Gizmodo: compatibility

First Windows 7 Update Resolves Application Compatibility Issues

Sean Fallon — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:34:00 EDT

This week Microsoft has released the first full-fledged update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with a focus on application compatibility issues.

The update includes the following fixes:

•Alcohol 52%: Update enables Windows 7 compatible Alcohol 52% versions to work
•Altiris and Symantec Virtual Software up to version 6.1.499.x: Upgrade Block to avoid errors during Windows upgrade
•ZoomText version 9.18: Driver hard Block to prevent an error
•Dell Printer Driver (Models-V105, V305 and V505) : Upgrade Block to avoid setup failure
•Trend Micro Internet Security 2007: Upgrade Block to avoid error during Windows upgrade
•Trend Micro Internet Security 2008: Upgrade Block to avoid error during Windows upgrade
•Trend Micro Internet Security 2009: Upgrade Block to avoid error during Windows upgrade
•YiDongFeiXin version 2.2.x and version 3.5.x: Enables application to work
•PGP Desktop up to version 9.x: Soft Block to warn about possible issue after Windows upgrade
•Trend Micro VirusBuster 2008: Upgrade Block to avoid errors
•Windows Live Photo Gallery: Update Windows Live Photo Gallery to avoid file association issue with Windows Media Player OCX

This will undoubtedly be the first of many compatibility updates to arrive in the coming months. These updates are now available through Windows Update or the Microsoft Download Center. [ars technica]

Sony Launches "Designed for Walkman" Branding, World Wonders Why

Kit Eaton — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:16:00 EDT

That little logo there is Sony's attempt to inject a little bit of adrenaline into the Walkman lineup of PMPs, because you all need to know that the accessory you're buying is properly certified to work with Sony's proprietary WM-PORT connector. Yes, you do. Honest. Logitech thinks it's a good idea, anyway, and is due to spring a few things like speaker docks, FM transmitters and sound recorders bearing the compatibility logo in October. And clearly Sony thinks it's a good idea. Whether it shakes up the MP3 player market enough to disturb that other brand with its own "Made for..." scheme is another thing altogether. [AVWatch]

Microsoft Tells Hardware Manufacturers to Start Testing Windows 7 ASAP Or Face Sweat of Ballmer

Jason Chen — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:33:52 EDT

Everyone knows how much of a bunglefart the "Certified for Windows Vista" sticker was in determining whether computers worked OK or completely lousily with Vista. Microsoft doesn't want to repeat this, which is why they're telling hardware manufacturers to start testing their products with Windows 7 as soon as the first beta is out, unless they don't want to qualify for Microsoft's new Windows 7 compatibility sticker. Microsoft's going to check up on them too, making sure companies' current Windows Vista submission "include a complete CPK with test logs from Windows 7." [Information Week]

Xbox 360 Backward Compatibility Update for April

Jason Chen — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:00:00 EDT

Microsoft's just thrown down a brand new Xbox 360 backward compatibility update that adds or updates about 40 titles (give or take) to the list of Xbox games it can play. If you remember back to GDC, you'll know that Microsft's planning on ramping down the BC efforts after '07. So unless they pull out a gigantic update near the end of this year, you're probably going to have to keep that original Xbox around if you've got some titles you're still keen on playing.

That said, it's nice that they finally got some of the old Call of Duty games up in there. You can never get enough Nazi killing. – Jason Chen

April '07 Back Compat Update [Major Nelson]

European PS3 Backward Compatibility List

Jason Chen — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 18:30:25 EDT

The Internets have been griping about the software backward compatibility of European/PAL PS3s for the past couple weeks, so it's probably a good idea to actually take a list at the titles the software emulation can support. Right now Sony's gigantic list is at 72 percent, with improvements sure to come.

Compared with the Xbox 360, it looks like it's higher already, and unless Microsoft pumps up their BC titles by the end of '07, Sony will still have the upper hand while saving costs by going software instead of hardware. – Jason Chen

BC Page [Playstation via Kotaku]

Europe's PS3's Software Backward Compatibility Graded (It's Not Good)

Jason Chen — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 17:43:16 EDT

What would you do if you were a professor and one of your students got 1 out of 12 questions correct on an exam? Before you answer, let us tell you a story. You see, the Inquirer got their hands on a PAL PS3—you know, the ones that have software backward compatibility—and tested it out with twelve popular PS2 games. The result? Only one of them worked. Eragon. The worst game of the twelve. Fantastic. Compared to the US and Japan's hardware compatibility percentage of 98%, that's bad news.

So what would you do? Would you fail this kid? Would you hope he improves by some future software update? That's what Sony's claiming, as the "final" software update before launch hasn't been installed. If that's true, the whole exercise could be moot. – Jason Chen

European Playstation 3 not so backwards compatible [The Inquirer via Kotaku]

Euro Backward Compatibility Issues [Joystiq]

Apple Updates iTunes to 7.1, Gives Fixing Vista Issues the Old College Try

Charlie White — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 14:00:00 EST

Apple just released a bug fix for iTunes, now at version 7.1, whose main mission was to resolve a few Vista "compatibility issues." But not all of those problems have been fixed, according to Apple:

"Apple has released a new version of iTunes that addresses a number of compatibility issues with Windows Vista. iTunes 7.1 is recommended for use with most editions of Windows Vista, however, Apple is actively working with Microsoft to resolve a few remaining known issues. This document will be updated as more information becomes available."

Programming for the crash-prone virus-ridden permission-nagging Windows Vista isn't as easy as it looks, is it Apple? Must be Microsoft's fault. Or Apple may be too busy with the awesome Leopard to fiddle with such silly things as iTunes for Windows. – Charlie White

iTunes 7.1 Download Page [Apple]

Microsoft's Xbox 360 Incompatible with Apple's Airport Extreme 802.11n

Jason Chen — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:54:36 EST

Two can play the incompatibility game. It looks like Microsoft's getting back at Apple's "don't get Vista if you want to use iTunes" by telling Xbox 360 users not to get the new Airport Extreme because it's incompatible with their game console.

Apparently the 360's having trouble either with WPA/WPA2 security or routers with N-support, as a few Linksys and D-Link users are also reporting compatibility problems. Microsoft says they may update this in the Spring Dashboard update, but that won't be out for a couple months. For now either stay away from Apple's Extreme if you've got an Xbox 360 or hook it up via Ethernet. – Jason Chen

Apple Support [Apple via TUAW]

Vista Not Quite Working With Some MP3 Players

Jason Chen — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:30:06 EST

Apparently iTunes and Vista aren't the only things not playing well together. Several Korean manufacturers have issued statements that a few of their players aren't quite working with Microsoft's new operating system.

Three companies so far—Samsung, Cowon, and iRiver—have noted that a few of their players are incompatible with Vista. Each company will release new firmware to customers to update the players. If you have any of these players, it's best to run a dual boot Vista system first while your MP3 kinks are getting worked out. – Jason Chen

MP3 players not working well with Microsoft's new operating system [YonhapNews via Mobile Mag]

Boxtease: Microsoft 360 Backward Compatibility Update

Jason Chen — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 18:45:50 EST

Something must be fishy with the Xbox 360 December backward compatibility update for Microsoft to update their list online and quickly take it off again. However, in that short period of time people got these old games working:

* 31 NEW titles: New Games: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dead Or Alive Ultimate, Destroy All Humans!, Dynasty Warriors 4 / Shin Sangokumuso3, Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick, Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy, Family Guy, Far Cry: Instincts, Incredibles/ Mr. Incredible, I-Ninja, Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, MotoGP, Open Season, Pariah, Psychonauts, Rainbow Six: Lockdown, Rapala Pro Fishing, Scarface, Shark Tale, Shenmue II, Splinter Cell: Double Agent, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, Ultimate Spider-Man, Wakeboarding Unleashed: Featuring Sean Murray, Whacked!, Winback 2: Project Poseidon, Xiaolin Showdown

* 1 UPDATED title: Burnout 3: Takedown

No word on when the update is coming. – Jason Chen

Backward Compatibility LIst [Xbox via Xbox Scene]

My PS3 Scratched In 10 Seconds

Brian Lam — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 14:17:24 EST

I'd forgotten to mention this interesting fact. Friday, when Jason and I took the retail PS3 out of its box and within a few seconds it was covered in dust.

I wiped some off with my hand, and lo and behold, it was scratched up to hell.

You'll want to keep yours in an oxygen bubble for maximum shinatude. –Brian Lam
Wii and PS3: Complete and Synchronized Unboxing [Gizmodo]

PlayStation 3's Backward Compatibility Demoed

Jason Chen — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 14:15:57 EST

Eager to find out how the PS3 will play your old PS2 games? Here ya go. Here we take you on a tour of how the PS3 will make a new memory card, how the game loads up, and how you can reassign different SIXAXIS controllers to different "slots" on the virtual PS2.

Bonus: you'll even get a few seconds of the Final Fantasy XII title screen. – Jason Chen

Further Viewing: PS3 Interface Walkthrough [Gizmodo]