Chart: Six versions of Vista

A Vista for all seasons

Microsoft has decided to offer six distinct versions of the Windows update. Here they are from simplest to most tricked-out.


Version


Windows Vista Starter

Sold only on new PCs in emerging markets such as India and Thailand. Runs only on 32-bit machines, and will be able to handle only a limited number of programs at a time.


Windows Vista Home Basic


Comparable to XP Home. Has the security and search abilities particular to Vista, but does not offer its fancy graphics or high-end media features.


Windows Vista Home Premium


A higher-end option for consumers. Adds support for Vista's new graphics as well as Media Center and Tablet PC features.

Windows Vista Business

Similar to XP Professional. It's the mainstream corporate OS; also contains extra tools for small businesses.

Windows Vista Enterprise

Available only to customers with volume licenses. Includes all of the features of Vista Business, with the addition of encryption, Unix services and virtual machine capabilities.


Windows Vista Ultimate

Combines the features of Windows Vista Enterprise and Windows Vista Home Premium to offer the highest-end version of Windows yet.

Note: Microsoft will also offer "N" versions of Vista Home Basic and Vista Business in Europe that have Windows Media Player removed.

Microsoft Windows Vista Editions Finalised

According to sources close to Microsoft, the company has finalised the editions that they will be releasing mid-end of October 2006.

To co-inside with the 5 year anniversary of Windows XP, Microsoft will release the following editions:

-> Windows Vista
-> Windows Vista Business
-> Windows Vista Business N
-> Windows Vista Home Basic
-> Windows Vista Home Basic N
-> Windows Vista Home Premium
-> Windows Vista Small Business
-> Windows Vista Ultimate

Microsoft is clearly adhering to the European Commissions ruling that an unbundled version of Windows (without Windows Media Player) needs to be available to all OEMs and retail outlets hence forth.

Unfortunately we're unsure of the specifics of each version as this has not been finalised yet.

Microsoft Releases Windows Defender Beta 2

Overview

This release includes enhanced features that reflect ongoing input from customers, as well as Microsoft’s growing understanding of the spyware landscape.

Specific features of Windows Defender Beta 2 include:

-> A redesigned and simplified user interface – Incorporating feedback from our customers, the Windows Defender UI has been redesigned to make common tasks easier to accomplish with a warning system that adapts alert levels according to the severity of a threat so that it is less intrusive overall, but still ensures the user does not miss the most urgent alerts.

-> Improved detection and removal – Based on a new engine, Windows Defender is able to detect and remove more threats posed by spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Real Time Protection has also been enhanced to better monitor key points in the operating system for changes.

-> Protection for all users – Windows Defender can be run by all users on a computer with or without administrative privileges. This ensures that all users on a computer are protected by Windows Defender.

-> Support for 64-bit platforms, accessibility and localization - Windows Defender Beta 2 also adds support for accessibility and 64-bit platforms. Microsoft also plans to release German and Japanese localized versions of Windows Defender Beta 2 soon after the availability of the English versions. Use WindowsDefenderX64.msi for 64-bit platforms.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&displaylang=en&Hash=Q8FFPV7#filelist

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Apple tunes up 1GB iPod Nano
Apple takes the wraps off a new iPod Nano model with 1GB of storage space. The new Nano is designed to hold 240 songs or 15,000 photos and will cost $149.

New ANZ launch date for Xbox 360

Xbox today announced a new launch date in Australia and New Zealand for the Xbox 360™. The new launch date is 12:01am on March 23 2006. The new launch dates have been set due to unprecedented global consumer demand stemming from challenges in ramping supply for a complex product like the Xbox 360. This is a short term manufacturing challenge and steps have been taken to increase supply to provide adequate supplies at launch. Xbox 360 is well on its way to becoming the fastest-selling video game console in history, and remains on track to meet the year end forecast to ship between 4.5 million and 5.5 million consoles worldwide by the end of June 2006.