Windows 7 Available in September/October 2009

This early. I hope its good. I dont wont another vista.

When it comes down to the deadline for the general availability of Windows 7, Microsoft has been undeterred from its initial claims that the next iteration of the Windows client would ship within three years of Windows Vista's GA. However, this is not exactly the case, revealed a computer-industry executive from Asia. In fact, Microsoft seems keen to beat its three years from Vista GA estimate for the delivery of Windows 7. A report via Bloomberg indicates that the Redmond company is actually planning to wrap up Windows 7 well ahead of the 2009 holiday season, namely in the September – October 2009 time frame.

“According to current planning, it should be late September or early October,” revealed Ray Chen, president of Compal Electronics, a company from Taipei. And Chen is in a position to know. Microsoft is collaborating closely with its original equipment manufacturers with the development of Windows 7, emphasizing efforts superior to those made for Vista. Compal Electronics builds laptops for both Hewlett- Packard and Acer, OEMs that have undoubtedly let in at least on a vague Windows 7 product roadmap, more than can be said for the general public.

The Windows 7 delivery deadline indicated by Chen fits the roadmap leaked for the operating system at the start of this month by Lotta Bath, from the Microsoft Sweden Partner team. Bath also indicated that Windows 7 would be released to manufacturing in October 2009. However, RTM and GA are two entirely different milestones.

In fact, from Chen's report it is unclear whether or not he expects Windows 7 to RTM and to be served to OEMs in September/October 2009, or if either of the two months will mark the general availability of the platform. Because if indeed late September or early October is to witness the RTM of Windows 7, the operating system will take quite some time, up to a couple of months before it will hit the shelves.

Microsoft has released the first and only public Beta of Windows 7 on January 10, 2009, discontinuing serving the bits on February 12. At this point in time, the software giant is working on Release Candidate builds of Windows 7. The RC deadline has yet to be announced.

[via softpedia.com]

Freeze-Proof 65-inch Sony TV

Why would someone buy this? Well maybe if you live in the snow. Oh did I mention it was $20,000?

Sony's TV division has apparently decided that the next great feature in televisions has nothing to do with image contrast, brightness, or green efficiency standards. Instead, they’re going to make rain- and freeze-proof TVs.

Clearly, this TV will be for people who, having survived the global apocalypse led by tidal waves, torrential rains, and freezing temperatures, will still feel like pulling up a chair to catch some game highlights.

Alright, so the new 65-inch GXD-L65H1 LCD probably won't survive something that crazy, and Sony is still placing inside some of the important picture quality features. According to its product page, it will also be completely dust-proof, using aluminum frames on the front and back. And it would not be a bad thing at all if the tough engineering principles here are eventually passed down to future TVs.




But it's hard to see the purpose of a 'tough' TV in this economy at this time, especially one that will cost nearly $20,000 for the privilege.That's almost the same price as a Dumas/Chen haircut!

Public parks like stadiums could probably use durable TVs, if bought in bulk, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was also marketed as a private stand-alone unit. Because, really, there's nothing like preying upon people's fearful need to buy durable, long-lasting products.

So unless I happen to live in the North Pole or an outdoor park in Seattle, I'd skip this one. It will be available soon in Japan and likely later this year in the US.


[via wired.com]