New Vista Ultimate Extras Available
When Windows Vista was released consumers were excited with the Ultimate version that would supply extra applications to them via the Windows Update. It was thought that these extras would be similar to the Plus Packs Microsoft released for all prior versions of the OS. It has panned out quite that way and it seems like there is a stall on applications being supplied to Ultimate users. Well I got some good news. There were 3 new Ultimate Extras released last week including a new game, a new sound scheme and content pack #4 for Windows DreamScene.
The content pack is just more animated desktop backgrounds that are rarely used due to DreamScene taking up too much memory and CPU cycles. The sound scheme is self explanatory and can be enabled through the Control Panel, Sound.
The game is called Microsoft Tinker and is quite good. It is a logic based game where you must navigate Tinker (a robot) to a spinning disc platform to get to the next stage. Tinker is 3D and has some smooth background music. In the help you are supposed to be able to use a gamepad, but I have been unable to get mine to work with the game.
Since there have been very few extras released to us Ultimate users, anything is better than nothing I suppose.
Microsoft Zune 30 Gig Review
This article is dedicated to the Microsoft Zune 30 gigabyte
hard drive based MP3 player, version 1, the original Zune. I was one of the early adopters of the new Microsoft product that was trying to take a chunk out of the iPod market. As this hasn’t happened, I felt it necessary to let consumers know that the Zune is an excellent MP3 and video player, and I will layout the pros and cons of this initial Microsoft product.
PROS:
- Excellent and high quality video playback.
- High fidelity audio playback.
- Large and colorful album art display.
- Strong battery life.
- Built-in FM receiver.
- Wireless squirting to other Zunes nearby.
- Good earphones included.
- Audio/Video output accessory. (sold separately)
CONS:
- Software (WMP-like) is not very useful.
- Video encoding is extremely slow.
- No games support.
- No podcast support.
- Navigation is somewhat finicky on the device.
- Can not replace battery.
- No built-in voice recorder.
The Zune 2.0 software package is much better. It includes podcast support and a supremely better user interface in both the software and the device.
A few weeks ago Microsoft released version 3.0 that has Audible support for playing back audiobooks via their service. There are more features and enhancements, but as of yet I have not installed the software update.
All in all I think the Zune is a viable alternative to the hugely successful iPod franchise. It is definitely worth taking a look at a Zune before you purchase your next MP3 player.
