Microsoft announces no internet browser preloaded in Windows 7

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Microsoft has announced today that Windows 7 will not be sold with an internet browser in Europe.

That means that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer will not be included by default, giving the user the chance to make their own choice on which internet browser they would like to use.

Microsoft has recently been in a little trouble for promoting Internet Explorer too much and not giving other browsers a chance, so it would appear that Microsoft are just trying to avoid getting penalised again.

When Windows 7 is released, European users will have to download their own browser – however Microsoft has said they will still recommend Internet Explorer, even if it isn’t included.

To be honest this has surprised me slightly – this is the first time since Windows 95 that Microsoft has decided not to include Internet Explorer, but I am happy that all of the internet browsers out there will get a chance.

WordPress 2.8 live and ready to go

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The WordPress team have recently finished the latest addition to the WordPress family.

WordPress 2.8 includes a huge range of new and useful features. Here are just a few that can be really handy:

  • You can choose how many columns you’d like on the dashboard, which is very handy if you have a larger monitor.
  • You now have either 1 or 2 columns on the New Post/Edit Posts page.
  • There is now a theme browser and theme auto installer.
  • The Widgets page has been revamped, with handy new additions such as Inactive Widgets for future use.
  • There is now syntax highlighting on code pages, such as the Edit Plugins pages.

That’s just some of the new features, but it is definitely worth the update.

If you already have WordPress 2.7 or higher installed, you should have been notified on the Dashboard and you will be able to auto upgrade. If you are using a version below 2.7 or you want to upgrade manually, you can download the update from http://wordpress.org/download/.

Enjoy!

New Nokia N86 ships worldwide, looks exciting!

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The new Nokia N86 has started shipping worldwide, and it looks very exciting!

nokia-n86-0

I think it looks pretty nice, although the angled button towards the bottom right of the top layer looks a little weird on the phone. The number keypad has good size, well spread out keys which should be easy to use, and the large screen should make it great to use.

In terms of technical specs, it has a 2.6″ OLED screen, a quad band antenna, bluetooth, 8MP camera with flash, HSPDA, Wi-Fi, Music Player and GPS – so it is well equiped for most phone users.

It isn’t cheap, with SIM free prices starting from £549.99, but you can get it FREE on a £30 contract with Vodafone.

I don’t think I’d pay the money for it as it is very expensive SIM free, but it is well equiped and is very practical.

iPhone/iPod Touch 3.0 software arriving June 17th

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Yes, it’s official. The new firmware, OS 3.0, will be available for the iPhone and iPod Touch from June 17th.

As predicted, iPod Touch users will have to pay for the privilege ($9.95 to be precise, UK price unknown at time of writing). iPhone users will get it free.

Hot picks for OS 3.0 are:

  • You can download and rent movies direct from the iPhone/iPod
  • Upgraded Safari browser for better browsing and faster Javascript. There is also better Quicktime support of HTTP streams.

I don’t think the OS 3.0 will be anything massive, but it will definately be worth the update. I shall be purchasing the update when it is launched.

Wikipedia actually has quite a good entry on what’s to come in OS 3.0, with lots of detail if that’s the kind of thing you’re interested in. Here is the link – just scroll to the 3.0 section in turquoise.

Reminder to try the Windows 7 Release Candidate – downloads end soon

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This is just a quick message to remind anybody who hasn’t yet tried the Windows 7 Release Candidate (and wants to), to go and download it now. You can get a copy here.

I’m reminding you because it has come to my attention that Microsoft may well potentially end download availability of the Windows 7 Release Candidate on June 30th, 2009.

From a Microsoft email I have received: “It will be available at least through June 30, 2009, with no limits on the number of downloads or product keys available.”

Yes, it does say “at least”, but that does mean that downloads could end on that day if Microsoft feel it is appropriate too.

Don’t worry if you have already downloaded a copy, as running the Windows 7 Release Candidate will not expire until June 1st, 2010. However, you will start receiving bi-hourly shutdowns from March 1st. But by then, Microsoft should have released the final version of Windows 7.

So yes, if you haven’t got a copy of the Windows 7 Release Candidate, get one now.

EDIT: False alarm, download will end on August 15th. After that you won’t be able to download the RC, but you will still be able to install it and obtain product keys.