Personally, I hated Windows Vista within about 5 minutes of using it: Microsoft couldn’t have done a worse job on this bloated, memory hogging operating system if they’d tried. I’m not an out and out fan of anything that gets released by the Redmond beast but I have been very impressed with Windows 7 (fast booting with lots of bells and whistles). And it looks like I’m not the only person that’s happy with the new OS: MS have announced that, since the launch back in Oct 09, the latest version of the Windows dynasty has racked up a very impressive sales of 90 million licenses.

Going by those figures, Windows 7 has, in only 4 months, become the fastest selling operating system ever produced by Microsoft. Figures are expected to get an even bigger boost as corporate clients factor the deployment of Windows 7 into their enterprise environments. No doubt Ballmer and co will be doing a jig right now but it’s not quite as simple as you think: a lot of these licenses will be OEM i.e. you don’t get a choice of Windows OS when you buy your new laptop/PC. Sure, some people have bought their own copy just to finally kill off Vista (I did) but, in the main, the majority of sales will come from preinstalled units.

Even with those figures, there’s no doubt a lot of companies and individuals will be holding onto their XP installation for some time to come - I’ve seen a few of my clients still running NT4 because “…it’s running bespoke, legacy software that is essential to the business and can’t be upgraded” - read “We’re too tight fisted to pay for a serious rewrite of the code so we’ll get along just fine!”. Sigh.

Well, from a technical perspective at least, Windows 7 has shown that Microsoft produce some quality software. Windows 8 is expected to hit the campaign train sometime in 2012 and, if it’s only as good as Windows 7, Google may well find that their Chrome OS will need pull out all the stops to make any serious headway against MS.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Apple’s iPad will be a winner

Then near state of euphoria that surrounded the launch of Apple’s iPad has seemingly died away so now it’s time for the creator of OS X to start selling. There are many nay sayers out there jumping up and down, screaming that there’s no place for a slate with plenty of commentators saying “…it just doesn’t work for me”. But do we care? More to the matter, does Apple care? In a word, no!

Currently, anything i-related (read iPod, iPhone, iwhatever) sells like crazy. Apple has built up levels of consumer loyalty that has the likes of Microsoft and Google drooling green envy but it’s not just about loyalty; for most Mac fans it’s about being cool and having that aura of exclusiveness.

At $499 upwards, the iPad is probably not the cheapest option on the market especially when you consider the relatively low specs on the base model: 16GB SSD and no 3G (feels naked). And we’ve no doubt that some other manufacturers will be building far cheaper, higher spec alternatives in order to grab some of the new slate-related fever doing the rounds (how long will it be before Asus joins the bandwagon?). But none of them will provide any serious competion to Apple’s offering.

Sure, some ‘industry experts’ say there’s no life in the iPad, DOA, etc, etc. But this is Apple that we’re talking about; comeback kid of the tech industry and if anyone can invent a new niche in an already saturated market it’s Steve Jobs and co.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Internet search giant Google has been found guilty of infringing French copyright law by a court in Paris. French publisher, La Martiniere, received 300,000 Euros ($ 430,000) in damages and interest. Google was also required to pay the sum of 10,000 Euros ($ 14,000) each day until it withdraws the book extracts from its database. The court hearing was instigated by the French Publishers’ Association, La Martiniere and SGDL – an author’s group – who demanded that Google be fined 15m Euros ($ 21m).

The size of the final settlement is insignificant for Google – but there may yet be repercussions for Google’s project to scan and make available online as many of the world’s books as possible. Google is currently in the process of scanning and digitising as many books as it can get its hands on. Out of copyright books are made available in their entirety. Books which are in copyright either have short samples of them made available online or have the whole book made available under a licensing scheme.

It’s not the first time Google has found itself in hot water regarding their ambitious plan to become the world’s digital librarian. A class action was raised against Google Books by the Authors Guild, the Association of American Publishers and a number of individual authors and publishers in 2001. Google had, they claimed, broken copyright laws by scanning books from university libraries without obtaining the required consent from the copyright holders in some cases.

At the time, Google maintained that it was working within the “fair use” principle as only brief sections of books scanned without the permission of copyright owners were made available.

In2008 an agreement was reached with Google setting up a $ 125 million fund to compensate writers whose books were made available online. However, the deal applied in North America only and there were still problems with books which, although out of copyright in America, were still under copyright law in other parts of the world.

As well as opposition from Europe, including both the French and German governments, Google also faces pressure from Microsoft, Amazon and Yahoo who support the “Open Book Alliance” being driven by the Internet Archive. The Internet Archive is a non-profit organisation which scans and digitises books. Up to now, they have scanned over half a million books, all of which are available free. Brewster Kahle, the founder of the Internet Archive, has voiced his concerns that Google seems to be attempting to monopolise the library system.

Google asserts that their project will make millions of out of print books, which would otherwise be inaccessible to most readers, available. Users of the Amazon Kindle reader can also access out of copyright free Kindle books via Amazon’s Kindle store and there are a number of other projects which make certain books available at no charge online. It does seem likely that our literary habits will change and the method of both book storage and delivery will be updated for the digital age. However, before that can happen it may be necessary to make certain that suitable legislation is in place and that author’s and other copyright holders are not disadvantaged.

Popularity: 4% [?]

When you’re searching for something thin and sleek, be it a woman, car or TV, you know that, usually, you’ll have to pay a heavy price for them. The new LG 42SL9000 breaks the mold.

Now that the ‘thin’ is in, LG has decided to announce its current launch, the fantastically thin ‘borderless’ TV, SL9000 series. Going by the reviews, these new models seem home movie lovers reaching for their wallets. With its price placed to provide some serious competition to the likes of Sony and Samsung, you might feel a little pinch in the pocket, but this full HDTV is worth the pinch.

LG 42 SL9000 has ultimately made a mark in the history of technology for the LED backlighting that is one of the unique features of the new SL9000 series. This TV has another unique feature for itself. It is what LG have termed ‘borderless’. When you first glance at it you’ll be surprised how so much technology can be crammed into such a streamlined HDTV.

This model is packed with innumerable features. Besides being an LED TV, it has a full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels with a quoted contrast ratio of 3,000,000:1. This LED TV has got all that we can ask for. It has features like Bluetooth, Real Cinema, Picture wizard and many more. The Bluetooth makes it simple to attach wireless headphones, plus it can easily accept and send data from any Bluetooth equipped multimedia devices and many such things.

This LED TV with full HD resolution gives wonderful images because it portrays every shade of every colour with a lot of intensity. It is good when you watch a dark shaded movie in it. You can actually see the colours almost rolling off the edges of the TV and the experience is wonderful.

The model being one in the HDTV range also reduces distracting reflections, enhances the cinema quality experience and assures a nice watch. This is what we can call a magical box with cutting edge technology that includes borderless set, backlighting features, 100Hz processing. You can change the picture condition with the Picture Wizard according to your desires and wants. LG’s 42 SL9000 really has grabbed buyers attention with its audio features which LG claims to be the best part.
It has four HDMI ports, component video, Scart and digital audio options and also an Ethernet port for transfer of MP3 files and other such wired data. This LED TV has got bit more to it. The 42 SL9000 TV has a 24p Real Cinema feature that assures the maximum pleasure of watching TV. It is a pleasure to watch Blu-ray films in this model. Although it does not guarantee complete blackness, it is the most that the normal people can ask for.

Compared to a number of LED TV models on the market right now, the LG 42 SL9000 is one of the televisions that is worth stumping up some cash for. Besides its stunning looks, it is also an environment friendly set. Being an LED model, it consumes 40% less energy than the other ordinary LCD sets. When switched off, the LG 42 SL9000 also qualifies as ‘eye candy’ thanks to the beautiful lines and stylish modelling. The curved sides and the glass panel in front help in getting a wonderful picture quality. With its 2.9mm thickness and intelligence sensor, LG 42 SL9000 is enough to become a craze.

Ok, we’ve rambled on enough, go and check out this LG 42LS9000 review and see what this LED TV is really made of.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Panasonic Projection Televisions include both rear and front projection models. Panasonic, a manufacturer presently entering into a business partnership with Sanyo, makes big screen projection televisions with an LCD flat panel, taking advantage of the best of flat screen technology with the high definition sight and sound of projection TV. You could get the high definition Panasonic projection television in many widths progressing from 42 to 60 inches. Panasonic markets both the liquid crystal definition (LCD) screens, as well as plasma screens. The newer Panasonic projection televisions use LCD screens.

High definition sight and sound are two perks that explain why home entertainment connoisseurs prefer Panasonic projection televisions. This company’s televisions work with LCD technology to enable them to accept a tiny image from your digital signal and magnify it to the size of the screen. Digital transmission, which is dependent upon cable, satellite or a digital conversion box, provides a stronger signal that results in a clearer picture. The older, analog signals which we depended on previously will not be used after mid 2009.

The Panasonic Projection Televisions not only deliver high definition audio and video, they even offer a built in tuner. Because of this, you could receive the many stations which are now being broadcast in digital. HDMI is state of the art improvement used in Panasonic projection televisions. HDMI is an acronym for high definition multimedia interface. Panasonic’s latest advancement enables the projection television to transmit both visual and auditory signals simultaneously. Panasonic projection televisions incorporate technology which enables you to receive either digital or analog signals.

One of the setbacks that consumers previously encountered with projection televisions was the tangle of wires that would accumulate on the rear of each component. Owners furthermore had to deal with a lag time between the sound and the picture in their previous home theater systems. Because Panasonic projection televisions employ HDMI technology, home theater owners never again have to worry about problems related to these while they enjoy their big screen TV.

There are a few suitable forms of technology that manufacturers have used when making a projection TV. Panasonic projection TV relies on digital light processing to create the video on the screen. Digital light processing, or DLP, is the state of the art technology currently employed in projection televisions. As regards front projection television, TV companies are relying on both LCD and DLP technology, and each one has proven to be quite effective when it comes to projection television technology.

Customers who purchase Panasonic projection televisions usually do so to enjoy high quality picture and sound thanks to digital transmission. Recently designed projection televisions that are being made by electronics companies like Panasonic are a less expensive way to enjoy quality large screen television pictures. Panasonic projection televisions provide a quality brand name and a range of large screen televisions with high definition quality.

Popularity: 5% [?]

When the Amazon management team gather to review the company’s performance in 2009, they will have good reason to feel content – but not smug. It’s been a very good year for the internet retail giant – and a lot of the credit must go to the Amazon Kindle reader.

The Kindle 2 launched in February of 2009. It was generally viewed as a big step in the right direction. Amazon had clearly listened closely to customer feedback concerning the original Kindle, which debuted in 2007. Wireless connectivity and the enormous choice of Kindle books were retained and faster page turns, prolonged battery life and increased storage capacity were among the improvements which were introduced.

Best selling author, Stephen King wrote a special novella to mark the launch and the Kindle 2 rapidly became the “must have” gadget amid a blaze of publicity.

In June of 2009, just a few months later, Amazon unveiled the Kindle DX. This had a large screen and was targeted at readers of magazines, newspapers and academic textbooks. Somewhat surprisingly perhaps, it was the staid world of academic publishing that helped to gain the DX a lot of publicity.

The academic community very quickly realised the potential benefits the Kindle offered. Not only would it be very much easier to keep textbooks updated but interactive education – pop quizzes and tests for instance – would be possible. Academic bodies would not only save money as a result of using digital books, but they would be more environmentally friendly also – a key factor for such institutions who have both budgets and environmental targets to meet these days.

As well as agreeing partnerships with a number of colleges and universities, Amazon benefited from a good deal publicity produced by political bodies such as the New Democratic Leadership Council and Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger – both of whom held forth on the educational benefits of e-book readers in general and the Amazon Kindle in particular.

However, as rosy as things were looking for Amazon, there were signs that trouble was looming. Other manufacturers, having observed Amazon develop the e-book reader market, were now becoming aware of the enormous potential of this nascent sector. An impressive list of competitors, including the likes of Microsoft, Apple, Sony and Barnes and Noble, wanted their share – and they all had their own readers in development.

In a way, it’s a huge compliment to Amazon that virtually every ebook reader in development which shows the slightest potential is immediately dubbed the “Kindle Killer”. The problem is that, at this time, in spite of all the development work by the competition, Amazon is still the only game in town. Sony’s Daily Edition reader and the Nook from Barnes and Noble have both had their launch dates postponed. In fact, it looks increasingly likely that the most probable source of the long awaited Kindle Killer could be Amazon itself. The Kindle 4 is the most likely contender. Can we hope to see it sometime next year?

Popularity: 5% [?]

When Go Go Hamsters first raised their little, furry heads they were predicted to be a best selling toy for Christmas 2009. The Toy Retail Association has now confirmed this. So, what’s this latest craze all about? The manufactureres are selling them as “…sweet loveable and playful interactive pets that make an ideal substitute to the real live pets”. Cool, no feeding, no crap!

These interactive pet hamsters can run around the room and they make noises when they are cuddled, they even make different noises as they move about their go go hamster houses. Hmm, Monty Pythons musical mice?

As you’d expect, the Go Go hamsters have even been given cute names such as Chunk, Mr Squiggles, Num Nums…I’ll stop before you start vomiting. They’ve even got their own Funhouse and the manufacturers have a range of other play sets that can be added keeping the little ones amused for hours at a time!

Ok, I’m being a bit too sarcastic. These toys are aimed at the younger generation rather than grizzled, old men like me. Anyhow, if you’ve interested in getting more info and pricing (they are a very low cost stocking filler option…hint, hint) follow this link to Go Go Hamster prices now

Popularity: 13% [?]

BBFC dropped as PEGI videogame ratings given government approval

Following the wake Byron Report into how children use the Internet and videogames, the government-backed Digital Britain report has finally put an end to the speculation over the BBFC and PEGI age classifications on software packages.
Extensive consultation with industry experts and consumers led to the UK government adoption of the PEGI system as the sole method of classification for videogames. This has means that legally-binding age certificates used by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) will be dropped.

Outlined in the Digital Britain report is the statement “PEGI will give consumers a single set of clear logos for video games that will apply across most of Europe, providing an international solution for game content regulation. It has the flexibility required to adapt to the challenge of rapidly-evolving technology in the games sector and will be highly effective in the online world”.
The PEGI system is self-regulatory and not governed by an independent body, but by the videogame publishing industry itself. The parental guidance it provides is clearly through a series of symbols and advisories that highlight age recommendations and game play details.

According to the report’s findings, PEGI offers the “best elements of a pan-European self-regulatory system” that takes into account “the views of the British public.”

Governmental support of PEGI hasn’t gone down well with the BBFC, which maintains that its long-serving classification system, used to classify movies, DVD and Blu-ray releases, is the more effective solution because the organisation is separate from the industry.

In a statement, the BBFC said that, while it supports PEGI and will co-operate completely with the legislative changes, the UK classification system “must be independent in substance as well as appearance, reaching its decisions and providing information on the basis of its own detailed assessments.”

Although the Digital Britain report and the government’s final decision in favour of PEGI do not reflect all recommendations in the report it apparently “meets all the key criteria” laid down by the Byron Report and will also make it illegal for retailers to sell 12+ computer and videogames to underage children.

Popularity: 17% [?]

According to EA

Changing positions…again!

Electronic Arts understands how an illegally downloaded copy is not necessarily a lost sale. The corporate communications department of EA, said that “Stepping aside from the whole issue of DRM, people need to recognize that every BitTorrent download doesn’t represent a successful copy of a game, let alone a lost sale”. Understanding this, the company is shifting its approach so that it rewards the customer rather than punishing them for the acts of pirates.

At launch, Spore had an installation limit of three installs and also a limit of only one account per game copy owned. If you wanted more, you had to call Electronic Arts and if you wanted more accounts, you had to buy more copies of the game.

Gamers set in motion a backlash, which included masses of Amazon one star reviews and anti-DRM creatures on Sporepedia. Electronic Arts resorted to the usual hard line, threatening to ban people talking about DRM on their forums, but on the other hand the company saw that most of the complaints were reasonable so they raised the installation limit and improved the methodology of the DRM. They also stated that subsequent patches would include a feature which allows for more screen names per game copy.

Electronic Arts emphasize the social and downloadable aspect of the game in order to fight piracy. Pirated copies can’t access the Sporepedia and can’t get creatures from other people in their games. So by controlling content and emphasising this aspect of the game, it will encourage more people to buy.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Kota and Pleo Robotic Toys revving up for Christmas

Ok, I know that most of you may not have heard of Pleo and Kota so we’ll give you a quick update. These are two robotic two that made their respective manufacturers some pretty tidy sums of cash during the 2008 Christmas period. Aimed primarily at kids (aren’t we all big kids at heart?) these interactive robots have been built to ‘learn’ - Pleo Dinosaur even goes through a birthing stage - but there are two major differences: size and price.

Kota Triceratops is a ride on toy. At a guess, most of the cynical readers will be saying “they’re extinct, leave ‘em that way” - agreed - but you have to remember that these robotic toys are aimed at children. Pleo is pretty much the same at Kota in that the toy has been designed to interact with human commands and is touch sensitive but don’t go getting ideas about this, it’s strictly good, harmless fun!

Ok, pricing. Prepare for bulging eyes. These robotic toys are by no means cheap; on average Pleo will set you back about £190 and Kota, being bigger and larger, weighs in at around £250+! Don’t hold me to those figures; there are plenty of deals and price comparison sites out there that will save you a bundle on your Christmas prezzie list.

To see these Pleo and Kota Triceratops being touted as big sellers in the run up to Christmas is pretty surprising, especially when you consider the fairly recent news that Pleo really was extinct. It looks like this plucky little Casmasaur has been brought from the dead. With less than 4 months to go before we get into the full swing of Christmas festivities anyone with children can expect to be bombarded with adverts and cries of “I want Santa to bring me one of those” - an ideal opporunity to convince them that Father Christmas with only bring them a Kota/Pleo (your choice) if they keep their rooms tidy!

Popularity: 12% [?]