Videos and Photos of Microsoft’s Courier Tablet Leak

Since  September, when the first details about Microsoft tablet/  e-book reader were leaked, there has not been much more news about the Courier. That has changed. Engadget has received details about Microsoft’s tablet/e-book reader from a “extremely trusted source”.

Here is the breakdown. The Courier will basically be a extremely portable digital journal. It will be about the size of a 5x7 photo in a closed state, and will weigh less then a pound. You can get an idea about how small the device is from the photo below. The Courier is built on Nvidia’s Terga 2 processor and will run on Windows CE 6, which is the same OS that the Zune HD, Pink, and Windows Mobile 7 Series run on.

The interface looks like it will be pen based and will primarily be used for writing and drawing. The interface also appears to support handwriting and drawing recognition. The Courier also looks like it will be Microsoft’s e-book and tablet platform.

Check out a photo gallery and two videos of the Courier below.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,Tablet,e-book,Courier,Leak,Breaking News,Rumours

New York Times To Change Online Access Fees, One Week Before Possible Apple Tablet Announcement

The New York Magazine is reporting that the New York Times will  soon be changing the way they charge readers for online content. Incase you have been living in cave for the past two months, the New York Times has leaked a number of details about the Apple Tablet (or iSlate), which is rumored to be announced on January 27th. This is interesting because it means that A) the New York Times is preparing for a possible tablet announcement from Apple on the 27th or B) that Apple has cut a deal with The New York Times to publish content on the tablet. We are pretty sure that Apple has talked with content providers (including  the New York Times) about publishing content on the Apple Tablet, so it is a big possibility. Could we soon be reading the New York Times on our iSlate’s. We will just have to wait and see.

PS3 May Get Cross Game Audio Chat

Some major news just came out of the PlayStation official forums. An employee of Sony has just made a huge mistake and confirmed that cross game audio chat may be coming to the PS3 when the next firmware is released. The posting was abruptly removed by Sony.

Cross game text chat has been around for a while now but the console is yet to get audio chat support. It is quite possible that the next firmware update will bring cross game audio chat to the system, but I would not count on it considering the bad track record’s of forum posts.

Pamphlet Discloses That HD Movies are Coming to the Zune Marketplace

BostonPocketPC has uploaded a photo claiming that the above image is a pamphlet given to viewers at a Best Buy Zune HD demonstration. If this is true,this confirms that Microsoft will be selling HD movies on the Zune marketplace. Microsoft has already sold TV shows, music video, and video podcasts on the Zune marketplace so it was only a matter of time.

PlayStation 3 Slim Appears on Amazon Listings

Amazon’s German website has added a listing for "PlayStation 3 Konsole slim” (Translation: PlayStation 3 console slim) from Sony. The PlayStation 3 Console Slim is listed as Platform Independent and has its own ASIN. Unfortunately Amazon does has not posted any photos or launch date.

iPhone Patch Will Hit iTunes Saturday, Says O2

According to UK carrier O2 Apple will release a patch on Saturday to fix an iPhone SMS security hole, that was revealed by Charlie Miller. O2 spokespersons said the update will be available for download on iTunes. Apple is yet to comment, and it is unclear if the update will be available worldwide.

New Office 2010 Technical Build Leaked

Microsoft Office 2010 Build 14.0.4302.1000 has just leaked onto the internet, so it looks like there's more happening today than just build 7600 of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Office 2010 will be available both in 32 Bit and 64 Bit versions.

In January the first screenshots of an alpha build of Office 2010 leaked onto the internet. In May a Technical Preview of Office 2010 in 32-Bit and 64-Bit was leaked.

This build of Office 2010 includes Access 2010, Excel 2010, InfoPath 2010, OneNote 2010, Outlook 2010, PowerPoint 2010, Project 2010, Publisher 2010, SharePoint Designer 2010, SharePoint Workspace 2010, Visio 2010, and Word 2010.

Below are the latest screenshots:

“Mondo”  is "Microsoft Office Limestone Test Application". Its not a new name for Office 2010.

 

InfoPath Editor 2010 has been renamed to InfoPath Filer 2010. There are also Microsoft Office 2010 Developer Resources (why Visio 2007 and not Visio 2010?), which were not in the previous leaked build.

Above is the previously leaked build and below is the latest. The big difference is that the Office logo has been replaced with File F. The difference in title bar is due to the Operating System.

When actually clicking on the menu, the biggest change is the fact that you have access to all the other tabs, a small but positive improvement. In the New submenu, it's obvious that some icons have been updated (like Blank Document, Recent Templates, and Sample Templates).

I recommend agenst using leaked builds of Office 2010, your better off waiting until the Official Beta comes out next summer.

Image of Zune HD Marketplace Surfaces

An XBOX 360 program manager "Fitret” has posted on Twitter a photo of the Zune HD showing the Zune Marketplace selection, specifically an artist sub-menu for The Hold Steady. It does not show much but it does look nice. We just hope there is an app store.

Video of PlayStation 3 Slim Surfaces, Probably Fake

I’m just going to assume this video of a PlayStation 3 Slim, which was purportedly "stolen” at a Philippine street market is fake, but given the piling up evidence and the continuing leaks it just might be real. The video is blurry video of a plastic box with a new rounded logo. We’ll just have to wait and see if any legitimate sources have anything to say about this video.

Windows 7 Build 7264 Leaked – But It’s not the RTM

Build 7264 has been leaked earlier today, and is available on several 2P2 networks. Both 64 and 32 Bit versions are available. You should know that this is not the RTM. The build string tells us that this build was compiled on June 22. There have already been confirmations that build 7265 has been created two days later. We do not yet know if build 7265 is the RTM.

Here are the information about both versions of build 7264:

File Name: 7264.0.090622-1900_x86fre_client_en-us_Retail_Ultimate-GRMCULXFRER_EN_DVD
Size: 2,444,688 KB
CRC: 0B916606
MD5: 44F04E9E5762714C3D75A3C9C88DE251
SHA1: 59BA011913B00A820A1E002B9BEDEF139AE15B07

64-bit Windows 7 Build 7264 (x64) ISO File Details

File Name: 7264.0.090622-1900_x64fre_client_en-us_Retail_Ultimate-GRMCULXFRER_EN_DVD
Size: 3,150,518 KB
CRC: 05F87B79
MD5: 670818DB149170C652414E1F75E9390C
SHA1: C6FE386E97944511820291F515A8CBB3DDA329A6

Dell working on iPod touch-esque Device

The Wall Street Journal is reasserting a previous claim that Dell is currently working on a MID powered by Google’s Mobile OS. Sources have described it as a slightly larger iPod touch, while one went so far as to suggest a very tentative second half 2009 target release window, assuming the project doesn't get 187'd before then. Despite Dell’s history with Intel and the chipmaker's penchant for MIDs, the report pegs ARM as the processor of choice. The article repeatedly calls it a MID -- meaning a phone might still be in the cards, but given past whispers, it kind of makes you wonder.

Microsoft May Sell Windows 7 on Flash Drives for Netbooks

Sources have told CNET, Microsoft is planning to consider selling Windows 7 on flash drives, which would save netbook users lots of headaches. Windows 7 was designed to be a netbook friendly operating system. There are no further details at this time.

Windows 7 Final Build Completion Rescheduled.

Winfuture.de says that the completion of the final Windows 7 Build has been rescheduled.

Although the RTM (Release to Manufacturing) branch of development is said to have been ready on June 12, it was not possible to create the final version of Windows 7 - actually planned for June 19 - because of bugs. What kind of problem affected the development is unknown.

Furthermore the report says that Microsoft wants to decide on June 29, 2009, which Windows 7 Build will be declared to be the final version of the new operating system.

Microsoft Releases Office 2010 Teaser

Like big shot Hollywood studios Microsoft is trying to generate buzz around its next version of Office by releasing an exciting trailer. 

Microsoft posted a movie trailer that teases Office 2010 and added a “behind the scenes” button that pokes fun at recent leaks of Office 2010.

The "actor" being interviewed on camera likens the leaked preview to him being seen without his make-up and with a virus all over his face.

Microsoft quietly launched the website in April and has got lots of hits. Microsoft is not releasing any numbers. On the site is also a button to sign up for a technical preview of Office, which is slated to begin next month. For those who want an earlier peek, here are some screenshots.

Windows 7 Build 7260 Leaked – With Screenshots

The latest leak of Windows 7 is build 7260, and yet again the leak comes from Russia.

The build is available as a 32-bit Windows 7 Ultimate VHD image (virtual hard drive image) with the build string 6.1.7260.0.win7_rtm.090612-2110 which indicates that the build was compiled on June 12.

MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.7.BUILD.7260.WIN7_RTM.X86.VHD.ENGLISH-WZT – NEW
FILE: 7260.0.x86fre.win7_rtm.090612-2110.client_en-us.ultimate.vhd
(the original VHD in packed RAR archive, size RAR file: 1,919,600,205 byte
SHA1: 0FF53F8ED2BBC0B1B174B47F80055BB3DACF2F01)
SIZE: 5,185,507,840 byte
CRC: 67C23FE0
MD5: 0703C259676D7E4C58E0EF2184369663
SHA1: 7540399601506675CF1B329CB3507875F64C555B

Microsoft is currently aiming for the RTM build which might raise the build number to 7300. Below are the screenshots provided by Wzor of Windows 7 Build 7260.

Windows 7 Build 7232 Screenshots

It has been quite a while since I last posted screenshots of Windows 7, because there has been a lack of changes in the builds. This build does not appear to have any major changes, except the new default wallpaper. I expect the final Windows 7 build will be completed a few days from now and will be tested for a few weeks. This is most likely one of the very last builds. Windows 7 is close to completion, so get ready!

Windows 7 Build 7232 Leaked Along With New Wallpaper

UX Evangelist has leaked a new Windows 7 wallpaper and build. For people who are addicted to downloading every single Windows 7 build Windows 7 Build 7232 can be found on BitTorrent.

A new wallpaper has also been included with the build:

Russia Probing Microsoft Over Windows XP Availability

Reports say that Microsoft is facing another antitrust inquiry, but this time from the Russians.

On Thursday, regulators in Russia said that Microsoft is violating Russian antitrust laws by limiting the supplies of Windows XP while demand still exists, therefore forcing users to use Windows Vista.

Microsoft has stopped most copies of Windows XP from being installed on new computers, with the exception of netbooks, and emerging markets.

Microsoft says that they have not been notified of the complaint.

"Microsoft has not yet received notice of any new investigation. However, we will cooperate with any inquiry and remain committed to full compliance with Russian law.” Microsoft spokesman Jack Evans.

In April, Russia said it was looking into whether Microsoft deserved closer scrutiny under its antitrust laws.

Windows 7 Build 7229 Now Available at Your Local Pirate Site

A new build of Windows 7, build 7229, has leaked to torrent sites and is available for anyone to download. Download at your own risk. To get an illegal copy visit your favourite torrent.

Windows 7 SP1 Build 7227 Leaked

Wzor has posted information about Windows 7 Build 7227, which is already appearing on torrent sites. Only a 32-bit client seems to have leaked so far. Here are the details according to Wzor in case you have intentions to download it.

 

FILE: 7227.0.x86fre.winmain_sp.090602-2110.client_en-us.ultimate.vhd
(the original VHD in packed RAR archive, size RAR file: 2,005,278,460 byte
SHA1: 3FFE342C8A9FD2CDF0AF937D2A25BCA640C4010B)
SIZE: 5,584,065,536 byte
CRC: 616985FA
MD5: F98F78D86940761D8909023A00C75704
SHA1: 082F189EE4F58393D3CB113B0F46EC0E1EE41BD8

Wzor published 3 images along with the above information:

According to uploader of Build 7227 the following changes have been made:

1. Changes in the mechanism for displaying thumbnails in the taskbar.

2. Pop-Up lists for the panel

3. Pop-Up lists for Remote Desktop

4. Applying the settings of the taskbar

5. Multitouch zoom

6. Invert selection

7. You can search for music by artist

8. View the contents of the search results

9. Intelligent indexing after installation

10. Reducing the length of playback sounds system

11. Changes in the panel Devices and Printers

12. Changes in the mechanism of extraction devices

13. Support for FireWire-cameras

14. Reduction in section in system

15. Improved driver support

16. Reducing the paging file

17. Assigning a letter to boot with two OS loaded

18. Naming the section reserved for the system.

There are rumors out there that this build could be fake and that build 7230 will be leaked tomorrow evening.

Wzor did post additional news about the RTM of Windows 7. It is an automatic translation of the Russian text that has been posted on the Wzor site:

Today at breakfast, Steve Balmer (Steve Ballmer) has told us that because of Steve Dzhobsa (Steve Jobs) with a “snow leopard” (Snow Leopard), about which he informed him yesterday, had to adjust their plans and that, prior to final assembly RTM release is now nothing left to do all that is three steps.
Step one: from 10 to 15 June will be the last public build is available for corporate partners Microsoft, this “public” assembly will be assembled:
6.1.7229.0.winmain.090604-1901. Since then and up until the final RTM release is no domestic partnership, or the assembly will not be available.
* (We are talking about formal access assemblies and can escape anything in the network, even the latest current build: 6.1.7230.0.winmain.090605-1900 - and this assembly may be RTM Escrow assembly).
Step Two: just since mid-June will be collected in the assembly - the candidates for the final RTM release, none of these assemblies will not be distributed to partners.
Step three: final RTM release of Windows 7 will be collected until the day of the summer solstice that is, until 21 June! In Microsoft realize that the case should be initiated prior to finish it before this mysterious date!
Since June 19, you may receive the RTM release of Windows 7 and the Internet.
Finish?: Since the assembly in the RTM release of Microsoft will be a closed test release before signing (sign-off), before the end of these procedures, no one can argue what will become an official build, the final RTM release of Windows 7.
The forthcoming assembly RTM build is not suggested that it would immediately appear on CONNECT’e or the subscribers to MSDN.
Be careful with this point a mass of false information about the final release. We will promptly inform you!
The eyes and Co.