Windows Vista

To drum up developer support for its upcoming Windows Vista operating system, Microsoft has lifted the veil on their project. Expectations are running high, which is no wonder: Windows XP was launched in 2001, the longest gap ever between major Windows releases.

By the looks of it, Microsoft has taken the best of all worlds (i.e Apple) and produced a kind of uber-Windows. The main difference in Vista is the re-designed user interface: Windows are semi-transparent and can be flipped through in 3D (similar to Apple's Exposure feature) and thumbnails previewing the actual contents of a file help you find what you want more quickly. A search function is always present and you can finally search in real time, which makes it much faster. Then there's Virtual Folders and the Sidebar comeback, an area of the desktop designed for little apps similar to Apple's Dashboard Widgets. The coolest feature, however, is the ability to boost system performance by plugging in USB memory sticks. Now that's genius!

Windows Vista Beta 1 is already available for MSDN subscribers. The rest of us have to wait until the second half of 2006, when the final Vista version will be released.

For More Details, Visit these websites
www.microsoft.com/windowsvista
www.msdn.microsoft.com/events/pdc

The Macintosh community has seen mixed reaction on Apple's recently introduced iPod Hi-Fi released on Tuesday at the special media event from Apple's Town Hall in Cupertino.

Apple unveiled its new device, stating that it is "reinventing the home stereo with the new iPod Hi-Fi, the first iPod accessory that adds true high-fidelity sound quality to the iPod." The high-fidelity speaker system, created for use with Apple's iPod, has an all-in-one design that allows the unit to be powered from a wall socket or by six D-cell batteries. It is controlled using the Apple Remote and can be used with any iPod with dock connector.

Playlist's Dan Frakes said : "Apple's tag line for the iPod Hi-Fi is Home stereo. Reinvented. A bit of marketing hyperbole, to be sure ? given that there are already several compact, one-piece iPod speaker systems out there, there's little that has truly been reinvented here. Based on my (brief) time with the Hi-Fi on Tuesday, perhaps a more accurate tag line would be Compact stereo system. Refined."

Analyst Robert Semple of Credit Suisse said , "We expect Hi-Fi to be successful, but do not believe it will be a blockbuster product as its functionality is very similar to that of the Bose, which is still recognized as a leader in acoustics."

The Inquirer's Andrew Thomas asks : "Would you take advice on what is and isn't cool from a guy who still thinks black turtleneck sweaters are the height of sophistication?" Thomas believes that "Apple doesn't care about computers any more. It never sold very many in real terms, which is why the price tags were so eye-watering. Today it makes its money by selling music online and by launching a constant stream of 'must have' iPods and accessories that the gormless Jobs worshippers slavishly buy."

Mike Wendland of the Detroit Free Press feels that Apple hyped up the event to deliver a "dud." Wendland said : "After teasing the news media about some "fun new products" to be announced Tuesday and fueling a gazillion bucks' worth of speculation about what they could be, Apple CEO Steve Jobs delivered a dud. There are a bunch of third-party systems out there that have pretty much been doing the same thing for months."

Futurethink's Innovation Tracker identified Apple as the top innovator for 2006. The company was followed by Google, Sony, 3M, Microsoft, JetBlue, Starbucks, BMW, Motorola and Target. Companies were ranked using questions completed by 100 professionals in the innovation and allied fields of marketing and product design.

According to Futurethink: "True success at innovation has ripple effects beyond one industry and will spawn imitation as evidenced by the unanimous choice for top innovator of 2006, Apple Computer. Apple has created an environment that expects and rewards risk taking. They depend on sustainable and rapid innovation but to lead in the marketplace. In the first half of 2005 alone, the company launched seven new or technically updated products. Their iPod and iTunes have redefined the music industry and had a ripple affect on other industries as well, with related products and accessories."

It will be interesting to see how many people make the switch to Vista and how many stick to XP for a while yet. and If the Vista will be buggy at all. It is Hard to belive that XP is all ready almost 5 years old. I was long time supporter of Windows 98 SE till about early 2004 when I got a computer with XP in it. I don't think Im going to make this next jump for while yet though until I either get another computer or theres nothing left for XP. I don't think people should make a big rush for VISTA either. Thats all for now.

tbh the design is amazing ! yay

im gonna stick to XP for at least a year before getting Vista - ill let everyone else figure out what the hell all bugs are. There definately will be bugs - especially with such large changes being made. Anyways, i can still pwn on XP

I'm enjoying trying the Vista Beta 2, But OSX is best for me

Yep, OSX is probably still going to be better than Vista. I heard that the recommended RAM amount for Vista is 1GB. That sounds like Vista will be draining a lot of systems resources.....something I don't like. The OSX ive heard is pretty efficient - and there are far less bugs.

OSX 10.4 is better than Vista, and its the current version (tiger) infact, even Panther (10.3 is good). Leopard, with Bootcamp, and Chardonnay (new Finder) will blow Vista away.
I've never had ANY problems with Tiger; well, any problems I've had are to do wit Microsoft Office or MSN force quitting actually.

Microsoft talk about "Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PCs"
I think anyones computer that runs XP will easily handle Vista,

What is a Windows Vista Capable PC?
A new PC that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista—like the new Windows Aero user experience—may require advanced or additional hardware.

A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
A modern processor (at least 800MHz1).
512 MB of system memory.
A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs
To get an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience, ask for a Windows Vista Capable PC that is designated Premium Ready, or choose a PC that meets or exceeds the Premium Ready requirements described below. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.

A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1.
1 GB of system memory.
A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero2.
128 MB of graphics memory.
40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
DVD-ROM Drive3.
Audio output capability.
Internet access capability.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/capable.mspx

For the OS to Require this amount of RAM is pretty resource hungry, compared to what OSX uses, and how much better it is