The video shown is apparently from a release that was shipped to Microsoft's major partners earlier this year. The clip shows the OS running to be Windows 7 Milestone 1 Ultimate edition 6519.1.071220-1525. We aren't making any rash proclamations, no matter how much we like the guys at Think Next. We're of the opinion that it doesn't look to dissimilar to Windows Vista, but it does look tweaked for the better. The boot screen seems to be redesigned, and the Media Center on display certainly has more eye candy to offer.

All that said, if this is an early build sent to key partners that has been leaked, why can't said key partners put together some competent filming? The video is shaky as shit, and though the shots that are in focus look well formed, the rest could easily be the work of a video editing genius. What do you guys make of it? [Think Next via Softpedia; Thanks, Dode!]

Me: Hey, do you have the Premiums with the hdmi? GT: Those are called the elites. They are right there. ME: No, I mean the premiums, *points*, with hdmi. GT: They're not making them yet till like later. ME: They're making them now, I've seen pictures of them online. GT: No, they're not. You got it wrong. ME: Nowai. GT: Let me explain, they're making the elites into premiums, and dropping the core. ME: WHAA.. GT: Microsoft told me they're making the elites into premiums, and later they're releasing xbox ultimate. ME: WTF is that? GT: It's the xbox 360 that has a hdmi, and a HD-DVD drive to compete with blu-ray. ME: Are they putting HD-DVD games on it? GT: Yeah, Microsoft is competing against Blu-ray. ME: Orly, what about the 9 million people that bought 360 last year. They're fucked! lol GT: No, they're fine. ME: The 360 can't play HD-DVD right now. GT: Well it could, sort of. The xbox ultimate and the HD-DVD drive just makes it more HD. ME: ... ME: ... ME: ... ME: Uh, so who do you think will win the war. GT: Blu-ray or HD-DVD, too early to tell. ME: Not that one. The other one. GT: Uh, 360 man. ME: The Wii is kicking it's ass right now. GT: Well, you see, the wii is in another market by itself on the side. ME: It's new-gen. GT: Yeah. ME: It's nice talking to you. I tell my forum about xbox ultimate. GT: Peace out.

[Neogaf via Gamers Creed via Slashgear]

Apple Rate Plans [Apple]

All of them have a 520MHz processor, Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA, Quad-Band GSM/EDGE, 802.11b/g/e/i Wi-Fi, Blueooth 2.0, miniUSB, Direct Video Out, microSD, 2.0-megapixel camera, and FM Stereo, but here are the differences, and our hands-on photos:

• Ultimate 5150: 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen slider

• Ultimate 6150: 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen candybar

• Ultimate 7150: 3.8-inch Primary Touchscreen, 2.2-inch OLED secondary display, QWERTY flip-keyboard

• Ultimate 8150: 2.6-inch Primary Touchscreen, candybar shape

• Ultimate 9150: 2.6-inch Touchscreen, clamshell

Five different form factors, but the same technology (basically) inside makes for a wide range of interesting phones. More details as we get them. – Jason Chen

We got our hands on an almost-final production version and took enough pictures of it to make you feel like you've already purchased it, sprinkled it with crumbs, and accidentally dribbled coffee on the ALT key. Review? Coming soon.

– Jason Chen

Better get yours soon, folks, as it's most likely the last Windows he's going to autograph. Not only can you scan in his autograph and construct cartoonisly large checks for yourself with his signature on it, but in the year 2027 these things will probably be worth a FORTUNE! Nest egg here we come. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Newegg - Thanks Adam!]

Despite losing its graphite grey look and thus, much of its panache, the keyboard manages to still look great while performing great.

The first question is, of course, how the keys feel. If you like soft, laptop-like keys like the Kensington Slimtype keyboard then you're going to be in heaven. The keys don't make a whole lot of noise, don't go down too much, and have just the right amount of spring-back so you can type fast. However, if you're a huge nerd and love the IBM M-type keyboards, then you're out of luck.

There are a few things off the mark in the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000, though.

• Touch sensitive F1-12, Escape, Home, End, Printscreen, Scroll Lock keys. Instead of regular keys, these things are just a raised line on the keyboard that you tap to activate. Not bad if you're in the habit of looking at your keyboard when you want to find a key, but horrible if you're a touch-typist. You can't feel around for the Escape key because just the fact you're touching the key registers it as a key-press. This means you'll have to interrupt what you're doing, look down, then hit the key you're looking for. Neat idea, but lousy execution.

• The Windows key's moved. After 10+ years of getting used to the Windows key being next to the CTRL and ALT keys, they've gone and moved them to a big fan circle down in the middle of the keyboard, below the space bar.

• The arrow keys are too small. About half the size of a regular key (1/3 of the size of some of the larger keys), these arrow keys are a pain in the ass to use. If you're editing text or doing any kind of keyboard work, you'll need the arrow keys often.

• No numpad. Just like a laptop keyboard, if you want a numpad you've come to the wrong place.

But all is not lost. There are some neat features Microsoft added that don't suck. There's a touch-sensitive pointer deal on the right side of the keyboard you can use in place of a mouse. Kind of like a touchpad, but smaller. There's a dedicated Media Center key, playback keys, record key, mute key, and volume and channel keys. Great if you're using this on a Media Center machine.

Then there are the Vista specific functions such as the Microsoft Live Messenger dialer, the Vista key, and the gadgets key. We don't have a copy of Vista here yet, but when we do, we'll update with what we think of these.

As for the mouse, well, it's a standard Microsoft mouse. Suffice it to say we usually buy Microsoft's keyboard/mice combos for the keyboard, then buy a separate Logitech mouse to use instead. Like all Microsoft mice, the scroll wheel has no grip and is way too smushy, the side keys are misplaced, and there aren't enough special keys.

If you're somehow a fan of MS mice, you'll be happy that the mouse charger works great. Instead of docking vertically like Logitech mice do, it's just a flat tray that hooks into grooves in the mouse. No slip and guaranteed contact every time. Plus it's symmetric, so weirdos lefties can use it too.

In short, we love the keyboard but hate the mouse. The keyboard could do for another round of design work—ditching those touch-sensitive keys would be a nice start—but it's definitely good enough to use on a daily basis. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Amazon]

Goofy names aside, this keyboard really does look pretty swanky. There's the matted black finish, wireless-ness, comfort-style split keys, backlight, rechargeability, proximity sensing for auto-lighting as a user approaches, and Bluetooth support. The release date is sometime late this year, and we can't wait. We're suckers for a sweet keyboard design. – Jason Chen

Ultimate Keyboard [Microsoft via Gearlog]