If you thought that Microsoft learned all its lessons with Vista, you'll soon be disappointed. Despite the fact that the Windows 7 beta is getting mostly positive reviews, revelations that Microsoft plans to release six different flavors of Windows 7 left many in the tech world stupefied and wondering why.
Microsoft confirmed the multiversion release of Windows 7 to various sources including Gizomodo and Paul Thurrott of Windows Supersite. However, Microsoft has not released any official statement to the public regarding this decision.
Many have been critical of Microsoft's decision to release multiple versions of Windows Vista. The move created consumer confusion as to what version might be best to buy. It also created compatibility issues with both software and hardware when people wanted to upgrade from XP to Vista. Lastly, many saw the strategy of multiversions of Vista as a self-serving way for Microsoft to charge vastly different prices for different versions of Vista with little benefit to end users.
We don't know about pricing or availability (although some speculate Windows 7 will be available early next year), but here is a breakdown of what we do know and the differences between the versions of Windows 7.
First off, all users of XP and Vista will be able to upgrade their OS license to Windows 7. The catch is the upgrades will have to be a clean installation of Windows 7, meaning you'll have to reinstall programs and back up and replace data.
Windows 7 Starter Edition
The Starter Edition (SE) is mainly aimed at emerging market and netbook users. With SE, customers will be able to run only three applications at the same time but will benefit from user interface (UI) improvements such as the new taskbar and JumpLists. Also, users will be able to join a Home Group (to share media files over a local network).
Windows 7 Home Basic
The Home Basic Edition (HB) is basically the equivalent of Vista's Media Center edition and will allow the use of unlimited applications at the same time, while bringing further UI enhancements such as live thumbnail previews and 'enhanced visual experience.' Additionally, HB enables advanced networking support like Internet connection sharing (including over wireless) and provides the Mobility Center (power management for laptops).
Windows 7 Home Premium
The Home Premium (HP) version will bring all the visual goodies of Windows 7 like the Aero Glass UI and the advanced window navigation. Besides touchscreen implementations (handwriting recognition, multitouch), the Home Premium edition also brings improved media format support and enhancements to Windows Media Center and media streaming.
Windows 7 Professional
The Professional edition of Windows 7 brings along more security and networking features like the Encrypting File System, advanced network backup and joining managed networks with Domain Join. Also, the Pro version supports location-aware printing.
Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate
Whether you're a home user or a business, the Enterprise and Ultimate editions (probably differentiated by price in the end) will bring a similar set of advanced features like bitLocker data protection for internal and external drives, DirectAccess for corporate networking based on Windows Server 2008 R2, and will lock unauthorized software from running with AppLocker.
My guess is that Microsoft will market aggressively the Home Premium and Professional editions for home users while netbook users should aim for the Starter version. Microsoft also recommends business users to use either the Professional or the Enterprise edition.
How do you feel about Microsoft's version breakdown of Windows 7? Will it be better or worse than Windows Vista? Please let me know in the comments.
Daniel Ionescu, PC World
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Obama's Handheld Still a Mystery
The mystery continues. President Barack Obama said in a television interview broadcast Monday he has a very secure handheld device, but he would not divulge whether or not he's still using his coveted BlackBerry.
"It has everything," Obama said in an interview shown on NBC 's Today Show Monday morning, referring to his handheld and its security and other features. "It can turn into a car."
Obama laughed about the security surrounding the device in the interview by Today 's Matt Lauer, which was recorded Sunday. The president also talked about weightier matters of state, including economic stimulus debates on Capitol Hill. But the handheld came up during discussion of how the president and his family are adjusting to the fishbowl of the White House.
Asked directly if the handheld he is using is a BlackBerry, the president didn't answer and implied that it includes fingerprint recognition capabilities. Lauer even asked if he had it with him, but the president said it was upstairs. Obama appeared for the interview in a white shirt unbuttoned at the collar with dark slacks.
When asked who has his e-mail address, the president said it was small group of people. And asked whether his daughters could e-mail him, he said only that they knew how to reach him. As for heads of foreign states, he hedged a bit, saying they know how to reach him at the Oval Office.
Basically, Obama seems to have described a security system much like the one posited by his press secretary recently and several security analysts. It is one where very few people have his handheld e-mail address, and uncertainty surrounds exactly what the device is. Obama hasn't shown the device publicly, only offering a glimpse of the handheld's backside when he made a press room appearance on Jan. 22.
Analysts feel it is likely another device already approved by the National Security Agency, probably a Sectera Edge like those now in use by numerous federal workers. What Obama showed reporters last month was too big to be a modern BlackBerry.
General Dynamics Corp., which developed the Sectera Edge, would not confirm that that is what the president is using.
Matt Hamblen, Computerworld
"It has everything," Obama said in an interview shown on NBC 's Today Show Monday morning, referring to his handheld and its security and other features. "It can turn into a car."
Obama laughed about the security surrounding the device in the interview by Today 's Matt Lauer, which was recorded Sunday. The president also talked about weightier matters of state, including economic stimulus debates on Capitol Hill. But the handheld came up during discussion of how the president and his family are adjusting to the fishbowl of the White House.
Asked directly if the handheld he is using is a BlackBerry, the president didn't answer and implied that it includes fingerprint recognition capabilities. Lauer even asked if he had it with him, but the president said it was upstairs. Obama appeared for the interview in a white shirt unbuttoned at the collar with dark slacks.
When asked who has his e-mail address, the president said it was small group of people. And asked whether his daughters could e-mail him, he said only that they knew how to reach him. As for heads of foreign states, he hedged a bit, saying they know how to reach him at the Oval Office.
Basically, Obama seems to have described a security system much like the one posited by his press secretary recently and several security analysts. It is one where very few people have his handheld e-mail address, and uncertainty surrounds exactly what the device is. Obama hasn't shown the device publicly, only offering a glimpse of the handheld's backside when he made a press room appearance on Jan. 22.
Analysts feel it is likely another device already approved by the National Security Agency, probably a Sectera Edge like those now in use by numerous federal workers. What Obama showed reporters last month was too big to be a modern BlackBerry.
General Dynamics Corp., which developed the Sectera Edge, would not confirm that that is what the president is using.
Matt Hamblen, Computerworld
Monday, February 2, 2009
Google extends Gmail to offline users
Google Inc. last week launched an updated version of its hosted Gmail e-mail service that lets users access their accounts without an Internet connection.
Joyce Sohn, a spokeswoman for Mountain View, Calif.-based Google, noted in a company blog post that the updated service would allow users to read, write and archive e-mail messages while flying in an airplane.
However, Sohn added, "we're still working out kinks, which means you might see some issues that aren't completely ironed out."
The new Gmail version uses the company's Google Gears browser extension to provide offline access. Google Gears has also been used to offline-enable Google Docs and Google Reader.
The company said that it plans to add offline access to its Google Calendar service as well.
"This is an important development in the evolution of Gmail," said Dan Olds, an analyst at Gabriel Consulting Group Inc. in Beaverton, Ore. "With offline capabilities, Gmail now has at least arguable parity with [Microsoft's] Outlook, which opens up an entirely new market to [Google].
"The addition of offline calendar functionality will move them into an even better competitive position," he added.
Olds noted that Gmail has been the system of choice for the casual e-mail user, and it has more recently become popular among people looking to create extra e-mail accounts.
The offline access could broadly expand expand G-mail's potential market, Olds said. "These offline features will make Gmail a viable option for small-business people who use Exchange, and it may eat into Microsoft's market share," he predicted.
"However," Olds added, "with Outlook being bundled with Microsoft Office, converting large numbers of users from Outlook to Gmail is still going to be an uphill climb."
This version of the story originally appeared in Computerworld's print edition.
computerworld
By Sharon Gaudin
Joyce Sohn, a spokeswoman for Mountain View, Calif.-based Google, noted in a company blog post that the updated service would allow users to read, write and archive e-mail messages while flying in an airplane.
However, Sohn added, "we're still working out kinks, which means you might see some issues that aren't completely ironed out."
The new Gmail version uses the company's Google Gears browser extension to provide offline access. Google Gears has also been used to offline-enable Google Docs and Google Reader.
The company said that it plans to add offline access to its Google Calendar service as well.
"This is an important development in the evolution of Gmail," said Dan Olds, an analyst at Gabriel Consulting Group Inc. in Beaverton, Ore. "With offline capabilities, Gmail now has at least arguable parity with [Microsoft's] Outlook, which opens up an entirely new market to [Google].
"The addition of offline calendar functionality will move them into an even better competitive position," he added.
Olds noted that Gmail has been the system of choice for the casual e-mail user, and it has more recently become popular among people looking to create extra e-mail accounts.
The offline access could broadly expand expand G-mail's potential market, Olds said. "These offline features will make Gmail a viable option for small-business people who use Exchange, and it may eat into Microsoft's market share," he predicted.
"However," Olds added, "with Outlook being bundled with Microsoft Office, converting large numbers of users from Outlook to Gmail is still going to be an uphill climb."
This version of the story originally appeared in Computerworld's print edition.
computerworld
By Sharon Gaudin
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