Windows 7 Features: Themes

AshMan says…

Windows 7 unlike previous versions of Windows allows you the user to really personalising the look and feel of you PC Experience.

The backgrounds are no longer just static images, you can choose to display a slideshow of photos of your friends and family or anything else you want to display. You can even customise if you want those images shuffled, and how often you want your background to change.

The colour of your task bar is also fully customisable, allowing you to choose any colour on the spectrum you like to match your personality!

The video below shows you how you can customise the look and feel of Windows 7. Be sure to check it out.

Windows Phone 7 Series is here!

AshMan says…

At the Mobile World Congress Microsoft revealed the much anticipated latest release of Windows Phone/Mobile (whatever you want to call it). This particular version has been considered long over due by many users. Windows Phone 7 had also been delayed numerous times, and also the original version of WP7 was scrapped completely and a rework was created.

The new OS is a completely different approach to any other phone operating system including older versions of Windows Mobile. WP7 moves to a tile based menu/group of icons which can be customised by the user with contacts or applications.

From the various demo’s which have been uploaded to the internet shows WP7 to be a very responsive and pleasant experience. This is helped by the applications like the contacts application to be loaded like a panoramic image which the user creates gestures to move across the menu.

A big announcement for the OS was the integration of the Xbox Live service and the ability to have your avatar and gamerscore available on your device. At the event they also mentioned the ability to play online with users around the world on other WP7 devices, PC’s and Xbox 360’s, which means that it will be interesting how the experience will be for all users across the platforms.

Microsoft is also taking a stronger position on the hardware which its partners are producing, by creating a list of requirements which each device must have including for touch based devices a large capacitive screen, minimum 5 mega-pixel camera with LED flash and three dedicated hardware buttons (back, home and Bing search). This means a more consistent user experience across all devices available.

With all of this announced Windows Phone 7 Series is looking to be a very strong competitor in the mobile arena, and be sure to look out for more info at Mix2010 coming soon.

Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 RC released to MSDN subscribers

AshMan says…

Microsoft has just shipped a Release Candidate (RC) copy of its development software Visual Studio 2010.

No new features are in included in the RC release, but Microsoft has focused on speed improvements. A Microsoft spokesperson stated: “We heard from customers that performance in Beta 2 wasn’t everything they had hoped it would be. The RC released today delivers enhanced performance and is an added milestone to garner even more customer feedback before the final build is released. Specifically, customers will see performance improvements in loading solutions, typing, building and debugging.”

April 12 is the launch date of the final version of Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4. Major events are being held around the world for its release.
The RC is available now for MSDN subscribers today and will be available to the public on February 10.

Apple Event 27 January “latest creation”

AshMan says…

Apple has confirmed the much anticipated event on January 27 2010 by sending invitations to select media.

It has been rumored for a very long time that Apple will reveal a tablet device named “iSlate”.  The invitation gives no hint of the product however except for the tag line “come and see our latest creation”.

Stay tuned for more information!

Happy New Year!

AshMan says…

To all of my followers and visitors I would like to wish you a Happy New Year! May 2010 be the year which you make your dreams come to life!

Halo Reach World Premiere – Trailer

AshMan says…

A little while ago I posted some leaked screen shots from Halo Reach, which promised a even better graphics, and a new story set before the original trilogy. A new trailer is now available.

Halo is one of those video games which has reach legendary status and raises the bar every time a game is released. Halo is known for how fantastic it looks graphically, the story which not only is fantastic but makes you want to look deeper into the universe and the multiplayer.

A World Premiere trailer has been released and gives a brief look into the new set of characters which you will possibly be playing in the game.

Linked below is the trailer in HD, so feel free to sit back and watch this fantastic trailer.

The BETA for Halo Reach Multiplayer also goes live next year, to be apart of that you need a copy of Halo 3:ODST so if you don’t have it grab a copy from below!


Bing for iPhone released

AshMan says…

Microsoft’s Bing, which uses the ‘decision engine’, is a pretty good search engine. There are features included which aren’t available with other search providers, and now they are available on the iPhone and iPod Touch.

All your search needs fulfilled by Bing on iPhone

All your search needs fulfilled by Bing on iPhone

The new Bing application will join the list of Microsoft applications which are already available on the App Store including Microsoft’s Tag and Seadragon.

When you open the application you will be greeted by Bing’s daily image, which also includes the facts which you see on the desktop version. You can search for images, movies, maps, businesses, news, directions or just you normal search. The Maps feature works quickly and accurately when finding your position, which is always good when you are trying to get somewhere quickly.

Bing's Daily Image is a nice feature compared to Goolge's offering

Bing's Daily Image is a nice feature compared to Goolge's offering

The App is available now via iTunes on the App Store.

Office 2010 Beta – Available soon!

AshMan says…

The web page for the Office 2010 Beta has gone live and is showing three different versions which will be available for test.

Office 2010 Beta Page

Office 2010 Beta Page

Home and Business is one of the versions available and probably will be the most popular of the downloads, and it includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote,Outlook, and Office Web Apps.

Professional is the next version available offering Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access, Publisher and Office Web Apps.

The final version which is available of the three is Professional Plus which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook with Business Contact Manager, Access, Publisher, Infopath, Communicator, SharePoint Workspace, and Office Web Apps and it mentions that it is only available to Volume License Customers.

All three are expected to be offered in both 32 and 64 bit, and if you  are a MSDN or TechNet subscriber you can already get access to the download from your normal download area. I am downloading my copy and will report back with a review shortly.

Imagine Cup Microsoft Game Dev Camp – You’re invited!

AshMan says… Are you a student? Do you want to know how to make your own PC and Xbox 360 Games? Well if you are already answering yes to these questions this camp is for you! The camp runs from Friday December 18 2009 through to Sunday December 20 2009 and will be a nonstop experience full of gaming, development, learning and fun. You’ll hear about Imagine Cup and how you can help change the world through technology, learn about XNA and how it makes development for Windows and Xbox as straightforward as possible for both 2D and 3D games.

You’ll also team up with others who are as keen to get into game development as you are, potentially forming up proper partnerships to enter Imagine Cup, the world’s biggest technology competition for students.

And, best of all, it’s free to attend. And, even better, if you’re one of the first 50 students to register by December 8, Microsoft will cover your accommodation as well – you just need to get to the event, and we’ll look after the rest!

How good is that!? Prizes, gaming, learning game dev, fun, teamwork, challenges, all rolled up into one 3 day experience. Sounds good to me!

Agenda: December 18 10:30 – Registration 11:00 – Camp Day 1 Begins 18:30 – Camp Day 1 Ends 19:00 – Pizza and Xbox Gaming Night

December 19 8:30 – Camp Day 2 Begins 18:30 – Camp Day 2 Ends 19:00 – LAN Party

December 20 8:30 – Camp Day 3 Begins 16:00 – Camp Day 3 Ends *Agenda subject to change.

To RSVP simply follow this link: http://www.microsoft.com.au/events/register/home.aspx?levent=374345&linvitation

Apple iPhone’s first Virus

AshMan says…

Not too long ago a hacker from the Netherlands found a simple exloitation that allowed him to take control and read the files of jailbroken iPhones.

The hacker didn’t do any permanent damage to the devices he accessed, he demanded for money to restore and give control back to the owner. He then gave up the hacking spree and informed the community on how to block the exploits.

This was only just the beginning of what is seeming to be a string of problems for jailbroken iPhones. Australian users have become the recipient of the first iPhone virus according to Mashable.

 

iPhone's first Virus spreading through Australian and Japanese jailbroken phones.

iPhone's first Virus spreading through Australian and Japanese jailbroken phones.

The virus is called ikee, and like before is non-destructive but changes the background of the device to an image of Rick Astley.

This virus has spread in the same manner, by exploiting unsecured SSH access. iPhones share the same root password for SSH access as part of Apple’s factory settings.

However if you are the owner of a locked handset, Apple switched off SSH access as a default setting, and users of jailbroken iPhones are urged to turn SSH off when not in use, or to simply change the root and mobile passwords.

This new virus has only attacked so for a range of IP addresses in Australia, though there is word that it is filtering through a number of Japanese iPhones.