Windows Vista Team Blog : Featured News, CES 2007

Shine On, Windows Vista

Nick White — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 23:54:00 GMT

Why not make it two-for-two? After winning CNET's Best of CES 2007 award in the Computers & Hardware category, LAPTOP Magazine then named Windows Vista the top product in the mobility Software category by conferring on us their own Best of CES award. LAPTOP Magazine's editors scoured the CES show floor this week to pick the best products in 18 categories, and we're honored that they’ve chosen Windows Vista as one of them.

You can see for yourself that the folks at LAPTOP had some glowing words for Windows Vista: "Although it was announced before CES, nothing at the show came close to Microsoft's next OS release. With a great new look and tons of enhanced security, connectivity, entertainment, and search features, we're ready to upgrade."

We couldn't have said it better ourselves ;)

Windows Vista Shines at CES: Best of Show, Computers & Hardware

Nick White — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 01:27:00 GMT

Exciting news from CES: We learned today that Windows Vista has been named the winner of CNET's Best of CES 2007 award in the computers and hardware category! CNET's editorial team recognizes the best new products at the show in 10 categories. They received over 650 entries and narrowed it down to 30 finalists, of which Windows Vista was one. Equally cool is that two other nominees in our category are both Windows Vista-powered PCs: the HP TouchSmart PC IQ770 and the Asus W5Fe SideShow Notebook.

Being here this week has given me the chance to see the build-up in excitement surrounding Windows Vista and our upcoming launch on the 30th. In fact, CNET's own editors say that "...it's been pretty much nonstop...[Windows] Vista is everywhere at the show."

As denoted by the other nominees in our category with whom we share company, Windows Vista is a better product because of the tight collaboration between Microsoft and our customers, partners and community (you!). IMO, this award is just one more validation of the work you have done to help shape this great product :)

The Wow starts now

Nick White — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 11:47:00 GMT

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas officially kicks off our countdown to the general availability (GA) of Windows Vista on 30th January. In other words, the "Wow” starts now -- check out our updated WindowsVista.com website.

We're asking folks to come and show us your "wow" at ShowUsYourWow.com. That's right -- ShowUsYourWow.com is a showcase of art, music, photos and videos made by you on the PC using Windows Vista. You might even catch some stuff made by celebrities, too, so keep an eye open ....

Why not show us your Wow now ?

Windows Vista Ultimate Extras Revealed

Nick White — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:44:00 GMT

This year's keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas by Bill Gates showed off Microsoft's upcoming Ultimate Extras for consumers who purchase the Windows Vista Ultimate SKU. MS now has three Ultimate Extras lined up to hit Windows Vista Ultimate users on 30th January to coincide with Windows Vista's general availability date.

Windows DreamScene: Windows DreamScene gives users the ability to use a video as their desktop background, just as they would any stationary image background. DreamScene will consist of high-quality looped videos that make your desktop come alive. As a default, we've included a nice waterfall video (shown at the keynote) among several others. Better yet, you can even use your own videos. Want to know a little-known secret? For computers that support Windows Aero, DreamScene offers enhancements to positioning of stationary images as wallpapers in Windows Vista.

BitLocker and EFS Enhancements: MS will provide enhancements to BitLocker in Ultimate Extras, including a tool called the Secure Online Key Backup, with which you can store your BitLocker recovery password on a secure MS website.

Texas Hold'em Poker Game: MS is bringing this popular poker game to Windows Vista. With this Ultimate Extra, you can add to your Windows gaming experience. Hold'em players: Windows Vista's DirectX improvements give you amazing graphics effects in the game -- you can play up to five computer players at once. We've also thrown in the ability to customize the table and cards, too.

Ultimate Extras are slated for release on 30 January, and this is just the beginning -- we're not stopping here. More Ultimate Extras are coming. You're going to want to pay special attention to the brand new Windows Ultimate Web site for updates and information on current and upcoming Windows Vista Ultimate Extras.