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Despite the several deadlines Microsoft has set for Windows XP, Dell will continue to support and ship computers loaded with XP until 2010 (when Windows 7 is expected to make its debut). Earlier this month, Microsoft announced that it was extending the life of Windows XP on ultra-low-cost computers, like the Eee PC. However, Microsoft has issued June 30th as the date for PC manufacturers to discontinue shipping machines with Windows XP.

So the question is, how is Dell able to continue supporting the aging, yet still popular operating system? Simple…by taking advantage of a “loop hole” in Microsoft’s system builder license. The “Windows Vista Downgrade” clause essentially states that PC manufacturers are able to ship and preinstall PCs with XP Professional to consumers who select Vista Ultimate or Vista Business as their operating system of choice. The fine print grants PC manufacturers the freedom to determine how to implement the “downgrade.” In Dell’s case, after June 18, the company will factory-install XP Professional for customers who choose “Vista Ultimate Bonus” or “Vista Business Bonus” as their OS configuration option. Those that choose the latest Windows operating system will be given installation DVDs of both Windows XP and Vista; thus, allowing users to “upgrade” whenever they are ready. Technical support for both operating systems will continue to be offered by Dell.

In fact, Dell’s website states:

Is there any way to get Windows XP after June 30th?

Customers may continue to get Windows XP Professional by exercising Downgrade Rights that come with Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate licenses. Dell has the ability to exercise “Windows Vista downgrade rights” on your behalf in the factory if your business is still reliant upon Windows XP and you’d prefer to have Windows XP Professional preinstalled on your PCs.

What does it mean for Dell to exercise “Downgrade Rights” for me? Where can I find this option?

When you are configuring your system online or through the help of one of our sales experts, you will have the opportunity to select which operating system you would like on your PC. When selecting your operating system, you will see an option called “Genuine Windows® Vista Business BONUS” and “Genuine Windows® Vista Ultimate BONUS.” With these options, you may purchase the licensed rights to Windows Vista but have Dell factory install Windows XP Professional. You will also receive a backup media disc for Windows XP Professional as well as the media for Windows Vista so you can upgrade when you’re ready. Furthermore, with these options Dell will provide technical support for the factory-installed Windows XP Professional image and your licensed version of Windows Vista.

Currently, the Downgrade program is only available in Dell’s Latitude, OptiPlex, and Dell Precision systems free of charge. It is also available on select Vostro and Dell XPS systems for a nominal fee. Fortunately, Dell isn’t the only PC maker taking advantage of the Downgrade Rights. HP and Lenovo have both said to offer Windows XP after June 30 to customers that purchase the Business or Ultimate version of Vista. On January 31, 2009, Microsoft will prohibit small computer manufacturers from adding Windows XP to machines they build; however, OEMs can continue to offer XP as long as they have it in stock.

Read [Dell] Via [Computerworld]

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For Valentine’s day, Microsoft created a special edition red Zune 80 to celebrate, and cash in on the holiday. That Zune remained for just a short time, and was later brought back, but availability was limited to just Zune Originals. Overall it seems like it must have been a hit because Microsoft has decided to make it available everywhere. Cesar Menendez, the marketer for the Zune, confirmed this today and stated that they are already “beginning to make their way into retail stores.” So if you are still wanting the red, hit up your favorite retailer that carries the Zune, if its not already in stock, it should not be much longer.

Via [Electronista]

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by Darren Murph, posted Apr 25th 2008 at 12:56PM
Remember that WiFi pact brewed up between AT&T and Starbucks earlier this year? How could you forget, right? As if it wasn’t official enough already, the two have announced that the rollout has begun at company-operated Starbucks locations, and the nationwide effort will continue throughout 2008. Effective May 1st, qualifying AT&T high-speed internet / WiFi customers — that’s those who subscribe to one of the three higher-speed residential broadband packages, a small business broadband package or a U-verse offering with high-speed internet — will have free WiFi access at over 7,000 coffeehouses across the US. Unfortunately, we’re not given any real insight into what kinds of potential deals are in the works for AT&T wireless customers (if any at all), but here’s to hoping you all can get a little love, too.

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Filed under: Wireless

It took a while, but now DSL is starting to compete with cable modem service on speed, as Qwest announces that they’ll be offering 12 and 20 Mbps DSL service in 23 markets. When you call up, just ask for Qwest Titanium, or Qwest Quantum, as the services will be dubbed.

Sorry, but will I know you’re drooling over this, you’ll have to wait closer to the end of the year if not early 2009, and you’ll need to be prepared to shell out $65/mo for the 12Mbps and $100/mo for 20. Hmm… perhaps cable may still win this speed war.

Posted in Networking & Internet

Silicon Alley Insider estimates that Google spends an average of over $7500 per employee per year on free food, assuming that each meal costs $30. That works out to over $72 million per year!

Is that worth it? Apart from considering how large their profit margins are and what a great perk does for employee morale, also consider this: given that a huge portion of Googlers make salaries north of $75k, a perk that costs 10% of that is easily worth it if those employees put in even 1 more hour of work per day.

Posted in Miscellaneous

Want to stay focused while using your computer? Then ASUS BrightCam Series AF-200 is there to help you out. Sporting a sophisticated look and 2.0 mega pixel 80° wide angle lens, ASUS BrightCam Series AF-200 lets you communicate face to face with friends online. Its high-resolution lens can deliver pictures at a fast VGA 30fps frame rate.

ASUS BrightCam Series AF-200 is a webcam packed with advanced features like Exclusive Software for Total Image Management. You can easily create unique photo albums and personalize covers, add unique distortions and give special effects, all using the superb ASUS BrightCam Series AF-200. ASUS BrightCam Series AF-200 comes incorporating the new Business Card Digitization Software that can translate the information on the card automatically into digital format and save it directly in your contact list.

Apart from offering a clearer and brighter image quality under normal ambience, ASUS BrightCam Series AF-200 is capable of capturing more light even under dim illumination. Its ultra broad angle of view increases the field of view by not less than 30 %. ASUS BrightCam Series AF-200 is available in white and black color.

Source: ASUS

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Watches, these days, do a whole lot more than just telling time. Such as the Chinavasion watch, or the Brando watch, or even the MP4 watch, just to name a few. Basically of all the watches I named play videos and music, however, this latest watch is also a walkie-talkie, and doesn’t do any of those cool portable media functions.

The walkie-talkie built-in this watch is pretty bad, especially by today’s standards. The range is 1.5 miles, but you can find normal walkie-talkie’s that have ranges of 20 miles or so. Other features include something called Auto Squelch system, which automatically cuts off weak transmissions, auto-off, to save power, Flex and Talk Operation, VOX, which is voice operated transmission, Digital volume control, LCD display with backlighting, and headphones jack so people can’t listen into your conversation. Now, looking at the appearance of the watch, people are sure to make some jokes about it. There’s an antennae sticking out of it, not to mention it looks very big and abnormal.

Maybe if the range increased by a lot, the overall size decreased, and it lost its external antenna, it might sell at least a few, but as-is I cannot imagine anyone actually wearing this. The cost isn’t too bad though, as its only 32 Euros, or around $50 US.

Read [Gizoo] Via [Ubergizmo]

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