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      Windows 7 To Be Cheaper Than Vista

      June 25, 2009 /

      Windows 7.Microsoft announced their pricing for Windows 7 today, along with upgrade information, launch details, and a nice little preorder deal. I know plenty of users will be getting rid of Vista when 7 ships, and many have already done so with the 7 RC build.

      As for pricing, upgrades will fall just a hair short of Windows Vista prices since the cut in February 2008. A Home Premium upgrade version will run $120 as opposed to Vista’s $130. The Home Premium full version will be $200, down from $240 for Vista.

      The preorder prices are where the real money…isn’t. I can’t say if this is an apology to all the Vista users or whether Microsoft just wants 7 in the hands of as many folks as possible. Whatever the reason, I’m happy. Here’s a look at the price breakdown by country for the Home Premium and Professional builds:

        * US: Home Premium ($49.99) Professional ($99.99)
        * Canada: Home Premium ($64.99) Professional ($124.99)
        * Japan: Home Premium (¥7,407) Professional (¥14,073)
        * UK: Home Premium (£49.99) Professional (£99.99)
        * France and Germany: Home Premium (€49.99) Professional (€109.99

      Just $50 for a Microsoft OS that won’t drive me completely insane? I’ll take it.

      A quick note about upgrades: Be sure you pay attention to your upgrade process, because it will vary depending on your current product. For example, Windows XP users, whether upgrading or not, will have to do a clean install. The responsibility for backup falls to the user, so don’t pop your DVDs in expecting MS to keep your data.

      Vista upgraders can follow Vista upgrade paths. You will only need a clean install if you are moving from Professional to Home Premium, even if it’s Vista Pro to 7:HP. Going from Vista:HP to 7 Pro will not require a full install.

      US preorders start tomorrow at the Microsoft Store and other select retailers, including Best Buy and Amazon. Don’t miss out. The offer is only good while supplies last.

      microsoft

      AT&T Upgrades Should Alleviate iPhone Headaches

      June 24, 2009 /

      iPhone call failed.Yesterday, AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel told Gearlog that his company is upgrading their 3G services to include the 850MHz spectrum. As it stands, most 3G services run at 1900MHz and the spectrum is getting congested. The upgrades should alleviate some of that congestion.

      This is good news for all of the new 3GS owners this week, but particularly those in cities like New York and San Francisco, where iPhone saturation is highest, along with network strain. The 850MHz frequency is a lower band, allowing it to travel further and penetrate walls more easily than 1900MHz.

      Along with a more reliable signal in cities, AT&T customers could see 3G hitting previously EDGE-only service areas, though it probably won’t extend service areas by much. AT&T is also starting to upgrade to HSDPA, which is supposed to double the download speeds of their current network.

      It’s nice to see AT&T trying to keep up with the influx of iPhone traffic, but it still feels like just that. Keeping up. And barely. Hopefully these changes will add enough stability to keep people happy until HSDPA provides a stronger backbone for the nation’s only iPhone provider.

      iPhone, Mobile

      Wireless iPhone Charger: Hemorrhoid Included

      June 24, 2009 /

      WildCharge iPhone Skin.One of the more gimmicky advantages (unless, of course, you build it into your BMW) of the Palm Pre over the iPhone is wireless charging via Palm’s Touchstone dock. Just slap your Pre on there and by magnetic magic (and a whole lot of heat) you get a fresh battery.

      WildCharge wants to give iPhone users that same functionality with their WildCharger iPhone Skin. You may remember the WildCharger from days gone by, when the Motorola RAZR was the phone to have. On phones (like the RAZR) that allow you to remove the battery, it’s kinda cool. There are no funky connections required.

      But the iPhone has a built-in battery, one that can’t be removed or replaced with third party units. In order for the WildCharger to work, you need the WildCharge iPhone Skin, a $34.99 silicone sleeve that adds one big pimple to the ass end of your sleek little phone. The full kit (skin + charge pad) will run you $79.99.

      The WildCharger isn’t a bad idea if you’ve got multiple supported devices. For me, it would only support my iPhone, and frankly I don’t mind plugging it (the iPhone) in all that much. I certainly don’t $80 mind it, and if it means a little tip hanging off the end of my phone you likely won’t see me trying one. Not even for a minute. Not even just to see how it feels.

      Apple, iPhone

      Jobs Gets “Excellent Prognosis,” No Special Treatment

      June 24, 2009 /

      Steve Jobs looking healthy.After having a liver transplant Steve Jobs is reported to have an “excellent prognosis” by the medical institute responsible for the operation. Nice to hear some good news surrounding a pancreatic cancer survivor, even if he is one with the means to pay for the very best in medical care.

      The Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute also issued a statement with the prognosis claiming Jobs received his liver because he was “the sickest patient on the waiting list at the time a donor organ became available.” This was no doubt released to allay concerns that Jobs may have seen special treatment because of status.

      Good news for Jobs means good news for Apple, whose stock dropped some 10 points when the CEO announced his leave of absence in January. There had been speculation about his health leading up to the announcement, though Jobs claimed it was a hormone imbalance until he finally had to leave.

      Despite his absence, Apple stock has continued to blow up, surging 60% this year alone. Hopefully we’ll see Jobs taunting handicapped grandmothers in his Cupertino parking lot soon.

      Apple, News

      AT&T Navigator Comes To The iPhone

      June 23, 2009 /

      AT&T Navigator.Being that TomTom showed off their turn by turn navigation system at WWDC, and being that AT&T has hardly mentioned their Navigator app in recent memory, it seems odd that AT&T would be the first to release a turn by turn navigation app.

      They were, though, in a free app download today. Don’t let free fool you. The app will add a $10 charge to your AT&T bill.

      The application was developed specifically for the iPhone 3GS but it will work with OS 3.0 on other iPhones. The app gives you turn-by-turn navigation, updates traffic information and will let you search by your location for the cheapest gas.

      AT&T may have made a smart play here, giving them the early adopters. I’ll be interested to see whether other turn-by-turns run for a similar monthly fee.

      Apple, Apps

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