nice and all the functionally in vista while using less resources...
yay Microsoft

[joe @ Jul 3rd 2007 6:55PM]

I am a M$ fanboy from way back in the DOS days. Getting that out of the way, who in their right mind bought Ultimate Edition. You would have to be a serious noob or just plain stupid to run out an buy Ultimate Edition or any new M$ OS before service pack 1. M$ makes good OS's but the rule with them even for a fanboy is Caveat emptor.

[nickfawwaz3 @ Jan 16th 2008 9:54PM]

I can't configure local security policy on Home Premium

that kind of annoys me

[patdude @ Jul 3rd 2007 7:30PM]

Although I totally agree with the sentiments echoed above (really Microsoft what on earth are you doing???), wouldn't it be smarter for all of us commenters to suggest some cool apps for MS to supply???

I reckon new skins for the Vista GUI, new animations for alt-tab, minimising/maximising, a few developer tools, some new decent games (quake with a Redmond HQ map and bill gates baddies would be a hoot!)

In short MS you've got a golden chance to build a community around Ultimate - don't get bogged down in endless committee meetings, just get a heap of cool stuff, throw it us and see what sticks...

Anyone else have any creative ideas on what MS could include???

[sentient.exe @ Jul 3rd 2007 7:44PM]

Well, I'd like to see: DreamScenes and Desktops for all aspect ratios, some UI skins, more gadgets and a forum on their site.

[HyperHacker @ Jul 4th 2007 3:23PM]

I'd like to see a tool to remove all the excess bloat. Oh, that's right, they already released it. It's the Windows XP installer.

[Miles @ Jul 3rd 2007 7:47PM]

HAHAHAHAHA

VISTA!?
Who uses that shit.
When Leopard comes out, the PC market will be DESTROYED.

Look, Microsoft is already losing TENS OF BILLIONS to Apple.

Leopard will revolutionize computers.

[Dcamp @ Jul 4th 2007 12:13AM]

Wow, you sound like when priests tell people all homosexuals are going to hell and that alternative lifestyles must be treated with fear and missionaries.

[sentient.exe @ Jul 3rd 2007 8:46PM]

I want some of what you're smoking.

[Colin @ Jul 4th 2007 1:46AM]

@sentient.exe:
I want a Yahoo Pipe that hides posts like Miles's from RDF-immume OS X users like myself.

[Marc @ Jul 23rd 2007 1:51AM]

pardon my utterly pathetic ignorance, but can you tell me what "Leopard" is please?

TIA

[nickfawwaz3 @ Jan 16th 2008 9:54PM]

You know what Miles? I doubt you even have a mac. I don't even think you have ever used Vista.

I have a leopard mac and it doesn't really impress me that much. The UI just doesn't fit my tastes, people like what they like.

Sorry I couldn't rant further with you but I don't think this is worth any further investment of my time.

Just don't let the white case blind you and don't let the blue screen scare you.

[Slurpy @ Jul 3rd 2007 7:48PM]

The end of the summer? For a fucking animated background that has been in beta for several months? Beyond pathetic.

[sockatume @ Jul 3rd 2007 7:53PM]

I don't know what's worse, that you need to get Ultimate to get certain language packs, or that they're considered "special" enough to be a bonus.

[HyperHacker @ Jul 4th 2007 3:24PM]

Could this be considered a form of racism? You guys speak this language so you get the pack for free, but you other guys speak a different language so you'll have to buy Ultimate.

[Alex Padilla @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:15PM]

Personally, I don't believe in this whole "ultimate extras" thing. I think that all these programs should be offered as optional packages in all Vista editions.

And on a similar note, wth is Microsoft doing with all those Vista editions? Why do that? Why not make two versions (like Windows XP [Media Center was just Professional with an extra program and some tweaks])?

I mean, c'mon, Bill...Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade Limited Numbered Signature Edition!?!?! What were you thinking!?

[Mr. Picklesworth @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:14PM]

The different Windows Vista versions are getting to be more confusing for the "average idiot" than all the popular Linux distros, and a lot harder to tell apart!

Kind of amusing :)

[Cornholio CyrX @ Jan 16th 2008 9:03AM]

Agree with Mr. Picklesworth... I don't have the time to learn about all those Vista editions, so I usually end up with recommending the simplest and cheapest one , for home users.

[DCLocal @ Jul 3rd 2007 10:32PM]

Media Browser in Jaxim's post looks very interesting, I wonder what ever happened to it?

For IrishGandalf's comment about the coders using XP, that vido is from 2005.

[JerqFase @ Jul 4th 2007 12:15AM]

Ok, Microsoft, I figured it out...Want to make your "Ultimate" fans happy again?..Release the 'WinFS' as an Ultimate Extra. Hell, I'll even pay for it. Just release SOMETHING you promised...On second thought give us a toggle button to disable services for gaming...Anything!

[Ayle @ Jul 4th 2007 7:16AM]

What about releasing what they showed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9ifQvQCO7Y?

[z20let @ Jul 4th 2007 2:26PM]

"I am a M$ fanboy from way back in the DOS days. Getting that out of the way, who in their right mind bought Ultimate Edition".......

Me - how else do you get a Vista Media Center you can remote desktop to (with the crap 3rd party apps I've tried before!).

Saying that, I wish I stuck with XP, Media Center is unuseable.