You are probably wondering why I’m posting about XP it’s pretty old hat…well that’s the reason.  I was clearing out stuff in my garage this weekend and came across an ancient artefact that I had to share.  Ladies and gentlemen I introduce to you…

Learn more about Windows XP

On VHS tape.

Yep, Windows XP is so old we actually distributed promotional VHS tapes for it!  That means it was released before DVDs went mainstream.  That’s some old stuff right there.  I don’t even own the technology to play this thing!

I know we all know it’s time to move on, but it’s just one more thing to mention to the hold outs.  This will be added our techno-relics table soon…

The team being Microsoft.  Have a good weekend, this is where we were last Friday night.  It’s not all working out how to mount VHDs and code in the cloud around here you know, we also know how to have fun.

Microsoft have just released an update for Zune and it appears to have some fun new items to speculate on.  First Long has found that there appears to be a phone coming.  Second Ian’s found Windows 7 Library integration.  And I might have found something…

Above left is my Zune folder now.  Above right is the Previous version from 24th of Jan before I applied the update.  Does this hint at a European launch, with localised language folders (yes they include UI localisation files too!)

Microsoft are going to be issuing an “out of band” patch update for the IE vulnerability that has been hitting the news.  Out of band means before Feb 2nd, which is the traditional patch day for Microsoft.  More updates when it hits, but you can read Microsoft’s words on it here

Ed is right It’s time to stop using IE6.  If you are still using it, and millions are, then it’s time to upgrade to IE8 or Chrome (my current fave) or Firefox.  Please, please, please.

If you know of an organisation still using it, then make sure they get upgraded.

Even if you aren’t using IE6 as your default browser but it’s still there you need to upgrade it to stay secure.

One of the biggest themes with both the development and with the marketing of Windows 7 is the emphasis on talking to us.  Microsoft’s customers.  It seems to be going down a storm, and lets face it Windows 7 rocks!  This video, found coutesy of @stevecla, shows that Microsoft’s extended this stance to it’s customer support.

Check out the video, a super cool paper-moved-about-with-fingers affair that looks as simple as they intend Windows to be.

If you need help try Microsoft Answers, or my book.

This is hot news for anyone UK based that wants a ZuneHD, you can have one.  ZuneThings have opened their online ordering for the UK and ok it’s not an official channel, but you probably don’t care about that.  You might though if you’re worried about it breaking down – never fear ZuneThings are proving a 12 month warranty of their own.  They’re nice aren’t they?

The 32GB version is £249 and you’ll get it in the first week of October, if all goes to plan.

[I found out about this from  Zuneboards]

It looks like Ian’s wishes for the Zune HD being an offline extender might be only slightly short of the mark.  Here’s a lovely video of the device in action on a big screen, and boy does it look nice!

[I think this might have been posted by engaged originally, but I got it via this website: http://zunemediaplayer.blogspot.com/2009/08/zunehd-on-hdtv.html]

Got a Nokia E series device?  Well your going to get some new toys.  Today Microsoft and Nokia have announced a partnership that’s going to put some serious pressure on BlackBerry and iPhone.  The headline is that Nokia devices are going to be getting Office, that’s nice, but it’s actually quite unimportant for businesses.  For the end user, its fantastic news though and it probably goes deeper than just Office, I suspect we’ll see Nokia and Microsoft working very closely on even more stuff.

This is really great news for businesses.  Microsoft have just opened up another avenue of devices choices for business road warriors and the clincher is that Microsoft System Center will be able to manage these Nokia devices.  That means that businesses only need to buy one tool to manage their estates, for  BlackBerry they need more servers and that that means more to go wrong in addition to more cost.

Questions:

• What does this mean for “project pink”? – My guess is nothing
• What does this mean for the Windows Mobile – A new manufacturer?
• What does this mean for HTC? – Competition
• What does this mean for Nokia – Help in the area they struggle, device management.

Microsoft’s new music player looks awesome, no seriously it does.  It’s got some great technical specs, like an NVidia chip that gives it fantastic graphics, an OLED screen that looks super crisp and HD radio.  Some of the leaks around the device are mouth-wateringly good, Ian has a good roundup of some.  What I really want to know though is who’s the princess? 

Internal shots of the ZuneHD have been published and you’ll see the “princess” reference below…wonder what that’s all about?

Amazon almost have their preorder site ready to go, so who’s preordering?

[via Zunited]

Just stumbled over this on twitter but unfortunately I don’t remember who from, sorry.  The beeb have been to Microsoft’s future house to look at some of the tech that might be coming into our homes in the future, the video is here

There’s some clever stuff like visual recognition of your clothes to tell you what temperature to wash them at, and of your drugs (prescription only) to tell you how much to take and some nifty dining room table stuff that’s more suited tot he office really.  Cool stuff all in all, the focus is on digital living rather than media, but it gives us an insight into the thinking inside Microsoft’s research teams.

Posted by Simon May, follow me on Twitter or if you like email me

I’ve just been reading on Techcrunch and eWeek about the cool new features that are about to come along in Live Wave 3.  Basically it’s the next step in the story of turning Microsofts Software plus Services web technology on.

What we get this time though is what promises to be some hefty integration.  Bringing not only all your Live services together (which till now have frankly been all over the place) but it also allows you to start aggregating your external content, ala Friend Feed.  Mike Arrington on Techcruch has published the reviewers guide with lots of delicious detail, but this is looking good.

Potentially it’s less Walled Garden than most of the other social network sites and it also integrates your email, calendar, well pretty much every darn thing you’ve got.  The interface is also getting a far more consistent make over which is never ever a bad thing.

Reports are it’s due to be turned on this evening.