iPhone OS 3.0

On June 8, 2009, Apple released the final version of the iPhone 3.0 software update to developers. Since than developers have leaked the firmware on to the internet. The update will be available to the general public on June 17. I have downloaded and installed the firmware on my iPod touch 2nd generation. The iPhone 3.0 update is worth the $9.95 for iPod touch users. iPhone 3.0 has slower start up and shut down than iPhone 2.2.1 on the iPod touch 2G. I hope Apple releases a update that will fix this.

WWDC 2009

At Apple's World Wide Developers Conference 2009, Apple revealed new MacBooks, the iPhone 3G S, more information about Snow Leopard and the release date of iPhone 3.0. Apple also bashed Microsoft's upcoming operating system, Windows 7, calling it "Just another version of Vista". The new iPhone 3G S has a 3.0 Megapixel camera, Autofocus, Voice Control, Nike+, Video Recorder, Longer battery life and a built in compass. The iPhone 3G S ships in 16GB for $199 and 32GB for $299 and will be available June 19. Apple is also now offering the iPhone 3G 8GB for $99. Apple revealed the pricing and shipping date of Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard will be $29 for Leopard users and will be available this September. iPhone 3.0 will be available on June 17 and will be free for iPhone users and $9.95 for iPod touch users.

Spring 2009

Spring has come and gone again. Now were in Summer again. My summer vacation starts on June 19th, 2009 and goes until September 8th, 2009. Below are some pictures that I took this spring.

View Full Album

Zune HD

I like other people have heard of the Zune HD rumors on the Internet. On Tuesday, Microsoft confirmed that the Zune HD is indeed real and it's coming out this fall. The Windows SuperSite Blog says the current ship date is September 5th, 2009. The Zune HD is Microsoft's competitor to the iPod Touch. I actually have been wondering for awhile, "When is Microsoft going to make a Zune touch?". The Zune HD (the next Zune) is going to have a multi-touch display and other features. It still lacks functionally of the iPod Touch like the applications, 3D games, app store, mail client and being able to play YouTube videos. The Zune HD is more for media. But it also has some advantages of the iPod Touch. Better quality screen, built in HD radio, HD video output, bigger screen and better wide screen format video. Microsoft is not copying the iPod Touch but competing with it. I was not interested in Zune at all untill I found about the Zune HD. In fact, 5 months ago in a blog post, I said Microsoft should kill the Zune. In recent months, I have been seeing more and more Zunes. I wonder some times, what is Apple going to do when Steve Jobs leaves and if everyone likes Windows 7, Zune HD and the Palm pre, Apple could go out of business.

Visit the Zune HD Website and check out the Windows SuperSite Preview

Windows 7 customized to look like Windows Longhorn

Someone on YouTube known as miolo2006 was able to customized Windows 7 to look like Windows Longhorn. I would like to know how that person did it? I believe Windows 7 lives up to what Microsoft promised for Vista (Longhorn at the time) back in 2003. Ther are several videos like the one above on miolo2006's channel with other Windows operating systems.

miolo2006 channel

Windows 8 Concept

Some Windows enthusiast created a concept video for the successor of Windows 7, currently codenamed Windows 8. To me, it looks like BumpTop, Mac OS X and Windows Longhorn.

Windows Vista/Server 2008 Service Pack 2

I have not talked about Windows Vista/Server 2008 Service Pack 2 since October 2008. Today, Microsoft released it to the public for download. With Service Pack 2, Vista is just now ready to ship. By Service Pack 4, Vista will be fine. Service Pack 2 contains all the updates released since Service Pack 1 and adds some new features as well.

New features:

Windows Service Pack Clean-up tool (compcln.exe): Delete files from Vista RTM and SP1 that have been updated with SP2 versions to save space on your disk.

NOTE: Once you do this, you cannot uninstall Vista SP2.

Windows Search 4.0: Previously a free download for Vista SP1 is included in Vista SP2 and performs better.

Blu-Ray disc writing: You can now record data to a blu-ray disc.

Windows Media Center:Improved performance of protective TV Content in Media Center.

Bluetooth 2.1 Support: Vista SP2 includes support for Bluetooth 2.1.

VIA 64-bit support: Windows Vista now supports 64-bit VIA microprocessors.

Power management improvements: The default power management policies are approximately 10 percent more efficient than before.

RSS Feed gadget improvements: The Feed Headlines gadget for Windows Sidebar has been updated for better responsiveness and performance.

General improvements to the OS, compatibly, performance and reliability.

Sidebar Gadgets: Sidebar gadgets now take 100MB less RAM.

NOTE: You must have Service Pack 1 installed first before installing Service Pack 2.

You can download SP2 as a standalone installer or by Windows Update.

Vista SP2 on TechNet.

Microsoft Office 2010 Technical Preview leaked

The Microsoft Office 2010 Technical Preview has been leaked on to BitTorrent file sharing networks in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. You might be able to get the Technical Preview officially from Microsoft in July. Sign up here, there will be a public beta in Quarter 3 2009. Office 2010 has the same requirements as Office 2007 and runs on Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista and Windows 7. Office 2010 includes a new ribbon interface and other new features listed below.

Office Anytime Upgrade
32-bit and 64-bit versions
Ribbon interface in all office applications
More customizable ribbon
Office Mobile Device
Improved Outlook
Windows 7 Integration

The end of the school year

The Microsoft Windows 95 Commercial "Start Me Up". Can Windows 7 bring back the 95 goaly days?

It's that time again, the school year is almost over again. This school year was my first year of high school. I have struggled this year, been called names, been treated like I was retarded. But I got throw it. Next year might be better because I have friends coming up from the middle school and I will have already been throw one year at the high school. Next year there will be no more 45 minute classes sadly. So the day will go by slower. The South Whidbey School District is almost laying off allot of teachers due to finance problems. Luckily only one of my favorite teachers is being layed off.

Intel Sucks: No XP Mode for most Intel chips

Microsoft has released Windows XP Mode Beta and Windows Virtual PC Beta for the Windows 7 RC. Windows XP Mode is a free Windows XP virtual machine for Windows 7. Windows XP Mode requires Virtualize Technology on AMD and Intel processors. On AMD processors the technology is called, AMD-V (virtualize) and on Intel is called AMD-VTx (virualize technology). Virtualize Technology has been around for three years now and is on most AMD processors but not all Intel processors. Virtualize Technology has to be enabled in the PC BIOs.

Virtualize technology supported Intel and AMD processors-

Intel:

Pentium 4 662 and 672
Pentium Extreme Edition 955 and 965 (not Pentium 4 Extreme Edition with HT)
Pentium D 920-960 except 945, 935, 925, 915
some models of the Core processors family
some models of the Core 2 processors family
Xeon 3000, 5000, 7000 series
some Atom chips
all Intel Core i7 processors

AMD:

Athlon 64

Athlon 64 X2

Turion 64 X2

Opteron 2nd gen and 3rd gen

Phenom and all newer

Windows 7 Release Candidate Review

Here is a video review I made of the Windows 7 Release Candidate.

Windows 7 Release Candidate leaked

The official Windows 7 Release Candidate (build 7100) has been leaked to torrent file sharing networks in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Windows 7 build 7100 build string: 7100.0.winmain_win7rc.090421-1700. You will notice several changes and improvements since the Windows 7 beta (build 7000). I expect build 7100 will be available to TechNet and MSDN subscribers in the coming days and available to the public on May 5th, 2009. You can still use your Windows 7 beta keys to active the release candidate. The RC will expire on March 1st, 2010. If your on one of the leaked pre-rc builds (7068, 7077...etc). You will not notice much different and maybe you should wait for it to be available to the public from Microsoft. The release candidate will look and perform like the final RTM version of Windows 7. I expect Windows 7 to be finalized by July 2009 and out to the public at retail in October 2009.

Windows 7 Roadmap-
Pre-Beta (build 6801, close enough to even number) - October 2008
Beta (build 7000) - January 2009
Release Candidate (build 7100) - May 2009
RTM (build 7200, speculated) - July 2009
Availability to TechNet and MSDN Subscribers - August 2009
General Public Availability- October 2009

UPDATE: The Windows Team Blog has confirmed that the Windows 7 Release Candidate will be available to TechNet and MSDN Subscribers next week and to the public on May 5th. Link

What to expect from Microsoft by the end of the year

Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade pricing, Windows 7 pricing, box packing and N editions revealed.
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.
Office 2010 Preview/Aplha/Beta.
Windows Vista/Server 2008 Service Pack 2.
Office 2007 Service Pack 2.
Windows Server 2008 R2 Release Candidate.
Windows Sever 2008 R2 RTM.
Windows Server 2008 R2 General Availability.
Windows 7 Release Candidate.
Windows 7 RTM.
Windows 7 General Availability.
Windows XP Mode for Windows 7. Link
Live Mesh out of beta.
Windows Azure release.
Windows 7 Compatibility logos on hardware and software.
Windows Mobile 7 Preview/Aplha/Beta.
Windows Mobile 6.5 released.
Visual Studio 2010 released.
Sliverlight 3 out of beta.
Windows Live Movie Maker out of beta.
Windows Steady State for Windows 7.
Virtual PC 2010 release. Link

No Windows 7 Release Candidate 2!!!!!!!!!

For the last name, there will be no Windows 7 Release Candidate 2! Windows 7 is just not buggy. In fact, it's less buggy than Windows Vista RTM. Here is a quote from Paul Thurrot, editor of the Windows SuperSite that has friends who work for Microsoft, "That RC info is correct. There won't be an RC2, however." With Windows 7, Microsoft is also going with even build numbers. Microsoft is also said at PDC 2008, "This would be the last PDC before Windows 7 is released." PDC 2009 is scheduled for November 17 - 20, 2009

Windows 7 Roadmap-
Pre-Beta (build 6801, close enough to even number) - October 2008
Beta (build 7000) - January 2009
Release Candidate (build 7100) - May 2009
RTM (build 7200, speculated) - July 2009
Availability to TechNet and MSDN Subscribers - August 2009
General Public Availability- October 2009

Here is the Windows 7 Road map by Steven Seinoky on the Engineering Windows 7 blog-

* Pre-Beta – This release at the PDC introduced the developer community to Windows 7 and represents the platform complete release and disclosure of the features.
* Beta – This release provided a couple of million folks the opportunity to use feature complete Windows 7 while also providing the telemetry and feedback necessary for us to validate the quality, reliability, compatibility, and experience of Windows 7. As we said, we are working with our partners across the ecosystem to make sure that testing and validation and development of Windows 7-based products begins to enter final phases as we move through the Beta.
* Release Candidate (RC) – This release will be Windows 7 as we intend to ship it. We will continue to listen to feedback and telemetry with the focus on addressing only the most critical issues that arise. We will be very clear in communicating any changes that have a visible impact on the product. This release allows the whole ecosystem to reach a known state together and make sure that we are all ready together for the Release to Manufacturing. Once we get to RC, the whole ecosystem is in “dress rehearsal” mode for the next steps.
* Release to Manufacturing (RTM) – This release is the final Windows 7 as we intend to make available to PC makers and for retail and volume license products.
* General Availability (GA) – This is a business milestone and represents when you can buy Windows 7 pre-installed on PCs or as full packaged product.

HP Mini 1000

• Sorry, it's been so long since my last blog update.  I've been busy. I also was on Spring break  part of the time. I'm saving up for a Netbook, the HP Mini 1000. I've been wanted a portable computer for two years and have made the mistake twice of getting desktops. Face it, the desktop PC is dieing a slow death. The HP Mini 1000 is the perfect computer for my needs. 
  

Here are the custom specs-

Geniune Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3

Intel Atom  Processor 1.6Ghz

1GB DDR2 RAM

16GB Solid State Drive

10.1 Inch Display

Wireless-G Card

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950

The total cost is $384.98. I already havesaved up $25.00 and I plan to earn money between now and September.

Windows Touch Demo

Here is a demostracted by the Windows 7 Team on Windows Touch in Windows 7.

I'm a PC ad

<br/><a href="http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=0bb6a07c-c829-4562-8375-49e6693810c7" target="_new" title="Laptop Hunters $1000 - Lauren Gets an HP Pavilion">Video: Laptop Hunters $1000 - Lauren Gets an HP Pavilion</a>

This a new I'm a PC ad from Microsoft. Pointing out the fact that Macs cost are more experience and how only cool upper-middle people can have Macs. I agree with this Ad.

Windows 7 Road Map

The Windows 7 upgrade and compatible program starts on July 1st, 2009 and ends on June 30, 2010 and Windows 7 will only have one compatible sticker. We will start seeing software and hardware that says Windows 7 compatible. Microsoft will portray release a Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and reveal Windows 7 Box Packaging and Pricing in the next few months. I expect Windows 7 to be finalized in July, available to corporations and MSDN/TechNet Subscribers in August, and retail out in October.

Windows 7: Build 7068 to RC

This is what I expect to change from build 7068 to the final Release Candidate.

Internet Games copyright updated to 2009
Windows 7 flag in System Information
Updated Chess game with Windows 7 look
When changing the password of a user account in build 7068, the text boxes are not fully visible. That needs to be fixed.
Temporary files icon in Disk cleanup
Thumbnails icon in Disk cleanup
More new icons and user interface tweaks
All pictures in Help and Support changed from Windows Vista to Windows 7.
Expiration date changed from March 2010 to June 2010.

Windows 7 build 7068

Windows 7 build 7068 was leaked a few days to BitTorrent networks. The build was compiled on March 21th, 2009. I downloaded it and I'm running it on my computer right now. The Windows 7 Release Candidate is in it's final development stages. Build 7068 is the most stable build I have seen since 7022. There's only a few minor things that need to be changed before the the release candidate is ready.