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Latest Gear Live Videos
Windows 7 beta goes public January 9th
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2009, Corporate News, Microsoft, Software,
During the kickoff Microsoft keynote that marks the start CES, Steve Ballmer announced that Windows 7 beta is available starting today for TechNet and MSDN subscribers. Nothing too exciting there for the average Joe, we know, which is why we were excited when he also mentioned that the beta would also be publicly available beginning this Friday, January 9th. You’ll be able to grab either the 32-bit version, or the 64-bit version of the Windows 7 beta software if you are one of the first 2.5 million people to hit the download button. You just need to head to the Windows 7 product page to do so. Just be aware that the beta software will expire on August 1, 2009.
As part of the release, Microsoft was also happy to note that Windows Live Essentials, “a free suite of communications and sharing applications that make it easy for people to communicate, share and keep their online lives in sync and in one place with one login,” is now also available on a worldwide scale.
Gallery: Windows 7 beta goes public January 9th
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Toshiba to integrate Media Center Extender technology into HDTVs
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2009, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Internet, Microsoft,
Hey, it’s CES time, and that means we are getting slammed with news from all ends. Toshiba, happy to get in on that party, has just announced that they’ll be integrating Media Center Extender technology directly into their REGZA line of HDTVs, and that they are even working on a standalone device that you can integrate into your home theater setup as well to get the same functionality. I guess this is the most we can expect from the company whose HD DVD technology lost out to Blu-ray in a major way. We’ve got the full release for you after the break.
Click to continue reading Toshiba to integrate Media Center Extender technology into HDTVs
Gallery: Toshiba to integrate Media Center Extender technology into HDTVs
Zune Z2K Caused by Leap Year?
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
By now, you have probably heard of the temporary sepuku occurring in 30 GB Zunes. If not, then you either don’t have one or undoubtedly haven’t plugged yours in the last few days. Many have suggested that the “Z2K” problem was caused by 2008 being a leap year. Microsoft offers tips if your Zune has ceased to exist. They suggest disconnection, allowing the battery to drain, then reconnect the Zune to its USB port on your computer or AC adapter. Check with Microsoft if you have questions or your own theory.
Read More 
| Zune FAQ
Gallery: Zune Z2K Caused by Leap Year?
Top 10 most popular Bleeding Edge TV episodes of 2008
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, CES, CES 2008, Features, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Video Games,
The end of another year is upon us, and that means that our humble little tech video show, Bleeding Edge TV, is turning 3 years old. We figured we’d highlight the ten episodes that you guys watched most over the past year in this recap. We find it hilarious that the most watched video just happened to be the one where one of us willingly got tasered during CES, but hey, why should we be surprised? Aside from that, video games seemed to be popular, as well as some straight up hardware. Hit the jump for the full list.
Oh, and while you’re at it, go ahead and check out the 10 most popular videos from 2007 as well.
Click to continue reading Top 10 most popular Bleeding Edge TV episodes of 2008
Gallery: Top 10 most popular Bleeding Edge TV episodes of 2008
Microsoft MS08-078 Security Patch
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Microsoft,
Internet Explorer users should take special note. Microsoft has released the MS08-078 patch to fix a security problem. The company claims that the vulnerability comes through JavaScript code on malicious sites, when victims are redirected to them through hacked ones. Malware is then downloaded onto the user’s computer. IE 5.01, 6, 7 and Beta 2 seem to be affected. This means that about 1 in 500 may be at risk. If you think you may be one of them and haven’t updated your browser lately, head over to Microsoft to find out more.
Read More | Information Week
Gallery: Microsoft MS08-078 Security Patch
Nielsen has come up with its Top Ten lists for 2008 trends. Included are lists for televisions shows, DVDs, music, books, mobile games, advertisers and consumer spending. We thought you might like to see the top 10 Internet sites (no surprise.) The calculation is an average monthly audience in millions through October. To see the others, hit the link below.
1. Google 120.5
2. Yahoo 114.9
3. MSN/Windows Live 98.4
4. Microsoft 95.5
5. AOL Media Network 90.2
6. YouTube 72.6
7. Fox Interactive Media 68.8
8. eBay 54.7
9. Wikipedia 54.5
10. Apple 49.3
Read More | Nielsen
Gallery: Nielsen Top 10 Websites
Charges Rise on Dell MS XP Downgrade
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Editorial, Microsoft, PC / Laptop,
Last June, Dell began to charge customers $20.00 to $50.00 to downgrade to Windows XP. It was up to $100.00 by October. Now it seems that they are charging $150.00. At the same time, we recently read that Microsoft claims that 9 out of 10 Vista customers are satisfied. While we don’t believe everything we read, we keep wondering why Dell is punishing XP users and MS’s inhouse research, with figures that include licenses sold as part of a downgrade package, seems cheerfully optimistic. What do you guys think? Remember when Coke came up with a new version and nobody liked it? It just went away.
Read More | Silicon Alley Insider
Gallery: Charges Rise on Dell MS XP Downgrade
Gear Live Magic Giveaway: HP Mini 1000, Office 2007, Kung Fu Panda, VideoStudio X
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Features, Hot Deals, Microsoft, Movies, PC / Laptop,
So, our HP Magic Giveaway winner was awesome enough to give back to the community, thus invoking a second giveaway. We’ve got an HP Mini 1000 here, along with a bunch of software as well. Specifically, here’s the prize package:
- HP Mini 1000 (Windows XP)
- Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 with 3 licenses
- Microsoft WIndows Live
- Corel VideoStudio X
- Kung-Fu Panda on Blu-ray disc, and DVD
We’re going to use the same entrance criteria that we used last time, since that seemed to work so well. Here’s how to enter to win:
- If you don’t have one already, sign up for a Gear Live account
- If you don’t have one already, sign up for a Twitter account
- Add the Gear Live Twitter account to your follow list
- On Twitter, post a tweet about our contest and link to this page. In the tweet, include the phrase “#gearlive”.
- Once that is done, leave a comment here in this post with a direct link back to your Tweet. Be sure you are signed in to your Gear Live account before you leave the comment.
Here’s an example of an appropriate Twitter entry:
“Entering to win an HP Mini! http://059.qlnk.net/ #gearlive”
BONUS ENTRIES: Want more chances to win? Share the link to our contests on the following sites, and leave us a comment linking to those as well:
- Facebook: Shared Link
- Del.icio.us bookmark
- FriendFeed: Use Post a Link
- Your blog: Have a site? Link to our contest on it!
Remember: The bonus entries are just that - bonus. In order to be eligible to win, you must complete the core Twitter requirements.
Now, as to the actual contest dates. The contest starts today, December 5th. You have until 11:59 PM PST on December 11th to enter your comments here on this post. We will then announce our winner, chosen randomly out of all valid entrants and bonus points, on December 12th.
Aaaaaand - we’ve got our winner!
Gallery: Gear Live Magic Giveaway: HP Mini 1000, Office 2007, Kung Fu Panda, VideoStudio X
Calling 411 Is Free, If You Know Where To Look
Posted by Patrick Phelps Categories: Smartphones, Google, Microsoft,
So you don’t have an iPhone or other web-enabled phone, you’re away from your computer and you’re tired of shelling out your precious greenbacks for 411 services; is there any other option? Well, you could just keep on calling 411, the phone companies love it when you do that – a quick check reveals that Verizon charges $1.49 per call and both AT&T and Sprint charge a piggy bank busting $1.79 per call – or you could give Google or Microsoft a call, they’ll take care of you for free. Google’s service, “GOOG-411” can be accessed by calling 1-800-GOOG-411, while Microsoft’s “Live Search 411” can be accessed by calling 1-800-CALL-411.
Both systems use voice recognition technology (you won’t be able to speak with a real human) to provide directions to and phone numbers of millions of destinations across the United States and Canada, connecting you to your destination and sending you a text message containing the requested information if you so desire.
Which service is right for you? You’ll have to try them both out and decide for yourself. I surprised myself by choosing the Microsoft service as my favorite. Stranger things have happened…
Check out the video (up top) for an introduction to the Google service.
Gallery: Calling 411 Is Free, If You Know Where To Look
JVC-Victor Splash Proof Portable Speaker
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
It may be too late for the swimming pool, but the JVC-Victor Portable Speaker is ready for the shower, hot tub or bath. The SP-AW303 has a detachable clear cover to insert your MP3 player and built-in stereo speakers, yet will still work by remote or touch. At a size of 128 x 170 x 76mm and a weight of 410g, the speaker comes in blue, white or pink. With a price of $79.99, expect about 6 1/2 hours of play, long enough to get properly wrinkled in the tub.
Read More | Audio Cubes
