Apr 28
Apr 28
Steve Ballmer kicked up a little dirt last week when he said that Microsoft could “wake up smarter” and keep selling XP after the June 30 cutoff date if customer feedback demanded it, but as you’d expect, the company is busily trying to “clarify” that statement by saying that while it always listens to customers, XP is definitely going to die on the 30th. Well, apart from the ultraportable exception that’ll last until 2012 or so. And the backlog of licenses still in reseller’s hands. Oh, and a little company called Dell, which, as rumored, is going to take advantage of a Vista licensing loophole that allows it to sell a copy of Vista but preload XP instead. Yep, that’s the plan — Dell’s going to report a Vista sale to Microsoft, but deliver an XP box with Vista upgrade DVD to customers. (That sound you just heard was a million accountants sighing in appreciation.) The program will be available for Latitude, OptiPlex, Precision, Vostro, and XPS systems (some with a minor fee), and Dell says it’ll keep going as long as Microsoft supports the “downgrade” license option, which could be forever. Looks like June 30 just got a lot less scary for XP fans, no?
Read - Microsoft clarification of Ballmer’s comments
Read - Dell to keep selling XP
Apr 28
According to the Chinese-language Commercial Times, Apple has reportedly ordered 24-25 million 3G iPhones form Foxconn Electronics. Foxconn is the current exclusive builder of first-generation iPhone. The Commercial Times cites sources at component suppliers and foreign institutional investors in Taipei.
Shipments are expected to hit three million in June with the 24-25 million shipping throughout the life of the product.
The report coincides with WWDC and Steve Jobs announcing the next generation iPhone during his annual keynote. Engadget reported the alleged specs of the new iPhone last week.
Here’s what they reported
• The new iPhone will be about the same size and shape as the first-gen model.
• It’s 3G.
• It will have built-in GPS.
• The back will be glossy and black from top to bottom. No more metallic back, as seen on the current iPhones.
• The back will be smoother, less angular, and slightly thicker.
• The headphone jack will no longer be recessed. Yippee!
• The screen size and resolution will stay roughly the same.
• No solid word on battery capacity.
Apr 28
Happy Birthday iTunes: Five years ago iTunes went from just playing our music, to becoming the largest wallet vacuum on the internet. Apple has sold over 4 billion songs in the last five years.
Haptic iPhone rumor: Apple is reportedly in talks with the Immersion Corporation to license the company’s haptic technology for the next iPhone. Haptic technology simulates a tactile feel on flat surfaces by sending out mini vibrations. The report comes from Palluxo! who cite the usual, anonymous Apple employee, who told the site that senior executives from the companies have met to discuss an agreement.
New SDK allows backstage parties?: The latest SDK has some interesting bits inside. TUAW readers may have stumbled upon information that would allow background apps on the iPhone. That’s good news for IM clients.
Another Safari security flaw: After Apple released an updated, more secure, Safari, the security researchers wasted no time in putting the browser to the test. The latest find, a URL spoofing flaw.
Apr 28
Apple released new and improved iMacs today. The new machines are equipped with the faster Intel Core 2 Duo processors, a 1066 MHz front-side bus and can handle up to 4GB of 800MHz DDRS SDRAM.
Apple is touting the new machine’s environmental friendly recyclable glass and aluminum. The new iMac received a Silver rating from EPEAT.
The machines are available in four flavors from 2.4Ghz up to 3.06Ghz, with 20″ and 24″ glossy displays. Check out the full specs here.
