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Versions in Future are Less Confusing Than They Appear

By Liam, February 27, 2006

While at first it seems daunting, it boils down to be much simpler

Since Microsoft has confirmed the Vista tiers, I just thought I’d point out that it’s not as confusing as it may seem. While at first it seems daunting, it boils down to be much simpler.

The Versions

Windows Starter 2007
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Basic N
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Business N
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Ultimate

The above list looks ugly, especially to the normal user. Lets start to apply some of the special attributes and see where the home user stands:

Windows Starter will only be sold in emerging markets.

~~Windows Starter 2007~~
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Basic N
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Business N
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Ultimate

The N editions will only be available in Europe and won’t be as promoted as their non-N counterparts.

~~Windows Starter 2007~~
Windows Vista Home Basic
~~Windows Vista Home Basic N~~
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Business
~~Windows Vista Business N~~
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Ultimate

As the name suggests, Vista Business, while it may be on the shelf, makes its target audience clear.

~~Windows Starter 2007~~
Windows Vista Home Basic
~~Windows Vista Home Basic N~~
Windows Vista Home Premium
~~Windows Vista Business~~
~~Windows Vista Business N~~
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Ultimate

Enterprise is only available to Volume licensing customers

~~Windows Starter 2007~~
Windows Vista Home Basic
~~Windows Vista Home Basic N~~
Windows Vista Home Premium
~~Windows Vista Business~~…
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Microsoft announces Vista editions

By Nick, February 27, 2006

Windows Vista Home Premium Strawberry-Vanilla Swirl Edition, anyone?

All joking aside, Windows Vista will come in a wide variety of flavors when it ships, Microsoft announced earlier today. While not equal to the 31 flavors of Baskin-Robbins ice cream, there will still be a number of versions available. In all there will be eight versions: Windows Vista Starter Edition, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Basic N, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Business N, Windows Vista Enterprise, and Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista is expected to be released in late 2006. Curious? Visit Microsoft’s Windows Vista site. CNet News.com has a useful chart which explains the differences between the versions.

OK, so one could make the snide remark “bringing clarity to your world, indeed.” However, most users may never see some of the versions of Vista. The “N” versions, which lack Windows Media Player, are only intended for Europe. Windows Vista Starter will only be available in developing countries and Windows Vista Enterprise will only be available to large businesses and others with volume licenses. Many users, therefore, will only see four versions, six in the EU (and the difference between the N and regular editions is simple enough to comprehend). Still, I’m sure Microsoft could have streamlined a bit more, like offer only one home edition. And offer the more advanced graphics capabilities to all versions.

UPDATE 27 Feb minor fixes.

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News or Rumor? Apple to announce film downloading service [UPDATED]

By Nick, February 27, 2006

From the “Rumors-and-speculation-being-reported-as-news” desk…

There is a report floating around that Apple will announce a “film download service,” which presumably means full-length movies, according to an article on RedOrbit (originally from the UK’s “Sunday Business"). The article states no sources for the claim. Rumors of such a service have been floating around since the dawn of time, or at least for the last year or two. Current rumors are pointing toward some sort of iPod boombox and maybe an Intel-based Mac mini being announced at tomorrow’s Apple media event.

Deep Thought’s take:Lies, damned lies, and unsubstantiated speculation!

Okay. Members of the media, listen up because I am not going to repeat this! Or maybe I will, but not now. For the love of fried chicken and a side of cole slaw, do not--repeat--do not report rumors as if they are news. Ever. Report rumors as rumors and make it clear that they are just rumors and nothing conclusive! It’s especially bad when you site a rumor as fact and don’t bother to cite a source! Bad reporter! NO COOKIE!

I tracked this story back to an article on The Register’s Reg Hardware. Again, so source. Again, no saying that it’s a rumor or assumption. Argh!

UPDATE: It looks like the guys at MacNotables agree with me when it comes to rumors being reported as fact.

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Rumor Mill: Is this the new video iPod? [UPDATED x3: We’ve been duped]

By Nick, February 23, 2006

Ah, the joys of the Mac rumor mill. Here we go again!

An interesting photo--or photoshop job, if you will--of an iPod-like device is circulating around the Mac web. Its appearance fits the description of a rumored “true video iPod” that’s been floating around for the last couple weeks.

The “iPod” sports a sticker with the part number “MB719Z/A,” which does not match any Apple product part number. The screen shows a test pattern, which gives me the impression of this being a device still under development and not something ready for shipping (thus, it’s probably unlikely that such a device, if real, will be announced at next week’s press event--given this photo is recent), though I’m no expert on such things.

We’ve seen many hoaxes in the past (remember iWalk, iHome, and the other infamous “elevator” photos, anyone?), so it’s a good idea to remain somewhat skeptical.

I think it may be real, and I’m as skeptical as they come when it comes to this kind of stuff. That or it’s one hell of a good Photoshop mockup!

UPDATE: TechBlog has another image (Mirror of image on MacRumors Forums) of this supposed iThing.

There is some debate over whether the part number is “MB719Z/A” or “M8719Z/A. M8719Z/A is Mac OS X 10.2 Server’s part number. Also, part numbers ending in “Z/A” are normally software products and “LL/A” is hardware. “G/A” refers to accessories. But the rules are not hard and fast; for example, FileMaker Pro 8 (made by FileMaker, an…
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iMac light sensor and LCD

By SogniX, February 23, 2006

Since the iMac has a light sensor to adjust the brightness of the standy light pulse, why doesn’t the LCD also adjust to light conditions?

For normal use, about half the brightness is about right, but when the sunlight brightens up the room, the LCD should adjust and go to a brighter setting.

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