Windows

Microsoft rolled out final versions of those two proto-SP1 erformance and compatibility patches for Vista. Manual install only for now. [Microsoft/Microsoft] https://gizmodo.com/vista-service-pack-0-5-patch-leaked-284140

VMWare Fusion Review by Mossberg

Walt Mossberg appears to be scooping again. This time, it’s a review of VMWare’s Fusion (Available this Monday, August 6th). The software, like Parallels, allows PC programs to run from within OS X. Mossberg compares them, simply: Parallels has more features than Fusion…But I found Fusion puts less strain on the computer overall. Jacqui at…

Vista Service Pack “0.5” Patch Leaked

There are some Vista patches in unofficial form, leaked on the web, according to a few sites. CRN is calling it Vista 0.5, since a true SP is rumored to be over a year away. The update is supposed to help with driver compatibility, and increase file system performance, among other things. In my opinion,…

Microsoft ships 60 million copies of Windows Vista. [newlaunches]

The Blue Screen of Death Tattoo

We’re not sure what’s worse; the Zune guy getting three Zune tattoos, or this painful-as-hell Microsoft blue screen of death (BSOD) tattoo up this guy’s entire right arm. We’re guessing this guy is a Windows fan, because nobody hates Windows THAT MUCH to endure hours of pain just for the constant reminder that Windows occasionally…

Dvorak Uses Mac, Likes it, Recommends it to Friends

John C. Dvorak, the man Mac users love to hate, has used a Mac. His verdict? He actually likes it quite a bit. After using the iMac for a project for some unnamed company, he found that they’re very quiet, “slicker” than PCs, and has a feeling of being faster and more solid than Windows.…

Windows 7, Microsoft’s Vista successor, will be out in three years. [seattlepi]

USB Dancing Robot

By sacrificing a single USB port, you can have your very own 7-inch-tall, dancing robot to tirelessly bust a move for your pleasure. After detecting whatever tune you have playing, USB Dancing Robot will start swaying and flashing LEDs to the beat. And that looks like all it’ll do. Forever. The USB Dancing Robot is…

Windows XP RobuDOG Plays Ball And Takes Pictures

The Windows XP-running RobuDOG is part robopet, part photographer. The dog’s colorful noggin is packed with all sorts of goodies, including infrared sensors for guidance and an “intelligent, programmable” color camera. So, while using its 17 servo-powered joints and articulated ankles to run and kick a ball around—something it’s supposed to be better at than…

Cyber Snipa Warboard Gives Gamers 20 Programmable Macro Keys

You’ll barely have to do anything yourself with so many programmable keys on this keyboard. The Warboard gives you 10 assignable macro keys physically—five at either end of the keyboard—and an additional 10 by way of the toggled “macro mode.” That’s a total of 20 buttons you can play with, each macro allowing you to…

Creative Charging $10 to Restore EAX Effects in Vista

Straight from the product page: “Creative ALchemy (Audigy Edition) restores your Sound Blaster Audigy’s ability to process EAX effects, 3D audio, sampling rate conversion and audio mixing for certain DirectSound3D games in Windows Vista.” That’s right Creative’s extorting charging 10 bucks to fix something that should work in the first place. Their side of the…

Palm OS II Misses Debut, Available Next Year

Looks like the rest of this year’s Palm products will be forced to stick to Garnet OS and Windows Mobile, because Palm OS II won’t be available until 2008. Despite its May announcement promising Palms running the new OS late this year, a comment by CEO Ed Colligan officially pushed the release date into next…

Mac or PC: The Rap

Of all the Mac vs. PC ad spinoffs, we like this rap version the most. Mac or PC [Thanks Pez!]

Windows Safari Beta Tops 1 Million in 48 Hours

Curious Windows users wondering whether the grass is greener, or fed up IE/Firefox users looking for an out? Either way, another cold glass of ice water, indeed. Press Release [PRNewswire] P.S. Jackson J, this is a preview of things to come. Get mah scoop ready. – BL

Apple Issues Windows Safari Update

Those of you who downloaded the the Windows Safari 3.0 beta earlier this week should head on over to the download site and grab the new 3.0.1. Or even easier, just use the auto-updater included with Safari. It patches a number of security holes found this week (listed after the jump), and should probably be…

Safari 3 on Windoze (Vista): Impressions One Hour In

The Safari 3 beta went live not much more than an hour ago. This is actually my second attempt to post this using Safari on Vista since fidgeting with my bookmarks took it down smoldering, along with what I’d already written—but it was going pretty well until that point. It’s definitely snappy, and subjectively it…

What’s New in Safari?

•It’s On Windows •Resizable Text Fields Probably the best new feature of the beta (aside from increased speed). If you frequent message boards or use online blogging software you will appreciate being able to resize any of your text input blocks. •Movable Tabs Just like Firefox, Safari lets you rearrange your tabs into any order…

Slingbox Releases New Virtual Remote Update for Windows

Sling fans ahoy! Instead of releasing new virtual remotes (the onscreen remotes you use to control your set-top boxes) with big software updates, now Sling’s going to release more frequent updates with just the remotes. Yippee! The version 1.0 update includes support for TiVo Series 3, AT&T Uverse &HomeZone, Some Motorola Cox set top boxes,…

Windows Longhorn Resurrected, Up for Download

There are certain members of the Windows coding community that just can’t seem to let go of the fact that Windows Vista isn’t quite the Windows Longhorn OS that Microsoft demoed to them back in 2004. These nerds have gone and created a new build of “Longhorn,” complete with Windows File System (WinFS), and other…

Ten Things You Should Know Before Buying a High Def DVR

Click to viewWith the recent launch of CableCARD Vista Media Centers, many people are reconsidering buying (or upgrading to) a high definition DVR. But with all the different choices and various benefits and drawbacks of each, it’s hard to choose the one that’s right for you. https://gizmodo.com/cablecard-vista-media-center-pc-vs-tivo-series-3-262359 Do you go with a cheap $9 a…