Technology, Gadgets, IT, Games

The boffins at Microsoft Research have given us a glimpse into their crazy minds, and into what can be done by thinking outside the box, or inside it…

This cardboard dome houses an omnidirectional projector, and it displays a spectacular view of the cosmos. But that’s not the best part. The images can be manipulated by hand gestures in the air – just like Minority Report, and you don’t even need gloves!

You may recognise the origins of this technology as Microsoft Surface – the multi-touch coffee table that’s been full of promise but hasn’t made much of an impact in the real world.  I’m not sure whether this new dome has a practical application in a commercial or home setting, but I can see a ton of uses in the defence and space industries.

I don’t suppose it’ll be too long until this thing flips inside-out and we get a gesture controlled globe for Google Earth Bing Maps.

What uses can you think of for this thing? More pictures and videos below… Read more

As a result of a series of lawsuits claiming that Microsoft is unfairly forcing its browser on users, by making Internet Explorer installed by default on all Windows systems, they are unveiling the Browser Ballot in March.

This is a small webpage that will pop up for all Windows 7 users in March, allowing them to choose a default web browser from a list of 11. The first six browsers are arranged randomly (IE, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari) then the next seven are also random (Flock, FlashPeak, K-Meleon, Avant, Maxthon, Sleipnir & GreenBrowser).

Not only does this update let all users freely select a browser, but it also un-pins IE from the SuperBar (the Windows 7 replacement for Quick Launch).

You can view the browser ballot directly at: www.browserchoice.eu

Do you think this browser ballot is enough to give users adequate choice? Do you think it is fair for Microsoft to have to do this? Will the ballot suppress the critics? Leave a comment to tell us your views.

At CES last night, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced the public beta for Windows 7.

MSDN, TechBeta and Technet subscribers can download the software now, whilst the rest of the public can get their hands on it on Friday 9th Jan (tomorrow) from microsoft.com/windows7

I’ve been using a pre-beta build of Windows 7 (build 6801)as my main PC for a month or so now. With the exception of a couple of drivers missing (which also don’t exist for 64-bit Vista), and the system bluescreening when I overclocked too much, there have been no problems. At all.

It has been a lot more stable than I’ve ever seen Vista, and appears to be just as fast as a ‘used’ installation of XP. Now imagine what the final build will be like!

It has loads of nice features, and seems to be much more logical than Vista. All the changes are necessary and concise, rather than anything feeling like they changed it because they “could”. The new taskbar (which you can enable in 6801) took a small amount of getting used to, and can be slightly confusing if you don’t see the orange glow, or you can’t tell if a programs running, or you accidentally bring up the menu instead of the list of windows. But overall it’s a good feature.

I suggest that anyone who ever tries out new operating systems gets the Windows 7 beta. Your faith in humanity (and Microsoft) might just be restored…

Check out our (small) Windows 7 Image Gallery, or google for images.

EDIT: You can now download the beta version of Windows 7 here – choice of 32 or 64 bit. The server seems to be busy (and refusing requests), and there are only 2.5 million downloads available, so you might not be lucky!

EDIT: It’s gone! “Due to very heavy traffic we’re seeing as a result of interest in the Windows 7 Beta, we are adding some additional infrastructure support to the Microsoft.com properties before we post the public beta. We want to ensure customers have the best possible experience when downloading the beta, and we will be updating this page once the beta goes live. Stay tuned! We are excited that you are excited!”

EDIT: “Thanks for your interest in the Windows 7 Beta. The volume has been phenomenal — we’re in the process of adding more servers to handle the demand. We’re sorry for the delay and we’ll re-post the Beta as soon as we can ensure a quality download experience.”

EDIT: The links are still down (Saturday 4pm GMT) but the downloads are actually still available on the Microsoft servers. Click to download 32 Bit or 64 Bit Windows 7.

Microsoft have revealed masses of detail able Windows 7 at its Professional Developers Conference (PDC) in LA. This is a roundup of all the information we know so far, and projected release dates.

Key highlights are multi-touch, the new taskbar and fixed User Account Control… Read more

There have always been groups of people who rebel against the norm, who reject the status quo and choose to stand out. Bohemians, Hippies, Mods, punks… and now linux and mac users.

There is a growing number of people who have deserted Microsoft Windows in favour of macs and the likes of Fedora, Ubuntu and Debian. Some regard this group as an elite – true technical power users whose use these ‘better’ operating systems. Some regard them as connoisseurs, whose specific needs and tastes surpass the meagre capabilities of Windows. Some identify themselves as frustrated former Windows users, who have given up trying to make the mainstream work for them. And others treat them as snobs, who just want to be different.

I’m a Windows user, I always have been (since 3.11) and I use Windows all day every day, at home and everywhere I’ve worked. I currently use Windows XP SP2 as my OS of choice on all my desktop and laptop machines. Sure, I’ve tried Fedora, Ubuntu and a few other operating systems, but none of them have really cut it for me.

However, even though I wouldn’t dream of using anything other than Windows as a desktop operating system, there is a big difference in the world of servers. As a server admin, I use Linux on every web server I run, and I wouldn’t dream of using Windows.

With all these disadvantages, why do I still use Windows for my Desktop? One simple answer could be that I’m used to it. I’ve been using it since 3.11, through 95, 98 and 2000, to XP and (reluctantly) Vista… Read more

Following suit from Sony’s decision that the PS3 would keep its price tag for a while to come, Microsoft has dismissed claims that the Xbox 360 is going to undergo a price cut in the near future. It was widely expected that Microsoft would bring the price of their latest gaming console down to even further undercut its newest competitor in the PS3.

“There are no plans [for a cut]. We”re offering outstanding value and choice “” especially when you compare us to our soon-to-be competitor,”

- Chris Lewis
Regional VP of Microsoft EMEA Home+Ents

Although the Xbox 360 is already £200 cheaper than the PS3, Microsoft has been forced to lower its sales estimates from 13/15 million units by June down to ‘just’ 12 million. At these kinds of differences, is a £20 discount really going to change things?

This news comes on the same day as Sony declare they are only shipping 220,000 PS3s to the UK – that is 30,000 less than their previous lowest estimate. Their excuse is that the UK market is about 22% of the 1 million PAL units they will sell. £425 on March 23rd. Read more

The above is a graph showing past games sales and a prediction for the future. This graph predicts that Xbox 360 game sales will increase for a few years, with sales for the Wii and PS3 staying roughly the same. The Xbox 360 is predicted to do singificantly better than the other two consoles, with the PS3 behind the Wii. Around 2009, sales for all the consoles will decline.

At this time, we would expect a new generation of consoles to be born, or else we could be facing a complete crash in the gaming industry. It is a known fact that selling consoles lose a lot of money for the manufacturers (although not the Wii), and they make their money through selling accessories and licenced games. Even the games themselves don’t make profits for the developers, and piracy plays a big part in that.

Do you think Microsoft/Nintendo/Sony are going to keep making consoles, and that developers are going to keep coming up with new games? Or do you think that games as we know them are just not worth making anymore, and that there’s a risk that we could be without them in a few years?

Leave your comments at The GTA Place
Source: BBC

Just a couple of days before the PS3′s European Launch, the new black Xbox 360 ‘Elite’ has been unearthed. With a 120GB hard drive and HDMI output, this is not a ‘new’ console, but rather a third version to sell alongside the existing Core and Premium 360s. However, this will be a limited edition SKU.

The case, controller, and Live headset will all be black, along with new packaging. The Elites will run cooler (heat is a big problem amongst 360s), but there is no confirmation on new 65nm chips. To the disappointment of many fans, there are still no plans by Microsoft to integrate an HD DVD drive.

Also, the hardware made for the Elite will be available (in white) to upgrade your Core or Premium Xbox. However, when all the Elites are sold out, its components will become standard in the Core and Premium packages later this year, with no price change – although a decrease is expected when 65nm chips are implemented. Supposedly retailing for $479 (£244) in late April, Microsoft have not yet confirmed its existence.