It is time to give your Windows 7 computer another fresh looks. By default, most Windows 7 only provides 8-10 themes like what I had in my computer. That is just to fewl.
There are tonnes of gorgeous Windows 7 themes out there, but if you prefer to spend your time on something else, you can get the news themes directly from official Windows 7 theme gallery by Microsoft.
As of now, there are 58 themes available to choose from, including 6 new themes such as ‘Samsung Winter Sports’, Valentine and Year of Tiger. New themes usually released in accordance of any events such as Olympic or festive season such as Chinesse New Year.
If there is one thing that Microsoft should have done years ago, it’s none other than Windows Phone 7 series. That’s what I feel and also some respond that I read about the newest mobile operating system that Microsoft just unveiled yesterday. The Windows Phone 7 Series is on the class on it’s own, stated by Endgadget in one of it’s post.
As excited as you’re, I have followed the Engadget’s live blog (coincidentally I work at night GMT+8 time, so no problem stay late) to witness the new beginning, of what I can say is the true contender for the next generation mobile operating system.
It’s totally awesome I have to admit. The UI concept is moving away from the common UI mobile OS in the market, which pretty much doing what iPhone has invented, slide left an right or up and down, and with big move-able icons on each page, some with customize background.
Windows Phone 7 Series UI is giving new perspective of what Mobile OS should be, although the main interface remain ‘slide up an down’ concept. Called Metro, the shortcut to program is like tiles, as they were actually called ‘live tiles’ with 1 or 2 ’tiles’ at each row.
Well, you know, photo is always the best way to describe the beauty, so here is the Windows Phone 7 series Start Screen. It’s almost similar as Zune, but as most non-US folks never had chance to use Zune, consider this is new, at least to us in other part of the world.
Hub is what they called each section in this phone have. Among the hubs are
Music & Video Hub for music, videos, podcast and live streaming.
People Hub which keep the relevant contact detail along side integration with their social networking feeds.
Pictures Hub
Marketplace Hub – Like app store
Games Hub – For Xbox LIVE integration
Office Hub – Office, OneNote and SharePoint Workspace and Outlook Mobile
Some features that each Windows Phone 7 Series going to or might have. This is by far that I have read on.
Every Windows Phone 7 Series will have 3 button – Home, Back and Search
No UI customization is allowed, which means all Windows Phone 7 series will have same looks regardless the manufacturer.
Xbox LIVE Integration
Zune Integration
Office Integration
Windows Mobile 6.X applications will not compatible with Windows Phone 7 series
Capacitive and multi touch is a mandatory on each phone.
Microsoft will not manufacture and sell it’s own Windows Phone 7 Series.
Again, it’s best to let official videos from Microsoft to tell the features and demo the new mobile OS.
Windows Phone 7 Series Feature Videos
Windows Phone 7 Series Demos
Windows Phone 7 Series Promo Videos
Microsoft is not alone in bringing Windows Phone 7 Series to the world. AT&T has been chosen as be US’s premier partners. Other carries include Deutsche Telekom AG, Orange, SFR, Sprint, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telstra, T-Mobile USA, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. Manufacturers likes Dell, Garmin-Asus, HTC Corp., HP, LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Qualcomm Inc are among that Microsoft has team up to manufacture the phone.
The first phones will be available by holiday 2010, which means by December 2010. So until then, stay still with your current phone. Hopefully the final product will deliver the same or higher excitement than what was demoed today. Microsoft can’t afford to fail again this time.
We’re on the third day of the year 2010 today, and the holiday mood atmosphere still going strong!! It’s going to be another year before you could enjoy another long holiday, so enjoy the rest of the time before the workloads, school and study coming your way in the next few days.
New year comes with new wish/vision/target and etc. But how about giving your Windows 7 machines some facelift as well with new theme that reflect year 2010? There are 2 awesome Windows 7 themes that I came across this morning, that I think you’ll be pleased to have in your machine.
Smashing Magazine January 2010 Wallpaper Windows 7 Theme – This theme contains 32 wallpapers originated from Smashing Magazine, and turned to Windows 7 theme by Tim Heuer. Click here to download. And yes, the wallpaper contain only January 2010 calendar.
New Year 2010 Windows 7 Theme – This theme was created by Yonited contains 12 beautiful wallpapers with 2010 as the main object. Click here to download.
You can create your own theme as well by following this instruction.
Phew, I have finally upgraded my HP Pavillion DV2‘s operating system to Windows 7 Home Premium using the Windows 7 upgrade kit that I received couple of days ago. The screen shot above is showing my desktop, what do you think?
The whole process took approximately 6 hours inclusive of downloading the software update, HP driver update and etc. I read somewhere that upgrading process sometime took more than 8 hours, or just freeze in the middle of the process.
I opt for upgrade instead of fresh installation because of the amount of data that I had already stored in notebook. Kinda regret after that because I would like to see how fast Windows 7 is, but the data is way more important. After using Windows 7 Starter Pack on Dell Mini 10v, I’m looking for more features in Windows 7 Home Premium. Starter pack is simply insufficient if you really want to explore the operating system, which is the reason why I get another machine.
HP Pavillion DV2 only scored 3.9 out of 7.9 in Windows Experience Index, pretty low considering the $$$ that I have parted away. It is equivalent to the entry level of Core 2 Due notebook if I’m not mistaken.Well, I pay for the design as well, not only what powering it.
My first impression.. it’s going to be fun I’m sure, but let me play around with it first. From now on, I wish that I could share Windows 7 tips (I know it is quite a lot out there) with you guys in near future. Still using Windows XP?? Hey, you’re 5-7 years behind.. really
It is quite surprising when there is no Windows 7 pricing listed on Microsoft Malaysia website, when they’re running full-force Windows 7 roadshow in Malaysia at the same time. In internet age era, wouldn’t that be easier for users who wish to upgrade for Windows 7 to check the price online, rather than calling Windows reseller?
Probably that is marketing decision that I don’t understand.. Well.. but that made your brain work slightly harder to figure that out..by googling.. yep. This is what I found on the net.. not from Microsoft Malaysia… If you notice Windows 7 OEM price is cheaper, but what I understand is, OEM comes with hardware, and cannot be use with other machines? I’m not sure, so before you decide to purchase it, make sure that it can be used legally.
Via Amanz (price from Windows 7 launch at Lowyat Plaza)
Microsoft Windows 7 Starter OEM -RM 149
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium OEM – RM 369
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate OEM – RM 649
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional OEM – RM 478
Microsoft Windows 7 Starter OEM -RM148
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic – RM278
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium OEM – RM365
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional OEM – RM 480
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate OEM – RM648
Microsoft Windows 7 Starter OEM -RM148 – RM 149
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium OEM – 365 – RM 369
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional OEM – RM 478 – 480
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate OEM – RM648 – RM 649
