Jul 28

Microsoft giving Europeans with Windows XP and Vista choice of browser, too

Posted in: europe, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, Today's Chili, web browser, WebBrowser, Windows, windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows7
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.

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Jul 25

Microsoft invites some of its bestest OEM buddies over for a Windows 7 RTM code handoff party

Posted in: ASUS, HP, lenovo, Microsoft, sony, Today's Chili, Toshiba, Windows, windows 7, Windows7

Redmond was the place to be last night, as Microsoft gave over that long-anticipated Windows 7 RTM code to its favorite OEM partners, including HP, Toshiba, Lenovo (pictured), ASUS, Acer, Dell, Sony and Fujitsu-Siemens. Even if you’re not big into operating system nuts and bolts, it’s hard not to get just a little choked up as one nerd hands a nondescript white box to another nerd. You know there’s magic in the air.

[Thanks, JagsLive]

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Microsoft invites some of its bestest OEM buddies over for a Windows 7 RTM code handoff party originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 24

Microsoft relents to European Commission, will give users browser freedom in Windows 7

Posted in: breaking news, BreakingNews, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, Today's Chili, windows 7, Windows7

It looks like Redmond is backing slowly away from its previous IE-or-else stance on Windows 7 for European markets. According to an article just published, the OS giant has apparently caved to pressure from the European Commission over “monopoly abuse” (practices which essentially force users into Internet Explorer as their main browser). The last we’d heard on this story, the company was considering shipping the new operating system without a browser altogether, but it looks like those plans have changed. Microsoft has relented and will now offer consumers a “ballot screen” on first boot, allowing purchasers to make their own (we’re hoping informed) decision about which window into the web they’ll be looking through. Additionally, while Windows 7 will still include an install of IE, users will have the option to disable it, and computer-makers will also be allowed to pre-load any browser they see fit for their systems. We’re glad that Microsoft is taking the inclusive approach here, though there are lots of good arguments against the EC’s actions. We don’t see Apple getting the same heat for Safari, though Apple doesn’t currently hold the lion’s share of the market. At the end of the day, we’re personally just happy to not be using IE — no matter how you slice it.

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Microsoft relents to European Commission, will give users browser freedom in Windows 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 22

Microsoft’s Windows 7 gets released to manufacturing

Posted in: breaking news, BreakingNews, operating system, OperatingSystem, os, Software, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 7, Windows7

Aw snap, one of the final hurdles on the way to October 22nd has been passed: Windows 7 (and Windows Server 2008 R2, too) has been released to manufacturing. A post over on The Windows Blog explains that this build (7600) underwent tons of scrutiny and tweaking before being deemed sufficient for release, and considering that we know you’re anxious for details on dates, hear this:

“The RTM code will be delivered to our partners within the next few days who will then start preparing to deliver some amazing new products timed to hit at General Availability (GA) of Windows 7 on October 22nd. As always, current Windows Volume License customers, MSDN subscribers and TechNet subscribers will get first customer access, getting Windows 7 on August 6 (MSDN/TechNet) and August 7 (VL), and Windows Server 2008 R2 the second half of August.”

So, there you have it — now, are you prepared to wait until early August to get your download on? Nah, we thought not. The full announcement is posted after the break.

Update: Looks like some Microsoft employees were so excited by the RTM sign-off that they made a celebratory video. See it for yourself just after the break!

Continue reading Microsoft’s Windows 7 gets released to manufacturing

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Microsoft’s Windows 7 gets released to manufacturing originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 21

Windows 7 RTM begins rollout August 6th, OEMs and some beta testers to get early headstart

Posted in: Microsoft, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 7, Windows7

So last we heard Windows 7 would be officially hitting RTM status some time this month, but as to when we’d be able to get our hands on it, turns out that’s a very tricky question. According to the official Windows blog, OEMs will be able to get it approximately two days after the OS goes RTM, and beta testers who are already subscribed to TechNet can download RTM shortly after it happens for free. Independent software and hardware vendors can download via Microsoft Connect / MSDN on August 6th. Same goes for MSDN-subscribed developers and IT Professionals with a TechNet account, but only the English language version. Microsoft Partner Program Gold / Certified members can join the fun August 16th via Microsoft Partner Network portal on the 16th, and Action Pack Subscribers on August 23rd — both also English only. All other language versions for those groups are due out by October 1st.

Finally, if you don’t happen to fall in any of those categories, Microsoft is happy to remind you that Release Candidate doesn’t start giving the annoying reboots until March 1st, 2010, with full expiration happening June 1st — plenty of time to avoid picking up a copy if you didn’t get a chance to pre-order at the much more reasonable discount price.

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Windows 7 RTM begins rollout August 6th, OEMs and some beta testers to get early headstart originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 17

Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 beta adds Windows 7 conveniences

Posted in: Microsoft, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 7, Windows7

It wasn’t too hard to see this one coming, but Microsoft has now officially rolled out the beta version of Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 which, among other things, brings with it a slew of new features that tie into Windows 7. That includes support for full image backup of Windows 7 PCs, Windows 7 libraries support for shared media folders, built-in Windows Search 4, and a number of Windows Media Center enhancements, as well as “better support for netbook computers,” although Microsoft doesn’t seem to have elaborated too much on that. No word on a release date for the non-beta version just yet, but Microsoft is apparently hoping to get it out in advance of Windows 7 — and, yes, it will be a free update for current Windows Home Server users.

[Via The Windows Blog]

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Windows Home Server Power Pack 3 beta adds Windows 7 conveniences originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 15

Windows 7 pre-orders begin in UK, selling out fast

Posted in: Microsoft, PreOrder, Today's Chili, uk, windows 7, Windows7

If you’re hoping to get in on discounted pre-order pricing for Windows 7 in the UK then you’d best get to clicking, son. We’re hearing that copies of the £50 Windows 7 Home Premium E are already sold-out on Amazon but still available at Play.com, for example. Stocks of Windows 7 Professional E look plentiful at £100, for the time being anyway. While the offer is scheduled to go until August 9th, it’s limited to some magical quantity known only to Microsoft and its retailers. If you’re still on the fence remember, Japan completely sold-out in just a few days.

Update: Whoa, and now Windows 7 Home Premium E is back on Amazon.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Windows 7 pre-orders begin in UK, selling out fast originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 15

Bill Gates: Natal for Windows coming to an office near you

Posted in: Microsoft, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 7, Windows7, xbox, xbox 360, Xbox360

The idea of bending over to pick up a virtual tennis racket in front of that 50-inch flat screen in our living room makes perfect sense to us. In fact, we can’t wait to see Natal come to the Xbox platform. However, the idea of manipulating an excel spreadsheet on a 15-inch screen within a 5 x 5-foot cubicle sounds daunting, to say the least. Fortunately, Microsoft’s plans to integrate Natal into corporate Windows environments appears rather sober, albeit, entirely lacking in specifics. In an interview with CNET news, Bill Gates says that Natal’s depth-sensing camera won’t be limited to gaming use, “but for media consumption as a whole, and even if they connect it up to Windows PCs for interacting in terms of meetings, and collaboration, and communication.” Without going into detail, the Microsoft Chairman adds that use of the technology in the office, “is getting much more concrete, and is pretty exciting.” In fact, Bill sees it delivering “incredible value” when used within cubicle farms. Perhaps. We certainly won’t argue the value of Natal for gaming or even manipulating content in a home theater setup like we’ve seen with Toshiba’s Spatial Motion Interface, but for the office, incredible value… really?

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Bill Gates: Natal for Windows coming to an office near you originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 14

Microsoft confirms Windows 7 RC upgrade rules

Posted in: Microsoft, operating system, OperatingSystem, os, Software, Today's Chili, upgrade, Windows, windows 7, Windows7

As October 22nd hastily approaches, Microsoft is slowly but surely dropping all sorts of knowledge on to-be Windows 7 buyers. The latest tidbit about the forthcoming OS revolves around upgrades, with a company spokesperson reportedly confirming that users running an activated version of Windows 7 Release Candidate will not have to “reinstall an older version of Windows before using a Windows 7 upgrade disk.” Unfortunately, those who choose this path will see all of their files and such ushered into a folder labeled “Windows.old” when the final version of Win7 is installed, essentially putting a damper on what would’ve been an otherwise awesome experience. Interestingly, the fun doesn’t stop there; if you ever need to reinstall the final version of Win7 from scratch using the upgrade copy you purchased, you’ll first need to install (and activate) a copy of XP or Vista, which is different that Vista’s somewhat more lax upgrade policies. Check out the read link for the full spiel, and make sure you wrap your noodle around it good before you go off pre-ordering the wrong box.

[Via HotHardware]

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Microsoft confirms Windows 7 RC upgrade rules originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 13

Entelligence: Why the pen isn’t mightier than the keyboard

Posted in: Features, Microsoft, tablet, tablet pc, TabletPc, Today's Chili, Windows, windows 7, Windows Mobile, Windows7, WindowsMobile

Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he’ll explore where our industry is and where it’s going — on both micro and macro levels — with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.

When it comes to futuristic concepts, few ideas have captured the imagination like pen-based computing. The idea of doing away with a cumbersome keyboard for navigating and entering information has been a Holy Grail ever since Captain Kirk signed his first digital clipboard in space, but here in our century the concept has met with little success. Most recently, Microsoft’s Tablet PC operating system has failed to take the world by storm, and lots of platforms, from the Momenta PC and Pen Windows, to the Newton and the PalmPilot, have come and gone while failing to shift the masses from their keyboards. Even smart phones, led by the iPhone, have shifted from being poster children for pen-based platforms to adopting finger touch and virtual keyboards for text entry.

Continue reading Entelligence: Why the pen isn’t mightier than the keyboard

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Entelligence: Why the pen isn’t mightier than the keyboard originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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