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Latest Gear Live Videos
Woman Sues Microsoft For Windows Downgrade Charge
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft,
Emma Alvarado, from Los Angeles, Ca., was so teed off at Microsoft that she filed a class action lawsuit to recover the $59.25 fee that they charged her for downgrading her Windows Vista to XP. The suit says that the company charge is in violation of Washington State’s Unfair Business Practices Act and Consumer Protection Act. Emma is hoping that others who have payed the fee will join in. Microsoft is also involved in another suit that says that the sticker “Windows Vista Capable” is misleading.
Read More 
| PC World
Gallery: Woman Sues Microsoft For Windows Downgrade Charge
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Microsoft Offers $250,000 to Find Virus Source
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Accessories, USB, Internet, Microsoft, PC / Laptop,
Use your computer skills and earn enough to retire. Microsoft is offering $250,000 to find the person behind the Downadup/Conficker virus. Released in October, millions of Windows computers have been affected. The Conficker worm can infect computers or hide in USB flash drives. Downadup, as we previously told you to watch out for, can turn your PC into a botnet. The reward has been offered because the company views the virus as a criminal attack, so go out there and catch the bad guys.
Read More | BBC
Gallery: Microsoft Offers $250,000 to Find Virus Source
Tonight: Xbox 360 Community Playdate with Gear Live featuring Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Microsoft, Video Games,
Hey, Xbox 360 owners, you ready to go head-to-head with the Gear Live crew? If you’d been wondering when you would have the opportunity to obliterate us (yeah right!) in a fighting game, then look no further than this tonight’s Xbox Live Community Playdate. Why’s that, you ask? Because for the first time, Gear Live hosts the Community Playdate, and we aren’t messing around. We are bringing our A-game and challenging the community to one-on-one competition in Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Download the game, and then send an invite to any of the following Gamertags this evening between the hours of 8-11 PM EST (5-8PM PST):
There’s our army. Please, go easy on us. You can also find all this information at the official Community Playdate page, or in your Xbox 360 dashboard, under the Events area.
Who’s in?
Read More | Gear Live Community Playdate
Gallery: Tonight: Xbox 360 Community Playdate with Gear Live featuring Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Downadup Virus Hits Millions
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Internet, Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Software,
The virus Downadup, which originated in October by the name Conficker, has apparently attacked more than 3.5 million computers in less than 24 hours. The hackers have used phony Barack Obama websites to do the damage. The network of worms becomes a part of Windows services.exe then establishes an HTTP server from the computer. Make sure you have an updated anti-virus software program and check with Microsoft for patches to ensure your computer’s safety.
Read More | Gadgetell
Gallery: Downadup Virus Hits Millions
Xbox 360 Community Playdate with Gear Live this weekend!
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Microsoft, Video Games,
Hey, Xbox 360 owners, you ready to go head-to-head with the Gear Live crew? If you’d been wondering when you would have the opportunity to obliterate us (yeah right!) in a fighting game, then look no further than this weekends Xbox Live Community Playdate. Why’s that, you ask? Because for the first time, Gear Live hosts the Community Playdate, and we aren’t messing around. We are bringing our A-game and challenging the community to one-on-one competition in Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Download the game, and then send an invite to any of the following Gamertags this Sunday, January 25, between the hours of 8-11 PM EST (5-8PM PST):
There’s our army. Please, go easy on us. You can also find all this information at the official Community Playdate page, or in your Xbox 360 dashboard, under the Events area.
Who’s in?
Read More | Gear Live Community Playdate
Gallery: Xbox 360 Community Playdate with Gear Live this weekend!
Windows 7 direct download links
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2009, Internet, Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Software,
As we told you the other day, the Windows 7 beta went live today. However, apparently there was a bit more demand than Microsoft had planned for. Thanks to NeoWin, we’ve got the direct download links for both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7:
Be sure to check out the post on NeoWin for specifics on what to do with those files once you download, and also know that you will still need a key from Microsoft to use this through the August 1, 2009 expiration date, otherwise it will stop working after 30 days, cool?
Gallery: Windows 7 direct download links
Video: Microsoft Songsmith first look
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2009, Microsoft, Music, PC / Laptop, Software, Videos,
Our pal Robert Scoble was able to get an early look at the new Microsoft Songsmith software, and we were impressed enough that we wanted to give you guys a look at the video. Songsmith allows you to make music, that you sing to, by generating musical accompaniment to match a singer’s voice. You sing into your mic, and the software creates the backing music for you to make you sound good. It’s not just for novices either, as you can play instruments into Somgsmith for capturing, and it includes an intelligent scratchpad to allow it to work with new melodies. Kind of hard to explain, so really, check out the video. You can download a free trial at the Songsmith page as well.
Read More | Songsmith
Gallery: Video: Microsoft Songsmith first look
Windows 7 beta goes public January 9th
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2009, Corporate News, Microsoft, Software,
During the kickoff Microsoft keynote that marks the start CES, Steve Ballmer announced that Windows 7 beta is available starting today for TechNet and MSDN subscribers. Nothing too exciting there for the average Joe, we know, which is why we were excited when he also mentioned that the beta would also be publicly available beginning this Friday, January 9th. You’ll be able to grab either the 32-bit version, or the 64-bit version of the Windows 7 beta software if you are one of the first 2.5 million people to hit the download button. You just need to head to the Windows 7 product page to do so. Just be aware that the beta software will expire on August 1, 2009.
As part of the release, Microsoft was also happy to note that Windows Live Essentials, “a free suite of communications and sharing applications that make it easy for people to communicate, share and keep their online lives in sync and in one place with one login,” is now also available on a worldwide scale.
Gallery: Windows 7 beta goes public January 9th
Toshiba to integrate Media Center Extender technology into HDTVs
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2009, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Internet, Microsoft,
Hey, it’s CES time, and that means we are getting slammed with news from all ends. Toshiba, happy to get in on that party, has just announced that they’ll be integrating Media Center Extender technology directly into their REGZA line of HDTVs, and that they are even working on a standalone device that you can integrate into your home theater setup as well to get the same functionality. I guess this is the most we can expect from the company whose HD DVD technology lost out to Blu-ray in a major way. We’ve got the full release for you after the break.
Click to continue reading Toshiba to integrate Media Center Extender technology into HDTVs
Gallery: Toshiba to integrate Media Center Extender technology into HDTVs
Zune Z2K Caused by Leap Year?
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
By now, you have probably heard of the temporary sepuku occurring in 30 GB Zunes. If not, then you either don’t have one or undoubtedly haven’t plugged yours in the last few days. Many have suggested that the “Z2K” problem was caused by 2008 being a leap year. Microsoft offers tips if your Zune has ceased to exist. They suggest disconnection, allowing the battery to drain, then reconnect the Zune to its USB port on your computer or AC adapter. Check with Microsoft if you have questions or your own theory.
Read More | Zune FAQ
