01/08/2009, 8:40pm, EST
Thursday, January 8th
Windows 7 variants: netbook, consumer, enterprise
Microsoft will be producing at least three different versions of Windows 7, including ones specific for netbooks, sub-notebooks, one for consumers, and one for enterprise users. Following the introduction yesterday at the CES keynote, a new report by CNET UK says that the software giant confirmed the multiple variants in a one-on-one briefing at Microsoft's London offices this week. The publication notes that the netbook version likely would not be made available to consumers, but would likely only be made available to OEM manufacturers of such devices.
According to the report, Microsoft also confirmed other new Windows 7 features, including the extension of its disk-encrypting technology BitLocker to USB thumb drives, allowing users to encrypt and protect documents on the external devices as well as open them on other Windows 7 machines by entering a password. Microsoft will reportedly also offer an update to Windows Vista to allow users to at least unlock and read/view files on the drives (however, the company could confirm whether the same decrypt and view functions would be available on Windows XP).
Microsoft will also be integrating other advanced functions into the Windows 7 OS, including support for GPS functions and light sensors. This would allow the system (and running applications) to determine its location without third-party software; the system would then pass this information to other application requesting such details-- such the system's Weather widget.
Finally, Microsoft confirmed that Windows 7 would no longer feature a "sidebar" for widgets and that they would be integrated directly on the desktop.
Filed under: computers
Other story tags: Microsoft, Windows 7, netbooks
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Yawn.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
PCs are cheaper?
So are Vista users going to have to pay for Windows 7, considering it seems like just a big patch?
Let the confusion begin
Then there will be the "lite." Pro, and home version of each. Plus the media version....
Isn't this what lead to much of the rancor directed at Vista.
Just have one or two OS's, and call it a day. Honestly, sometimes choice is not needed.
Sell one OS, and make the customizing of it much simpler.
Re: PCs are cheaper
I don't know, Apple charged for 10.2 and 10.3, which were basically bug fixes...
But they didn't cost $499
But they didn't cost $499!
version
It's amazing. Go back and look at the press releases leading up to Vista -- basically - all they did is change the name. they have learned nothing about marketing their product. "Hey - we have this great new product - and it is available in 14 versions, none of which actually meet your needs, and if you can figure out the pricing we will sell it to you."
Testudo
Are you on Microsoft's payroll? Do they pay you to troll Mac sites and add your "often wrong" wisdom?
Re: Testudo
moofpup, are you (and the other Mac fans) on Apple's payroll? Is it required that if you dare say something not negative about MS, or negative about Apple, it must mean your on an MS payroll?
And, no, I'm not.
OS X Point relea$e$
It'd be nice if sometimes people would realise that Testudo does have a valid point. History: I've been using Macs since my LC III with System 7 (the best and most solid OS in the world thankyou very much). FWIW, I thought System 7.5 was hopeless, 8 was OK but still crashy, 9 was ambitious but starting to show its age, hence the need for X.
Now, onto OS X. 10.0 was terrible. 10.1 was a bug fix. 10.2 was 10.0 done right.
10.3 was an actual advance. 10.4 was a bit more. 10.5 is sweeeet. 10.6 will be (I expect) fantastic, though not on the surface - it will be a lot of under-the-hood stuff. And Apple (unlike MS) is willing to ditch a lot of legacy code and backwards compatibility to make it work. MS probably can't do that since they don't sell the PCs. BTW, good luck to Phil selling under-the-hood stuff. I'll buy it, but I'm not sure if Aunt Mabel will see the need.
Each of these point releases cost real money (except for 10.1, which says something...), not upgrade money (do the sums and it adds up). Each of these releases also broke something in a way that would have PC World (and business customers) screaming if it was Windows.
I won't ever get rid of my Mac, I will buy lots of Apple stuff (I even bought the OS X Pre release - that stopped me from buying 10.0), Windows annoys me, but sometimes Testudo is just bloody right. Deal with it.
I agree 100% with the comments about the multiple variants of WIndows - they just have to stop that stuff. Haven't they learned?
BTW I'm not on anyone's payroll, but I'm willing to be. Will sellout for cash.