Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget 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/<![CDATA[Windows support will last forever (almost), thank you Microsoft!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/windows-support-will-last-forever/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/windows-support-will-last-forever/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/23/windows-support-will-last-forever/#comments
Just when you needed one more reason to carry on loving Windows Vista, Microsoft has gone and increased its customer support period. An extension has also been granted to Windows 7, which will get a full ten years of support instead of the usual five. There's been no announcement or fanfare, except for a brief communication from Microsoft Japan that sets out the new end dates. XP's support will stop in 2014, Vista's will shut down in 2017 and Windows 7's will come to a close in post-apocalyptic 2020, at which point call center staff will no doubt throw a party on Europa.

[Thanks, Abhishikt]

[Happy elderly couple photo via Shutterstock.]

Windows support will last forever (almost), thank you Microsoft! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blissmicrosoftminipostplaying golf togetherretirementsupportthe futureunconditional lovevistawindowswindows 7windows vistawindows xpWindows7WindowsVistaWindowsXpxpThu, 23 Feb 2012 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft: UK Retailer 'sold 94,000 counterfeit copies of Windows' (Update: Comet responds)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/microsoft-uk-retailer-sold-94-000-counterfeit-copies-of-window/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/microsoft-uk-retailer-sold-94-000-counterfeit-copies-of-window/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/microsoft-uk-retailer-sold-94-000-counterfeit-copies-of-window/#comments
Microsoft has launched an attack on beleaguered electronics retailer Comet -- stating that the British chain pirated 94,000 copies of Vista and XP recovery discs. Comet, which was recently sold off for £2 ($3), allegedly produced the copies at a factory in Hampshire and bundled them with PCs sold at its stores. There's been no official response from Comet yet, but we can't imagine Microsoft would throw this sort of statement around lightly. If you're concerned you are running a counterfeit copy of Windows, check out the How To Tell site below and we'll keep our eyes on this one as the saga unfolds.

Update: Comet has issued the following response to Microsoft's statement which we've got for you in full, after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft: UK Retailer 'sold 94,000 counterfeit copies of Windows' (Update: Comet responds)

Microsoft: UK Retailer 'sold 94,000 counterfeit copies of Windows' (Update: Comet responds) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BusinessCometComet UKCometUkLawsuitMicrosoftMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows XPMicrosoftWindowsMicrosoftWindowsXpPiracyPirated Recovery DiscPiratedRecoveryDiscRecovery DiscRecoveryDiscSoftwareVistaXPWed, 04 Jan 2012 06:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows XP turns 10, enjoys its golden years and slow transition into retirement]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/25/windows-xp-turns-10-enjoys-its-golden-years-and-slow-transition/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/25/windows-xp-turns-10-enjoys-its-golden-years-and-slow-transition/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/25/windows-xp-turns-10-enjoys-its-golden-years-and-slow-transition/#comments Windows XP It's hard to believe that it was ten years ago today that Windows XP first hit retail shelves. It's even more astonishing when you realize that it was still the most popular operating system in the world until the beginning of this month. The sun may finally be setting on the stalwart OS that has powered countless home and business PCs (it crossed the 400 million mark way back in 2006), but it's still number two -- right behind it's youngest brother Windows 7 and well ahead of the black sheep, Vista. Sure, our relationship with Microsoft's OS has had its ups and downs, but it's clear we've developed an attachment to the ol' bird. After all, consumer demand kept it shipping on PCs until late 2010 and Redmond has pledged to support it until April 8th of 2014. If nothing else, XP will be remembered for its incredible resilience.

[Thanks, Jacob]

Windows XP turns 10, enjoys its golden years and slow transition into retirement originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 years10th anniversary10thAnniversary10Yearsanniversarymicrosoftmicrosoft windowsmicrosoft windows xpMicrosoftWindowsMicrosoftWindowsXpredmondtenth anniversaryTenthAnniversarywindowswindows xpWindowsXpxpTue, 25 Oct 2011 20:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft to malware: your AutoRunning days on Windows are numbered]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/18/microsoft-to-malware-your-autorunning-days-on-windows-are-numbe/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/18/microsoft-to-malware-your-autorunning-days-on-windows-are-numbe/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/18/microsoft-to-malware-your-autorunning-days-on-windows-are-numbe/#comments Beware, malware. The Windows AutoRun updates for Vista and XP SP3 that Microsoft released in February have so far proven successful in thwarting your file corrupting ways. Although Windows 7 was updated to disable AutoPlay within AutoRun for USB drives -- freezing the ability for a virus to exploit it -- the aforementioned versions had remained vulnerable up until right after January. Fast-forward to the period between February and May of this year, and the updates have reduced the number of incidents by 1.3 million compared to the three months prior for the supported Vista and XP builds. Amazingly, when stacked against May of last year, there was also a 68 percent decline in the amount of incidents reported across all builds of Windows using Microsoft's Malicious Software Remove Tool. There's another fancy graph after the break to help illustrate, and you'll find two more along with a full breakdown by hitting the source link down under.

Continue reading Microsoft to malware: your AutoRunning days on Windows are numbered

Microsoft to malware: your AutoRunning days on Windows are numbered originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Jun 2011 21:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto runautoplayAutoRuncomputer securityComputerSecurityconfickerexploitflash driveFlashDrivemalwaremicrosoftmsrtsecuritythumbdriveupdateusbusb driveUsbDrivevirusvistavunerabilitywindowswindows updatewindows vistawindows xpWindowsUpdateWindowsVistaWindowsXpxpxp sp3XpSp3Sat, 18 Jun 2011 21:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows XP users will finally need to upgrade to enter the iCloud]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/windows-xp-users-will-finally-need-to-upgrade-to-enter-the-iclou/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/windows-xp-users-will-finally-need-to-upgrade-to-enter-the-iclou/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/windows-xp-users-will-finally-need-to-upgrade-to-enter-the-iclou/#commentsThis got a bit lost amid all the WWDC 2011 hubbub earlier this week, but Apple quietly delivered a bit of bad news to steadfast Windows XP users with its iCloud announcement. Unlike its MobileMe service and recent versions of iTunes, which have somewhat surprisingly supported Windows XP all this time, use of Apple's iCloud service on a PC will require either Windows Vista or Windows 7. Of course, XP users shouldn't feel too bad about being left behind -- as TUAW notes, Apple's only extended support for the Mac version of iTunes 10.3 back to OS X 10.5, which was just released in 2007 (when Windows XP was already starting to tell other upstart operating systems to get off its lawn).

[Thanks, Stephen]

Windows XP users will finally need to upgrade to enter the iCloud originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiclouditunesitunes in the cloudItunesInTheCloudwindows xpWindowsXpxpFri, 10 Jun 2011 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft rolls out long, long-awaited Windows update to disable AutoRun for USB drives]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/12/microsoft-rolls-out-long-long-awaited-windows-update-to-disable/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/12/microsoft-rolls-out-long-long-awaited-windows-update-to-disable/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/12/microsoft-rolls-out-long-long-awaited-windows-update-to-disable/#commentsIt's already changed the behavior in Windows 7, and Microsoft has now finally rolled out an update for earlier versions of Windows that prevents a program from executing automatically when a USB drive is plugged into a PC. That behavior has been blamed for the spread of malware in recent years -- including the infamous Conficker worm -- and Microsoft had actually already made it possible to disable the functionality back in November of 2009, albeit only through an update available from its Download Center website. It's now finally pushed the update out through the Windows Update channel, though, which should cause it to be much more broadly deployed (particularly in large organizations). As explained in a rather lengthy blog post, however, Microsoft has decided to simply make it an "important, non-security update" rather than a mandatory update, as it doesn't technically see AutoRun as a "vulnerability" -- it was by design, after all. That means you'll have to look for the option in Windows Update and check it off to install it -- if you choose, you can also re-enable it at anytime with a patch.

Microsoft rolls out long, long-awaited Windows update to disable AutoRun for USB drives originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 23:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autorunmalwaremicrosoftsecuritysoftware updateSoftwareUpdateupdateusbusb driveusb drivesUsbDriveUsbDrivesvistavulnerabilitywindowswindows updatewindows vistawindows xpWindowsUpdateWindowsVistaWindowsXpxpSat, 12 Feb 2011 23:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Dell lays down the law: no more Windows XP shipments after October 22nd]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/dell-lays-down-the-law-no-more-windows-xp-shipments-after-octob/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/dell-lays-down-the-law-no-more-windows-xp-shipments-after-octob/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/dell-lays-down-the-law-no-more-windows-xp-shipments-after-octob/#commentsMicrosoft already informed its most moneyed partners that no more systems could leave their labs after October 22nd with Windows XP, but given that the proverbial boy has cried wolf before, we were inclined to think that we'd eventually face yet another push back. We guess there's still a few ticks of the clock left between now and that fateful day, but there seems to be little hope for XP to live on in any significant form beyond the aforesaid date. Dell has just published a report noting that they will stop offering XP on new machines later this month in preparation for October's cutoff, though they're quick to point out that Microsoft will continue Windows XP driver support until December 2012. For the average consumer, that means you've got just over a month to get whatever XP-equipped systems you want from Dell; for select "qualified customers," they will still be able to snag XP machines post-October 22nd through the company's Custom Factory Integration service. Hit the source link for all the details, and feel free to pour one out for a waning OS. We can shed a few more tears next month.

Dell lays down the law: no more Windows XP shipments after October 22nd originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathdellkillkilledmicrosoftoperating systemOperatingSystemOSsoftwarewin xpwindowswindows xpWindowsXpWinXpxpWed, 08 Sep 2010 21:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer Aspire One D255 netbook dual boots Android and XP for about $375]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/05/acer-aspire-one-d255-netbook-dual-boots-android-and-xp-for-about/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/05/acer-aspire-one-d255-netbook-dual-boots-android-and-xp-for-about/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/05/acer-aspire-one-d255-netbook-dual-boots-android-and-xp-for-about/#comments Attending the Taipei Computer Applications Show today? Lucky you. Then be sure to pick up your specially priced Acer Aspire One D255 netbook with dual booting Android and XP operating systems before leaving the venue. Otherwise, the NT$9,500 (about $300) 10.1-inch netbook configured with an Atom N450 processor, 1GB of DDR2 memory, 160GB hard disk, and 3-cell battery (with optional 6-cell) will cost you NT$11,900 (about $375) when it hits traditional retail channels sometime in the days ahead.

Acer Aspire One D255 netbook dual boots Android and XP for about $375 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aceracer aspire oneAcerAspireOneandroidaspire oneaspire one d255AspireOneAspireOneD255atom n500AtomN500Computer Applications ShowComputerApplicationsShowd255dual bootDualBootn550netbookTaipei Computer Applications ShowTaipeiComputerApplicationsShowwindows xpWindowsXpxpThu, 05 Aug 2010 02:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft says 74 percent of work PCs still use Windows XP, extends downgrade rights (update 2)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/microsoft-says-74-percent-of-work-pcs-still-use-windows-xp-exte/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/microsoft-says-74-percent-of-work-pcs-still-use-windows-xp-exte/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/microsoft-says-74-percent-of-work-pcs-still-use-windows-xp-exte/#comments The latest Microsoft operating system may be selling seven copies a second, but it's no match for the behemoth Windows XP, still the most popular OS in the world despite recent nefarious attempts (we kid) to invoke spontaneous shutdowns, slow hard drives and trigger blue screens. In fact, a Microsoft exec admitted today that practically three-quarters of business computers still run the nine-year-old OS on hardware averaging 4.4 years old, and Computerworld's now reporting Microsoft will extend XP's lifespan through 2020 as a result. "Going forward, businesses can continue to purchase new PCs and utilize end user downgrade rights to Windows XP or Windows Vista until they are ready to use Windows 7," an official Windows blog post reads. We've heard the reluctance to upgrade is due to a reliance on older software and the cost of additional IT, but it probably doesn't hurt that Microsoft doggedly keeps distributing the OS despite the other choices on offer. Perhaps the futuristic Windows 8 will finally win the workplace over, but it seems Redmond's hedging its bets on this one. Look on the bright side: this way, when intelligent robots battle for control of the moon, at least the wrathful victors will still be vulnerable to the blue screen of doom.

Update: So it seems as if that 2020 date is incorrect, according to Microsoft's PR team. We're presently waiting for an official update of some sort, and will let you know if / when we get it. Don't worry about the robots -- we've got top men working on Plan B.

Update 2: The official Windows Team Blog has stepped forward to reduce the confusion, but they've only toned it down a tad. Microsoft won't commit to an exact date for Windows XP downgrade availability, saying instead that you can trade in your OEM copy of Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate until the company stops selling it... which is presently slated to be two years after Windows 8 ships... whenever that is. Find the complete non-committal statement at the more coverage link.

Microsoft says 74 percent of work PCs still use Windows XP, extends downgrade rights (update 2) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessMicrosoftoperating systemoperating systemsOperatingSystemOperatingSystemsossalesshockerstatisticsWin XPWindowsWindows 7WIndows XPWindows7WindowsXpWinXpworkworkplaceXPMon, 12 Jul 2010 22:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Wi-Fi Sync now compatible with Windows and iPad]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/wi-fi-sync-now-compatible-with-windows-and-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/wi-fi-sync-now-compatible-with-windows-and-ipad/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/wi-fi-sync-now-compatible-with-windows-and-ipad/#commentsWi-Fi Sync is quite the gem (at least we think so) but it had some limitations -- namely, it only worked on OS X for desktop, and only with iPhone / iPod touch. Developer Greg Hughes pinged us earlier today to let us know he's thrown the gates off such restrictions. The jailbroken app now works for both iPads and Windows -- XP, Vista, and 7. The desktop client is free to download but it still cost just a hair under $10 for the appropriate mobile device. Worth the price of breaking free from wires? Your call.

Wi-Fi Sync now compatible with Windows and iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 May 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7appleapple ipadapple iphoneapple ipodapple ipod touchAppleIpadAppleIphoneAppleIpodAppleIpodTouchipadiphoneipodipod touchIpodTouchjail breakjail brokenJailBreakJailBrokensyncvistawi fiwi fi syncwi-fiwi-fi syncWi-fiSyncWiFiWiFiSyncwin 7win vistawin xpWin7windowswindows 7windows vistawindows xpWindows7WindowsVistaWindowsXpWinVistaWinXpxpFri, 28 May 2010 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Keepin' it real fake: the Shanshui P72 is the oversized, XP-running iPhone you've always secretly wanted]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/keepin-it-real-fake-the-shanshui-p72-is-the-oversized-xp-runn/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/keepin-it-real-fake-the-shanshui-p72-is-the-oversized-xp-runn/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/keepin-it-real-fake-the-shanshui-p72-is-the-oversized-xp-runn/#comments
A true iPhone KIRF running Windows XP may still be the stuff of dreams -- crazy, fevered dreams -- but it looks like we now have the next best thing: the iPhone-ish Shanshui P72. Boasting a 7-inch WVGA screen, this MID-sized device packs a 1.2GHz VIA C7-M processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB of storage, WiFi and 3G connectivity, built-in GPS, and no less than three USB ports, which will let you attach a keyboard and mouse for an authentic Windows XP experience. Sadly, there's no indication of pricing or availability, but you can check it out in action in the video after the break, and get an extensive look at the device at the source link below.

Continue reading Keepin' it real fake: the Shanshui P72 is the oversized, XP-running iPhone you've always secretly wanted

Keepin' it real fake: the Shanshui P72 is the oversized, XP-running iPhone you've always secretly wanted originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 May 2010 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iphonekirfmidp72shanshuishanshui p72ShanshuiP72umpcvideowindows xpxpxp phoneXpPhoneTue, 11 May 2010 19:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Botched McAfee update shutting down corporate XP machines worldwide]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/mcafee-update--shutting-down-xp-machines/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/mcafee-update--shutting-down-xp-machines/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/mcafee-update--shutting-down-xp-machines/#commentsWe can't officially confirm this yet but, We're hearing from all over that a bad McAfee for Windows XP update is causing computers worldwide to shut down. Apparently DAT update 5958 deletes the svchost.exe file, which then triggers a false-positive in McAfee itself and sets off a chain of uncontrolled restarts and loss of networking functionality. Yeah, wild -- Twitter is basically going nuts, and McAfee's support site appears to be down. There are some fixes floating around out there, but it may be too late -- the final tally of borked PCs today may reach into the millions. We've already heard anecdotally that an Intel facility has been affected, as well as Dish Network call centers, and we're sure there are going to be more reports as the day wears on.

Update: McAfee just sent us a statement -- they've pulled the update from their corporate download servers, and consumers shouldn't be affected.
McAfee is aware that a number of customers have incurred a false positive error due to incorrect malware alerts on Wednesday, April 21. The problem occurs with the 5958 virus definition file (DAT) that was released on April 21 at 2.00 PM GMT+1 (6am Pacific Time).

Our initial investigation indicates that the error can result in moderate to significant performance issues on systems running Windows XP Service Pack 3.

The faulty update has been removed from McAfee download servers for corporate users, preventing any further impact on those customers. We are not aware of significant impact on consumer customers and believe we have effectively limited such occurrence.

McAfee teams are working with the highest priority to support impacted customers and plan to provide an update virus definition file shortly. McAfee apologizes for any inconvenience to our customers
Ouch -- that might be the understatement of the year. We've definitely hearing this affects SP2 as well, we'll keep looking for more.

Update 2: The anecdotal numbers keep rolling in, and they're not small -- 30,000 machines are knocked out here, 60,000 there. Given that the only fixes right now involve techs spending time with each affected machine individually, things could get seriously messy. We'll keep you updated if you keep us updated, okay?

Update 3: Here's an official McAfee fix, although like we said, it requires tech to hit each machine in person. We'll see what the story is for bigger institutions with tens of thousands of seats.

Update 4: We're told the official fix only helps those who haven't been hit with the bug yet, so there's obviously still issues to be sorted out. [Thanks, Tyler.]

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Developing...

Botched McAfee update shutting down corporate XP machines worldwide originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsbugbugserrormcafeesp3svchostsvchost.exeupdateviruswindowswindows xpwindows xp sp2windows xp sp3WindowsXpWindowsXpSp2WindowsXpSp3xpWed, 21 Apr 2010 13:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Win XP needs some TLC to use next-gen hard drives]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/win-xp-needs-some-tlc-to-use-next-gen-hard-drives/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/win-xp-needs-some-tlc-to-use-next-gen-hard-drives/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/12/win-xp-needs-some-tlc-to-use-next-gen-hard-drives/#commentsSolid state drives may be the fast-moving wave of the future in PC storage, but the technology for bigger and better magnetic media keeps on trucking. Only recently, that truck hit something of a pothole: the 4096-byte sector size that will allow advanced format drives to have more usable space (and surpass the current 2TB capacity limit) doesn't play nice with the world's most popular OS -- Windows XP. While manufacturers like Western Digital have already introduced software that successfully combats the problem, the new drives perform poorly in Win XP without it, and rival manufacturer Seagate told the BBC that even with software tricks, XP users should expect the occasional 5ms delay, or 10% speed reduction, during write times. Is this the end of Windows XP? Hardly. Should you make sure to install the software that comes with your next hard drive? Absolutely.

Win XP needs some TLC to use next-gen hard drives originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4096advanced formatAdvancedFormatseagatewestern digitalWesternDigitalWin XPWindowsWindows XPWindowsXpWinXpXPFri, 12 Mar 2010 17:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft confirms rootkit caused Windows XP blue screens]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/19/microsoft-confirms-rootkit-caused-windows-xp-blue-screens/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/19/microsoft-confirms-rootkit-caused-windows-xp-blue-screens/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/19/microsoft-confirms-rootkit-caused-windows-xp-blue-screens/#commentsMicrosoft confirms rootkit caused Windows XP blue screens When malware writers fail to generate clean, reliable code, just who can you trust? On the heels of many Windows XP 32-bit users facing blue screen of death errors and unwanted reboots, Microsoft is now confirming that there's a little bit of malicious code sitting at the root of it all. A rootkit, to be specific, one called Alureon that compromises the atapi.sys file and others. This rootkit makes a system call via an address that, after the update, no longer corresponds to the particular call Alureon is trying to make. This is apparently the cause of the BSODs, not the update itself, and so those suffering from similar issues can resolve them by simply replacing corrupted system files via the recovery console. It won't be as much fun as using Microsoft's more popular console, but should at least cure what ails you.

Microsoft confirms rootkit caused Windows XP blue screens originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alureonblue screen of deathBlueScreenOfDeathbsodmicrosoftmicrosoft windows xpMicrosoftWindowsXprootkitsystem updateSystemUpdateupdatewindowswindows updatewindows xpWindowsUpdateWindowsXpxpFri, 19 Feb 2010 10:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows XP patch fiasco gets even crazier, Microsoft now scrambling for solutions]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/13/windows-xp-patch-fiasco-gets-even-crazier-microsoft-now-scrambl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/13/windows-xp-patch-fiasco-gets-even-crazier-microsoft-now-scrambl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/13/windows-xp-patch-fiasco-gets-even-crazier-microsoft-now-scrambl/#comments If you ever needed a reason to go Linux, here you go. The noise surrounding this patently obscure Windows XP bug / patch fiasco has just reached a fever pitch, and now we've got engineers within Redmond scratching their heads, too. As the story goes, Microsoft recently patched a security hole that took care of an antediluvian DOS vulnerability, and in doing so, some users began to see BSODs and endless reboots. Today, we've learned that the patch has been yanked, and Microsoft is suggesting that malware is to blame. But here's the skinny -- the patch simply disturbed the malware, which called a specific kernel code that directs your PC to keel over; in other words, any application that calls that same code could theoretically leave your machine in dire straits. And that, friends, probably explains the software giant's following quote:
"In our continuing investigation in to the restart issues related to MS10-015 that a limited number of customers are experiencing, we have determined that malware on the system can cause the behavior. We are not yet ruling out other potential causes at this time and are still investigating."
Rock, meet hard place.

Windows XP patch fiasco gets even crazier, Microsoft now scrambling for solutions originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blue screen of deathBlueScreenOfDeathBSODbugDOSerrorfirmwarefixmicrosoftpatchpulledrebootsoftwareupdatewin xpwindowswindows xpWindowsXpwinxpxpSat, 13 Feb 2010 00:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Patch for ancient DOS bug in latest Windows XP update causing blue screen errors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/patch-for-ancient-dos-bug-in-latest-windows-xp-update-causing-bl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/patch-for-ancient-dos-bug-in-latest-windows-xp-update-causing-bl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/patch-for-ancient-dos-bug-in-latest-windows-xp-update-causing-bl/#comments Looks like Patch Tuesday turned into BSOD Tuesday for some Windows XP users -- Microsoft's latest security updates for the venerable OS are causing blue screens and endless reboots for people. That's the word according to a growing support thread on Microsoft's site -- and making matters just slightly worse / funnier, it's apparently the patch for that 17-year-old DOS vulnerability that's causing all the trouble. You win some, you lose some, right? Microsoft's identified a fix for those with access to an XP install disc and an optical drive, but that leaves most netbook users out in the cold -- and considering netbooks are where most of the recent XP action's been going down lately, we're hoping a better solution comes down the pike soon.

P.S.- That's the BSOD tattoo guy in the photo -- remember him?

[Thanks, HyperSl4ck3r]

Patch for ancient DOS bug in latest Windows XP update causing blue screen errors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blue screen of deathBlueScreenOfDeathbsodbugbugsdosdos bugDosBugerrorKB977165microsoftpatchPatch TuesdayPatchTuesdaysecurity updateSecurityUpdatesoftwareupdatewindowswindows xpWindowsXpxpThu, 11 Feb 2010 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows 7 way hotter than Vista off the line, now more popular than all OS X versions]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/21/windows-7-way-hotter-than-vista-off-the-line-now-more-popular-t/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/21/windows-7-way-hotter-than-vista-off-the-line-now-more-popular-t/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/21/windows-7-way-hotter-than-vista-off-the-line-now-more-popular-t/#commentsWe learned back in November that Windows 7 was having a much (much!) better first few days in retail than Vista did when it launched, but now that the system has had a full quarter and change to make an impression, it looks as if that growth isn't slowing down. According to new figures from Net Application, Win7 is achieving a higher level of market penetration in a faster amount of time than Vista did; after a month, Vista was stuck at 0.93 percent, while Win7 nailed the 4 percent mark. After two months, Win7 jumped to 5.71 percent, while Vista was barely over 2 percent after the same amount of time. 'Course, the newest version of Windows had a holiday season to help it out right from the get-go, but there's still no denying that people are flocking to the system even now. What's most interesting, however, is that the overall market share of Windows 7 alone has now surpassed all OS X versions that are being tracked (10.4, 10.5 and 10.6), so put that in your pipe and smoke it. Smoke it long and hard.

Windows 7 way hotter than Vista off the line, now more popular than all OS X versions originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applemacmicrosoftos xOsXsoftwaresurveyvistawindowswindows 7windows vistawindows xpWindows7WindowsVistaWindowsXpxpThu, 21 Jan 2010 21:14:00 EST<![CDATA[ITG xpPhone seen powering up on video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/itg-xpphone-seen-powering-up-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/itg-xpphone-seen-powering-up-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/itg-xpphone-seen-powering-up-on-video/#comments ITG has managed to keep its xpPhone in the news ever since firing up its pre-order page back in September. Just a day after seeing the Windows XP-based MID / phone / whatchamacallit in the wild, we're now looking at the first known video of it booting up. Granted, the device shown after the break is just an "engineering sample," but hey, progress is progress. Go 'head, take a peek -- ain't no shame in the game.

Continue reading ITG xpPhone seen powering up on video

ITG xpPhone seen powering up on video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ITGITG xpPhoneItgXpphonemidprototypeqwertysliderumpcvideowindows xpWindowsXpxpxpPhoneTue, 15 Dec 2009 10:37:00 EST<![CDATA[ITG xpPhone shown off in green, and yes, you can have a different color]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/itg-xpphone-shown-off-in-green-and-yes-you-can-have-a-differen/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/itg-xpphone-shown-off-in-green-and-yes-you-can-have-a-differen/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/itg-xpphone-shown-off-in-green-and-yes-you-can-have-a-differen/#comments This isn't the first time we've seen what would appear to be an xpPhone dummy in the wild paired with a mocked-up display; that honor would go to a Computex debut earlier this year. What these new shots of ITG's Windows XP-powered wonder do demonstrate, though, is what a MID-turned-smartphone looks like with a lick of moss green painted around the edges. It's not really our style, to be honest -- and fortunately, it seems that ITG will be offering the production device in white, red, black, or silver (on top of a limitless array of 3G options, display sizes, and operating systems), but heck, we'd be happy taking it in ochre if they'd just promise a reasonably-priced release in the next century.

Continue reading ITG xpPhone shown off in green, and yes, you can have a different color

ITG xpPhone shown off in green, and yes, you can have a different color originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>in the wildInTheWilditgqwertysliderwindows xpWindowsXpxpxpphoneFri, 11 Dec 2009 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[ViewSonic VCP08 seen clearly, largely in the wild]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/viewsonic-vcp08-seen-clearly-largely-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/viewsonic-vcp08-seen-clearly-largely-in-the-wild/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/viewsonic-vcp08-seen-clearly-largely-in-the-wild/#comments Last we saw of ViewSonic's VCP08 Windows XP phone was just a handful of renders. New images have surfaced of the real deal, physical model, and two things become immediately clear. First off, the company managed to stay true to the initial pictures. Secondly, this thing is huge. So huge it towers over the N97 Mini, which itself isn't really much smaller than the N97. Make no mistake, though, that in no way stops us from wanting to play with it. In the meantime, hit up the source link for a cavalcade of images.

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ViewSonic VCP08 seen clearly, largely in the wild originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoft windowsmicrosoft windows xpMicrosoftWindowsMicrosoftWindowsXpphonevcp 08Vcp08view sonicViewSonicviewsonic vcp 08ViewsonicVcp08windowswindows xpWindowsXpxpxp phoneXpPhoneWed, 02 Dec 2009 21:02:00 EST<![CDATA[ViewSonic's N01 MID caught wearing a nasty UMPC disguise]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/27/viewsonics-n01-mid-caught-wearing-a-nasty-umpc-disguise/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/27/viewsonics-n01-mid-caught-wearing-a-nasty-umpc-disguise/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/27/viewsonics-n01-mid-caught-wearing-a-nasty-umpc-disguise/#comments Remember the day when those 7-inch Origami UMPCs blundered onto the scene with weak Intel processors overpowered by Microsoft's heavyweight OS? This ViewSonic N01 apparently isn't one of them, though we couldn't fault you for being deceived. Sure it's running XP but it's Intel's 1.1GHz Atom Z510 doing the processing chores beneath a display approximating 6 to 7 inches. Ok, ok, it is a UMPC, regardless of its new MID christening proving once again that any distinction Intel tries to sell has been lost forever as vendors try to distance themselves from a tainted UMPC legacy. But we digress. The N01 MID (prototype, by the looks of it) finds itself stuffed with 1GB of memory, just 10GB of on-board storage, 3G data, and integrated TV tuner with fancy telescoping antenna. We can only assume that ViewSonic's product diversification plans have it dumping the majority of its recently unveiled products into China and India because what they've show so far is not going to impress western tastes.

ViewSonic's N01 MID caught wearing a nasty UMPC disguise originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinaintelmicrosoftmidn01prototypeumpcviewsonicxpFri, 27 Nov 2009 07:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Jinbo's MID does Windows XP on the tiny, shuns you and your physical keyboard]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/23/jimbos-mid-does-windows-xp-on-the-tiny-shuns-you-and-your-phys/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/23/jimbos-mid-does-windows-xp-on-the-tiny-shuns-you-and-your-phys/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/23/jimbos-mid-does-windows-xp-on-the-tiny-shuns-you-and-your-phys/#commentsJimbo's MID does Windows XP on the tiny, shuns you and your physical keyboard The netbook/smartbook/MID crossover continues, occasionally spawning some curious genetic misfits seemingly ill-suited for the world at large. Such is the Jinbo MID, a rather chunky and plain mobile internet device that follows in the footsteps of BenQ's S6 by packing Windows XP without a keyboard. It does at least offer slightly higher specs: a 1.1GHz Atom Z510 processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, and 16GB of storage. Data comes in via 802.11b/g and 3G wireless then goes out through that 5-inch screen of unknown resolution. It looks to be nearly an inch thick so it's surprising the company couldn't wedge a keyboard in there, as Viliv found room for one in their similar S5, but hopefully enough customizations and layers over XP will make everything work. And if it doesn't, well, the thing likely won't be available outside of China and, at 3950 yuan (about $580), it's debatable whether you'd want one if it were.

Jinbo's MID does Windows XP on the tiny, shuns you and your physical keyboard originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5-inchatom z510AtomZ510intel atom z510IntelAtomZ510jinbojinbo midJinboMidmidwin xpwindows xpWindowsXpWinXpxpz510Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Belkin's refreshed Easy Transfer Cable makes Windows 7 migration a little too easy]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/belkins-refreshed-easy-transfer-cable-makes-windows-7-migration/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/belkins-refreshed-easy-transfer-cable-makes-windows-7-migration/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/08/belkins-refreshed-easy-transfer-cable-makes-windows-7-migration/#comments Okay, so maybe nothing can really be too easy, but Belkin's really stretching things by asserting that you need a dedicated cable to use Windows Easy Transfer, an application bundled with Windows 7 and detailed by yours truly right here. At any rate, you may recall that this very outfit milked the whole upgrade situation in a similar fashion when Vista hit the scene, and now a slightly redesigned version is out to transfer files easily between your existing Vista / XP-based machines and what will become your new Windows 7 system. Of course, this thing's really only important if you're buying a new Win7 machine rather than upgrading the rig you already own, and if you're willing to pay $39.99 to have your hand held through the migration process, you can be our guest on October 23rd.

Continue reading Belkin's refreshed Easy Transfer Cable makes Windows 7 migration a little too easy

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Belkin's refreshed Easy Transfer Cable makes Windows 7 migration a little too easy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryBelkincableEasy Transfer CableEasyTransferCablemicrosoftmigratemigrationoperating systemOperatingSystemossoftwaretransferupgradevistawin 7win xpWin7windows 7Windows Easy Transferwindows vistawindows xpWindows7WindowsEasyTransferWindowsVistaWindowsXpWinXpxpThu, 08 Oct 2009 05:42:00 EST<![CDATA[XP Mode is ready, will be a free download on October 22]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/02/xp-mode-is-ready-will-be-a-free-download-on-october-22/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/02/xp-mode-is-ready-will-be-a-free-download-on-october-22/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/02/xp-mode-is-ready-will-be-a-free-download-on-october-22/#comments Microsoft Download Center, October 22 -- add that to your already-busy Windows 7 release party itinerary. That'll be the quickest and most painless way to enrich your hot new OS with the now finalized code for XP Mode, a virtualized Windows XP environment for those who just can't let go of their legacy software. The solitary hitch is that you'll need to have purchased a copy of Windows 7 Professional or higher to get in on the fun, but you already knew that, right? Oh, and you might also want to check that your hardware manufacturer hasn't disabled virtualization as part of some overzealous security / party-pooping measure.

[Via Ars Technica; Thanks, Eugen]

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XP Mode is ready, will be a free download on October 22 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Microsoftrelease to manufacturingReleaseToManufacturingrtmrtwwin7Windowswindows 7Windows XPWindows XP ModeWindows7WindowsXpWindowsXpModexpXP ModeXpModeFri, 02 Oct 2009 06:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Sinchun's 8.9-inch UMPC-891A holds onto the past with XP]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/15/sinchuns-8-9-inch-umpc-891a-holds-onto-the-past-with-xp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/15/sinchuns-8-9-inch-umpc-891a-holds-onto-the-past-with-xp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/15/sinchuns-8-9-inch-umpc-891a-holds-onto-the-past-with-xp/#comments Sinchun got the price right: 2999 Yuan (about $439 US), and the netbook-style specs make a lot of sense for this form factor. Unfortunately, Windows XP does not. Paired up against a stylus-driven 1024 x 600 touchscreen, Atom processor, 1GB of RAM and a variety of smallish SSD options, there's plenty of room for 7's touch enhancements to shine on the UMPC-891A -- but not enough expanse for them to choke up. Of course, there's nothing stopping you from slapping it on yourself. The biggest point of caution here is the 2 hour quoted battery life -- let's hope the Archos 9pctablet brings us a truly helpful amount of battery life in the UMPC space.

[Via Cloned In China]

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Sinchun's 8.9-inch UMPC-891A holds onto the past with XP originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atomsinchunslate tabletSlateTablettabletumpcumpc-891awindows xpWindowsXpxpTue, 15 Sep 2009 05:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Kohjinsha's 11.6-inch EX6 convertible tablet says XP, means Windows 7]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/kohjinshas-11-6-inch-ex6-convertible-tablet-says-xp-means-wi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/kohjinshas-11-6-inch-ex6-convertible-tablet-says-xp-means-wi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/kohjinshas-11-6-inch-ex6-convertible-tablet-says-xp-means-wi/#comments With Windows 7 on the horizon, multi-touch support in tow, people are suddenly interested in tablets all over again; a form factor that didn't quite revolutionize portable computing as envisioned by an enthusiastic Bill Gates showing that first prototype way back in 2001. And with an Apple event just weeks away (presumably), fanboys of both persuasions seem convinced that tablets are once more the future of mobile computing. Manufacturers are certainly on board. Case in point: Kohjinsha, that just announced its EX6 convertible tablet with 1366x768 pixels slathered across a 11.6-inch LED-backlit capacitive resistive touchscreen. Inside you'll find a 1.6GHz Atom N270 and 945GSE chipset, up to 2GB of memory and 160GB of disk, 802.11n WiFi, gigabit Ethernet, a pair of front and back-facing cameras, 2600mAh battery, 2x USB, and slots for SDHC/microSDHC, ExpressCard 34 cards, and even DVDs. Unfortunately, it'll be shipped with XP when it hits retail at the end of this month for ¥59,800 (about $635) -- something we expect you'll rectify on October 22nd. As to whether it'll support multi-touch under Win7, well, anybody see the appropriate sticker?

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Kohjinsha's 11.6-inch EX6 convertible tablet says XP, means Windows 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>converitibleconvertible tabletConvertibleTabletex6japanKohjinshaKohjinshastabletwindows 7Windows7xpThu, 20 Aug 2009 03:36:00 EST<![CDATA[How-To: Install Windows 7 and live to tell about it]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/11/how-to-install-windows-7-and-live-to-tell-about-it/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/11/how-to-install-windows-7-and-live-to-tell-about-it/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/11/how-to-install-windows-7-and-live-to-tell-about-it/#comments
So you're thinking about going to Windows 7, eh? Chances are your head is swimming in a sea of TLAs and confusing charts -- enough to have the most adamant Microsoft defender reaching for a something with an Option key. Fear not, noble purchaser of legal software. Though XP users have been punished for skipping Vista by not being able to directly upgrade now, the process of backing up your data, formatting and installing Windows, and then restoring your goods again has never been easier -- even if you're on a netbook with less storage than your smartphone. Vista users have even less to worry about. We'll have our full impressions of the finally finalized OS later this week, but for now let's journey hand in hand down the gently sloped path of the upgrade process.

Continue reading How-To: Install Windows 7 and live to tell about it

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How-To: Install Windows 7 and live to tell about it originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>easy transferEasyTransferfeaturefeaturedfeaturesguidehow tohow-toHowToimpressionsin-place upgradeIn-placeUpgrademicrosoft windowsmicrosoft windows 7MicrosoftWindowsMicrosoftWindows7previewupgradevisioneervistawindowswindows 7windows vistawindows xpWindows7WindowsVistaWindowsXpxpTue, 11 Aug 2009 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony laptops can't use Windows 7's XP mode due to disabled hardware virtualization]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/sony-laptops-cant-use-windows-7s-xp-mode-due-to-disabled-hardw/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/sony-laptops-cant-use-windows-7s-xp-mode-due-to-disabled-hardw/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/sony-laptops-cant-use-windows-7s-xp-mode-due-to-disabled-hardw/#comments
Bad news for VAIO owners out there hoping to use Windows 7's XP mode or run any other hardcore virtual machine applications -- Sony disables the required hardware virtualization features of its laptops for "security reasons." That means XP Mode won't work on any VAIOs, but there's hope yet: Sony's Xavier Lauwaert says that the company will re-enable VT on "select models." We'll see what that means going forward -- XP Mode is a niche feature, but it's still pretty lame for Sony to be intentionally disabling hardware features.

Read - The Register
Read - Xavier's post on the Windows Partner Blog (scroll down to his comment)

[Via Sony Insider]

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Sony laptops can't use Windows 7's XP mode due to disabled hardware virtualization originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hardware virtualizationHardwareVirtualizationintelsonyvirtual machinevirtualizationVirtualMachinevtwindows 7windows xpWindows7WindowsXpxpxp modeXpModeMon, 10 Aug 2009 01:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Official Windows 7 upgrade chart is ridiculous]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/06/official-windows-7-upgrade-chart-is-ridiculous/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/06/official-windows-7-upgrade-chart-is-ridiculous/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/06/official-windows-7-upgrade-chart-is-ridiculous/#comments
This is seriously Microsoft's Windows 7 upgrade chart, and it's ridiculous. It manages to highlight the insanity of shipping multiple OS versions while totally minimizing the good news: most Vista users will be able to upgrade in place to the corresponding 32- or 64-bit version of 7. That should cover the vast majority of people running Vista, but if you're still on XP or you're trying to do anything out of the ordinary you'd better get ready for some pain: all those ominous blue boxes require you to back up, wipe your drive, and reinstall a totally clean copy of 7. You heard that right -- the Windows 7 installer won't even try to retain your data and programs if you're not updating from the corresponding version of Vista. Pretty lame move, considering Microsoft is currently selling millions of copies of XP on netbooks and will sell XP downgrades until 2011 -- sure, we get that most netbook owners aren't going to spring for 7, but it's insane that you can't just pop in a disc and upgrade. Of course, now that 7's been released to manufacturing and the final bits are available there's not much to be done, so let's all just take a moment to contemplate the fact that Ed Bott at ZDNet managed to totally outdo Redmond's infographics people with a much friendlier chart with "about an hour" of work -- check it below.

Read - Original chart at AllThingsD
Read - Ed Bott's revised chart

Continue reading Official Windows 7 upgrade chart is ridiculous

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Official Windows 7 upgrade chart is ridiculous originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>7microsoftupgradevistawindowswindows 7windows vistawindows xpWindows7WindowsVistaWindowsXpxpThu, 06 Aug 2009 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft giving Europeans with Windows XP and Vista choice of browser, too]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/microsoft-giving-europeans-with-windows-xp-and-vista-choice-of-b/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/microsoft-giving-europeans-with-windows-xp-and-vista-choice-of-b/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/microsoft-giving-europeans-with-windows-xp-and-vista-choice-of-b/#comments
As it turns out, it won't just be Windows 7 that'll be giving Europeans a choice of what web browser to use. In fact, the lengths that Microsoft is going to appease the European Commission is quite extreme. Ars Technica did some digging and here's the fine print of the proposal. Within three to six months of the EC's approval, an update will be sent out to Europeans with Windows XP and Vista, labeled "high priority" or "important." User who install the update and have Internet Explorer as the default browser will see the ballot screen on next log in, which will show up to ten different browsers with at least a 0.5 percent share of the market in the European Economic Area (EEA). Users can then choose to download something new, ignore the screen, or defer until an indefinite time in the future. Windows 7 users will get the ballot update within two weeks of the Commission's decision or by its October 22nd launch, whichever comes second. Extreme? You betcha -- but we can't argue over having more choice.

[Thanks, Adrian]

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Microsoft giving Europeans with Windows XP and Vista choice of browser, too originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>browsereceueuropeeuropean commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUnionieinternet explorerInternetExplorermicrosoftmicrosoft windowsMicrosoftWindowsvistaweb browserWebBrowserwindowswindows 7windows vistawindows xpWindows7WindowsVistaWindowsXpxpWed, 29 Jul 2009 00:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Acer's dual-boot Android and XP netbook launching in August?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/13/acers-dual-boot-android-and-xp-netbook-coming-in-august/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/13/acers-dual-boot-android-and-xp-netbook-coming-in-august/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/13/acers-dual-boot-android-and-xp-netbook-coming-in-august/#comments
You remember Android right, Google's other OS that actually exists? Well, Acer's set to launch what could be the world's first Android-based netbook in August. At least that's what DigiTimes is reporting second-hand via Chinese-language Apple Daily. While two suspect sources won't turn a rumor into fact, Acer's already on record with plans for an Android netbook in Q3 in dual-boot XP configurations. So hearing that Quanta and Compal will have these out smack in the middle of the quarter isn't much of a stretch.

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Acer's dual-boot Android and XP netbook launching in August? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acerandroidcompalmicrosoftnetbookquantarumorwindowsxpMon, 13 Jul 2009 05:39:00 EST<![CDATA[BenQ S6 MID back for vengeance... XP-style]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/12/benq-s6-mid-back-for-vengeance-xp-style/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/12/benq-s6-mid-back-for-vengeance-xp-style/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/12/benq-s6-mid-back-for-vengeance-xp-style/#comments
The BenQ S6 MID didn't exactly light the world on fire when it was launched back in 2008, and although we assumed it had faded into irrelevance along with the rest of the category, it looks like the company's bringing it back -- preloaded with Windows XP instead of Linux. It actually makes a certain insane kind of sense, since the S6 is built on an Atom processor, but we're just not sure anyone wants to pay $424 for XP on a 4.8-inch screen with an 800MHz processor -- especially since you'll have to fly to Taiwan to pick one up. On the other hand, can you really put a price on "100% Web Experience?"

[Via Pocketables]

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BenQ S6 MID back for vengeance... XP-style originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benqmids6windowswindows xpWindowsXpxpSun, 12 Jul 2009 19:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Bristol's ViewSurfer TVs let you use XP from 10 feet away]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/06/bristols-vewsurfer-tvs-let-you-use-xp-from-10-feet-away/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/06/bristols-vewsurfer-tvs-let-you-use-xp-from-10-feet-away/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/06/bristols-vewsurfer-tvs-let-you-use-xp-from-10-feet-away/#comments Face it, we're not normal. Most consumers don't want to convert their home PCs into media centers. That doesn't stop them from wanting a single device serving as both their TV and PC, however. That's where the 22- and 32-inch Bristol ViewSurfer PC/TVs carve out their niche. Each set features a FreeView tuner and an integrated, netbook-like, Atom-based Windows XP computer with 160GB of storage, 1GB of memory, 4x USB, and Ethernet. The PC lacks integrated WiFi, oddly enough, and the TV seems to function in complete isolation from the computer processing -- so no integrated DVR, for example. The £500 (about $814) 22-inch model does feature a 1680 x 1050 pixel resolution, well above the 1024 x 600 display found in most netbooks. Not that you'll be pushing Flash-based video from YouTube or BBC's iPlayer full-screen as these ViewSurfers are undoubtedly saddled with Intel's integrated 945GSE netbook graphics. Bristol remains mum about the specs on the 32 incher. Available in October if you're still game.

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Bristol's ViewSurfer TVs let you use XP from 10 feet away originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bristolfreeviewhdinternetlcdmedia pcMediaPcnettopotaothersviewsurferxpMon, 06 Jul 2009 03:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Bristol's ViewSurfer TVs let you use XP from 10 feet away]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/06/bristols-vewsurfer-tvs-let-you-use-xp-from-10-feet-away/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/06/bristols-vewsurfer-tvs-let-you-use-xp-from-10-feet-away/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/06/bristols-vewsurfer-tvs-let-you-use-xp-from-10-feet-away/#comments Face it, we're not normal. Most consumers don't want to convert their home PCs into media centers. That doesn't stop them from wanting a single device serving as both their TV and PC, however. That's where the 22- and 32-inch Bristol ViewSurfer PC/TVs carve out their niche. Each set features a FreeView tuner and an integrated, netbook-like, Atom-based Windows XP computer with 160GB of storage, 1GB of memory, 4x USB, and Ethernet. The PC lacks integrated WiFi, oddly enough, and the TV seems to function in complete isolation from the computer processing -- so no integrated DVR, for example. The £500 (about $814) 22-inch model does feature a 1680 x 1050 pixel resolution, well above the 1024 x 600 display found in most netbooks. Not that you'll be pushing Flash-based video from YouTube or BBC's iPlayer full-screen as these ViewSurfers are undoubtedly saddled with Intel's integrated 945GSE netbook graphics. Bristol remains mum about the specs on the 32 incher. Available in October if you're still game.

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Bristol's ViewSurfer TVs let you use XP from 10 feet away originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 03:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bristolfreeviewmedia pcmedia pcsMediaPcmediapcsnettopviewsurferxpMon, 06 Jul 2009 03:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft extends XP downgrade availability to 2011. When will it end?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/microsoft-extends-xp-downgrade-availability-to-2011-when-will-i/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/microsoft-extends-xp-downgrade-availability-to-2011-when-will-i/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/19/microsoft-extends-xp-downgrade-availability-to-2011-when-will-i/#commentsHold onto your hats folks, 'cause Microsoft has just done the unthinkable and extended availability of its Windows XP downgrade option, again. This latest move, of course, follows complaints that new licensing issues with Windows 7 could cause some serious headaches for businesses still hanging onto XP, and basically force them to either stock up on XP-ready systems before April 23rd, 2010 or face the possibility of Vista-only downgrades thereafter. The new deadline isn't quite as clear cut as past ones, however, with Microsoft saying only that the XP downgrade option will be available for 18 months after the release of Windows 7, "or until the release of a Windows 7 service pack, whichever is sooner." So, as ComputerWorld notes, if Microsoft pushes an SP1 update out the door six months after Windows 7 is released, folks could well be out of luck yet again -- at least until Microsoft sets a new deadline, that is.

[Via Electronista]

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Microsoft extends XP downgrade availability to 2011. When will it end? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downgrademicrosoftwindowswindows 7windows xpWindows7WindowsXpxpxp downgradeXpDowngradeFri, 19 Jun 2009 13:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Windows 7 licensing situation a "disaster" for businesses?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/18/windows-7-licensing-situation-a-disaster-for-businesses/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/18/windows-7-licensing-situation-a-disaster-for-businesses/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/18/windows-7-licensing-situation-a-disaster-for-businesses/#commentsDoom and gloom warnings about a new Microsoft operating system from some corners sure aren't anything new, but it looks like a particular licensing issue with Windows 7 could well cause some serious headaches for businesses transitioning from Windows XP. As InfoWorld reports, as things stand now, businesses that buy PCs before April 23, 2010 with Windows 7 preinstalled will have the option to downgrade them to Windows XP, which will let them upgrade to Windows 7 whenever they're finally ready to make the transition. Businesses that buy Windows 7-loaded PCs on or after April 23rd, however, will only have the option to downgrade to Windows Vista which, as Gartner analyst Michael Silver notes, is obviously of little help to XP-based organizations. Of course, Windows 7 does have its much talked about XP Mode, but Silver says that won't help many businesses since their IT departments would still be faced with the added workload resulting from managing a whole new OS. There are, however, a few workarounds, like Microsoft's Software Assurance Program, but those all involve an added cost, added work, or both.

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Windows 7 licensing situation a "disaster" for businesses? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessmicrosoftvistawindows 7windows vistawindows xpWindows7WindowsVistaWindowsXpxpThu, 18 Jun 2009 02:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Mtube II mixes an Android tablet with an XP netbook]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/mtube-ii-mixes-an-android-tablet-with-an-xp-netbook/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/mtube-ii-mixes-an-android-tablet-with-an-xp-netbook/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/mtube-ii-mixes-an-android-tablet-with-an-xp-netbook/#comments
Been thinking about settling down with an XP netbook but can't get the idea of an Android tablet out of your mind? We understand your pain -- and so does Taiwan's Institute for Information Industry, which is showing off the Mtube II netbook / tablet at Computex. The slick remix of an HP Mini 1000 runs XP when in netbook configuration, but then switches over to Android on an unspecified ARM processor when the screen is pulled off and used as a tablet. Yes, it's basically the product most of us have daydreamed about for ages -- much like the Touch Book -- but there are some tradeoffs here: first, the Atom in the netbook base has been swapped for a VIA C7-M, so it's not exactly a rocket, and second, the screen is connected by VNC, so video performance isn't going to be all that great. We're hoping the additional year of development III says it needs will solve some of those problems, but until then you know we'll be doodling this thing all through math class. Videos after the break.

Continue reading Mtube II mixes an Android tablet with an XP netbook

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Mtube II mixes an Android tablet with an XP netbook originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcomputexcomputex 2009Computex2009convertibleconvertible tabletConvertibleTabletiiilaptopmini 1000Mini1000mtubemtube IIMtubeIinetbooknetvertibletabletwindows xpWindowsXpxpFri, 05 Jun 2009 13:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Buy memo explains that Vista doesn't work, details Windows 7 upgrade plans]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/best-buy-memo-explains-that-vista-doesnt-work-details-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/best-buy-memo-explains-that-vista-doesnt-work-details-windows/http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/05/best-buy-memo-explains-that-vista-doesnt-work-details-windows/#comments
Ouch. We're guessing this is one that the suits at Best Buy would like to have back. A leaked company memo detailing how the retailer will handle Windows 7 upgrades has accidentally given the world a tasty tidbit to opine upon. The note starts off as such:
"Microsoft is launching Windows 7 in mid-October 2009. This new operating system isn't just a "Vista that works" program - it's a new operating system with improved productivity, functionality and creativity that uses less computer resources."
Never mind the fact that we never knew an OS could posses "improved productivity" -- how about admitting that Vista, in effect, doesn't "work." Moving on, the note also makes clear that any PC sold with Vista Home Premium, Business or Ultimate between June 26th and the Windows 7 launch day (October 22nd) will be eligible for a free upgrade to Win7. Better still, the individual OSes also qualify for the update, and starting on June 26th, Best Buy will begin "pre-selling" the Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade ($49.99) and the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade ($99.99). Have a look at the full letter below, and if you've come here for advice, here's the best we've got: don't buy a PC at Best Buy until June 26th.

Gallery: Best Buy memo explains that Vista doesn't work, details Windows 7 upgrade plans

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Best Buy memo explains that Vista doesn't work, details Windows 7 upgrade plans originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best buyBestBuymicrosoftoperating systemOperatingSystemossoftwareupgradevistaWindows 7windows vistawindows xpWindows7WindowsVistaWindowsXpxpFri, 05 Jun 2009 11:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony VAIO P set free with XP, still not a netbook]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/sony-vaio-p-set-free-with-xp-still-not-a-netbook/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/sony-vaio-p-set-free-with-xp-still-not-a-netbook/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/26/sony-vaio-p-set-free-with-xp-still-not-a-netbook/#comments Fascinating. Sony just figured out a simple truth of ultra-portable computing: for all its beauty, elegant hardware packed into a diminutive chassis will never make up for a perpetually sluggish OS, at least not for long. While it comes late to this understanding, Sony is finally making XP a standard load on its new VAIO P model VGN-P50. Not exactly aspirational, mind you, and very netbook-like... but at least it gets the OS out of the way of your applications unlike the original VAIO P Vista build. Any by not having to downgrade yourselves (or upgrade to Windows 7 RC), you'll keep all of Sony's optimizations like the VAIO P's XMB interface. Starting June 6th, our Japanese friends will also see a 2GHz Atom Z550 processor bump in addition to WWAN data as standard. They'll even toss in a 256GB SSD if you tick the right box. While we'd typically expect these specs to go global, the fact that we're still stuck with a 1.33GHz processor Stateside makes us doubtful, bitter even, and more than a tad envious. Available June 6th in Japan starting at ¥85,000 (about $900).

[Via Akihabara News]

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Sony VAIO P set free with XP, still not a netbook originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 May 2009 01:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>netbookp50sonyultra-portableultraportablevaiovaio pvaio p50VaioPVaioP50vgn-p50vistawindows xpWindowsXpxpTue, 26 May 2009 01:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Century's all-in-one dock gives your netbook a greater sense of value]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/02/centurys-all-in-one-dock-gives-your-netbook-a-greater-sense-of/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/02/centurys-all-in-one-dock-gives-your-netbook-a-greater-sense-of/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/02/centurys-all-in-one-dock-gives-your-netbook-a-greater-sense-of/#comments For those who need a little something more from their netbooks, at least while at home, Century's all-in-one dock should help out in that department. It fits just under the little laptop and features a pop-up fan to help with cooling, 8x DVD-writer, and a slot for a 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD drive, because let's face it, your digitized copy of the complete Doctor Who series probably isn't gonna all fit on your portable. It's compatible with XP and Vista, but no word on how well it'll jibe with Linux. It looks to be on sale now in Japan for ￥9,980 (US $100), and if you're needing some more intimate shots, Akihabara's got a hands-on with it.

[Via Everything USB]

Read - Product page
Read - Hands-on

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Century's all-in-one dock gives your netbook a greater sense of value originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 May 2009 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.5-inchall-in-oneall-in-one dockAll-in-oneDockcenturydocklaptoplaptop dockLaptopDocknetbooknetbook dockNetbookDocksatavistaxpSat, 02 May 2009 18:57:00 EST