Microsoft

Xbox 360: the next console from Microsoft is created in continuation of Xbox. Finally Nintendo Wii the least expensive and shows the least performance.

It has been a long time, hasn't it? Today Microsoft opens preorders of Zune HD, the portable media player that was bred and tamed for, mostly, one reason – walk strait into iPod Touch market and take as much of its sales as possible. The real action starts September 15th – the date of the retail availability, when we will see if Zune HD can get away with it. Since then, preorder is your only option, which is available via major online stores: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Microsoft Store.

Microsoft announced system requirements of the Release Candidate for Windows 7. Also the system requirements for RC will be the same as for final versions of the Windows 7. The system requirements for Windows 7 are not so high. For example, users who have already upgraded to a Windows Vista-tailored machine will not need to accommodate for Windows 7.

Shortly after Windows Vista launch, appeared first gossips about intensive work on a new OS - codenamed Windows Vienna. Seeing the blast that made Windows Vista in delivering completely new user interface, compared to XP, everybody thought that next Windows will have even more differences and will be completely revolutionary. Years passed, Microsoft released first Service Pack for Vista, renamed Windows Vienna to Windows 7 and we all started to wait for the first information about new OS. Now, when Windows 7 Beta is publicly available, we must say that it IS a big step forward: not revolutionary (like Vista after XP), but evolutionary. After all piles of garbage that were thrown at Vista during its lifespan, it is pleasing to see that Windows 7 is not a completely new OS - it is Windows Vista made how it was meant to be. In this review we'd like to describe some new features, compare it to the previous version, and warn users about possible bugs and glitches in Beta.

Safety proportions in everyday PC usage are pretty much a big part of every user’s attention. It happens so that the most popular desktop OS developer appears to be suffering from thousands of different viruses, malware and spyware attacks on sometimes careless, but mostly helpless users. We are talking about Windows of course. Let’s not forget shall we that even though MS is currently multitasking at three operating systems at a time, the oldest one of three – Windows XP – seems to hold its stand firmly. Therefore keeping XP virus free isn’t any less a topical issue than it used to be. Here we want to refer to Reimage – a unique system recovery tool. Unlike any other antivirus software, Reimage can come in handy even when system is already infected and/or badly damaged. Reimage works only with Win XP, but there will be a Vista version soon and hopefully another one for Windows 7 when it arrives.

The Microsoft Wireless Entertainment desktop 7000 is a set of a keyboard and rechargeable mouse. The mouse is the Microsoft’s first rechargeable mouse and they have made it great.

Desktop gaming equals to having a PC with Windows Vista on it. Speaking of DirectX 10 games we always mention what operating system is in use because DirectX 10 was originally created for Vista. New Widows 7 from Microsoft will come out with DirectX 11 which will be available also for Vista but it never will for XP. Microsoft inner platform compatibility of DirectX 10 is one big theme to speak about, especially since Alky Project has presented a backported version that runs on XP. However even more boundaries are going to be overstepped soon, the cross-platform ones.

Microsoft officially announced the Release of Manufacturing versions of Service Pack 2 of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista. The Service Pack 2 includes many updates. For example, one of the updates was support for emerging hardware standards. Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista and for Windows Server 2008 includes a single installer. It make easier the management and installation of SP2.

Someone on the web has set a rumor abroad about the Microsoft's Zune Upgrade Plan. We got it as in June Microsoft will offer their customers to get a newer model for less buck. The point is, we assume, that you take this update step if your Zune is out of warranty already but needs service in some way. Upgraded Zune will be given one year warranty. According to a number of sources, only two colors are included in the Zune Upgrade Plan – red and black and, oddly enough, Zune 30 GB is said to quit extended warranty purchase. If all stated above will actually come true – Zune owners can consider themselves lucky, but do not drop in Microsoft Support center with a crumpled Zune before they actually announce the Upgrade Plan.

Cars are probably the least computerized modern world's part of life from the user's point of view. Undoubtedly, car manufacturers have gone far away that software and hardware alley if we speak about vehicle control systems or all the engines sensors and suspension adjusters, but for driver and passengers there usually is not much left of that processing power. Even in today's luxury sedans you all you get is a lite shell for GPS, e-mail or media stuff. Things however are slightly better with mobile operating systems. Your Window Mobile for instance can be synchronized with Fiat 500. In any case though cars don't match with even netbooks mostly I think because of lack of common platform. This is where Microsoft cuts in with their Auto vehicle software platform. Its version Auto 4.0 will be shown tomorrow at Hanover's CeBIT 2009.

There we are at the end of the first day of MIX 2009. From all the news we have heard round all day, the most heartening part came from a group of three - Kevin McEntee, Perkins Miller and Scot Guthrie. All of three were speaking about close future of Web design, development and online streaming. The online streaming part was carried out mostly by Kevin McEntee (Netflix president of Web Engineering). He gave out some interesting figures, for instance, number of people who were willing but could not become Netflix customers because they were using Macs is no less than whopping 20 percent of all, and what’s more, another 20 percent didn’t update their Netflix player by reinstalling it. Luckily that is all in the past now and brings us neatly to the headliner of the day – Microsoft Silverlight 3.

First of all, with the coming of windows vista you can now respond to all the UAC (User Account Control) with just a swipe of a finger in order to allow you to install applications and make changes to your profile. You can also lock and unlock your PC and you can also switch between user accounts in Windows.

BlueTrack represents the most advanced tracking technology as Microsoft says. Microsoft confirmed assumptions in connection with Say Goodbye to Laser company by launching a new mouse technology called BlueTrack. American company says that this one combines the power of optic technology with the precision of the one based on laser, allowing to this new type of mice usage on almost any kind of surface excluding mirrors and transparent glass.

The two California plaintiffs have filled a class-action suit against Microsoft. The reason is that the design of Xbox 360 makes it dangerous for the discs.

Microsoft has recently unveiled a new gadget for Xbox 360 users. You will be able to type faster and chat better. Messenger Kit for Xbox 360 will make chatting over Xbox Live easier thanks to its qwerty keyboard right on the Xbox 360 Joystick.

This keyboard is designed by Microsoft designer and is one of the coolest keyboards I have ever seen. It has also a mouse with it.

They come with AMD's own Catalyst Media Center software which with Windows XP Media Center Edition and Windows Vista Media Center. You will have no problems installing this software whatsoever.

Ready Boost is special technology used by Windows Vista. This technology allows the computer to use any flash drive as the RAM (Random Access Memory).