Windows 7 Ship Date – I think we’ve all been waiting for Windows 7 since that first fateful moment we clicked Enter after typing in the password on a new Vista set-up. The whole “Mojave” diversion was like bleach in the wounds. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait much longer. Microsoft has announced that Windows 7 will be shipping to customers on Oct. 22. I’ll be anticipating it like prom-night virginity loss. Indications are that all versions of the new OS will run on PCs, notebooks and netbooks. The release candidate has received relatively positive reviews, but I guess we won’t really know for sure until we power it up. For those that can’t make the full leap, Microsoft will also be issuing Windows Upgrade Option for current users. Like said prom night, there’s a real mix of hair-tingling excitement and petrifying, palm-drenching fear. And similarly, it will all be over soon, for better or worse. [via PC World]
Rumor has it that the near-final release candidate of Windows 7 is going to be ready to hit the streets by April 10th. A source from within Microsoft has indicated that the company plans on making its final release candidate launch in less than two months, meaning that we’ll definitely see the street version of the program hit store shelves before the end of the year. Many people speculate we’ll actually see the first version by July, with plenty of time for it to make its way onto computers for the holidays. Microsoft has promised the public shorter wait times for the launch of its products for some time now, it looks like this time they may actually be serious. [via Electronista]
Can you not wait for Windows 7 to finally be available? Now you can make Windows XP look like the new operating system with just a few quick downloads. A company called Niwradsoft has created the Niwradsoft Seven Remix XP free download that will change the entire look of your OS to a more Windows 7-esque like atmosphere. The program will give you new boot screens, logon screens, screensavers, systems themes and a good deal of hacked resource files. Download it for yourself and give it a try here. [via Gizmodo]
Causing the heads to explode of anyone who was wishing for a less-confusing lineup of Windows 7 versions, Microsoft has confirmed that there will be six SKUs of its upcoming operating system. Apparently, though, the company is going to put most of its efforts (at least in marketing and retail placement) behind two SKUs: Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional. The former has all the expected trimmings, like multi-touch and media center capabilities, Aero User Interface tweaks and home network groups. The latter has those features plus mobility center, presentation mode and enhanced networking capabilities like remote desktop hosting. Below those two SKUs is Windows 7 Starter — a stripped-down version that’s limited to three installs — and Windows 7 Home Basic, which is only available in emerging markets. On the higher end, there’s Windows 7 Enterprise for volume licensees and the all-encompassing Windows 7 Ultimate. Choose wisely. [Engadget and ZDNet]
If you’re curious about the next version of Windows and would like to play around with it, now’s the time to start downloading. The Windows 7 Beta will be available until February 10, and downloads that start on that date will have two extra days to finish up. Keep in mind that the beta doesn’t have to be activated by the 10th, as product keys will remain available. In fact, if you can find an ISO of the beta circulating around the Internet, the official download window shouldn’t matter. One word of caution, though: The beta expires on August 1, so make sure you can still work and play on your existing setup when time runs out. [Windows Blog via CrunchGear]
If the current reports are true, and there is no reason to doubt them, Windows 7 should be ready for the public by mid-January next year. With the way development has picked up pace, first DVDs of Windows 7 Beta 1 should be available to attendees at Microsoft’s Developers Conference in Chicago and Minneapolis from January 13th onwards. Though expected to be officially available in early 2010, Microsoft seems to be speeding up the development process and may release it as early as late 2009. [via Electronista & image by neo.wave]
