Vista Feature Pack Released Microsoft has released the first “Feature Pack” for Windows Vista, adding some wireless features that, while nothing huge, could represent a growing series of feature packs that improve the operating system over the coming months and years. Feature Pack 1 adds support for Bluetooth 2.1 to Vista, as well as a Unified Pairing user interface and updates to Windows Connect Now. Get it here.
Download Windows Live for Windows Mobile
Microsoft has released a free download of the Windows Live for Windows Mobile 6 software that comes pre-loaded on some (but not all) Windows Mobile 6 phones. Pick up the download and get Push Hotmail, synchronized Live Contacts, a Live Search bar for the Home screen and one-click photo uploading to Live Spaces.
Microsoft Fastest To Deploy Patches
A Symantec report on malware discovered in the second half of last year shows that Microsoft was the fastest to respond to discovered software vulnerabilities. On average, Microsoft deployed patches within six days, compared to Apple, which took an average of 79 days, as well as faster than HP, Red Hat or Sun. There’s a lot detail in the article about the type of security vulnerabilities (most are caused by ActiveX), and let’s see how fast you can spot the Rent reference.
Turn Webslices into Vista Sidebar Gadgets
Webslices is a new feature in Internet Explorer 8, which allows you to add specifically selected portions of webpages to the menubar of IE, and have them automatically push updates to you. Sean Lyndersay has taken the Webslice out of the browser, and has designed a Vista Sidebar Gadget that lets you add any Webslice to your desktop. It works well, and Webslices as Gadgets are actually more useful than they are in the browser.
By the by, I learned that the reason the Facebook Webslice doesn’t work is that it needs to be installed while you are running IE as an administrator. That’s really a broken feature, and needs to be fixed for final IE8 release, or developers need to design their Webslices to not work that way.
Free Ford Sync and April Fools Xbox Live Downloads
Two Ford Sync picture packs and a Ford Sync-related dashboard theme have been released free on Xbox Live in the U.S. These are kid-themed, so get ‘em for your kid (or yourself, if you’re cute enough). There are also some April Fools-related pics, available for a limited time.
Secret Confessions Vista Sidebar Gadget This Gadget lets you leave confessions anonymously for random others to read and to read confessions from other users. It has the annoying “feature” of reading the confession out loud with Vista’s text-to-speech system, and no way to turn it off, and the confessions thus far are mostly homophobic or racist, but it’s a great idea that could become something.
Microsoft Produces Limited Edition GTA IV Xbox 360 Microsoft has released a very limited stock of Grand Theft Auto IV Xbox 360 Elite consoles, 500 to be exact, complete with a GTA IV design on the side panel and a briefcase full of peripherals. The consoles are individually numbered, so you know how limited of an edition it is, and the briefcase has wireless controller, ChatPad, headset, camera, remote, and charge kit.
Vista Service Pack 1 Released Microsoft has finalized the release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, putting the major update to Vista in the hands of users. Some users are getting it pushed to them via Windows Update, and if you don’t have it yet, just go here to download the standalone 434 megabyte installer for 32-bit versions of Vista. This link will get you the 64-bit version.
If you aren’t getting Vista SP1 through Automatic Updates, and are not even getting it offered as an option, it is likely because your computer is failing a number of prerequisites. One of them is driver compatibility, and since Sigmatel audio drivers aren’t worth crap on Vista, practically anyone with one of those chips in their systems won’t get SP1 without installing it manually. Read more here.
Microsoft Launches AdCenter Community Microsoft has launched AdCenterCommunity.com, a website for its growing AdCenter advertiser base to to learn about ways to run better ad campaigns, with niche-specific blogs, user forums, and other community features. The community offers advice on the AdCenter API, Analytics, and represents an effort by Microsoft to distinguish itself from Google AdWords, which has notoriously poor communication with with its advertisers.
Mac Office 2008 Gets Updated Microsoft released a patch for Office 2008, fixing problems that could cause Office programs to crash or otherwise stop responding. It also improves security, keeps restricted users from having unauthorized access to Office program files, fixes a blank page printing problem, fixes font substitution issues, adds support for secondary displays, and many other fixes and improvements.
Microsoft’s List of Potential Yahoo Board Members
If Microsoft winds up completing its effort to buy Yahoo through a hostile takeover, they’ll need to nominate a full new board of directors. A part of that list has leaked out, naming four of the ten executives Microsoft may place on the board. They are:
Edward H. Meyer - former CEO, Grey Advertising
John Chapple - CEO, Nextel Partners
Tom Freston - former President, Viacom
Jaynie Studenmund - Former CEO of eHarmony
Yahoo is reportedly finally holding talks with Microsoft, having a meeting to let Microsoft explain its offer and put some of its vision forward. Even if Yahoo doesn’t want to give in and except Microsoft’s offer, the offer may be impossible to ignore, especially if Microsoft raises the amount it is willing to pay. With other potential buyers dropping out, it’s certainly something they should consider.
Virtual Earth Implemented in Flash
Like Windows Live Maps? Like the compatibility and ease of Flash applications? Then you’ll like that AFC Components has added the Virtual Earth API to its UMAP control. You can see Virtual Earth embedded right here:
Sony PS3 for $100 Off
If you are looking to go with a Sony PlayStation 3, you might be glad to know that the SonyStyle store is offering $100 off the purchase of a 40gb PS3 with a new Sony card, making it just $300. That’s a good enough deal even if you find Sony as evil as many do, just to get a good Blu-Ray player and a small number of decent exclusive games.
Microsoft announced at the Mobile World Congress that it sold 14.3 million Windows Mobile phones in the last six months, thanks to breakout hit devices from Samsung and HTC. By contrast, Apple sold 4 million iPhones in its first 6 1/2 months, and is expected to sell 8.5 million the first year, 4.5 million in the same next six months Windows Mobile expects to sell 20 million.
While this fight is far from decided, it’s curious how, on the one hand, Apple is getting outsold by Windows Mobile at least 3 to 1, and on the other hand, you’ve got Canalys claiming Apple has 28% market share to Microsoft’s 21%. Remind me to never believe a word Canalys says again (who are they, anyway?).
(via Engadget)
Neatorama has a look at the evolution of various tech company logos over the years, including Microsoft, Apple and Nokia. I’m shocked at the hyper-detailed awful logos Apple and some others started with, especially how different it is from Apple’s normal minimalism.
(via Scott Beale > Twitter)
By the by, I’ve started posting updates to both my blogs to Twitter, as well as using Twitter finally as a quick communications medium. I was adverse to using Twitter, until I saw how easy it was to post to it and read Tweets in Outlook with OutTwit. If you’d like to get updates and communicate with my on Twitter, go ahead and start following me.
While Office 2008 for Mac is a wonderful upgrade from the previous version, it leaves much to be desired when compared to its Windows counterpart. Particularly the lack of the ribbon interface makes it feel like it’s a step behind. But don’t get me wrong; there are a lot of bright points.
The first big plus is the Mircrosoft Project Gallery. While aspects of this program were part of the previous Office for Mac, the new version offers a more complete user experience. The first thing you will notice is that you can launch any blank or recently used document from the Project Gallery. Additionally, you can create projects by linking documents. For example is you had could combine a PowerPoint presentation with an Excel spreadsheet. Without a doubt, many users have come up with their own solutions to these tasks, but I like this program as an alternative.
The bottom line is that since most Mac users don’t have the option, Office 2008 is going to be an obligatory but enjoyable upgrade. Those users who, through Bootcamp or other virtualization software are able to run XP or Vista, will probably be better served by Office 2007.
Check out this link: WindowsServer2008.com. You’d expect it to take you to Microsoft’s website for Windows Server 2008, but instead it forwards to apple.com’s page showing off the Macbook Air. Looks like some Apple fan, possibly working for Symmetry Technical Consultants Inc. in Florida, bought the domain in October 2006 and is now using it to embaress Microsoft. Wonder how they beat Microsoft to registering it?
I was turned onto this website by a Microsoftie, who remarked that (and I’m paraphrasing), “No Microsoft person does this when it comes to Apple products, and that says a lot about Apple users, if you ask me”. The word “immature” might have been in there, too.
This video is just funny. That’s David Lynch, creator of Twin Peaks, director of Mullholland Dr. and other films. The clip is from the DVD extras on Inland Empire, his 2006 film, obviously remixed in the style of an iPhone ad. While it possible he was just trying to be funny, it seems like this is just Lynch being Lynch.
It’s such a sadness, that you think you’ve seen a film on your fucking telephone. Get real.
While the launch was delayed, Intel Mac owners will soon be able to get their hands on the newest iteration of Microsoft Office for Mac. This release was the first version of Office written expressly for Intel Macs which will provide quite the speed bump for anyone that has invested in a new Mac over the past few years. A feature that has gotten some early buzz is a feature called My Day. My Day works with Entourage (Outlook to us Windows users) and allows the user to add tasks and appointments without having to open Entourage.
Mac users will have three options, starting with a $150 Home and Student edition that includes Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Entourage. The $400 (Upgrade is just $235) standard edition throws in Automator and Microsoft Server Exchange support. The top-of-the-line $500 (Upgrade $299) Special Edition includes Microsoft Expression Media, for managing a diverse array of media types.
Apple announced a deal with 20th Century Fox, adding Fox films to the iTunes video store. The movies will be available for download as video rentals, the first time iTunes has offered rentals, showing that low-price rentals are the better deal for users than offering the same DRM-laden low-quality videos at a higher price for permanent sale.
Apple is the Xbox Live Marketplace’s only real competition for digital movie distribution, and them embracing movie rentals (chatter is Fox is only the first studio, with more to come), leaves another wrinkle for Microsoft to deal with. Worse, part of the deal is that Fox DVDs will ship with iPod-formatted copies of the movie on the disk, wrapped in Apple’s FairPlay DRM. Those movies won’t run on anything but an iPod/iPhone, due to the copy protection.
Two years ago, Microsoft could have pushed for similar treatment for its own DRM, but thanks to its abandonment of PlaysForSure and splintering of the WMV-based DRM market, it can’t claim that its DRM serves the entire non-Apple player market. Apple gets a great deal, and Microsoft has no hope of getting something similar for itself.
Microsoft needs to think of some means to even itself out with Apple. One suggestion: It’s time to finally bring the Xbox Live Video Marketplace to the PC. If you have to, require the movies to stream from a 360, but make the connection work.
Apple held onto the top spot in the University of Michigan’s American Consumer Satisfaction Index, but it did slip almost five percent to drop to 79 out of 100 points. That puts it within three points of second-place HP, which rose, and only four points above the baseline. The baseline is the satisfaction score for the entire PC industry, meaning Apple’s customers are satisfied with it only slightly more than any average other computer company.
The index has only been tracking computer software companies for two years, and the results are incomplete to draw too many conclusions from (Microsoft is the only company actually on the list), but it should still be mentioned that Microsoft’s score fell four points in the one year it has been tracked.
November software sales data has been released by the NPD, and it shows that in its first year of availability, Office 2007 and promotions for Mac Office pushed Office sales up 50.7%. Total software sales were up 10.3%, with Office accounting for two-thirds of that growth. Black Friday sales were up 65%, and helped by a promotion that gave free Office 2008 to Mac Office 2004 buyers, Mac sales on that Friday were up a staggering 215%.
As NPD’s Chris Swenson says, Microsoft Office is driving the PC software industry at this point. Quoted by Joe Wilcox:
The “magnitude of Office sales relative to the rest of the PC software market” is phenomenal, Swenson said. “It’s the massively huge tail wagging the dog. If the senior execs at Best Buy, Office Depot, etc. don’t buy Jeff Raikes [president of Microsoft’s Business division] a beer the next time he’s in town, something is seriously wrong.”
Do I need to point out the idiocy of having the competitor’s character relentlessly pushing their product in an ad campaign that relentlessly pushes your product? The ad campaign, which airs every five minutes on some TV stations, begs you to buy a Mac, but it’s the PC character who’s annoying you with plugs at every opportunity trying to plug his product? Who are we kidding here?
And can I say that I am digusted that John Hodgman, the actor who plays PC and is certainly not a fat man, is being so grotesquely portrayed by the animators in this commercial. Witness the actual actors next to their stop-motion counterparts:
Let’s forget the heads (though Hodgman’s is swelled up and gifted with an awful combover while Mac Justin Long’s is smaller, rounder and babyish), but look at the bodies. Animation Hodgman’s body is considerable larger than that of the actual actor. He’s all of a sudden become a giant butterball figure, Weighing likely a good 300 pounds, with tiny, woman-like feet and a jacket that all of a sudden won’t close.
Animated Justin Long, on the other hand, is actually thinner than in real life, reduced to anorexic proportions. The figure, if human, would likely weigh under 100 pounds and suffer some sort of malnutrional disease. In real life, Long’s neck is larger than Hodgman’s; in the animation, Long’s character has a miniscule pencil neck and Hodgman’s character is so goddamn obese, he has almost no neck at all.
This just infuriates me, the way they manipulate every detail and try to make statements about him based on his weight. These ads are just embarrassing themselves at this point. I used to find them funny, but now I just hate, hate, hate these ads.
It’s December, and that means its prediction season. Mary Jo Foley usually knows just that much more than the rest, so be sure to check her predictions out. They include Fiji, the long (long, long, long) awaited update to Vista Media Center, which we’ll hopefully see at CES next month and get in the second half of next year, iPhone ActiveSync support, Office 14, Zune phones, and more.
Of her 2007 predictions, 1, 3 and 5 were right, 2 and 4 were wrong (Visual Studio was named 2008, but shipped last month). Not bad, and plenty accurate enough.
Microsoft’s Office 2008 for Mac OS computers has gone gold, meaning the final version has shipped to production facilities and will be making its way onto store shelves January 15. That also means you are running out of time to buy a cheaper version of Office 2004 (like the $129.99 Student version) and upgrade for free next month to the $500 Office 2008 Special Media Edition.
Chris Lanier has a thought-provoking post about how the Xbox 360’s Dashboard update means that the 360 can now play more file formats than the 360’s own Media Center Extender, because Microsoft hasn’t updated the Extender software to work with them. Version 2 Extenders support DivX, the Dashboard supports DivX, but the Dashboard’s Extender doesn’t, and we’ve been pretty much told it never will.
As big as the Xbox 360 is, Microsoft overall plan to take over the living room is so much more important. In fact, when it launched the 360 was looked at almost as a trojan horse to get Media Center into wider usage. Microsoft has this weird thing where it allows media to come into the 360 through multiple protocols with different codec support and different capabilities, making things more confusing and limiting the company’s ability to leverage the Xbox into selling other Microsoft products.
Frankly, the Xbox 360 should be more locked down. The console shouldn’t support streaming from anything except Windows Media Center, and should add new features, like new codecs, through Media Center. This is one area where Microsoft could easily have been a lot more evil and created a single pathway that goes only through its own product, just like Apple does with the Apple TV and iTunes.
At the very least, by forcing users to utilize Media Center, Microsoft would simplify things. Last night, I tried to play an episode of Dexter in the Media Center Extender, and was told the codec wasn’t supported. I had to exit the Extender, go back to the Dashboard, locate the same file for the second time, and play it again.
By having more than one way of doing things, efforts are being spread thin. Microsoft has developers working both on playback for the Extender and the Dashboard. Independent developers are building third-party streaming services (like TVersity) when they could be focusing on Media Center plugins. Media Center needs more attention, but as a tacked-on bastard sister of the Xbox 360 it is getting ignored.
I’m all for wide-open choice, which is why I choose Microsoft over Apple, but Microsoft is selling itself short by doing the same things twice. When you’ve already got a first-rate streaming protocol on the Extender, don’t build new stuff into the Dashboard. Make the Extender better, make everyone happy.
Net Applications has released their latest operating system browser market share report, and shockingly, the iPhone’s market share was bigger than Windows Mobile’s. The iPhone is recorded as having 0.9% of all web browser usage, while Windows Mobile recorded just 0.6%. The stats don’t jive with sales numbers, which put Windows Mobile significantly enough ahead of the iPhone in units, so either the methodology is questionable, or iPhone users browse the web a hell of a lot more than WinMobile.
(via ComputerWorld > Valleywag)
Microsoft is in the process of testing Service Pack 3 for Windows XP, in preparation for a wide release, and all indications are that it is a significant performance improvement for XP. In fact, the performance of XP under SP3 is so good, that some are saying it makes Windows Vista look like a chump.
It’s already a fact that Windows XP, with a six-year old architecture and tons of patches to stabilize and protect it, is Windows Vista’s number one competitor. XP is relatively stable, carries lower requirements, is compatible with almost everything and is usually already installed on most computers (except brand new ones). The challenge for Microsoft isn’t so much to prove Vista is better than Apple’s Mac OS, but that it is better than XP.
Microsoft until now has been challenging the image of XP in the marketplace, but when SP3 releases, it’ll actually be competing with itself. XP SP3 is an improvement to an already popular operating system, one that puts a direct shot across Vista’s bow, and actually sets up the team that developed SP3 as competition for Windows Vista.
Microsoft’s not stupid. It knows that it is in some ways shooting its own Vista in the foot with SP3, making Vista’s adoption harder against an improved XP point release. It would have been dishonest to its customers to cripple XP SP3 just to help Vista, and you can see how much Microsoft has improved in that it isn’t doing so. An “evil” company certainly would have.
Microsoft is likely counting on two things. Most probably, it will not significantly market SP3 like it did for Service Pack 2 three years ago. Current users will get the improvement, but Microsoft won’t encourage people to buy XP now that it has been improved. Microsoft wants you to get a better XP, but if you don’t have it, they still want you picking up Vista, which is also getting an improved Service Pack 1 release.
Besides that, Microsoft is probably hoping the good will from SP3 will encourage you to keep using Windows. Microsoft is seriously improving an older product at a significant cost to itself, showing commitment to improving its users experience at any cost. Microsoft will remind you that Vista will receive the same commitment, and that Apple charges money for point releases every two years.
Will it work? SP3 is going to cost Microsoft and Vista in the short run, but in the long run it could be a huge help for the company. At the least, if you’re buying XP, you’re still not buying Apple, right?
Microsoft’s Mac Business Unit has announced that Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac OS will allow iPhone and iPod users to sync with PowerPoint. You will be able to run PowerPoint slideshows on your iPhone, iPod Touch, iPod Classic and fatty iPod Nano (any iPod with picture support) if you have a Mac with PowerPoint 2008 and iPhoto (2006 or better).
PowerPoint will connect with iPhoto and export your presentation as a series of high resolution photos. Those photos will be saved on your hard drive and synced to your iPhone as photos normally are. Then, you can whip out your iPhone at any time and show slides from your PowerPoint presentation, or you can even plug the iPhone/iPod into a TV or projector to run a version of the presentation, minus the usual animations and transitions.
. This release was the first version of Office written expressly for Intel Macs which will provide quite the speed bump for anyone that has invested in a new Mac over the past few years. A feature that has gotten some early buzz is a feature called My Day. My Day works with Entourage (Outlook to us Windows users) and allows the user to add tasks and appointments without having to open Entourage.
