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.

Just as it is every holiday season there are a slew of new games on the horizon. Amongst those is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 which you can pre-order now on Amazon. If you go for the Prestige Edition then you will get everything pictured above: the game disc, all the extra, worthless packaging and a more impressive case that you will most likely throw away.

The feature that really sets the prestige edition apart from other games however is the fully functioning night vision goggles. For the rare moments when they aren’t mounted to your own head the game developers have also included a head display to mount them on to really spiff up the place.

Other mentionable games coming out over the next 6 months include Halo 3: ODST, Assassins Creed 2, Mass Effect 2, Left 4 Dead 2, BioShock 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction. All of these are available for pre-order on Amazon now. I am sure there are other so let me know what you are excited about seeing this holiday season.

So the question stands–are the night vision goggles worth the extra $90? This is one that I can’t answer for you.

Just like we had assumed when we saw the Xbox 360 “Super Elite” pop up on Amazon, this retail ad in South Africa shows the release date for the new member of the 360 family to be released in October. Pricing for the 250GB bundle with 2 wireless controllers is a little more expensive here in this leak–hovering right around $646. Hopefully the US release is closer to the $400 price we saw on Amazon.

The Xbox 360 Elite has now taken the place of the 20GB Pro model and is officially $299. You can pick one up anywhere the console is sold. Now the price line up is:

$299 – Xbox 360 Elite 120 GB
$249 – Xbox 360 Pro 60 GB
$199 – Xbox 360 Arcade 256 MB

Also some big news–Amazon.de “accidentally” posted a 250GB–super?–elite Xbox 360 bundled with 2 wireless controllers and Forza Motorsport 3.

The 360 Super Elite was listed for 279,99 EUR–just under $400 USD. Amazon.de is the same place where the PS3 Slim was listed 20 days before the official release and they have been nice enough to help us out again. There is no official word on the release of this version of the Elite but Forza 3 is due out October 23rd so we have got  a month or two to wait I would guess. This is a good deal, since a week ago you would have paid $400 for 130GB less, 1 controller less and no new release game.

We have seen alot of pictures of the new 360 box that shows the middle brother of the 360s and we have heard the rumors that the Elite will soon be cheaper. Until now, however, those all seemed to simply be rumors. Today amazon listed the Xbox 360 Elite in a white box–much like those “leaked” images we saw.

This means two things, one we will probably be losing the middle of the road 360–maybe in preparation for a Natal bundled system– and two, we may see the $299 Xbox 360 Elite price drop rumor may come to fruition.

This wouldn’t be a bad idea for Microsoft with the release of the $299 PS3 Slim that has the same sized 120GB hard drive.

Redbox is now renting video games for $2 per night in the Reno area. To view all of the participating locations click here. Right now the selection is pretty slim pickins but you can view what they have available here.

Here is what we know right now. Renting the games will cost $2/night. There currently is no way to reserve a game online like you can with a movie and the only available game systems right now are the Nintendo DS, PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360.

Redbox has been incredibly successful with their $1 movie rentals. Honestly when you rent a movie at a store and get 1 week how often do you actually watch the movie more than once? Surely not enough to justify spending $4-$7 as opposed to $1-$2. But how is this going to work for video games? Generally you spend more than a few days on a video game. If you keep it for a week that is $14 you have spent for one video game. You can pay less than that(around $9/month) from an online subscription service like GameFly(the netflix of video games) and keep the game as long as you want and never even have to leave the house.

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.

Microsoft has decided to let a select few into the new LIVE update early just like they did with the NXE. Follow the instructions on MajorNelson.com to request access to the update early. You will be asked some questions about how you use your xbox. Last year I was one of the lucky ones who got in to the NXE early. None of my friends did. The only difference between us when filling out the survey was I said that I had a Netflix account. None of my friends did and so we think that for them to be able to fully test all the features they only accepted those who would be able to utilize them all. Good luck!

More information has come out about the motion sensing response to Nintendo’s Wii from Microsoft. Gates himself has let is slip that Microsoft is serious about Natal and that they may be planning to use it in more than just video games:

‘[The concept also works] for media consumption as a whole, and even if they connect it up to Windows PCs for interacting in terms of meetings, and collaboration, and communication…I think the value is as great for if you’re in the home, as you want to manage your movies, music, home system type stuff, it’s very cool there.’

Since the device is able to detect movement, distance and audio of multiple people it opens the door for all kinds of fun functionality at home and at the office. Not to mention the limitless power that Microsoft will have once they have a camera hidden in every home. You think you can use Windows illegally?!? Not now that we can see you! Now facial recognition will be required to activate Windows instead of your serial key.

On a lighter note, Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO has confirmed that we will be seeing natal next year and in the same speech said:

‘The new device will be equipped with technology that is “really, really, close” to an actuality. The console, which was described as having a “natural interface,” will have a built in camera with the ability to recognize movement and voice.’

So will we be getting a new console as well next year? We think not. After this statement Microsoft responded by saying:

‘As the Xbox team stated at E3 two weeks ago, we are not even halfway through the current console generation lifecycle and believe Xbox 360 will be the entertainment center in the home for long into the next decade. Project Natal will be an important part of this platform, but we have not confirmed a launch date at this time.’

We got to see the scripted videos from the Xbox website as well as the live footage but this was cool to see people who didn’t know the system have the ability to jump in there and play it. Given it is a little buggy now but they have until next year to work out all the kinks.