http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/

shoop da whoop!]]>Mar 5th 2008 2:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
Don't let them convince you otherwise. To do so would be an epic fail.]]>Mar 5th 2008 2:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 8:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
It would let you sync all your contacts, bookmarks and applications to the iPod so no matter where you were you could just plug your iPod into a Mac and have all your settings and apps with you.

Pretty cool that Windows is adding something like this with a StartKey. Hopefully Apple will finally put out this option for the iPod.]]>Mar 5th 2008 4:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
Don't let bill see this! It would be in boxes by tomorrow!]]>Mar 5th 2008 1:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 2:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/My word processor app had a "security chip" so that you could copy the floppy all you liked, but the app would only run if the chip was present.

Problem with using it today is
1) We can already emulate BIOS etc, it shouldn't be too hard to mess with this, too.
2) laptop users would hate it. (Think:MBA. Install Vista, loose your only usb port :S)]]>Mar 5th 2008 2:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
No key, no boot.

Pity when the freakin things break.]]>Mar 5th 2008 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 4:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/If you arent technically inclined enough to get a regular Windows installation on a usb drive, then use BartPE and install explorer and all the other missing things so that its as good as a desktop installation.]]>Mar 5th 2008 2:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
I am talking a fully functional and completet XP install on a USB drive. As if I am simply transferring a hard drive into another PC. Sure the hardware installation would take a bit when you first booted up, but after you had a few PCs worth of drivers on there it'd be smooth sailing.

Right now, with the methods you described, it's simply more effort than it is worth. An official solution from Microsoft would be welcome.]]>Mar 5th 2008 3:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
You just have a standardized driver interface or repository which you can update from. The hardware would run any OS with your settings of course and a bios based OS for hardware accesss.

Its quite simple and doesnt really break any current revenue models.]]>Mar 5th 2008 10:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 6th 2008 5:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
With flash drives getting bigger and bigger it would be fantastic if more applications were compatible with this setup. I use mine to run Thunderbird and Firefox while at work so I don't clutter up a computer I don't own with email, and bookmarks. ]]>Mar 5th 2008 1:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 1:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
I can drum up some stupid shit and suck down several million dollars in development costs on a project that will never go anywhere like this one.

My resume has been forwarded. ]]>Mar 5th 2008 2:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 6th 2008 5:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 2:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
from http://www.u3.com/support/default.aspx:

"he U3 Launchpad supports the following operating systems:

* Windows Vista (you need to have U3 Launchpad version 1.4 or higher. If you do not have version 1.4 of the U3 Launchpad click here to learn how to check for updates to the U3 Launchpad.
* Windows XP, all service packs
* Windows 2000, SP4

Mac OS, Linux, Unix and the older versions of Windows OS are not supported. On these systems your U3 smart drive will function as a regular USB flash drive"

Don't let facts stop you from attempting to jealously bash MS though...]]>Mar 5th 2008 3:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
]]>Mar 5th 2008 2:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 2:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 3:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/U3 doesn't work with Vista anyway, so have to.]]>Mar 5th 2008 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
* Windows Vista (you need to have U3 Launchpad version 1.4 or higher. If you do not have version 1.4 of the U3 Launchpad click here to learn how to check for updates to the U3 Launchpad."

U3 does in fact support Vista.

]]>Mar 5th 2008 3:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 4:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Isn't this just Roaming Profiles in a U3 flash drive? I guess "StartKey" just sounds more cool to those hipster marketing people.]]>Mar 5th 2008 2:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
It would let you sync all your contacts, bookmarks and applications to the iPod so no matter where you were you could just plug your iPod into a Mac and have all your settings and apps with you.

Pretty cool that Windows is adding something like this with a StartKey. Hopefully Apple will finally put out this option for the iPod.

]]>Mar 5th 2008 2:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 3:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/
iPhone and iPod touch have WiFi and Apple already has Bonjour that auto configures wireless devices - not a stretch to get this working on these devices.

I wouldnt mind carrying around an iPod cable if I knew I would need to use this feature on a trip - better than having to lug around a laptop.]]>Mar 5th 2008 4:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 3:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 4:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 4:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/Mar 5th 2008 4:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/

Bill Gates, in an interview with Newsweek,suggested that the next version of Windows would "be more user-centric."[8] When asked to clarify what he meant, Gates said:


“ That means that right now when you move from one PC to another,
you've got to install apps on each one, do upgrades on each one. Moving information between them is very painful. We can use Live Services to know what you're interested in. So even if you drop by a [public] kiosk or somebody else's PC, we can bring down your home page, your files, your fonts, your favorites and those things."

that sounds damn near close to the startkey companion]]>Mar 5th 2008 4:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/05/microsoft-working-up-startkey-windows-companion/http://www.u3.com/uninstall/

The best thing about this will likely be the following future link:
http://www.microsoft.com/lame_usb_Live_Key_uninstall

...except of course Microsoft would never let you u uninstall it and use it like a regular USB stick. One can dream, tho.
]]>Mar 5th 2008 4:48PM