digg

Join DiggAbout

Donkeys and Elephants and Delegates,oh my!
Check out the most popular Elections 2008 content on Digg.

Microsoft working on a Secret Vista Product: "The Best Windows Application"

pcadvisor.co.uk — Keep your eyes peeled for some big software announcements to coincide with Windows Vista ’s release. Microsoft said several developers are working on products to make the most of Vista’s advances, and we were told that Microsoft bigwig Jim Allchin, co-president of its platforms and services division, described one as "the best Windows application"

Bury
show profanity settings
expand all
  • bluesaze, on 10/12/2007, -36/+20" Compared to previous pre-release versions, the final edition will be quicker to install (it now takes 15 minutes for a clean install), while those upgrading their XP machines will also be pleasantly surprised with the install times, we were told. "

    • 23r17i05o42n, on 10/12/2007, -97/+242Is it an app that will magically make Vista not suck?
    • mastercheif, on 10/12/2007, -42/+106@23r17i05o42n

      Please don't abuse the comment system. Did your comment really have anything to do with "" Compared to previous pre-release versions, the final edition will be quicker to install (it now takes 15 minutes for a clean install), while those upgrading their XP machines will also be pleasantly surprised with the install times, we were told. ""?

      Altough, it was pretty funny..
    • drathosX3, on 10/12/2007, -58/+7is it iMovie?

      TO THE FORUMS PEOPLE!
    • cyphin6, on 10/12/2007, -35/+13Vista times are better than Windows XP, barely but now and days you can install Windows XP pretty damn fast
    • trogdoor, on 10/12/2007, -8/+38"I don't see why people believe Vista is bad"

      I sometimes feel the same way about Linux, but just because I like something doesn't mean that the people who don't agree with me 'just havn't tried it' peoples opinions differ, not everyone agrees with everyone else.
    • fgsfds, on 10/12/2007, -12/+137Obviously, it's Microsoft Bob 2.
    • repruhsent, on 10/12/2007, -30/+16@23r17i05o42n:

      I lol'd. I used to be a Windows apologist but after running RC1 I can honestly say that Linux looks a lot better than it used to.
    • MioTheGreat, on 10/12/2007, -25/+30"Is it an app that will magically make Vista not suck?"

      Fortunetly they built that app right into the shell.
    • mouthster, on 10/12/2007, -7/+76Boot Camp in reverse.
    • lightningrod220, on 10/12/2007, -22/+9iTunes 8, of course!
    • fauxXenophanes, on 10/12/2007, -26/+8Bill already owns the best Microsoft companion app - Apple.
    • webcrumb, on 10/12/2007, -9/+57"(it now takes 15 minutes for a clean install)"

      So wait... the best thing about Vista will be how quickly I can reinstall it?

      How often do they expect I'm going to do that?
    • Ireland, on 10/12/2007, -13/+6It's a new and improved Bill Gates 2.0
    • tavisjohn, on 10/12/2007, -15/+7So it will install REALLY fast, and it will SLOW your computer down to a crawl when you run it..... Well at least it will do SOMETHING fast.
    • i440, on 10/12/2007, -15/+19“Is it an app that will magically make Vista not suck?”

      Hmm. +76 diggs.

      Could it be that perhaps some Diggers don't necessarily like Vista?
    • shadesfox, on 10/12/2007, -9/+2@fgsfds

      Don't you mean, Microsoft Bob 2.0!

      I need more .0!
    • Wavey, on 10/12/2007, -6/+27I dugg 23r17i05o42n down for taking the screen name I wanted.

      j/k
    • biff198, on 10/12/2007, -11/+2Why doesn't someone come out and say it.

      The best windows app ever:

      OSX

      (Yes, I fully realize that OSX is not an application. If you were going to post that just to correct me, then ... *sigh*)
    • synwolf, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2Isn't this the same thing Apple said about iTunes on the Mac?
    • Atomic1fire, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1I am guessing its a Photoshop competitor
      but don't go judging Microsoft's based on past experience we could see something decent
    • thelastknowngod, on 10/12/2007, -9/+5its Solitaire... the only thing microsoft ever got right...
    • cooldudevamsee, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Hi MS first fix ur notepad new line handling.
  • showgun, on 10/12/2007, -6/+38Hmm . . . best application ever. In MS fashion they have to beta test it somewhere.
    http://www.microsoft.com/max/
    Microsoft Max anyone?
    Thought he new Time Reader is quite nice as well, imagine if they used it as the new framework for reading news online.
    • stephenwq, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7Unless they somehow enhance that a lot, or are a bit disillusioned, i dont think max is currently qualifying as the best windows application.
      If it was, then they are disillusioned about the word secret too.
    • Ryosen, on 10/12/2007, -9/+14"We're excited about our Annotate feature that lets you draw anything on photos and share them without altering the originals."

      Oooh, looks like someone at Microsoft discovered layers. Is this the new Photoshop-killer we've been hearing so much about?

      And, not to sink down to Mac-fanboyism, but does that site look a little *ahem* familiar?
    • Yez70, on 10/12/2007, -25/+33It's probably just Solitaire 2....
    • webcrumb, on 10/12/2007, -3/+28"It's probably just Solitaire 2...."

      Yeah, I'll copy a comment with +diggs from further down and repost it up the page. :D
    • hypercrypt, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Where does it say that Microsoft is writing the app? 'A few developers' sounds like people outside Microsoft.
    • WorldGroove, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14What happened to Photosynth?
      http://labs.live.com/photosynth/whatis/



    • shibbay, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Photosynth is exactly what I was thinking...
    • Phil246, on 10/12/2007, -7/+2is it a sequel to Microsoft Bob? :)
    • cviebrock, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0Not only does the site look Mac-ish (reflections, etc.), their little robot friend with his dog looks a lot like the OS X Automator icon.
  • ThinkBox, on 10/12/2007, -6/+96Vista doesn't need a secret product to make it better, it needs the features that Microsoft already took out.
    • CDHarrisUSF, on 10/12/2007, -23/+15Shhh... you're not supposed to mention the Vista Defeatureremovalizer.

      It's supposed to be a secret.
  • digitallysick, on 10/12/2007, -15/+7is it clippy?? or Microsoft bob?
  • DirtySnachez, on 10/12/2007, -11/+29WGAutomatic soul destroyer with WICKED AERO-BORDERS !!
  • picodegallo, on 10/12/2007, -3/+58I think you need to let the users decide that: "the best Windows application"
    Microsoft saying that is equivalent to saying "my mom thinks im cool"
    • arusso, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4Well put...
    • webcrumb, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17"equivalent to saying "my mom thinks im cool""

      What do you mean? My mom /does/ think I'm cool... and good looking... and she can't understand why I don't have a girlfriend yet...
  • wordfish, on 10/12/2007, -9/+87CALCULATOR 3000

    now with 11 numbers, THATS RIGHT 11! BAM.
    • Black913Hole, on 10/12/2007, -17/+5Thats not possible.
      My XP calulator already comes with a 16 number version: hex.
    • nbx909, on 10/12/2007, -9/+2yes bill gates has invented a number higher then 9 that bastard
    • devoinregress, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2digits not numbers. besides 2 digits are the best. 01
    • shil01, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1modded up for use of the word "BAM"
  • cyphin6, on 10/12/2007, -9/+18Well I don't know about anyone else but Vista RC1 seems to run fine plus the speech recognition is amazing, so anything that is said to be better must be somewhat positive plus everyone who tries to demote Microsoft will be buying Vista at some point
    • repruhsent, on 10/12/2007, -23/+18A good application you could use would be an application to automatically fix your run-on sentences.
    • cpemma, on 10/12/2007, -7/+9"everyone who tries to demote Microsoft will be buying Vista at some point"

      The word is 'stealing'. By demoting MS they can justify the act of piracy to themselves.
    • Buelldozer, on 10/12/2007, -16/+3Oh geeez, it's sad when one grammar b00b is bashing another grammar b00b.

      "A good application you could use would be an application to automatically fix your run-on sentences."

      :::sigh:::

      How about this instead "A good application, that you could use, would be one that automatically fixed your run on sentences."

      There's probably twenty ways to rewrite what you wrote for brevity and clarity.
    • sigma419, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10@Buelldozer:

      Your correction is incorrect. The phrase, 'that you could use', is not an appositive and therefore should not have commas.
    • Craz1, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0I believe you mean "torrenting" it at some point.
  • repruhsent, on 10/12/2007, -14/+4Best Windows application ever? And this application is supposed to take advantage of features in Vista? Isn't this kind of an oxymoron?
  • hiscity, on 10/12/2007, -62/+7Vaporware hype. Marked as spam.
    • InsaneMachine, on 10/12/2007, -8/+21no proof of having marked as spam, dugg down.
    • Arkonnan, on 10/12/2007, -10/+34@hiscity

      Like 99% of the Apple rumour articles that mysteriously make it to the front page?
  • Cymrubeats, on 10/12/2007, -18/+5*troll* It comes with a linux distro and a VM. *troll*

    I'm looking forward to seeing what it is, but i'm still a very happy bunny with XP, and won't be moving to Vista unless out of necessity. I have nothing against it, but i'm one of those people who just use something til they can't any more.
  • pcnoeske, on 10/12/2007, -21/+10embedded OSX :-)
  • zorpedo, on 10/12/2007, -15/+26It's Microsoft Windows Time Machine, er Time Gadget. It's the most innovative product we've copied yet! Pre-order Vista today and we'll throw in clock and calculator for free!!!
  • darkyoshi, on 10/12/2007, -9/+47wLife, featuring wTunes, wMovie, wPhoto, wEB, and RecordLabelBand!
    • n00bst3r, on 10/12/2007, -11/+11I wouldn't be suprised if it was a competitor to iLife, which would actually manage to keep alot of people from switching to the dark side.

      Garageband almost tricked me. Luckily have mastered the force, mind tricks don't affect me, Jobs has a ways to go.
    • angulion, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2From screenshots etc. I've seen of Vista, I'd have to conclude that you mean:
      Microsoft wLife featuring Microsoft wTunes, Microsoft wMovie, Microsoft wPhoto, Microsoft wEB, and Microsoft RecordLabelBand!
  • easy4lif, on 10/12/2007, -13/+4Microsoft bob 2.0
  • Snakedal337, on 10/12/2007, -11/+410 Millimeters!!
  • interrogate, on 10/12/2007, -15/+4Linux.exe?
  • Brightside, on 10/12/2007, -11/+11Minesweeper 2.0! Now with realistic explosions!
  • aniruddha23, on 10/12/2007, -5/+55Aero Screen of death.
    • laxmaniac3773, on 10/12/2007, -14/+4no aero screen of death your comp would just splode
  • envy860, on 10/12/2007, -2/+24I was actually suprised by Vista. It was nicer / ran better than I thought it would. However, my opinion quickly changed when I foundn that they removed the smily guy from minesweeper and instead added "flower mode". Damn you and your cold heart, Microsoft.
  • laxmaniac3773, on 10/12/2007, -16/+5well im using vista right now and it definalty took longer than 15 min to do a clean install! but thats because my computer doesnt have the little windows vista ready sticker on the front. if it has that magical sticker prepare to be amazed. and my guess for teh best app ever would have to be a button that shuts down the F@#KING AERO GRAPHICS!!!!!!! its uses so much memory that i had to go in to system config and shut the dam thing off becuase my computer was lagging like a beast
    • gravis86, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9You do realize that you're probably running some sort of beta, like RC1? They haven't released the final version yet. The speeds quoted were for the final release.
  • ibnabouna, on 10/12/2007, -13/+5{Yawn.}

    Maybe Microsoft will introduce Bob Vista.
  • Youssif, on 10/12/2007, -18/+5It's Firefox 2.0 folks !
  • MrPerfect, on 10/12/2007, -8/+1complementary cup of coffee?
  • Vironex, on 10/12/2007, -11/+5Halo 2 Vista
    • short_man, on 10/12/2007, -8/+2Probably is actually.
    • webcrumb, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Halo 2 will only run on Vista. Allegedly. So yes.
    • superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Or an XBox - important point to remember, if you feel the need for VIsta just get a 360 instead of Vista and a new video card and save some cash.
  • smoothmedia, on 10/12/2007, -20/+9It's program that installs Mac OS.
    • n00bst3r, on 10/12/2007, -12/+3That was just stupid
    • foolfromhell, on 10/12/2007, -10/+4Wouldnt OSX be better?
      MacOS would absolutely suck!
      Oh, I know he was kidding
    • Kyderdog, on 10/12/2007, -9/+1>MacOS would absolutely suck!

      Don't want to overwhelm Window users :)
    • 23r17i05o42n, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1I like the way you think, smoothmedia!
  • Morphinity, on 10/12/2007, -12/+5Direct X 10....
  • lagrange, on 10/12/2007, -7/+15So its going to come pre-bundled with the crack?
  • smooo, on 10/12/2007, -12/+1new minesweeper?
  • iradeon, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4Guys, the article said OTHER developers are working on new apps, not Microsoft.
    • streak, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Sorry, Bunky, the article reads "Microsoft said SEVERAL developers are working on products..." [emphasis added]
  • streak, on 10/12/2007, -11/+5At the original introduction of iTunes, Steve Jobs suggested it was the best Windows application ever. Microsoft is so into copying Apple, I would suggest Allchin is talking about a Microsoft version of iTunes, which will be Vista-only.
  • Ryosen, on 10/12/2007, -2/+21"to make the most of Vista’s advances"

    A DRM manager?
  • mikedoth, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2I wonder if it will have an awesome name like AtaLaVista. Anyways it couldn't be any worse than Sparkle!

  • DaveClarkOne, on 10/12/2007, -5/+12Could it be Millenium Edition II? I can't think of another insanely great program.
  • Jammerdelray, on 10/12/2007, -7/+2cant wait
  • digitallysick, on 10/12/2007, -16/+5windows fan boys burried me for saying "clippy" or "microsoft bob" =)
    • Avalontor, on 10/12/2007, -7/+2...
    • ched, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5I think that can be more readily attributed to the 'sense of humor' fanboys.
    • LexisNexis, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13You got buried for using the same jokes everyone else used.
  • Wheezle, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9Okay, we've had the "Microsoft Bob 2" joke 4 times already. Enough.
    • streak, on 10/12/2007, -7/+3Okay, let's leave off the Bob.

      Microsoft! LOL
  • hawaiianpunch, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3A one-touch turn off button. :-)
  • shadownight, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1Hold your breath, I'm sure Microsoft will come out with something that will capture people's imagination... uh, wait, didn't they do stuff like that before? And it succeeded... Oops, it didn't. I'm holding my breath.
  • superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7If I were a Windows software maker in any field I would be sweating right now - who knows what industry will wither on the vine like the Anti-Virus guys when Wndows ships with new software being pushed by Microsoft.

    I'm not saying Microsoft should not take steps to produce software they feel shows off the platform the way Apple does, here I am only saying that I wonder sometimes how entire companies or market segments feel about being blindsided my new Microsoft software.
  • MagicBobert, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12The Best Windows Application?

    Sweet, they must be working on a program to remove activation and WGA from Vista!
  • KillerX, on 10/12/2007, -16/+6Mac OS X?

    You Microsoft Window Butt Monkey Lemming Fan Dorks would love this, an OS free of viruses, spyware and ***** UI.

    Please see beyond your Microsoft Cult of Blind Ignorance beliefs.

    • sigma419, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5You forgot something. OSX is also free of games.

      Oh, and: viruses and spyware are not technically part of the operating system.
    • zacmccormick, on 10/12/2007, -6/+18Honestly, you are living in your own little world if you think XP has a "***** UI" and OSX has some perfect UI. How could you possibly be so arrogant to know what type of UI is good for me? You can jump on your little OSX bandwagon if you want, but it's a cold day in hell when you convince me that XP has a "***** UI". Windows is quite practical for many people. Leave Windows for the grown-ups who need to use a piece of software that isn't a mail client, web browser or some low-end personal music maker. I respect OSX, but I can't be bothered by people who evangelize it to no end and cannot concede to the fact that Windows might just be the right choice for some people.

      I mean really, the spyware/virus thing is getting old, and seems like a cop-out to cover up the fact that you aren't actually getting any substantial gain in switching platforms. Microsoft is at the top, and the burden is on Apple to prove to people they have something better, and the spyware/virus issue is carrying less and less weight for Apple as time goes by, because Microsoft is adapting and has basically done a 180 in the security department. So, lets assume MS can get their act together in terms of security, what is Apple going to bring to the table? I just don't see people basing their decision to buy a computer on the security of the platform, that would always be secondary to the productivity goal, which would be the emailing, the video editing, the CAD work, etc. The only time when security might be moved up closer towards productivity is in the corporate sector, where Apple doesn't shine anyways. An analogy would be buying a car with a really good alarm system and good locks, but the car has no engine, so you can't drive it anyways. In other words, OSX can be the most secure piece of software man has ever seen, but it's useless without something to do with this super secure system. Of course this analogy doesn't fit perfectly because almost all things you can do on Windows you can do on OSX, but the principle still applies.

      Apple has a uphill road to climb because it needs more users, and to get users you need killer software, and to get killer software you need developers, but to get developers you need the users to motivate developers! Catch 22!
    • superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Some of us feel as we do (that OS X has a better UI) based on having used both Windows and Macs quite heavily. Have you used both, day after day, for over five years?

      That's why Mac users get frustrated with Windows users who probably have not walked a mile in the shoes of the Mac, so to speak.
    • flipmeat, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Does Vista come with the Cloud of Smug (tm)? I think not!

      The secret product will not address iLife. They did Movie Maker years ago, and it's hideous. The WMP team will commit seppuku rather than allow their player to be overhauled in a way to make sense... Hey, that's a good idea. Who wants to forge the email to the team?
  • duey, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4Yours for only $299
  • thespace, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8My prediction, Vista will be great for a year, then the second year you'll start seeing problems Microsoft can't control, then after that its all downhill. Why? They have to have their hands in every cookie jar. They need to have a competing product in every corner of the software world and that's why their OS will always suck
  • Buelldozer, on 10/12/2007, -13/+6The BEST Windows application? They're building an OSX installer into Vista?!?!?!
  • ucbrave92, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5Well, first let me say whatever it may be I am having a hard time believing it will be something that will allow me to justify paying $400 dollars for an OS that is nothing much more than a new skin and a headache. I have tried to install RC1 and RC2 a couple of times but each time I keep them on my computer for no more than a few days as they just are too busy and cluttered feeling for me to use effectively in my opinion. As long as XP still works for my games, and I can keep using OS X for everything else I think it will be a long time before I switch to Vista and coming from an IT point of view I doubt the company I work for will switch to it for at least another 4 to 5 years. I mean we just finished getting the entire campus to XP and with the beefed up system requirements and the learning curve I think it will be a long way off before it gets integrated into the workplace.
  • frepnog, on 10/12/2007, -5/+8whoo hoo, you guys are funnY! Until you remember that Windows has, oh, what, 90 % of the computer market? That Windows comes on practically every new PC sold? That when Vista is released, Vista will come on practically every new PC sold? That after Vista is released, people will work overtime posting the easiest way to get Vista installed and running on their MacBooks? Yeah boy, that Windows sure does suck, I don't know how Microsoft stays in business with that kind of market penetration....

    To gamers - eventually, new PC games will probably require Vista to run. Not for a while, maybe, but once Microsoft gets Nvidia and possibly ATI to stop updating drivers for XP, or just make Direct X NexT Vista only, or some such other thing, gamers will have to "upgrade" to Vista.

    To business - nope, you probably won't need vista, heck at work we use a combo of Windows Server 2003 and Yellow Dog Linux.

    To average consumer - the way the average consumer purchases "disposable" PC's nowadays (you know, 400 dollar Dells and whatnot) you WILL be using Vista pretty soon.

    These are the facts, ladies and gentlemen, and they are undisputed.
    • MAJORstrasser, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9Just because something has a large piece of the market doesn't mean that it's any good. Look no further than GM, Ford and Chrysler for proof.
    • DaffyDuck, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Or Wal-Mart. God, I hate that place.
    • wallclimber, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4"Windows has, oh, what, 90 % of the computer market?"
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Having 90%, and keeping it, are two different things. What goes up, must come down eventually. That's life. Microsoft is like an over-grown, spoiled-brat that's used to being the center of attention, and always getting what it wants (by hook or by crook) and isn't above a little bullying to get it.

      Such behavior can't go on forever though, it's not good for the "kid" nor the people that have to live with it.

      People are tired of the nonsense and have lost trust in Microsoft as a company. They are starting to understand that there are other choices. Things can never go back to the way it was before. Microsoft is nobody's darlin' child anymore.

      Times change, but Microsoft stays the same.
    • deadbaby, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2^^ You sound like the PR guy for the BORG. Resistance is futile.
    • flipmeat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3 But quantity does not equate to quality. That 90% of users can and should have a better experience, and fewer problems, than they are having now. Companies should not need armies of IT people to keep their business running. Any company that offers a good answer to these ills is going to do very well.

      This underlying user dissatisfaction will help Apple, and anyone else that wants to come along and nibble Microsoft's bum. Pretty soon there's going to be a whole lot of bum missing.
  • MAJORstrasser, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3I know: a Parallels Desktop-like app, allowing you to run OS X in Vista. Duh...
  • vdog, on 10/12/2007, -4/+16I'm betting it'll be iZunes.
  • Opiuman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2The best Vista application:
    "Hasta la Vista", the shutdown button in Spanish.
  • Fetching more discussions...
    Show 51 - 82 of 82 discussions
  •  

    Login or register to add a comment

    Create a new account or login to join in the conversation on Digg. You'll also be able to Digg stories to help promote things you like.


© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain.
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.