Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse - Review, Specifications, Images, Cost

The Microsoft Arc Touch offers an exciting concept. The mouse is simply folded open for use, and can thus find space in any bag without problems for transportation. The folding mechanism makes a robust impression and should also attract some interested glances from the neighbors.

The second highlight is clearly the touch sensor for the effortless scrolling, especially for particularly long websites. The haptical feedback from the integrated motor will soon not want to be missed again. Unfortunately it cannot be switched off, and could be a little disturbing in quiet surroundings.

With a current price range between 47 and 70 Euros from various retailers, the Arc Touch clearly positions itself in the high-end segment.

Specifications
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    * Measurements: 128mm (length) / 110mm (folded out) x 45-55mm x 6-14mm (height) / 32mm (folded out) (L x W x H)
    * Weight: 89g mouse + batteries + 1g USB sensor
    * 2 mouse buttons + multi function strip
    * Dual colored LED shows near empty battery status
    * Sampling: max. 1000 DPI, BlueTrack
    * 2.4 GHz data transfer rate, USB receiver magnetically storable



Tags:- Microsoft, mouse, arc, touch, specs, specifications, details, features, images, pictures, still, photo, cost, price, euro, us, uk

Windows 7 - A big HIT !!!

Now for all those Gamers and Microsoft Windows freaks out their theres a  really good news. And for those Anti-Windows freaks its a rather disappointing news.

The much anticipated Windows 7 is officially releasing on October 22, 2009 and already with all the free upgrades and beta versions provided out to the public, Windows 7 has regained the reputation microsoft once lost after the realease of their high-end OS Windows Vista.

The word that Windows 7 is faster is not just a word but it is true and even game developers have started to tell "it would be good if everybody switched to Windows 7 as quickly as possible.". Now that Windows 7 is faster and efficient than Vista but the great looks too makes it more appreciable.

Also Windows 7 is 10% less costlier than Windows Vista. Microsoft themselves have been campaigning on Windows 7 for users with Vista. Moreover Windows 7 is being released in 35 languages. On Oct 22 first 14 language versions will be released and by Oct 31st the remaining 21 languages.

The highlighted feature in windows 7 by a developer is the WARP (Windows Advanced Rasterization Platform) which will allow a system's CPU to perform DirectX acceleration when a video card doesn't support certain rendering features, or if a discrete card isn't included in the PC at all. Which means it will handle graphics which wouldnt be handled before in the computer.

I am starting to love it. I gotto get my own copy of this latest Windows.

The estimated retail prices for upgrade packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:

• Windows 7 Home Premium (Upgrade): $119.99
• Windows 7 Professional (Upgrade): $199.99
• Windows 7 Ultimate (Upgrade): $219.99

And the estimated retail prices for full packaged retail product of Windows 7 in the U.S. are:

• Windows 7 Home Premium (Full): $199.99
• Windows 7 Professional (Full): $299.99
• Windows 7 Ultimate (Full): $319.99

Tags:- Windows, 7, microsoft, vista, OS

Zune 4.0 Software - Released

Along with Zune HD, Microsoft has also released the new Zune 4.0 software with new features and a bunch of enhancements for Windows 7 based PC. Zune Marketplace service catalog will be available even through the browser. At a price of $14.99 (Rs. 720 approx.) users will be able to access Zune Marketplace library of six million songs for streaming full albums and video.

Apart from feature additions, major enhancements have been added to the Zune 4.0 software to work better on Windows 7 operating systems. There are several new features included in the Zune 4.0 of which Smart DJ is one of the most interesting ones. Just like Apple's Genius feature, Zune's Smart DJ feature automatically creates a playlist from the music on the device, user's library on PC and even the Zune Marketplace online.

Tags:- microsoft, zune, hd, software, zune 4.0

Windows 7 cuts cost 20%, Microsoft provides Preorder

New operating system is more stable and energy efficient than predecessors, according to software maker. Windows 7's stability, user friendliness, and remote management capabilities mean organizations that install the OS on their workers' personal computers can cut PC support costs by up to 20%, Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) said Monday.

Microsoft also claimed that, based on early user feedback, Windows 7 can save companies $70 to $160 per PC in support costs and up to two hours per machine in support time annually. Additionally, Windows 7's energy efficiency means enterprises can save about $50 per PC in annual electricity costs. "Companies are realizing power savings with Windows 7 that add to the direct savings in IT labor," said Windows senior product manager Gavriella Schuster, in a blog post Monday. "We are happy to see so much excitement from early Windows 7 adopters, showing the real value Windows 7 provides enterprises," said Schuster.

Also Monday, Microsoft said it plans to release a set of tools in late October designed to help enterprises deploy Windows 7. The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack 2009, R2 features several components that aim to support advanced deployment strategies such as remote desktop imaging and virtualization. MDOP 2009, R2 will be available to Microsoft's corporate software subscribers, as well as MSDN and TechNet members.Windows 7 is already available to many enterprise users, and will roll out to the public on Oct. 22nd.

The full version of Windows 7 Home Premium is priced at $199, with an upgrade from Vista or XP costing $119. The full version of Windows 7 Professional is $299, with upgrades going for $199. Windows 7 Ultimate is priced at $319, with the upgrade version at $219.

The objective of building Microsoft window is to make the work easier, smarter and faster.
The window 7 enables users to do lot more new things. Now, on Microsoft site (http://store.microsoft.com) windows 7 version is available for pre order.

The site informs that a user qualifies for Windows 7 upgrade versions only if you are running genuine Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Windows 2000 on your PC.


Tags:- Microsoft, windows 7, preorder

Limited Edition Xbox 360, Modern Warfare 2 bundle - In November

Microsoft and Infinity Ward announced the launch of Limited Edition Xbox 360 bundled with Call of Duty - Modern Warfare 2 in Los Angeles. The Xbox has been designed as a sequel to Infinity Ward's Modern warfare 2. The new Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Limited Edition console bundle will be offered for $399 (Rs. 19,200 approx.) in US from Nov 10.

The Limited Edition Xbox 360 Console bundle features:

• 250GB HDD for storag
• two wireless controllers
• black Xbox 360 wireless headset
• Xbox 360Composite A/V Cable
• standard Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 game

Apart from that, Microsoft also packs free one month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold and free Netflix trial offer.

However, Microsoft won't include HDMI cable in the bundle and that needs to be purchased separately. Last month Microsoft announced a $100 (Rs. 4800 approx.) price cut on the Xbox 360 Elite model and decided to drop HDMI cable from the bundle. Looks like Microsoft will be pulling out HDMI cables from their new stocks of Xbox 360 consoles packages.

Preorders for the limited edition console bundle is being taken by Amazon presently.




Tags:- Xbox 360, Xbox, Limited edition, limited, microsoft, inifinity ward, call of duty, modern warfare 2, mw2, details, price, features

Microsoft Zune HD Teardown - details

The core silicon in the Zune HD is an Nvidia Tegra processor (see photo) based on the power-frugal ARM chip design. The system-on-chip uses less than 0.5 watts of power. Tegra's defining feature is the integrated Nvidia GeForce graphics chip, which gives the Zune its graphics processing oomph. 
The Zune HD also uses a SiPORT HD Radio chip and a 32GB flash memory chip from Hynix, according to iFixit.

Probably the most conspicuous feature of the Microsoft media player is a 3.3 inch OLED display capacitive touch screen. OLED screens draw significantly less power than a traditional LCD. "This isn't the first product with an OLED, but it's certainly cutting-edge technology, and something we haven't seen in any Apple devices yet," iFixit said.

The Zune also offers HD (720p) video out, Wi-Fi, a Web browser (with tap-to-zoom technology), built-in accelerometer, and a touch-screen QWERTY keyboard.
Microsoft claims the Zune's battery provides 8.5 hours video playback.

(Teardown by iFixit)


Tags:- ms, zune, microsoft, hd, teardown, details, features, pictures, images, stills

Microsoft Zune HD - Cheaper than iPod Touch

Microsoft made its latest version of the Zune player available for pre-order last week at a significantly lower price than Apple's iPod Touch which is the Zune's direct competition.
























The Zune HD 16GB will sell for $219 ($299 for iPod Touch 16GB) and the Zune HD 32GB model will go for $289 ($399 for iPod Touch 32GB). Both of the new devices will hit store shelves September 15th, 2009.

The Zune HD music player features a touch screen, web browser, the capability to produce HD video output, and an HD radio for those music lovers who don't have a lot of MP3's and the cash to buy them (or rather the means to get them). Another awesome feature of the Zune HD is the OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display which offers very vivid images and video playback at a very low cost to the battery power.

The Zune HD also has the capability to send 720P video to an HDTV using a separately sold docking station. You could literally have all of your media on one device, with the Zune HD and it goes with you anywhere you do.

Pre-order your Zune HD from Amazon.com

Tags:- Microsoft, Zune HD, Zune, Pre-order, pre order, player, cheap, cheaper, mp3, HDTV

Bill Gates Announced Project Natal for PC

No Strings (or Controllers) Attached.

Introducing Project Natal, a revolutionary new way to play: no controller required. See a ball? Kick it, hit it, trap it or catch it. If you know how to move your hands, shake your hips or speak you and your friends can jump into the fun -- the only experience needed is life experience.

Microsoft chairman, Bill Gates, confirmed ( on July ) that the much anticipated Project Natal isn't intended for Xbox 360 and future Microsoft consoles only.

"I'd say a cool example of that, that you'll see... in a little over a year, is this (depth) camera thing." Gates said before adding that it is not meant for games only, "but for media consumption as a whole, and even if they connect it up to Windows PCs for interacting in terms of meetings, and collaboration, and communication."

"Both the Xbox guys and the Windows guys latched onto that [Project Natal] and now even since they latched onto it the idea of how it can be used in the office is getting much more concrete, and is pretty exciting."

"I think the value is as great for if you're in the home, as you want to manage your movies, music, home system type stuff, it's very cool there," Gates concluded. "And I think there's incredible value as we use that in the office connected to a Windows PC. So Microsoft research and the product groups have a lot going on there, because you can use the cost reduction that will take place over the years to say, why shouldn't that be in most office environments."

More Info on Project Natal And Xbox

Tags:- Microsoft, Bill gates, Project Natal, PC, Xbox