Archive for February, 2008
Microsoft Windows Vista SP1 available on MSDN & TechNet
Microsoft sent out a mail on Wednesday informing MSDN and TechNet Plus users that Windows Vista SP1 images as well as Windows Server 2008 (RTM) have been made available to subscribers. Upon checking however, I was unable to find the promised SP1 image on my TechNet subscription.
TechNet Plus subscribers, you now can download the following:
- Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x86, x64) - DVD (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x86) - EXE (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (x64) - EXE (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
You can find more information about this on the TechNet Plus Blog. Other useful links:
SP1 overview (Changes, FAQ etc)
TechNet Plus Subscriptions
The general availability will be sometime in March.
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Google Asks U.S. School Kids to "Doodle 4 Google"
Today, Google announced the launch of "Doodle 4 Google," a competition that invites school children to design a Google logo inspired by the question, "What If…?" The winning student’s doodle will be displayed on the Google homepage on May 22, 2008; the champion "doodler" will also win a $10,000 college scholarship and a $25,000 technology grant for his/her school.
The "Doodle 4 Google" competition is open to K-12 students in the U.S. Participating classrooms can use accompanying lesson plans to help guide students, while also integrating the project into classroom learning. Suggested questions will help students start dreaming and doodling: "What if…I could see into the future? What if….I could build any kind of invention I wanted?"
Sample Doodles
"Finding engaging projects that are aligned with core curricula and state standards is hard," said Kevin Jarrett, an elementary teacher from New Jersey. "The Doodle 4 Google contest is a winner because it builds on the intersections of art, science, social studies and language arts, captures the imagination of students, and provides them with an opportunity to share their creativity with the world."
Students’ doodles will be judged on artistic merit, creativity, representation of the theme, and other criteria. A panel of independent judges and Google employees will select the top doodles across age groups, from which the public will help select the final four. The grand prize winner will then be selected by Google and announced at an event hosted at Google’s headquarters on May 21, 2008. The doodle will be displayed on the Google homepage the following day.
Source- Google Press Release
Apple Releases Aperture 2
Apple® today introduced Aperture™ 2, the next major release of its groundbreaking photo editing and management software with over 100 new features that make it faster, easier to use and more powerful. With a streamlined user interface and entirely new image processing engine, Aperture 2 also introduces new imaging tools for highlight recovery, color vibrancy, local contrast definition, soft-edged retouching, vignetting and RAW fine-tuning, and lets users directly post their portfolios on the .Mac Web Gallery* for viewing on the web, iPhone™, iPod® touch and Apple TV®. At a new low price of $199, anyone can easily organize, edit and publish photos like a pro.
Aperture 2 delivers powerful new imaging tools for getting the most out of each photograph. Apple’s next-generation RAW image processing is at the core of Aperture 2 offering uncompromising image quality and precision controls that let users fine-tune the image profile for each of their cameras. New tools for improving and enhancing images include Recovery for pulling back “blown” highlights, Vibrancy for selectively boosting saturation without adversely affecting skin tones, Definition, which offers local contrast for adding clarity to images, Vignette & Devignette filters for providing professional visual effects and a true soft-edged Repair and Retouch brush for quickly and easily removing blemishes, cleaning up sensor dust and cloning away problem areas.
Pricing & Availability
Aperture 2 is available immediately for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. Owners of previous versions of Aperture can upgrade to Aperture 2 for just $99 (US). Full system requirements and more information on Aperture 2 can be found at www.apple.com/aperture.
Source- Apple Press release
Motorola Debuts New Devices At Mobile World Congress 2008
Today at Mobile World Congress, Motorola, Inc. introduced its latest device with both cellular and Wi-Fi network compatibility, as well as two new W series handsets that emphasize value and quality. Motorola will also showcase other recently announced products, including the award-winning ROKR™ E8 and MOTO™ Z10 at Motorola Booth Space, Hall 8, Fira de Barcelona.
ROKR™ E8 MOTO W161 MOTO W161 MOTO™ Z10
Affordable New Handsets for Everyday Communications
Motorola is also adding two handsets to its robust W Series of dependable phones for staying connected at a great value. The new Motorola W161 and W181 devices allow consumers to have clear conversations in noisy environments with patented Motorola CrystalTalk™ technology. The two new candy bar devices also feature FM radio (optional headphones required), a large display, excellent battery life and an office-quality speakerphone.
Availability
MOTO Z6w is expected to be available in Q2 2008. The W161 and W181 are expected to be available in Q1 2008. ROKR E8 and MOTO Z10 are expected to be available in the first half of 2008. The Motorola EQ5 and EQ7 are expected to be available in Q2 2008.
Source- Motorola Press Release
MSN Direct now available on your Windows Mobile device
The MSN Direct team just released a Technology Preview of MSN Direct for Windows Mobile devices!
It is a Windows Mobile Standard (Smartphone) application that connects to the MSN Direct information service and delivers the information that you care about – and it updates automatically – and you never have to enter an URL, or wait for a web page to load.
You can get Weather, Stocks, Top Stories, World news, Sports news, Entertainment news, Business, Travel, Tech, Health, and even News of the Weird.
To get it on your device just go to http://phone.msndirect.com from your PC or your phone
Nokia and Google to Offer Google Search to Nokia Customers Worldwide
Nokia and Google today announced that Google’s popular search engine will be integrated with the Nokia Search application. The integration will begin in select markets with the Nokia N96, Nokia N78, Nokia 6210 Navigator and Nokia 6220 classic. Google search will be extended to additional Nokia handset models in the future. Ultimately, Nokia will make Google search available to its customers in over 100 countries around the world, serving mobile owners speaking more than 40 languages.
Nokia Search, now with Google, offers fast and easy access to web information from the handset. In addition, Nokia Search also makes it possible for users to search content on their device and use local search engines for a complete search experience. Nokia Search is available on many devices and provides direct access with one click from the active standby screen, saving users time and steps in their searching. Once users have found the information they are seeking, Nokia Search enables users to act on that information by engaging device assets such as maps, messaging or the browser with just one click.
The collaboration announced today builds on previous cooperation between Nokia and Google. Google search has previously been available on Nokia Internet tablets, and last year the Nokia N95 8GB became the first mobile device to fully support YouTube, the video-sharing platform owned by Google.
Nokia Search is available on more than 40 Nokia devices in over 40 languages and in more than 100 countries. For the latest list of compatible Nokia devices, please visit www.mobilesearch.nokia.com.
Source- Google Press Release
Microsoft Responds to Yahoo! Announcement
Microsoft Corp. today issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Yahoo! Inc. that its Board of Directors has rejected Microsoft’s previously announced proposal to acquire Yahoo!:
It is unfortunate that Yahoo! has not embraced our full and fair proposal to combine our companies. Based on conversations with stakeholders of both companies, we are confident that moving forward promptly to consummate a transaction is in the best interests of all parties.
We are offering shareholders superior value and the opportunity to participate in the upside of the combined company. The combination also offers an increasingly exciting set of solutions for consumers, publishers and advertisers while becoming better positioned to compete in the online services market.
A Microsoft-Yahoo! combination will create a more effective company that would provide greater value and service to our customers. Furthermore, the combination will create a more competitive marketplace by establishing a compelling number two competitor for Internet search and online advertising.
The Yahoo! response does not change our belief in the strategic and financial merits of our proposal. As we have said previously, Microsoft reserves the right to pursue all necessary steps to ensure that Yahoo!’s shareholders are provided with the opportunity to realize the value inherent in our proposal.
On February 1, 2008, Microsoft announced a proposal to acquire all the outstanding shares of Yahoo! common stock for per share consideration of $31 representing a total equity value of approximately $44.6 billion and a 62 percent premium above the closing price of Yahoo! common stock based on the closing prices of the stocks of both companies on Jan. 31, 2008, the last day of trading prior to Microsoft’s announcement. Microsoft’s proposal would allow the Yahoo! shareholders to elect to receive cash or a fixed number of shares of Microsoft common stock, with the total consideration payable to Yahoo! shareholders consisting of one-half cash and one-half Microsoft common stock.
Source- Microsoft Press Release
Yahoo Officially Rejects Microsoft Offer
As expected, Yahoo has officially rejected Microsoft’s $44.6 billion bid to acquire the company. In a press release issued By Yahoo this morning,this is what is actually written by Yahoo
Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO), a leading global Internet company, today said the Yahoo! Board of Directors has carefully reviewed Microsoft’s unsolicited proposal with Yahoo!’s management team and financial and legal advisors and has unanimously concluded that the proposal is not in the best interests of Yahoo! and our stockholders.
After careful evaluation, the Board believes that Microsoft’s proposal substantially undervalues Yahoo! including our global brand, large worldwide audience, significant recent investments in advertising platforms and future growth prospects, free cash flow and earnings potential, as well as our substantial unconsolidated investments. The Board of Directors is continually evaluating all of its strategic options in the context of the rapidly evolving industry environment and we remain committed to pursuing initiatives that maximize value for all stockholders.
Goldman, Sachs & Co., Lehman Brothers and Moelis & Company are acting as financial advisors to Yahoo!. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as legal advisor to Yahoo!, and Munger Tolles & Olson LLP is acting as counsel to the outside directors of Yahoo!.
