Windows 7 testers to get free copy from tomorrow

Last week Microsoft had a change of heart and decided to go back on what they had previously said by offering testers on the Windows 7 technical beta program a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate, in reward for their efforts in testing the new operating system.

Previously Microsoft revealed that testers would not be receiving Windows 7 for free and argued that the discounted pre-order offer, which was available to all consumers, was partly done for the benefit of beta testers. This was met with a bad response from bloggers and testers alike.

An email recently sent out to members of the invitation only Windows 7 Technical Beta Program confirms that they will be able to download a full copy of Windows 7 Ultimate from tomorrow (August 6th):

Thank you for doing your part in making Windows 7 great! As a member of the technical beta program you took the time to download, install and give us your feedback on Windows 7 during development. Over the last 7 months you have participated in chats, live meetings and newsgroups as well as reported bugs to help us find and fix many issues. To recognize your outstanding contribution to the product we are pleased to offer you a complimentary copy of Windows 7 for your personal use.

Details:

• As a member of our technical beta program you are eligible.
• We are offering you a full (non-upgrade) copy of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition for your own personal use, not to be resold.
• You will be able to get access to your copy one of two ways:
  
  
  1. To get up and running quickly you will be able to download your copy and get your product key via Microsoft Connect. English downloads will be available August 6th. German, Japanese and Arabic will follow as they become available.
  2. As a member of our technical beta program you have an alternative. We have reserved a limited amount of boxed retail copies that you can choose to receive instead. These are 'first come, first served'. If you opt to have us ship you the boxed copy you should be aware that it will take much longer until you will be up and running on the final version. We will need time to manufacture and ship the copies to you. This means that you may not receive them until they are available on shelves October 22nd or later. Also, for people outside the United States you may be required to pay duties or other local taxes upon receipt.

Please visit [link removed] for instructions on the above selection.

On behalf of the entire Windows product team, THANK YOU

As previously announced, eligible MSDN and TechNet customers will also be able to get hold of the English version of Windows 7 RTM from tomorrow, with other languages following by October 1st. The same applies to ISV (independent software vendor) and IHV (independent hardware vendor) partners who will be able to download it from Microsoft Connect or MSDN tomorrow.

OEMs have already received the RTM code and Volume License with Software Assurance customers should be able to get Windows 7 RTM from the Volume License Service Center on August 7th with other languages coming a couple of weeks afterwards.

Google to acquire On2 technologies for $106 Million

Google and On2 technologies have jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Google will acquire On2.

On2 is well known for compressing high quality video ready for streaming on IP networks. On2's compression technologies power the video in many of today's leading desktop and mobile applications. On2 customers include Adobe, Skype, Nokia, Infineon, Sun Microsystems, Mediatek, Sony, Brightcove, and Move Networks.

"Today video is an essential part of the web experience, and we believe high-quality video compression technology should be a part of the web platform," said Sundar Pichai, Vice President, Product Management, Google. "We are committed to innovation in video quality on the web, and we believe that On2's team and technology will help us further that goal."

"We're thrilled that On2 is joining one of the world's most innovative companies," said Matt Frost, interim CEO of On2. "After intensive review of On2 products, Google confirmed our long-held beliefs as to the quality of our video technologies. This transaction is a testament to the hard work of every On2 employee and the strongest possible endorsement of our products and people. On2 will continue to improve, support and sell our products throughout the transition. We believe that Google shares our ambitions and know that our products and expertise, combined with Google's globally recognized brand, ingenuity and resources, will create an incredible team."

The deal is still subject to approval by On2 Technologies' stockholders and review by relevant regulatory authorities, including the SEC, but Google expect it to close in Q4. Google refused to comment further on how it plans to implement On2's technologies and simply stated "we are committed to innovation in video quality on the web, and we believe that On2 Technologies' team and technology will help us further that goal."

It's clear that this deal will pave the way for greater compression techniques for YouTube and could mean we'll all be able to watch the latest viral videos quicker and in higher definition.

How to: get Bing's daily photo as a Windows 7 wallpaper

No matter what you think of Bing as a search engine, you have to admit that the daily homepage photos are pretty cool. They range from amazing nature photos to holiday sensitive events. Those images now have a new use, being wallpapers for your Windows 7 PC. One of Windows 7's lesser know features is the ability to download new wallpapers via a RSS feed.

Thanks to the efforts of Long Zeng from www.istartedsomething.com & makeuseof.com you can now do just that.



By using the code below, you can create a live daily updating bing theme.

To create the theme, 1st copy and paste the code below in notepad and save it as "Bing.theme"

[[Theme]
DisplayName=Bing
[Slideshow]
Interval=1800000
Shuffle=1
RssFeed=http://feeds.feedburner.com/bingimages
[Control Panel\Desktop]
TileWallpaper=0
WallpaperStyle=0
Pattern=
[Control Panel\Cursors]
AppStarting=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_working.ani
Arrow=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_arrow.cur
Crosshair=
Hand=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_link.cur
Help=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_helpsel.cur
IBeam=
No=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_unavail.cur
NWPen=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_pen.cur
SizeAll=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_move.cur
SizeNESW=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_nesw.cur
SizeNS=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_ns.cur
SizeNWSE=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_nwse.cur
SizeWE=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_ew.cur
UpArrow=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_up.cur
Wait=%SystemRoot%\cursors\aero_busy.ani
DefaultValue=Windows Aero
Link=
[VisualStyles]
Path=%SystemRoot%\resources\themes\Aero\Aero.msstyles
ColorStyle=NormalColor
Size=NormalSize
ColorizationColor=0X6B74B8FC
Transparency=1
[MasterThemeSelector]
MTSM=DABJDKT

After you save it, just double click on the theme. file and make sure you select "download attachments" in the pop-up window.

That's it, your bing theme should be good to go. To make sure the photos look their best, select the "Fit" option in the desktop background settings.

Enjoy!

Windows 7 RTM available on MSDNAA on 6th August (NZT)

Microsoft has announced, through their official "Imagine Cup New Zealand" Facebook page that the Windows 7 Professional RTM will be available on individual MSDNAA students websites on the 6th August, 2009, New Zealand Time.

This means, for people in other parts of the world that Windows 7 Professional will be available on the 5th of August (this may be dependent on your country settings). The following announcement confirms that it will be released on the 6th (NZT):

Ic Nz : "Windows 7 Professional will be available on MSDNAA as of 6th August 2009, and available through ELMS on the 15th of August...."



This may also mean that all Windows 7 SKU's may appear on the Microsoft Technet site at the same time - perhaps depending yet again on what country you selected. To find out what time this is in the rest of the world, click here. There isn't long left now...

New Zune HD images leak, shows black and silver colors

New images of Microsoft's Zune HD has leaked, and according to the pictures shown, the Zune HD appears to be sporting black and silver color options.

em0nx previously reported that Microsoft confirmed that Zune HD was coming this fall, and that it was set to hit amazon in September. Microsoft plans to go international with the Zune later this year.

Amazon has listed the Zune HD, and users can sign up to be notified when it will be available. Pricing information has yet to be revealed.

Black Zune HD

Silver Zune HD

Enjoy!