Windows

At least two news outlets are citing sources claiming the final version of Windows Vista has been delayed at least a week due to a bug which could crash a system that was upgraded from Windows XP. The bug was found in build 5824, said to be the "release to manufacturing" build.

Taiwan-based DigiTimes cited sources saying Microsoft had been successful in cutting the 1,400 known bugs in Vista RC2 by a third. However, the bug caused the company to adjust its timeline on an RTM release from the fourth week of October to the second week of November.

PERSPECTIVE With Microsoft not having launched a new Web browser since 2001, nor a new service pack since August 2004, Internet Explorer arguably had the longest road to travel to be ready for Windows Vista. Firefox, on the other hand, has had much more frequent point releases, with version 1.5 made available in November 2005.

But users have been anticipating major new releases for both brands in time for Vista. IE7, which entered beta in July of last year, struck first, surprising many with a bold and distinct new approach to arranging functionality. The new Microsoft browser would be as different from IE6 as Nissan's 350Z is from the 300ZX.

Microsoft on Tuesday confirmed earlier press reports that it would offer free and discounted Vista upgrades to holiday PC buyers, however added that those with Office 2003 preinstalled would also be eligible for a upgrade to a comparable version of Office 2007.

To qualify, consumers would have to purchase a Windows XP computer between October 26 and March 15, 2007 - a two-day longer window than previously announced. Depending on the operating system version the user is upgrading from, the copy of Windows Vista would either be free or at a discount.

Buena Vista Entertainment said Monday that it would be releasing its first Blu-ray day-and-date release title in December, as well as its first 50GB disc in November. The studio exclusively supports Sony's high-definition video disc format, and distributes films by Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista.

The first day and date title would by Walt Disney's "Invincible," set to release December 19. The first 50GB titles would be "Enemy of the State" and "Flightplan," set to release November 21, followed by "Pearl Harbor," releasing on December 19. Pricing for most of the titles would be $34.99 USD, Buena Vista said in the announcement.

A spokesperson for Microsoft Thursday evening characterized as "grossly inaccurate" reports from earlier in the day, including from Reuters, stating that a technical glitch in the company's Live Meeting services led to a dissolution of a meeting between Microsoft and security products vendors.

These stories were wrong, said the spokesperson, on three major counts: 1) the exclusivity and number of vendors attending the meeting (20 security vendors participated in this one meeting, possibly including Symantec and McAfee, though this was one of several such meetings); 2) the subject of the meeting (it did not involve a possible revelation or licensing of PatchGuard code or methods); 3) the damage caused by the technical glitch (it only delayed the meeting for 15 minutes, after which, representatives from all 20 companies remained on the call).

Microsoft has further delayed the release of Service Pack 3 for Windows XP, moving expected availability from the second half of 2007 to the first half of 2008. The change came silently in an update to the company's service pack roadmap.

Although that date is still listed as "preliminary" a similar delay for Windows Server 2003 SP2 seems to be finalized. Initially planned for the end of this year and currently in beta testing, SP2 will now arrive in the first quarter of 2007.

Microsoft's partners are continuing to cry foul over the decision to lock down the Windows Vista kernel with a feature called PatchGuard, claiming an announcement about sharing security APIs is simply a "red herring" to fool the press.

The contentious issue revolves around the ability of security vendors to write applications that essentially "patch" the Windows kernel to protect it from viruses and other malware. With PatchGuard, Vista attempts to do this on its own, in turn thwarting both protectors and attackers.

Microsoft has changed its licensing terms, limiting the number of times that Windows Vista can be transferred to a new computer to just once. Despite Redmond's claims that the move is aimed at combating piracy, it has been questioned by some of the company's biggest supporters.

Previously, Microsoft had allowed its operating systems to be installed as many times as the customer liked, as long as it was uninstalled on the previous computer. However, with the arrival of Windows Vista, that will no longer be possible.

Microsoft has ostensibly caved into the demands of security firms wanting better access to the core kernel code of Windows Vista, as the company said starting Monday it would make such data available. Vendors such as McAfee had earlier accused the company of locking them out of Vista.

McAfee and Symantec have publicly complained in recent weeks that Microsoft has locked down Vista to support its own entrant into the security space, Windows Live OneCare. However, neither company has filed legal actions.

Microsoft issued a statement this morning saying it is going ahead with plans to release Windows Vista to volume licensees worldwide on November 30, as previously scheduled. There will be no further delays, even in Europe and Korea where competitors have recently raised complaints, but Microsoft will be making changes to Vista.

Microsoft indicated last month, it might have had to delay Vista's release in the EU in order to address concerns raised by the European Commission. Some of Microsoft's rivals had raised concerns there that some Vista features might be too exclusive, preventing customers from choosing alternatives from other suppliers. South Korea will also benefit from these changes, as the company has been facing antitrust proceedings there as well.

UPDATE: Thursday evening, Corel spokesperson Greg Wood commented to BetaNews, "Today's announcement is intended to communicate our plans to be very active in providing our products on Windows Vista, and to advise customers that they can choose Corel products with confidence on the new OS."

Wood added that the company will be announcing its Vista certification for software products on an ongoing basis, but is currently continuing to work on possible additions to existing products that could help maintain their compatibility with Vista.

The consumer edition of Windows Vista won’t be available in stores and outlets until at least January; but in the meantime, the big holiday push is proceeding on schedule, especially for the benefit of hardware manufacturers whose prospects for a cheerful Christmas depend on at least the promise of Vista.

One week from Monday, Microsoft and Intel will jointly kick off a 23 city tour of North America, starting in Miami and ending on December 14 in Seattle. The so-called “Ready 2 Rock Road Show” is ostensibly geared toward channel partners – those in the business of selling their equipment.

Microsoft has released a beta of Windows Live OneCare version 1.5, which most notably adds support for Windows Vista. The original iteration of the PC protection and maintenance suite was only compatible with Windows XP.

OneCare, available online and at retail outlets, includes antivirus, anti-spyware and PC tuning and backup tools, along with free support for $49.95 USD per year. The package falls under a new class of all-in-one utilities being offered by security vendors such as McAfee and Symantec, as well as AOL.

Microsoft is officially ending support for Windows XP Service Pack 1 and SP1a Tuesday, with users being recommended to install SP2 as soon as possible. The move means that no more security updates will be released for the now-obsolete version of Windows.

Windows XP SP2 was released on September 17, 2004, and Microsoft notes that it provided two years of support to SP1 customers since that time. The company traditionally offers only 12 months of support for previous service packs, but because SP2 was a major upgrade to Windows XP, Microsoft opted to give customers additional time for deployment.

As expected, Microsoft on Friday issued the second release candidate of Windows Vista - the last public build before the next-generation operating system is released to manufacturing. As with the interim build before it, RC2 will be available to a limited number of CPP participants, beta testers, as well as TechNet and MSDN subscribers.

"Since the release of Windows Vista RC1, Microsoft has continued to receive excellent feedback that is helping to improve the overall quality and performance of the product," a company spokesperson told BetaNews. "RC2 reflects that feedback and includes important improvements in performance, application compatibility and fit and finish work. Customers should verify any outstanding issues not addressed during their RC1 testing." Download Windows Vista RC2 from FileForum now.