Beyond Binary

Windows 7 may get a 'Family Pack'

Ina Fried — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:22:00 PDT

Microsoft appears likely to offer a "Family Pack" version of Windows 7, according to language in a leaked test version of the operating system.

This week enthusiasts started buzzing over wording in the license agreement in the test build that suggests Microsoft will have an option to buy a license ...

Some Vista users say they're getting the Ultimate shaft

Ina Fried — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PDT

Microsoft promised that by purchasing the pricey Ultimate edition of Vista users would get all kinds of extras.

However, for many, those extras turned out to be little more than a few screensavers and a poker game, prompting some significant grousing.

Now, that frustration has turned to anger after Microsoft ...

Touch in Windows 7: Just for show?

Ina Fried — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:00:00 PDT

There's a reason the first thing in Windows 7 that Microsoft chose to show publicly was its support for touch input.

That built-in ability to use two fingers to rotate, scroll, and zoom offers tangible proof that the operating system is different from ...

Looking to browse the Web and get a Nickleback?

Ina Fried — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:16:00 PDT

Internet Explorer 8 now comes with a Nickleback.

No, Microsoft isn't again offering cash to get people to download the browser. This time it has partnered with Live Nation and the band to offer a custom version of the browser.

(Credit: Amazon.com)

The software maker is sponsoring Nickleback'...

FAQ: Making sense of Windows 7 upgrade options

Ina Fried — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:00:00 PDT

While it's true Windows 7 doesn't arrive on retail shelves and new PCs until October, Microsoft has announced two programs designed to give a head start to those who know they want the new operating system.

The Windows Upgrade Option, which runs through early next year, allows those ...

Windows 7 preorder a hit--on Amazon

Ina Fried — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:08:00 PDT

Amazon has been taking quite a number of early orders for Windows 7. The $49 preorder version of Windows 7 Home Premium is now the top seller not just among software products, but among all electronics items at the online retailer.

(Credit: CNET)

Microsoft's program for preordering Windows 7 ...

Humor video highlights Bing's challenge

Ina Fried — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:08:00 PDT

There's a funny video making the rounds that mocks Microsoft's huge Bing ad campaign.

In the video, embedded below, CollegeHumor.com suggests that folks start "Googling with Bing."

It's a funny parody of the Bing ads, but it also shows how big Microsoft's challenge is in ...

Thumbing Windows 7 onto Netbooks

Ina Fried — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:00:00 PDT

Microsoft has shown Windows 7 running on Netbooks ever since it introduced the operating system last fall. However, helping consumers get it on their notebooks has proven more tricky.

(Credit: Ina Fried/CNET)

Microsoft is considering offering Windows 7 on a thumb drive to allow Netbook owners to more easily ...

What PC makers are paying for Windows 7

Ina Fried — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:00:00 PDT

Microsoft plans to charge PC makers the same for the business version of Windows 7 as it did for Windows Vista, while cutting the price of Windows 7 Home Premium as compared to its predecessor, a top Windows executive told CNET News on Thursday. That matches a similar move for the boxed copy ...

More on the Windows 7 upgrade program

Ina Fried — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:12:00 PDT

Although Microsoft is on track to deliver Windows 7 for the holidays, the new operating system will miss the back-to-school buying season.

For that reason--and to prevent the stall in sales that can precede any new operating-system release--Microsoft has been working for months on the free-upgrade program it announced earlier Thursday. ...