vista
Latest
Open Media Library beta available, easy access to DVD rips via extenders for all
Forget about waiting for Niveus to open up its slick Movie Library to the public, now that the Open Media Library is available. The GPL v3-licensed project just rolled out the 0.1 beta version, designed for users to access their entire movie library and associated metadata (actors, summary, etc.) no matter the format, through extenders like the Xbox 360 or HP MediaSmart Connect. Turning Media Center Extenders into DVD streamers has been done before, but this should streamline things even further, with the added bonus of playing back Blu-ray and HD DVD rips. If you've got Vista Media Center, check it out and give some feedback for future editions.[Via eHomeUpgrade]Read - Release AnnouncementRead - Feature List
Warhammer Online minimum system specs revealed
Do you like graphics wot be shiny? If so, then you're in luck! Mythic Entertainment has just released the minimum system requirements for running Warhammer Online when it (supposedly) releases sometime this September. They don't look to be very high, although the minimum two gigabytes of RAM for Windows Vista users isn't very surprising. All of the newer games on Vista seem to be asking for that, so if you're running that operating system we hope you've got the RAM already. If you don't have sufficient robot algae memory (that's what RAM stands for, right?), at least buying some more of the stuff shouldn't break your bank or anything.The only thing left is the recommended requirements, which probably aren't going to be too shocking. We're expecting to see a 256MB videocard or better recommendation and probably a mid-level dual-core CPU. You can check out the entire list after the break, if you're so inclined.
Microsoft's Mojave Experiment "promotes" Vista -- Ashton Kutcher-style
You may have heard that Microsoft is "like, totally serious, guys" about patching up Vista's good name, and, well, so far they're off to a rocky start. After pushing up a few lackluster web ads, they've decided to trick users en masse to prove a point. They've termed the Punk'ing the "Mojave Experiment," which placed 120 regular computer users of all different OS persuasions in front of a Vista box, except they were told they were getting to look at the next Microsoft OS, codenamed "Mojave." Results of the test will be unveiled tomorrow in what are sure to be glowing customer reports. Scientific validity of this test aside, we're not exactly sure testimonials from a blind taste test are going to turn the tide of Vista ill-will, but now we're starting to sound like Demi Moore our parents. [Via Techdirt]
Samsung intros two new Q1 Ultra UMPCs: one with Vista Business, one with HSDPA
The next-generation Q1 Ultra may be due next year, but Sammy's trying to squeeze every bit of life it can out of the current iteration with two new flavors. Announced today, the Q1U-CMXP boasts an integrated HSDPA 3G cellular modem, while the Q1UP-V is a Q1 Ultra Premium featuring Vista Business. As for the former, it includes just about every connectivity option you could wish for: 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, Ethernet and a WWAN modem that connects to the AT&T Broadband Connect network; outside of the one new feature, however, the specifications are the same as the standard Q1 Ultra XP model that was launched in May of 2007. Both newcomers (if you can call 'em that) are available as we speak for $1,499 and $1,449 in order of mention.
SanDisk CEO says Vista "not optimized" for SSDs
SSDs have been quite the hot topic of late, with conflicting power usage reports and free-falling (almost) prices being the two angles most commonly yapped about. Now, however, we have a completely different reason to mention 'em in passing, as SanDisk's dutiful CEO let loose some questionable comments during its Q2 2008 earnings call. Noting that Windows Vista would present unique challenges for SSD manufacturers, he stated that "as soon as you get into Vista applications, you start running into very demanding applications because Vista is not optimized for flash memory solid state disk." Furthermore, he proclaimed that the "next generation controllers need to basically compensate for Vista shortfalls," and finished things up by asserting that "SSD performance in the Vista environment falls short of what the market really needs." It seems all those statements were just used to deflect blame for it being behind schedule, but we're a bit curious about how it intends on defending said statements with real-world numbers. Hmm?
Microsoft takes in $60b, sells 180m Vista licenses since launch
Microsoft's been touting its "fastest annual revenue growth since 1999," which resulted in a princely $60.42 billion dollars in its last fiscal year, but the number that has us rapt? Vista licenses sold since launch about 18 months ago: 180m. Damn, not too shabby a clip -- especially considering that they moved 20m licenses moved in month one, 40m licenses moved after the first 100 days, and 140m licenses by last April. But at roughly 10m licenses per month, that means Vista's still a couple years out before it surpasses XP, and with a bit of luck, by then we'll have already moved on to Windows 7.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
ArcSoft's TotalMedia Theatre gets reviewed, loved
Considering how fresh ArcSoft is on the scene, it pulled a decent amount of respect from a recent poll of ours asking which Blu-ray HTPC software was preferred. For those who've stuck with the big names (you know, Corel / CyberLink), you may be considering making the switch -- after all, at least ArcSoft's TotalMedia Theatre still includes support for HD DVD (unlike some others). Reviewers over at Missing Remote were generally thrilled with the software's performance, noting that Vista Media Center integration was top notch and even the customer support was on par. All in all, it doesn't sound as if you could really go wrong with slapping this into your next HTPC, but check out the read link just to make sure.
Windows Media Center SideShow Gadget released in beta
We'll admit that SideShow hasn't acquired nearly the fanfare we bet Microsoft figured it would, but those still interested in what it can do will likely be elated to find that the long-awaited Windows Media Center SideShow Gadget is finally available. Released last week in beta form, said download can be sucked down as we speak and used within Vista Media Center to change live TV channels, schedule recordings, start / stop playback of clips and browse your photo / music files to boot. Anyone spent any serious time with it over the holiday (in the US, anyway) weekend?[Via Chris Lanier's Blog, thanks Josh]
How would you change Microsoft if you were Bill Gates?
Being that it is Bill's special day and all, we figured we'd give you a shot at stepping into his shoes and shaping Microsoft into something even more dominant that the juggernaut it is. Just imagine taking a seat in the biggest corner office Redmond has to offer, getting your Outlook set up, fiddling through a mess of old floppy discs and finally conjuring up a business plan. How in the world would you tweak / overhaul / etc. Microsoft if you were suddenly dubbed the big kahuna? We know this one's wide (and we mean gaping wide) open, so feel free to write a book down there.
The Bill Day giveaway (part 4) - Windows Vista Ultimate
Hey, if Bill can give away tens of billions of dollars, the least we can do to celebrate his last day is to give away some Microsoft-powered stuff, right? Next up: a full, non-upgrade copy of Windows Vista Ultimate. Leave a comment below. Tell us about your favorite Microsoft-powered product. Or your favorite Apple product, too, since Bill totally bailed those guys out back in '97. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. That winner will get a brand new full, non-upgrade copy of Windows Vista Ultimate. Approximate value is $200. Entries can be submitted until Sunday, June 29th, 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.
Intel says 'no' to Vista upgrade
Intel has decided that for its own employees, Windows Vista just won't cut the mustard. According to the New York Times, "Intel information technology staff just found no compelling case for adopting Vista." Ouch. Intel's IT staff arrived at their decision after a lengthy cost-benefit analysis. Intel has 80,000 employees worldwide, and could be seen as a bellwether for large companies still on the fence about upgrading to Vista. Since Microsoft has been a tight partner with Intel for years, it remains to be seen what kind of pressure Intel will get from top Microsoft management. In related news, Microsoft released a Windows Vista SP1 "reliability update" that fixes problems with launching large applications, and crashes involving QuickTime.
Mitsubishi teams with NVIDIA and Aspen for in-home 3D solution
Neither Mitsubishi, NVIDIA nor Aspen Media are members of the recently formed 3D@Home Consortium, but that's not stopping the trio from teaming up in order to bring the third-dimension into the home. In a rather vague release issued today, the three companies are seemingly coming together in order deliver "high-value 3D content to the consumer at home in one convenient package." What exactly is in that package remains to be seen. From what we can glean, Aspen will be providing the Aspen Media Server, which will in turn possess one of NVIDIA's 3D-capable GeForce FX Go GPUs. From there, we'd bet Mitsubishi throws in an HDTV to seal the deal. C'mon you guys, throw us a bone here, will ya?
Dell pushes back desktop XP cutoff date to June 26
Sure, you'll be able to pay out the nose for a Vista machine with a XP Professional "downgrade" soon enough, but Dell just pushed back its cutoff for straight-up XP machines. They'll be selling select Inspiron and XPS desktop with whatever flavor of XP you choose up until June 26th, at precisely 6:59AM EST. Naturally after June 26 you'll be able to buy a Vista Biz or Ultimate machine and downgrade to XP Pro, but we'll hope it doesn't have to come to that. We heard that one guy even got a printer to work with Vista. Things are looking up, folks![Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Media Center Extender shootout commences at Engadget HD
Here it is folks, the matchup you have (or haven't, that's cool) been waiting for: Microsoft's Xbox 360, Linksys' DMA2100 and D-Link's DSM-750 have been pit against one another and put to the test in order to find the champion of Media Center Extending. Here's a hint -- the race is a lot tighter than you probably think. Check out the full rundown (video included) over on Engadget HD.
Dell keeps promise, invokes fees for "downgrading" to Windows XP
Oh no, Dell isn't forgetting to do its duty to Microsoft. Just as promised, it has now bumped up the prices for folks wanting to stick with Windows XP Professional. As of now, the only way to get XP pre-installed is by selecting an option that also throws Vista in the box, and if you're specifically after Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP MCE, you're thoroughly out of luck. On eligible machines, it looks as if getting XP Pro along with Vista Business will cost you $99 more than Vista Home alone, while having Vista Ultimate ride shotgun adds another $50. Or you can look at it like Dell's tossing in XP for free with those upper-level Vista packs -- whatever floats your boat. Let us know if you notice any different pricing arrangements.[Via ComputerWorld]
Origami Experience 2.0 finally coming to a UMPC near you
Microsoft pushed out its Origami Experience 2.0 to OEMs in January, but the purtied up interface for Vista-based UMPCs is finally available to all in the form of a free download. It's mainly meant to put a touch-happy skin on top of many existing Vista features, and includes Picture Password, Weather, RSS, email, calendar and other widget functionality in the new Origami Now screen. [Via jkOnTheRun]
Microsoft warns hardware makers to begin Windows 7 testing ASAP
It may not even have a firm release date just yet, but it looks like Microsoft is already taking a pretty hard line on Windows 7, with it reportedly now warning hardware makers to begin testing their devices on the OS as soon as the first beta becomes available or risk not qualifying for its certified compatibility program. As Information Week points out, that move is likely being done in order to avoid the mess stirred up when so-called Vista-capable systems went on sale in advance of Vista's release, many of which, as we all know, turned out to be anything but.
High-end graphics features planned for Second Life
Linden Lab is tinkering with a set of Second Life graphical improvements for high-end graphics hardware. Dave Parks, software engineer at Linden Lab has been working on a set of features tailored to the Geforce 8 set of GPUs. Users without the required hardware would not suffer any performance reductions as a result of the new features. The featureset (which is available as an experimental branch called shadow-draft in the viewer source repository, for the curious), includes hard Sun-shadows, per-pixel lighting, support for an uncapped number of point-lights, and lighting costs based on screen coverage.
iPhone theme sullies Vista's good name
For those with identity crises, great senses of humor, or serious cases of Vista Fever, Spec-Works' VistaPerfection theme for the iPhone brings all the splendors of Windows Vista -- well, the important visual aspects, anyway -- to your pocket in a way that we can safely say Microsoft never intended. If the wow hadn't already started, ladies and gentlemen, it certainly has now.[Via IntoMobile]
NBC admits "inadvertent" broadcast flag use, still doesn't explain why it actually worked
Just an update on the broadcast flag controversy: NBC has copped to an "inadvertent mistake" in flagging the broadcast of American Gladiators as content prohibited from recording, while Microsoft stated it is only following the FCC's rules, and "fully adheres to flags used by broadcasters". This conveniently ignores the fact that there is no legal requirement for Windows Vista Media Center to recognize the broadcast flag and disable recording, but it does. Errant metadata can and does happen, but for such a "feature" to be buried within one's software unknowingly is troubling. Expect to hear more from the EFF and others questioning why Media Center unnecessarily turns parts of itself off at a broadcaster's command, and rightly so. What's most disturbing, and likely to go sadly without protest is that someone out there is actually watching, and trying to record for later, American Gladiators. The more you know indeed.[Via Techdirt]