Windows XP

Business
June 23, 2011
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Microsoft vs. Apple infographic details rivalry from inception to global domination [updated]

By on June 23, 2011 at 10:35 AM.

Microsoft vs. Apple infographic details rivalry from inception to global domination [updated]

In the world of computing, no two companies have more history than Microsoft and Apple. In fact, the companys’ history is 10,124 pixels tall. From modest beginnings to IPOs, and later to global domination, Microsoft and Apple are largely responsible for computers as we know them today. Microsoft concentrated on software early and now owns the lion’s share of the global PC market, and more recently, Apple looked to mobile computing to revitalize its business and its market cap. Of course from an investor’s perspective, the stock chart at the bottom says it all, but as is remarkably evident in looking over the meandering paths these two tech titans have taken, no one knows what the future might hold. The full, extremely large infographic can be found after the break.

This infographic has been updated by its creator and the updated version is now found below. More →

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mobile
May 6, 2011
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Meet ‘The Nest’: Cross-platform, multi-app Twitter sync done right

By on May 6, 2011 at 1:00 PM.

Meet ‘The Nest’: Cross-platform, multi-app Twitter sync done right

When it comes to Twitter, we’re just as addicted as every other poor soul who got sucked in. We’re constantly connected on our phones and computers, always checking our timelines, and we crouch in a corner and cry every time the fail whale rears its ugly head. As addictive as the service is though, Twitter is often asleep at the wheel when it comes to features. Luckily, that’s where third-party developers come into play and when it comes to Twitter apps, there are now thousands of choices across every platform imaginable. Even once you’ve found your Twitter apps of choice, however, one of the most annoying things about being addicted to Twitter is constantly seeing the same tweets as you move back and forth between your phone, PC tablet and other devices. What’s more, when you make changes to your mobile client — say, adding a new list column — you have to make the same changes all over again in your other clients. But what if there was a better way? More →

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Hardware
July 12, 2010
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Microsoft: 74% of workplace PCs are 4.4 years old and still running Windows XP

By on July 12, 2010 at 11:49 PM.

Microsoft: 74% of workplace PCs are 4.4 years old and still running Windows XP

windows-7-packaging-small

Microsoft seems to be in a bit of a pickle – it has a fancy, schmancy OS in Windows 7 but a majority of its prized business customers are still clinging onto the now nine years old Windows XP operating system. On Monday at Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference, Tammi Reller, the CVP of Microsoft Windows, dropped the bomb that 74% of business PCs are still running Windows XP. The reason for this slow adoption was not provided but presumably it has to do with the poor reputation that has plagued Windows Vista and possibly its successor Windows 7, which, thought its not being adopted, has fared better than its counterpart in the reputation department. Economics may also play a part as businesses have apparently been slow to upgrade hardware with the average business computer boasting of 4.4 years of faithful service. Rather than take a pessimistic view, Microsoft is putting a positive spin on this circumstance and viewing it as an opportunity to compel businesses to jump into the latest generation hardware and software. Microsoft is pretty upbeat- according to CEO Steve Ballmer, the software giant expects to sell 350 million Windows 7 licenses in 2010 alone. More →

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Security
June 11, 2010
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Google researcher outs zero-day exploit in Windows XP

By on June 11, 2010 at 1:45 PM.

Google researcher outs zero-day exploit in Windows XP

new-google-logo

On June 5th, Google researcher Tavis Ormandy notified Microsoft of a very serious bug in the Windows Help and Support Center of Windows XP. The report Ormandy provided to Microsoft detailed how arbitrary code could be executed by a remote attacker, and included a proof of concept exploit. Five days later, on June 10th, Ormandy released the vulnerability details to the public. The decision to divulge the exploit has sparked a debate about how such matters should be handled, and what responsibility, if any, security experts have. Orandy explains, “if I had reported the…issue without a working exploit, I would have been ignored,” he also went onto say that “responsible disclosure” was a farce, a tool used by companies to buy themselves time. “Those of us who work hard to keep networks safe are forced to work in isolation without the open collaboration with our peers,” Ormandy wrote. Security experts are weighting in on the situation with all sort of opinions. One camp is describing Orandy’s as, and engineer “going off half-cocked,” others see it as a clear shot ar Microsoft from Google. Either way, the zero-day exploit is now public knowledge and has the attention that Ormandy originally wanted. What do you think? A frustrated security engineer or a shot directly at Microsoft? More →

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General
September 17, 2009
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Windows XP-powered ITG xpPhone now available for pre-order

By on September 17, 2009 at 4:30 PM.

Windows XP-powered ITG xpPhone now available for pre-order

xpPhone

If you’re a glutton for the punishment that Windows XP on a mobile phone likely is, then ITG has exactly what you need. The “world’s first mobile phone that runs Windows XP” is now available for pre-order from ITG’s English website. Looking rather big and boxy (is this a new trend?), the xpPhone packs some impressive specs inside its brushed aluminum frame:

  • AMD Mobile CPU
  • 4.8-inch, 800×480 pixel touchscreen display
  • QWERTY keyboard
  • 512Mb/1GB memory
  • Dual hard drives: SSD (8/16/32/64GB) and HDD (30/60/80/120GB)
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
  • Bluetooth
  • GPS
  • WiMAX (optional)
  • GSM/GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA (HSDPA/HSUPA), CDMA/CDMA2000, CMDA 1X/EV-DO, TD-SCDMA, TD-HSDPA
  • 7 hours of continuous use with standard battery, 12 hours with extended battery
  • Windows XP OS

The substantially-sized slider supports nearly all major 3G networks and can be configured from the ordering page to be compatible with AT&T, Vodafone or Orange. No word on pricing details or launch date for the time being, but is anyone out there thinking about taking the plunge?

[Via Pocketables]

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Hardware
June 26, 2009
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ASUS Eee Keyboard now slated for an August release

By on June 26, 2009 at 2:06 PM.

ASUS Eee Keyboard now slated for an August release

Aww, crap. Just when we thought we were finally going to be able to get our hands on the ASUS Eee Keyboard, an ASUS marketing executive had to go and ruin the fun. Apparently the Eee Keyboard will not be launching by the end of this month as expected, but sometime in August instead. The reason for the delay? ASUS has yet to fully work out how it is going to market the mind-numbingly cool computer, which is more or less a positive way to say that its scared that one wrong decision will jeopardize its potential for success. Regardless, we want 10 and we want them now.

[Via Pocket-Lint]

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General
April 25, 2009
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Microsoft Windows 7 RC1 to be available next week, chock full of new features

By on April 25, 2009 at 2:18 PM.

Microsoft Windows 7 RC1 to be available next week, chock full of new features

Microsoft confirmed on Friday the rumored May release of Windows 7 RC1. The release candidate version of Microsoft’s upcoming OS will be available on April 30th to MSDN and TechNet subscribers, with a broader public availability slated for May 5th. RC1 adds several new features to Windows 7 including remote media streaming, Windows XP mode and some slick new eye candy. Also the remote media streaming, if it works as well as promised, might just give services like Orb a run for their money. Associate your Windows Media player library with your Windows Live ID and you can stream your media across the Internet from any remote PC. Sweet! Before you get too excited, this is Microsoft we’re talking about so both computers must be running the same version of Windows Media player. This cool new feature will not work from Mac or Linux machines, so take note if your personal arsenal of computers includes any.

Windows 7 will also include a new XP Mode meant to assist businesses as they transition from Windows XP to Windows 7. XP Mode will utilize Windows Virtual PC to provide a full-fledged Windows XP virtual environment which, theoretically, will allow users to run all those legacy Windows XP applications without issue. Last but not least, Windows 7 RC1 will see some eye candy in the form of stunning background graphics. Microsoft has been slowly adding new background images throughout the development process and now the public will get its first look at Microsoft’s sense of style. All you folks still running Windows XP with its default green rolling hills background might just be pleasantly surprised.

[Via Giz]

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Hardware
January 7, 2009
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Asus Eee Keyboard wows us all

By on January 7, 2009 at 5:26 PM.

Asus Eee Keyboard wows us all

Asus most definitely came to CES today packing heat and without a doubt, one of its most impressive announcements was the Eee Keyboard. We want it and we want it now. The Eee Keyboard stuffs a PC with respectable netbook-like specs into, you guessed it, a keyboard. Flat Mac-like keys and a 5-inch touchscreen display sit atop a very thin keyboard frame with a host of connections on the back – connections you potentially don’t even need, we might add. Asus’ new take on the all-in-one features Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n along with wireless HDMI and Bluetooth 2.0 meaning that short of a power cord, users can connect wirelessly to any and all required peripherals including a high definition display or HDTV. We’ll take things in a different direction – imagine carrying this puppy around with a pocket projector and having access to a full PC with a sizable projected display anywhere and everywhere you go. Specs on this innovative little piece of kit are as follows:

  • Self-contained PC / keyboard combo with integrated 5-inch touchscreen display
  • OS: Windows XP Home Edition
  • 1.6GHz Intel Atom microprocessor
  • 1GB of DDR2 DRAM
  • 16GB or 32GB SSD
  • Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 2.0
  • Ultra Wideband HDMI
  • USB 2.0 x2, VGA, HDMI, headphone and mic ports
  • Weight: 2 lbs

Pricing and projected availability are still a bit of a mystery, though Asus CEO Johnny Shih claims it will be available in the next three to six months, so we’ll be waiting with bated breath. Hit the jump for two more shots.

More →

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Interview
October 21, 2008
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Asus CEO sheds light on future; Eee Top next month, Win 7 next year and more

By on October 21, 2008 at 10:30 AM.

Asus CEO sheds light on future; Eee Top next month, Win 7 next year and more

Well hello there Mr. Shen. If anyone was wondering what Asus had up its collective sleeve in the coming months (through 2010 actually), CEO Jerry Shen just sat down with Laptop and seriously broke it down. He wasn’t shy at all in talking about where the company is now and where it’s headed. Here are some highlights from the hour-long interview:

  • First and foremost among the interesting morsels taken from the Shen interview, Asus will be skipping Vista entirely and jumping right from XP to Windows 7. Burn!
  • Asus has currently sold about 4 million Eee PCs and it’s hoping to hit the 5 million mark before 2009 rolls around. Ambitious.
  • The all-in-one Eee Top will start shipping very soon. Ok, well we already knew that.
  • The Eee Stick gaming controller will soon be released along with compatible games. It will be offered as part of a bundle and as a stand alone accessory at a price point south of $100.
  • Next year, Asus will offer an Eee PC that hits the $250 price mark – in the first half of 2009 in fact. Two new models will be announced at CES this coming January.
  • Last but most certainly not least, Shen claims that Asus will release a touchscreen Eee PC rocking Windows 7 sometime in 2H 2009! You hear that Microsoft? Time to get the lead out…

[Via Engadget]

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News
September 13, 2008
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Dell Inspiron Mini 9 from box to boot

By on September 13, 2008 at 11:44 AM.

Dell Inspiron Mini 9 from box to boot

After launching a mere week ago, Dell Mini’s were arriving on doorsteps everywhere Friday. As expected, it did not take very long for one of you eager, early adopters to put together an unboxing video. This time it is a reader over at Gotta Be Mobile who posted 12 minutes of brand spanking new Mini 9 goodness. What can we say, we’re suckers for shiny new ultra-portables.

[Via Gotta Be Mobile]

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News
September 4, 2008
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Dell’s Mini 9 Launches; as low as $349

By on September 4, 2008 at 10:28 AM.

Dell’s Mini 9 Launches; as low as $349

We almost forgot what it was like outside the mobile phone game. You know: Leak -> Wait -> Official announcement -> Wait -> Launch! Sure plenty has been leaked as far as Dell’s latest lappy is concerned, but kudos are still in order. Just yesterday we learned that the Inspiron Mini 9 was set to be announced this week and bam; today they’re ready to order. Let’s take a look at how each of the three variants of this sweet new ultra-portable shape up specs-wise:

$349

  • Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.6GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache)
  • Ubuntu 8.04 OS
  • Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024X600)
  • RAM: 512MB DDR2 at 533MHz
  • Hard drive: 4GB Solid State Drive + 2 GB of online Box.net storage

$399

  • Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.6GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache)
  • Windows XP Home Edition OS
  • Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024X600)
  • RAM: 512MB DDR2 at 533MHz
  • Hard drive: 8GB Solid State Drive

$449

  • Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.6GHz/533Mhz FSB/512K cache)
  • Windows XP Home Edition OS
  • Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024X600)
  • RAM: 1GB DDR2 at 533MHz
  • Hard drive: 16GB Solid State Drive

There is a downside of course, but isn’t there always? The size is great, the gear is great but the battery is… Not so great. Basically you’re looking at about three hours of juice before the Mini 9 starts coughing and needs another fix. Yikes. The good news is that this little sucker is so small that you should have absolutely no problem fitting a heafty external battery pack in your back with it. Does that defeat the purpose? Hmm, your call.

UPDATE: If you purchase a Studio 15, XPS M1530 or XPS M1330 laptop between 6 am (Central) tomorrow and 6 am (Central) Tuesday September 9th, you can snag a Mini 9 along with it for only $99. Woo!

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