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Vixta: The Vista of Linux?!
Posted by Sparky Categories: Design, Internet, Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Software,
Crazy about the Windows Vista UI, but love Linux? Vixta could be your your thing. Vixta is a new Fedora-based Linux distribution featuring a surprisingly Windows Vista like look and feel. In fact, it’s so surprisingly like Windows Vista that Redmond based lawyers can’t be far behind - it’s a pretty blatant rip of the Aero interface.
While Vixta captures the look of Vista, one wonders if it’s truly as evolved as Vista is. Windows Vista may have it’s flaws, but ove all it is a highly polished operating system with lots of features to make it easy to use for the not so computer literate. No, really. This kind of refinement in a user interface takes a lot of time and energy to develop. The Linux underpinnings might be rock solid, but if Vixta’s stated goal is bringing Linux to the masses, it’s the chrome that will make a difference.
Read More 
| Vixta via Tux Enclave
Gallery: Vixta: The Vista of Linux?!
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Downgrade Available for Certain Vista Users
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Software,
One of the many interesting tech stories this year was Microsoft’s release of Windows Vista…and the subsequent complaints, issues and horror stories that followed, as this writer can personally attest to. As a result, many users and businesses have it made quite clear they’d rather switch back to good ol’ Windows XP. Well, in a very surprising move, Microsoft is “quietly allowing PC makers to offer a downgrade option to buyers that get machines with the new operating system but want to switch to Windows XP.” The catch? The offer only applies to Vista Business and Ultimate editions, so you Home users are out of luck. Dell, Fujitsu, Lenovo and HP PCs are all capable of downgrading if customers wish to. That piercing, wailing sound you hear? It’s this writer screaming in despair because she can’t go back to the shiny, happy days of Windows XP.
Read More | Engadget
Gallery: Downgrade Available for Certain Vista Users
Microsoft Unveils Rechargeable Mouse
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Microsoft, Peripherals, Wireless / WiFi,
Microsoft has introduced what it claims to be the first rechargeable notebook mouse. With a full GB of flash memory, users can work without wires, recharge, and save files at the same time. The Notebook Mouse 8000 will work via 2.4GHz or Bluetooth and has 5 customizable buttons that can be used as an integrated slide presenter, laser pointer, a media remote, and other applications. The rechargeable AAA battery (included) is good for about three weeks on a full charge. Expect to see this one with a MSRP of $71.95 to $99.95, depending on the retail outlet.
Read More | Microsoft
Gallery: Microsoft Unveils Rechargeable Mouse
Microsoft and Tmsuk To Unite in Robotics Bliss
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Design, Microsoft, Science,
Microsoft has teamed up with former factory automation and now robotics company Tmsuk to develop what they feel will be cutting edge technology. As of now, there are many different systems being used and the company would like it if they were more standardized and used one, preferably their Robotics Studio.
Professor Atsuo Takanishi at Waseda University mentioned that it remained to be seen if Microsoft can make their dream a reality. “But I don’t think it is very difficult to modify the existing technologies developed with other operating system—such as Linux—into a Microsoft version.”
We like the idea that companies are getting together and don’t really care who is in charge as long as they just keep those bots coming, hopefully at a price everyone can handle.
Read More | Space Daily
Gallery: Microsoft and Tmsuk To Unite in Robotics Bliss
Game Companies Plant Advertising
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Home Entertainment, Internet, Microsoft, Video Games,
Product placement is no longer restricted to movies and TV sitcoms. Pay attention as you zoom past the Pontiac billboard next time you play “Need for Speed: Carbon.” As new cars become available, the image changes. The devices are also featured in “Project Gotham Racing 3” and “Forza Motorsport 2.” Microsoft’s Massive Unit is in charge of updating in-game advertising and claims that the average age of a gamer is now 33. Amazingly, they also find that studies of the players show that 69% said they were more likely to consider purchasing a car they had seen in a game. We hope this trend doesn’t get so distracting that your gaming runs you right into one of those virtual billboards.
Read More | USA Today
Gallery: Game Companies Plant Advertising
Microsoft Increases Hotmail Storage
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Microsoft,
Microsoft has decided to more than double its Hotmail service capacity and will now store up to 5 GB of e-mail messages and images. They are undoubtedly hoping that this move will take them from the number 2 spot and unseat their rival Yahoo. The company also says that its performance will speed up, it will combine duplicate contacts in its address book, there will be a new “report phishing button,” and an option to log in straight to your inbox from the home page.
“We know this is going to be a big hit with a lot of you out there in blog land,” said Ellie Powers-Boyle, a program manager for Windows Live Hotmail.
It certainly is a big hit with those of us who like our Hotmail and have stuck with it despite the mini-storage for all these years.
Read More | Post-Bulletin
Gallery: Microsoft Increases Hotmail Storage
Microsoft Drops Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Cost, Releases RE 5 Trailer
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Movies, Video Games,
It’s official. At the Comic-Con International 2007, Microsoft announced it is lowering its Xbox 360 HD DVD to ERP $179.99 in the United States and will include five free DVDs for anyone who purchases one between August 1 and September 30. Also in Xbox news comes the word of Capcom’s Resident Evil 5 trailer being released and looking hideously fun, don’t you think? RE has certainly come a long way since we played the first one back in the late 90’s. The target date of its debut is set for 2009.
Read More | Microsoft
Gallery: Microsoft Drops Xbox 360 HD DVD Player Cost, Releases RE 5 Trailer
Microsoft Sells Over 1 Million Zunes
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, Portable Audio / Video,
Microsoft is happily touting the fact that they have finally pushed over one million Zune units through to retail. The announcement was part of their latest earnings call, highlighted by the fact that Microsoft earned over $50 billion in annual revenue. A great sales figure on paper, but remember, this just means that retailers purchased a total of 1.2 million Zunes - it does not mean that all those Zune units have been purchased by consumers. This explains why joining “The Social” is about as difficult as finding a Wii.
Read More | Zune Insider
Gallery: Microsoft Sells Over 1 Million Zunes
Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Elite Japan Launch
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, Video Games,
Although it is already available here, Microsoft has announced that it will launch its Xbox 360 Elite this October in Japan. Featuring a 120GB hard drive which is six times bigger than the regular 360 and twice Sony’s Playstation 3 drive, the announcement is no doubt due to the competition, since The Xbox ranks third in sales of the Big Three in Japan. According to one report, Nintendo has sold about 1.78 million Wiis, Sony over 500,000 Playstation 3s, while Microsoft has only managed to sell about 123,000 of their Xboxes in Japan. The Elite will sell for 47,000 yen (~$380.00.)
Read More | CNN
Gallery: Microsoft Announces Xbox 360 Elite Japan Launch
Video: Unboxing Belkin TunePower for Zune
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Microsoft, Portable Audio / Video, Videos,
We recently posted a video of us opening up a Belkin TunePower for Zune over on Unboxing that we figured you guys might be interested in. The TunePower for Zune extends the battery life of the device by 6-12 hours, depending on what sort of activity you are doing, and also has a kickstand for your video viewing pleasure. Check out the video for the full scoop.
This video is a part of the Unboxing Live series. If you would like to be automatically notified of new episodes, you can subscribe to us in iTunes, or manually using our RSS feed.
Read More | Unboxing
