As you may or may not know, Windows 7 Release Candidate 1 has been officially handed out to MSDN and TechNet subscribers today, and there are plans to unleash the heavily-hyped OS to the waiting public at large come May 5th. We had a chance to sit down with reps from Microsoft to discuss the new iteration of Windows (and the company’s current frame of mind) more in-depth, and we’ve taken the new build for a bit of a spin around the block. Read on for an exploration into a few of the more delicious Windows 7 tidbits, as well as a full complement of our (potentially) enlightening observations.

Continue reading Windows 7 Release Candidate 1 impressions, insights, and expectations

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Windows 7 Release Candidate 1 impressions, insights, and expectations originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

And the hits just keep on comin’. Shortly after Sony introduced its connected BRAVIA W-Series to the world, in flies yet another trio: the Z5500 line. Arriving in 40-inch, 46-inch and 52-inch models, the set boasts Motionflow 200Hz technology, DLNA certification, the outfit’s BRAVIA Engine 3, its own ‘draw the LINE’ design concept, a 1080p panel and a CI Plus interface, which only those parked overseas will truly understand. Furthermore, there’s an integrated MPEG-4/AVC HD tuner, BRAVIA Sync (HDMI-CEC), an auto shut-off function, a dedicated ‘Energy Saving Switch’ and — for the first time — AppliCast. If you’re curious, the latter feature enables users to access a range of online services (RSS feeds and all sorts of other widgets) via the built-in Ethernet jack. Sony didn’t bother to share a price, release date or any hope of a US debut, but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled.

[Via TrustedReviews]

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Sony debuts connected BRAVIA Z5500 LCD HDTV line originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read

PC World – Microsoft plans to continue offering Windows XP for netbooks after the release of its next-generation operating system, Windows 7.

More here:
Windows XP Will Still Be Available After Windows 7 Release
(PC World)

We’re all used to space vehicles making a fiery ascents into the heavens whilst sitting atop massive, earth-shaking rockets that fill the sky with light and hearts with awe. What’s a little more unusual is a spacecraft that relies on the same technique make a gentle return trip. Ships landing under rocket power have been bandied about for decades, but now the Russians seem intent to make it a reality for their next space capsule. The current Soyuz capsules do use rockets to cushion landings, firing at the last seconds before touchdown, but still descent is largely managed by a series of parachutes. This next-gen ship would forgo such frilly things in favor of rather more pyrotechnic ones, a change that sounds rather exciting but, to be honest, somewhat less than reliable. Given our choice we’d probably take a halo of silk above rather than a pack of explosives below, thanks.

[Via BBC News]

Filed under: Transportation

Next Russian space capsule could land on a gentle cushion of fire originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read

InfoWorld – Microsoft will take aim at IBM Thursday in a Web campaign touting Windows Server on Intel-based hardware as a better, more economical performer than IBM’s AIX and RISC server platform.

See original here:
Microsoft takes aim at IBM in Web campaign
(InfoWorld)