Microsoft has been putting together the Windows 7 Technical Guarantee Program and it appears that it’ll likely go into effect starting July 1st of this year. It’s that program that lets you purchase a machine with Microsoft’s current operating system and then upgrade it to the newest one when it launches, similar to what the company did when getting ready for Vista.

The program will apparently be optional to OEMs, so not all companies will be participating. But you can guess that a computer with a “Free upgrade to Windows 7!” sticker will probably sell over a similar machine without.

TechARP got a hold of all the technical documents but here’s a quick rundown.

• Good on new PCs with Vista pre-installed purchased after July 1, 2009.
• Versions will synch – Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium, Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional, Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate, etc.
• 32-bit to 64-bit upgrades not supported, but clean install will be allowed.
• Windows XP to Windows 7 upgrades not supported, but clean install will be allowed. Also, your OEM will have to be participating in the XP downgrade program.

The program dates could change based on when Windows 7 will actually be available but this should give everyone a pretty good idea of what’s coming.

TechARP [via Slashdot]

Here’s a tip: next time your company creates a snazzy marketing slogan make sure it isn’t misleading. Microsoft may be liable to the tune of $8.5 billion as a result of so many people buying “Vista Capable” PCs in the run up to Vista’s release in January, 2007. The problem is that, to the average person, “Vista Capable” means, “Hey, I can run Vista.” And you can, but only the most basic “this is Vista?” version.

That $8.5 billion figure is part of an ongoing class-action lawsuit filed against Microsoft last year. A whole series of document—“heavily redacted,” says Computer World—relating to the case was released yesterday.

How did the lawyers come up with $8.5 billion, which is approximately double Niger’s GDP (it’s random fact Friday, by the way)? Well, that’s how much they estimate it would cost to upgrade all those “Vista Capable” PCs so that they could adequately run a “premium version” of Vista. That amounts to 1GB of RAM and a graphics card capable of running Aero. Or, around $150 to upgrade each desktop and $245-$590 to upgrade each laptop. At that price, you might as well buy a new laptop, right?

As you might expect, Microsoft doesn’t exactly agree, saying it would be, essentially, giving people a free Premium PC even though they only paid for a non-Premium PC.

Oh, how Microsoft wishes they could just use that Men in Black mind eraser device so that we’re all, “What’s Vista?”

As if being green were some passing fad, HP announced two new desktops and a display today. The HP Pavillion Verde Special Edition a6645f (really?) and Pavillion Phoenix SE a6655f have energy-efficient AMD procs and they’re Energy Star qualified. The SE desktops can handle up to 5GB of RAM, Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition, 15-in-1 card reader placed up front, and a SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe. The Phoenix boasts an AMD Phenom X4 9150e Quad Core proc and 640GB HDD. The Verde has an AMD Athlon X2 4850e Dual Core proc and 500GB HDD. Riveting, we know.

The former will start at $659 and will be sold exclusively through Best Buy starting November 9. The Verde will be available starting November 9 exclusively at Circuit City starting $579.

The aforementioned display is a massive 25.5-inch widescreen with a built-in 15-in-1 card reader, 2-megapixel webcam, built-in speakers, “multiple” USB ports, HDMI inputs and a high contrast ratio. The HP w2558hc is also Energy Star qualified. It’s available now for $599.

Wait. This is what qualifies as being “green?” An energy-efficient proc, various power settings and a 100 percent recyclable packaging constitutes being green and leaving less of a carbon footprint? Wow.

He says they’re also not afraid to lean down in order to ship faster, which can only be a good thing considering how enormous Vista has gotten. In fact, it looks as if the time it’s taken to get Vista to a real working state may be enough that you can skip right over it with their blessing. Make this something people can put on a netbook, people. Make it something people want to upgrade to. Whether you look on Vista as a qualified success or an utter failure, we can all agree it was more of the same. We’ve really had the same Windows for a decade now. We want to love it, give us a reason!
[via El Reg]

You can now run Windows Vista on the PS3. More accurately, you can emulate Windows Vista on the PS3; “now” is also somewhat inaccurate, as the emulation is so slow it takes some 25 minutes for the operating system to boot up.

It works by running Qemu on Linux on the PS3, then running Vista in Qemu. The whole process takes about a day to get up and running.

Reminds me of kids trying to get Windows to run on Xbox1 using Bochs.

via PS3 Scene

What sounds like a headline from The Onion is from the real story of an area man who did get Windows Vista to work with his printer, but not without the help of Microsoft software engineers.

PI reporter Todd Bishop first brought word of the man’s trouble not long ago on the PI blog and local geeks wanted to help, as Seattle-area geeks tend to do. One helper was a Microsoft test engineer from the Windows printing group, who went out of his way to visit the man and fix the problem.

To be fair, it wasn’t really a Vista problem, as the man was installing the original XP drivers on the Vista system, which didn’t work. After removing the old drivers and installing new Vista drivers, they were able to make it work.

However the point remains that of all the work put into Vista, shouldn’t there be something that tells you when you’re doing it wrong?

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says that consumers should be happy that they have the choice to downgrade from Vista to XP. (Remember, XP retail sales are set to end on June 30.) “I don’t know how you can do better than getting both,” says Ballmer, no doubt pained by all the reports that Vista isn’t so hot (to put it lightly), and that companies like Dell let consumers pick XP instead of Vista at checkout.

Even worse? Some companies are planning to skip Vista altogether, and will migrate to Windows 7 when it comes out next year.

The wow starts when?

I’m more surprised that they have a build of 7 that the hardware testers can use to certify their stuff. We all saw the Windows 7 video last week, but is the OS really complete enough at this point that display drivers can be written for it?

Luckily, that’s not really my problem.

Parallels, the virtualization software that lets you run Windows apps on an Intel Mac, now supports Windows Vista SP1 and Windows XP SP3. The latest version, which was released earlier today, costs $80, the same as VMware’s competing application Fusion.

I used Parallels once, sometime last year, and couldn’t couldn’t connect to the Internet within Windows. So I freaked out and installed Boot Camp. Problem solved, molehill into a mountain.

via MacUpdate

Not much new out of HTC this show. They updated the Shift to run Vista with the Origami Experience 2.0 (I saw these guys live at Red Rocks back in 1983 – great show) and an updated Advantage. They also launched the P3470 with TomTom Navigator in Europe. Nothing too earth-shattering but God do they do nice hardware.

HTC Shift Becomes First Mobile Computer to Deliver Multiple Days of Push Email – Available In Europe Today

The HTC Shift integrates Microsoft’s new Origami Experience 2.0, finger-friendly Web browsing, push email and wireless broadband to deliver the go anywhere mobile computer

BARCELONA — Feb. 11, 2008 — Today at the 2008 GSMA Mobile World Congress, HTC Corp. (TAIEX: 2498; “HTC”), the world’s leading provider of Microsoft Windows Mobile® devices, announced the first availability of the HTC Shift. HTC Shift combines the power of Windows Vista and Microsoft’s new Origami Experience 2.0 with always-connected 3G/HSDPA connectivity that features true push email with up to 3 days of battery life.

Microsoft Origami Experience 2.0 enables improved access and consumption of content through the addition of a new finger-friendly browser, RSS Reader and media player. It also includes Origami Now which gives users one-touch access to the information that’s important to them, including e-mail, calendar, weather and to-do lists on one screen that changes according to the time, the day and even their current location.

“Bringing the new version of Origami Experience together with the HTC Shift provides an improved and more natural mobile computer experience. I think that users will really enjoy the updated Web experience that utilizes finger touch navigation,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. “The HTC Shift has led to a new experience for customers wanting an always-on and always connected mobile computer packed with the features and functionalities they expect from a notebook.

“The HTC Shift is the first mobile computer to combine the power of Windows Vista and Origami Experience 2.0 in a sleek design that integrates 3G connectivity and a sliding keyboard,” said Bill Mitchell, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Windows PC|3 Division. “Microsoft is pleased to be working with HTC and we look forward to continuing our strong legacy of innovative smartphones and now mobile computers.”

The HTC Shift provides all the power, functionality and connectivity the busy professional needs in a sleek design that is half the size and a fraction of the weight of standard notebooks. The HTC Shift is the first device to feature HTC’s innovative new SnapVUE™ technology. SnapVUE provides instant access to emails, calendar, SMS messages and contacts, without the need to fully boot up the device helping conserve power and extend battery life. Weighing just 800g and equipped with a 7″ touch sensitive ’slide-n-tilt’ screen, the HTC Shift is similar in size to a couple of DVD cases and comes with the Windows Vista Business edition and a 40-gigabyte hard drive. Packed with advanced connectivity, the HTC Shift features high-speed global connectivity through with Tri-Band UMTS/HSDPA and, Quad-Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE as well as Bluetooth 2.0 and Wi-Fi. Also a multimedia powerhouse, the HTC Shift utilizes Windows Media Player 11 to provide easy access to music, videos and photos.

The HTC Shift is available for the first time today through Telefonica in Spain, Orange in the UK and will soon be available through TIM in Italy and in specialized retailers across Europe for EUR1199.

HTC Introduces Enhanced HTC Advantage™

New applications, keyboard and storage capacity expand user experience

BARCELONA — Feb. 11, 2008 – Today at the 2008 GSMA Mobile World Congress, HTC Corp. (TAIEX: 2498; “HTC”), the world’s leading provider of Microsoft Windows Mobile® smart devices, announced an updated version of the HTC Advantage™ that introduces new software, increased storage and an improved keyboard. The HTC Advantage™ is an ideal companion for the business traveller who needs a powerful and portable device that includes constant connectivity.

Developed from the ground up to be extremely portable, yet powerful, the HTC Advantage™ integrates a broad set of features into a compact and innovative design. Based on a future version of Windows Mobile, the updated HTC Advantage™ includes a customized HTC Home today screen that provides one-touch access to emails, text messages, missed calls, calendar appointments and contacts, as well as current weather conditions and forecasts for hundreds of cities around the world.

The HTC Advantage™ features HTC’s TouchFLO™ software which enhances finger touch scrolling and browsing of Web pages, documents, messages and contact lists. The Advantage™ will also include Opera Mobile 9 and Google Maps for mobile.

In addition to the many software enhancements, the HTC Advantage™ also adds a variety of new and improved hardware features including 16GB of storage, a new improved keyboard with haptic feedback and an updated version of VueFLO™ using a G-sensor that recognises the screen orientation of the device for optimal customer usage.

“Having established broader boundaries for mobile computing with the first HTC Advantage a year ago, we are introducing a wealth of new enhancements focused on improving the overall touch screen and keyboard user experience,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO of HTC. “Our goal with the HTC Advantage is to provide a small connected mobile computing device that will replace notebook PCs on daily commutes or short trips.”

With its innovative built-in video output capability, the HTC Advantage™ empowers its users with freedom to make presentations anywhere. Users can run presentations directly via the projector and TV output. Its 5-inch VGA colour touch screen and innovative, magnetic QWERTY keyboard are ideal not just for editing Microsoft Office documents, but also for enjoying leisure time. Users can watch videos, browse the web, use instant Outlook push e-mail, synchronize their contacts, tasks and calendar, and navigate anywhere with inbuilt GPS and TomTom NAVIGATOR 6.

Offering a complete package of connectivity, the HTC Advantage™ offers a wide variety of Wireless connectivity options such as Tri-band HSPDA, Wi-Fi® and stereo Bluetooth® 2.0 connectivity.

The updated HTC Advantage™ will be available in March in select countries across Europe.

The Full product spec is as follows:

Product name HTC Advantage™ (X7510)
Size 133.5 x 98 x 16 mm (additional 4.75mm for keyboard)
Weight 290g + 85g for keyboard
Networks WCDMA/HSDPA: 850/1900/2100 MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Operating system Future Version of Windows Mobile®
Display 5-inch VGA with touch screen
Camera 3.1 megapixel with auto focus
VGA for video calling
Internal memory 256 MB + 16 GB flash; 128 MB RAM
Memory card miniSD™
WLAN 802.11b/g
Bluetooth® 2.0
GPS GPS
Interface HTC ExtUSB™ (mini-USB and audio jack in one; USB 2.0
High-Speed); HTC 16 pin port (USB 1.1 host, TV/VGA out); 3.5mm audio jack with microphone
Battery 2100 mAh
Talk time WCDMA: up to 300 minutes*
GSM: up to 360 minutes*
Standby time WCDMA: up to 300 hours*
GSM: up to 300 hours*
Special feature Detachable QWERTY Keyboard with Haptic feedback; document printing; G sensor
Chipset Marvell PXA270 624 MHz; Qualcomm® MSM6275

HTC P3470 brings an affordable GPS, Feature-rich Touchscreen phone to the masses

Using TomTom Navigator 6, the HTC P3470 delivers detailed maps and direct to contact navigation

BARCELONA — February 11, 2008 — HTC Corp. (TAIEX: 2498; “HTC”), the world’s leading provider of Microsoft Windows Mobile® smart devices, today announced the European launch of the HTC P3470, the latest member of the HTC product portfolio. Combining a lightweight design, large screen, sat-nav software and strong battery life, the P3470 sets a new standard in affordable smartphone, GPS-based devices.

At just 108mm tall, the HTC P3470 offers unbeatable value as one of the most compact devices in HTC’s portfolio, featuring a broad range of functionality that today’s consumers desire. The HTC P3470™ enables an easy to use and simple interface for accessing web pages, documents, messages, contact lists and more.

Smart, simple and easy to use, TomTom Navigator 6 is the best sat-nav solution for your PDA or mobile phone. The intuitive interface, crystal clear instructions and easy call handling make it the ideal navigation partner for the P3470. The touch interface and large 2.8in screen ensure the AGPS-enabled sat-nav is easy to use, and the HTC P3470 is truly mobile thanks to the long battery life. The HTC P3470 also includes a 1GB Micro SD card for mapping and other data storage

“The HTC P3470 integrates GPS-location into an innovative and high-powered phone that brings location-based experiences to customers looking for power and affordability,” said Florian Seiche, Vice President, HTC Europe. “We are very pleased to announce this addition to the product portfolio, continuing our commitment to provide an option for every user.”

Availability

The HTC P3470™ will be available to customers across Europe later this month.

The first pan-European operator partner to take the HTC version of the device will be Orange which will launch the P3470 in the UK, France, Spain and the Netherlands. Price: 449 euros

Key features

· Size: 108 x 58.3 x 15.7 mm

· Weight: 122 g

· Connectivity: GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

· Operating system: Windows Mobile 6® Professional

· Display: 2.8-inch QVGA flat touch screen

· Camera: 2 megapixel with macro focus

· Internal memory: 256 MB flash, 128 MB RAM

· Removable memory: microSDTM slot

· Bluetooth: 2.0 with EDR

· GPS: GPS

· Interface: HTC ExtUSBTM (mini-USB and audio jack in one; USB 2.0 Full-Speed)

· Battery: 1100 mAh

· Talk time: GSM: up to 350 minutes*

· Standby time: GSM: up to 240 hours*

· Chipset: TI OMAP 850, 200MHz

The Canadian-based company offers all kinds of tech support options, but for $139.99 they’ll take over your PC and determine its Vista compatibility, figure out your backup requirements, start and verify the backup, format the hard drive and install Vista, verify the install, and finally get to restoring your stuff. You’ll have to supply your own copy of Vista, of course. Not a bad way to go if you’re not the DIY type.

YourTechOnline.com

If you don’t have anything nice to say about Windows Vista then don’t bother writing about it. That’s the general consensus on a certain post on eWeek’s Microsoft Watch. One of the writers over there recounted a story in which his sister bought a Sony Vaio laptop with Vista installed that had a Windows Experience Index score of 3.3—considering the laptop cost $1,500, shouldn’t the score be a little higher? As it turns out, the graphics card memory was responsible for the low score. His main point: buying a Vista PC shouldn’t have to be a $2,000+ affair.

And that’s when the fanboys tore him apart.

Again, his main point was just that machines that play nice with Vista shouldn’t cost as much as they do. Then many of the commenters viciously attacked his character. Think, “Dude, you clearly hate Microsoft, so why don’t you go go work for Apple.” So because he voiced his opinion on how Vista might improve, he’s gutted. Heaven forbid you try to be critical.

How Does Windows Vista Rate? [eWeek Microsoft Watch]

Quick heads up for the many gamers out there: The Windows Vista edition of Halo 2 ships on May 22, despite what we said earlier. It seems there’s been a slight delay to address some last minute technical issues. You’ll be able to play against Xbox owners on Live and against fellow Windows users for free. There’s also a map editor. Neat. Now bring on the third installment already.

Bungie

One of the many wows of Windows Vista is SideShow, a technology that outputs information like e-mail onto screens other than a PC monitor. Using SideShow, this Ricavision Bluetooth remote control lets you navigate through your Vista PC’s media library, schedule TV recordings and read your e-mail without so much as leaving the couch (so long as you’re within 328 feet of the PC). The remote’s 2.5-inch QVGA LCD is large enough to display all of that info without straining your eyesight; who wouldn’t want to control the music without having to deal with a clunky mouse and keyboard?

Sure, such a fancy remote costs $200, but think of how jealous the neighbors will be when they see that, not only does your remote have a screen but that it can interact with your Vista PC. I imagine all they’ll be able to say is “wow.”

Product Page [Ricavision via I4U News]

Samsung’s Q1P ultra mobile PC (UMPC) is the first such device to receive Windows Vista certification. Now that it’s Vista certified, it can sit at the cool kids’ lunch table at school. UMPCs haven’t exactly lit the world on fire (just look at the price—$1,300? No thanks), but it’s good to see more and more devices support Microsoft’s version of OS X.

The Q1P’s stats are fairly plain, with a 60GB hard drive and 1GB of memory. The seven-inch touchscreen is plenty spacious, though, with which you can doodle the hours away then convert your handwritten notes into searchable text. Funny, Samsung wants the Q1P to be a hit with businesses and if there’s a group that’s more averse to using Vista than businesses IT departments, I haven’t seen it.

Press Release [Samsung via Fareastgizmos.com]

As it turns out, Vista running as an upgrade to XP scores almost identical benchmarks to Vista as a clean install. What’s more, the system bloat and orphaned files typical of a Windows upgrade are almost nonexistent. This means that upgrading to Vista from XP should actually be quite a bit easier than from older OSes to XP was. If you’re indeed taking the Vista plunge, rest assured that the upgrade process should do the trick nicely, which means less hassle. And you’ll get to try out your huge new OS faster, too.

Vista Performance Shootout: Upgrade Vs. Clean Installation [Extreme Tech]