ForcaTech Blog

Today is the day. Windows 7 has been officially released. Did you go out and pick up a computer sporting the new operating system?

It was also a big day for Microsoft in AZ. The first retail Microsoft store was opened in Scottsdale today. As you can see from the photos the store looks pretty impressive and very futuristic but vaguely familiar at the same time. [gizmodo]

I have posted random grumblings and praise of Windows 7 over the past few months as I have used one of the release candidates but Gizmodo has compiled an impressive list of 27 different reviews. For all you could ever want to know about Windows 7:

CNET
“Windows 7 presents a stable platform that can compete comfortably with OS X, while reassuring the world that Microsoft can still turn out a strong, useful operating system.”

PCWorld
“…the final shipping version I test-drove appears to be the worthy successor to Windows XP that Vista never was.”

NYTimes
“[Microsoft's] three-year Windows Vista nightmare is over.”

IT Pro
“Windows 7…is competent and functional due to internal improvements and the user interface is attractive and good for productivity.”

bit-tech
“For want of a better way of describing it, Microsoft has essentially fixed Vista and the result is arguably Microsoft’s best operating system to date.”

Guardian
“Windows 7 is simply the best version of Windows you can get.”

Slate
“Indeed, the new Windows is not only the best operating system that Microsoft has ever produced. It is arguably the fastest, most intuitive, and most useful consumer desktop OS on the market today.”

Maximum PC
“…Windows 7 is unquestionably the best version of Windows that Microsoft has ever released, and is the true successor to Windows XP.”

Tech Radar
“No version of Windows is ever perfect, but Windows 7 really is the best release of Windows yet.”

PC Mag
“It’s far and away the best OS we’ve ever seen from Microsoft.”

Wall Street Journal
“I believe it is the best version of Windows Microsoft has produced.”

ElectricPig
“With Windows 7, Microsoft wants us to believe that it’s got its OS back on track and for the most part we feel they have.”

Engadget
“Where Vista felt like a sprawling mess, Windows 7 has patched up the holes and feels like a tight, unified mechanism.”

Telegraph
“Windows 7 is the operating system Vista should have been…”

Hexus
“This is the operating system that Windows Vista should have been.”

Digital Trends
“…Microsoft has returned for redemption with Windows 7, otherwise known as “what Vista should have been.”

AP
“Windows 7 [is] a slick, much improved operating system that should go a long way toward erasing the bad impression left by its previous effort, Vista.”

V3
“…Windows 7 is a worthy successor to Windows XP…”

Federal Computer Week
“There is nothing wrong with Windows 7 – and we’ve always thought Vista was a better operating system than its reputation suggested – so if a new system happens to come with it, then you’ll get a fine operating system.”

PC Pro UK
“We like Windows 7 a lot – so much so, that the disappointment that was Windows Vista has already become a distant memory…”

Technodorm
“If you have the money to spend, there is no reason why you shouldn’t upgrade.”

Laptop Mag
“If Vista left you somewhat disillusioned with Windows, we suggest you upgrade to Windows 7.”

Cult of Mac
“I need to go wash my eyes out with bleach.”

The Inquirer
“Windows 7 is as pretty as Apple stuff, just as easy to use, and does not treat you like a moron.”

Computer World
“…it’s finally time to upgrade.”

TechWorld
“Windows 7 feels like an anti-Vista…”

Gizmodo
“…if you’re coming from Windows XP, Windows 7 will totally feel like a revelation from the glossy future. If you’re coming from Vista, you’ll definitely go “Hey, this is much better!” the first time you touch Aero Peek. If you’re coming from a Mac, you’ll—hahahahaha. But seriously, even the Mactards will have to tone down their nasal David Spadian snide, at least a little bit.” [gizmodo]

I will say this; No operating system is going to be as minimalistic as Windows XP however hardware is constantly improving and there aren’t many computers out now that can run Vista or Windows 7. One of the big problems with Vista in my opinion was at that it was so resource intensive that the majority of hardware out at the time struggled to run it. That being said, even on my workstation computer that has no issues running Vista or Windows 7–and maxes out the in OS performance ratings that are useless for the most part–Vista is much more clunky than Windows 7.

It doesn’t end there. Windows 7 is much more user friendly and intuitive and the new taskbar is great once you get used to it.

This DIY Xbox case mod puts the Nintendo Wii to shame. A member of the forums over at Xbox-Scene has taken his original Xbox, modded it with an operating system called XBMC–Xbox Media Center, and created a super thin case mod for it.

Here is a picture of the original case versus the modded case. One thing you will notice is the lack of a DVD drive and controller ports. The controller ports of the original xbox were simply custom USB ports and you can get adapters to make your controllers USB.

With XBMC you can install a larger hard drive–this modder used a 320GB) and copy your games to the hard drive via the DVD drive or over the network from your PC.

From my experience with XBMC you lose none of the capabilities of the original Xbox but gain the ability to play your games from the hard drive, stream media over your network to your TV and install emulators to play old NES, SEGA and n64 games.

Like technology from an outdated sci-fi movie the color picker concept pen designed by Jinsu Park can scan the color of an object in the real world and reproduce it using a mixture of Red, Green and Blue.

Why they thought to go with RGB instead of CMYK is beyond me. It could be that Jinsu is more used to digital design where RGB is better suited instead of printed design where CMYK is better. One way or another it is still impressive that the technology is there that can scan an object and automatically mix together the correct levels of ink in order to produce a match. All it needs now is a USB connector so you can scan the color of something and use it on your computer or push a color from your computer to the pen.

Of all the good ideas and technological advancements there have been, this one isn’t. Well, ok I guess it as the idea is good. The robot is designed to enter buildings that are too dangerous for firemen. It–via remote control–can scout for any injured/unconscious individuals and chomp them to bits pick them up and spit them back out at a safe location. Lets just hope there is something good to watch in case someone wakes up while in the bowels of the rescue robot.

We knew this was coming and I have got to admit, now that they are on their way I am rather excited about going in to test out a Microsoft Surface PC or Xbox 360 with Natal device. Yes this picture doesn’t show us much but as plans are passed around and construction begins we will no doubt begin to see more images leaking to the net. The first two stores will be opening in Scottsdale, Arizona and Mission Viejo, California this fall.

What you are looking at is actually two different storage devices. The one on the left you will probably recognize as a MicroSD card. It is plugged in to the incredibly small Buffalo USB MicroSD card reader which is suppose to be available at the end of this month. This is perfect for laptops that only have an SD card slot.

This puppy is is going for ¥ 2,100.00 or a little over $21 USD. You can also buy them in an assortment of packages including one with a 16GB MicroSD card for $160 USD.

They will be available in white and black so be careful if you drop it in the grass, you may never find it again.

The BedBunker Gun Safe is now available. If the name alone didn’t sell you then let their Billy Mays impersonator moderately enthused spokesman in the video above do the job.

With a BedBunker you can keep your money, guns and other important items right under the bed in a secure and incredibly convenient hidden location. The safe is rated to be able to withstand 2 hours of fire and can hold 30 rifles and 70 handguns but will that be enough?

You can pick one of these puppies up from BedBunker for $2k to $4k depending on the size of your bed.

Starting at $629 the business class Vostro All In One computer may look overly classy for your cubicle but is just a front. When you turn this puppy around you will still find often rejected serial and com ports. In addition there are also 4+ USB ports, 2 PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse and an optical drive that we can only hope is a CD/DVD burner.

I don’t think there can be any debate that this–simply put–is the most advanced water dispenser you will ever never own.

The Whirlpool Chaac Water Dispenser–designed by Alfredo Ruiz and Rolando Hdz–has every feature you could ever hope for in a water dispenser. The hot and cold water dispenser filters your tap water and instantly dispenses hot or cold water into your glass. The dispenser is able to detect the size of your glass and automatically fill it with the right amount of water so you won’t even have to bother with watching it fill your glass.

The display shows you just how hot or cold the water is as well as lets you adjust that. Just in case you forget which you selected in the few seconds it takes to fill up your glass the water stream is illuminated blue or red to let you know whether you are getting hot or cold water into your glass.

This is all great but I doubt this will ever hit the market and even if it does the cost to features ratio may be too much for most people to justify. Personally, I would expect a dispenser this advanced to give me a selection of multiple hot and cold drinks including my favorite carbonated beverages. Maybe we will see that in the Chaac 2.

We had high hopes when we first saw the G1 Optimus Prime Head with Built-In USB-Powered Speakers from the Big Bad Toy Store.  Its a shame that all of our hopes and dreams were crushed when we learned that this decapitated transformer doesn’t transform.

It does however play sound from computer or other 3.5mm jacked device. The closest thing that this autobot does are the fold out speakers. The helmet folds open like ears–unlike any transformer we have seen–in order to expose the speakers.

Still for those die hard Transformers fans this is a great desk decoration that is quazi-functional too!

Out of usable USB ports on your PC or want a more convenient place to plug in your USB goodies? Not looking for a USB hub that looks like Elvis or dispenses candy? Then the Elecom USB Wall Socket is for you!

Despite the misleading product title these don’t plug into an actual wall socket. They plug into one of your computers existing USB ports and runs off of your computers BUS.

These slim wall sockets have magnetic backing–don’t attach to your external hard drive–and also have optional screw mounts to attach this to your desk or wall.

While these are some of the more simple, attractive USB hubs they are not as cheap as we would have hoped. Pick yours up from AudioCubes for $39.99 with ~$11 shipping worldwide.