You can watch the rest of the Bill Gates / Steve Jobs D5 Interview here.

With Microsoft Vista’s consumer launch just around the corner; some interesting stories are starting to push through about what’s next?

First comes Windows Code Name: Fiji; or what others might call Vista SP1 or Vista R2. Fiji includes most of the promised Vista features that were cut out of the initial release to expedite delivery. These include WinFS, a more powerful sidebar, tight integration with Windows Live, built in playback for HD DVD, the original (and gorgeous) UI that was promised for Vista and possibly a Garage Band clone codenamed Monaco.

Next comes Vienna; the next generation Microsoft OS which is rumored to have a complete rethought UI (think no start menu), speech recognition, and the possible end for drives and folders (WinFS baby!). This could be the OS to make up for the conspicuous absence of flying cars and jetpacks.

Finally and on a more tangible note, Ford will announce Microsoft software in their 2007 vehicles. Having MP3, integrated browsing capabilities should make traffic a bit easier to bear I suppose.
Fiji and Vienna (via Engadget) | Ford cars (via MarketWatch)

I’ve been noticing this problem for quite a while. My contacts sign in with their Windows Messenger (the one built into Windows XP), sign out and then sign in with thir MSN Messenger and/or Live Messenger. I’ve been asked several times how to prevent this from happening I thought I’d publish it here.

This how to is for both the novice user, and the administrator that wishes to prevent employees from wasting time on IM (the Windows XP Pro version of this)

There are generally two ways to achieve this on any given version of windows. The easiest one is just installing service pack 1 and go to add/remove windows components and simply remove MSN messenger and that really really annoying MSN Explorer (although that’s not related).

The other way on Windows XP Professional and Domain Controllers if you have one (hey you can disable Windows Messenger for all network computers from one location ;))

1. Go to start menu
2. Select run
3. Type gpedit.msc (that’s the group policy editor)
4. Click on OK
5. Go to computer configuration
6. Select the administrative templates and expand it
7. Open up the Windows Components and Select Windows Messenger
8. Enable Both the “Do Not Allow Windows Messenger To Be Run” and “Do not automatically start Windows Messenger initially”
9. Close the group policy editor, and exit messenger if it’s still running

A group policy editor doesn’t exist on Windows XP Home Edition. So the only way to prevent it from kicking off other than uninstalling it (which is easier but doesn’t work if you don’t have SP1 or SP2 because your either too lazy, or don’t have an original copy of Windows) is to prevent Windows Messenger from signing in. You can do that by going to the options window of Windows Messenger and deselect “automatically sign me in….”

That is it! Windows Messenger won’t sign in before your Live Messenger anymore.

We’ve got some good news if you’ve been seeking an invite, and some bad news if you’ve been biddin on them at ebay. Microsoft just opened the doors to the general public to test their beta. I’ve been using it for quite a while now and aside from the recent disappointing interface change; it’s been very stable and the sharing folder very useful, read my review here.

Your online world gets better when everything works simply and effortlessly together. That’s the basic idea behind Windows Live. So the things you care about - your friends, the latest information, your e-mails, powerful search, your PC files, everything – comes together in one place. This is a brand new Internet experience designed to put you in control. And this is just the beginning – you’ll see many more new services in the coming months.

Grab your copy form here, and let us know what you think of it

I’d have to say Microsoft did a great job with their cryptic Origami Project campaign. The marketing buzz it created rivaled or perhaps surpassed that of Apple. For the past 3 weeks everyone spend their days searching, speculating and coming up with possible faux designs for the Origami.

Contrary to what several people thought, the product isn’t one bit disappointing! The Origami (previously Haiku) is an ultra mobile device that might soon replace or eliminate my need for my PDA.

According to a Channel 9 Video, the first devices will be running XP with a 800×480 native resolution on 7″ touch screen that is able to emulate higher resolutions. The touch screen is nothing short of brilliant! You can type using your thumbs (i digg the on screen keyboard), use the built in stylus or a bluetooth/usb keyboard.

The batteries are replaceable, and have an average run time of 3 hours which is a bit disappointing, but you cannot expect a lot more with a 1Ghz class CPU and Direct X 8 level graphics.

It comes with an ethernet jack, wireless connectivity, bluetooth 2.0, 2 built in mics for better voip on the go, VGA out, 2 USB ports in addition to a CF slot; I’m not sure if it’s CFIO which would allow EDGE, EVDO, UMTS connections to the internet when a hot spot is not available. As well as optional GPS and portable Digital TV modules! Impressive!

Portability and small form factor PCs are nothing new, last November i reviewed a similar device with a 5″ screen; now the main difference between UMPC and other devices currently on the market is the software that drives them. The Sony U50 ran on Windows XP Professional rather than Windows XP Tablet Edition, without a touch screen, you always had to lug the portable keyboard, the lack of platform specific APIs meant that no applications were designed for this device form factor/resolution.

I don’t know about you, but I personally can see this in a binder on one side and a wireless keyboard on another. I would no longer need to use paper, or lug a huge tablet PC to meetings. And with a price close to a Pocket PC Phone Edition (it sells for $599-$999), you can bet a Samsung Q1 will make its way to my hardware arsenal sometime soon.
For more on this:
Check out Gartenberg’s Analysis
Read Scobles Entry
Read the Origami Project Team Blog’s Debunking Myths Post
Go to Microsoft UMPC webpage

We’ll find out in a few

Rumor has it that the chip giant will announce more about the upcoming, non-PDA, ultra mobile PC Origami, but until then let’s tease our senses with these photos from hype site UMPC.com.

Along with the photo is a bit of text describing what the ultra mobile PC will be able to do, including play online games, video, music, and TV shows. It also mentions that it will be able to “identify its environment”, which sounds quite interesting, don’t you think?

Surfing over to Origamiproject.com today reveals a less cryptic teaser hinting mobility and confirming speculations about the ultra mobile lifestyle tablet PC in the works. Rumor has it that the Origami project is the final version of the Haiku ultra-mobile PC showcased in WinHEC about a year ago.

Now the question is. Was it a coincidence that the 2nd installment of the teaser came after Apple’s somewhat disappointing annoucement? Would it have been different if Apple launched a video iPod? How will Microsoft market it? An entertainment device perhaps? The video insinuates that! You see the origami as a gaming device in one shot, a music and a video player in the next, and even as a Media Center Remote Control!

I personally think, and I could be wrong, that Microsoft will avoid direct confrontation with Apple and Market it as an All-In-One mobile device until it gets some traction.
Another question that’s lurking on my mind, and perhaps the biggest question of all, will it be built by Microsoft Hardware division, or outsourced to OEMs? Mice & Keyboards are one thing; a computing device is a whole another thing!

What’s your take on all of this?

Update: Intel seems to be running their own Origami Project website! Check it out at  http://www.umpc.com/. Ultra Mobile PC, hmm Mobile VIIV? [Via]

I love rich and useful products. Google Maps is one, we’ve seen loads of variations and uses for it, from frappr, a technology that allows you to map who reads your blog or listen to your podcast. To MusicianMix, a service that allows you to look up artists and musical teachers based on distance.

The API is rich, well updated and fun to play with. But even with an open API and the emensive resouces Google has; I haven’t yet seen anything like Microsoft Live Local technical preview found at http://preview.local.live.com/. The service makes use of Virtual Earth API and allows the user to drag a car around the map and see streetlevel pictures of the area you’re going through.

The service is compatible with both Firefox and Internet Explorer and is completely written in AJAX, really impressive stuff. It asynchronously preloads and caches pictures based on the angle of the car. Mind you this is just a technical preview; future improvements could include GPS locations would would allow Geotagging, etc.

If you’re interested in a technical insight into the service I suggest you head over to channel 9 and watch this video. If you’re low on bandwidth I suggest you head over and read scobles entry on this:

They took a van with 10 cameras to Seattle and San Francisco (more cities coming soon) and built quite a remarkable AJAX app. Lots of fun. Drive your own car down the streets of San Francisco. Oh, and you can search for the closest Starbucks, too! It’s like playing a video game. Driving through tunnels is a lot of fun! How many images? Seattle alone is 10 million images. What a database!

Speaking of AJAX i should get back to work! Enjoy dragging your car around.

Note: Looking at the page with no style would provide you with an insight on how it works and what pictures are preloaded as you move the car around.