Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

BMW has recently become the first car manufacturer to begin using the Microsoft Surface to allow potential customers to configure their car with the fun of multi-touch.  The BMW Product Navigator will let customers change and configure the exterior and interior colors, rims, and more through the use of color tiles that are placed on top of the Surface table.  The Product Navigator even allows for optional accessories to be added. 

Additionally, it has a secondary monitor that lets the customer see, and also share what they have configured with others.  Once the customer has their car ready and complete they can then choose to print or e-mail the details, and even save them to a USB flash drive to take with them.  I am not sure this would make be buy a BMW, well maybe if I had the money, but if nothing else it would sure make car shopping a little more enjoyable.  Now, they just need to find a way to deal with the annoying salesperson.  Keep reading to check out a video showing off the process…

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This is where we call out the tech moves that seem odd, out of touch or just plain straight up smokin’ crack.  This week sees posturing, positioning and flat out insanity. 

Here’s what caught my eye this week:

• Zune Phone inbound?
• Kindle 2 sucking life out of holiday sales?
• 7-11’s new video section
• HDTVs for pennies?

Follow me into the madness.

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Ever since Microsoft acquired Danger, it was always rumored that Microsoft might, one day, come out with a phone based off of the Zune.  What makes this rumor different than previous ones is that CNBC claims that a good Microsoft source is reporting that their newest project, named the Pink, is actually a Zune phone. 

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This is the latest version of the Home Office programs, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007.  The software suite includes Office Excel 2007, Office OneNote 2007, Office PowerPoint 2007, and Office Word 2007.  For those that may not have tried this latest version out before— be prepared it is a little different than what you are used to.

The ribbon menu is a departure from the older versions of Office, so you will definitely have to be able to adapt yourself to those changes.  But the program does allow you the option to save your documents in all kinds of formats including older Word versions, which is very handy since older versions of Office are unable to open Office ‘07 documents.  It did take a little getting used to when I first started using the program, but I do like it a lot now.  Continued after the break.

Via [newegg]

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You’d think that with all the viruses, malware, spyware and what not on Windows, Microsoft would offer some sort of protection.  Well, actually it does, currently the service costs $49.95 per year and is called Microsoft Live OneCare.  It’s one of the many things Microsoft has that’s easy to forget about.  That’s not a bad thing, though, as it will be leaving on June 30, 2009.

To replace OneCare, Microsoft is working on “Morro.“  Morro is the project-name for its new, free virus protection program.  According to the Reuters article, Morro is being designed to work on “smaller, less powerful computers.“  That probably means it is being made to work with netbooks.  Continued after the break.

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Microsoft sure has been busy with their Zune lately.  First, they announce a new 3.1 software update which includes a few free games and now they are set to cut prices on the Zune. 

The price cuts aren’t jaw-dropping, but they are pretty nice, nonetheless.  Price cuts around the holiday season might just do the trick to persuade some potential PMP buyers to go with the cheaper Zune.  The 4GB version’s price goes down to $99.  Meanwhile, the 8GB model goes from $149 to $139.  The last model, the 16GB model, goes down by $20, from $199 to $179.  If you want to pick up some Zune accessories to go with your new Zune, then you will be happy to know that Microsoft has also cut prices on several Zune products. 

More after the break.

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Today, Microsoft has officially released the new 3.1 update for the Zune, which comes with a few major additions such as four new games as well as some general improvements. 

First, let’s begin with the new game updates.  Checkers, Sudoku, Space Battle, and a multiplayer version as well as a single player mode of Texas Hold’em have all been made available for free.  Apple has many more games available, but some of them cost money.  I’m sure Zune users will be happy to know that they can get some free high quality games.  The above picture of what the Texas Hold’em splash screen would look like on the Zune.  Continued after the break.

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2008 has not been kind to Yahoo.  It began with a buyout offer from Microsoft that they promptly screwed up, and was followed by the disintegration of their ad deal with Google and two rounds of layoffs.  Now it appears CEO Jerry Yang has finally had enough.

Yang announced his resignation last night, saying he will remain on the board of directors and reclaim his old title of “Chief Yahoo.”  Yang has been under the microscope of his shareholders ever since he rejected Microsoft’s offer of $33 per share for being too low.  Yahoo’s shares are now trading at a mere $11 each.  He now appears to regret his decision.

“To this day I would say that the best thing for Microsoft to do is to buy Yahoo,“ he said at a conference two weeks ago. And when quizzed on if he would stick to a higher price that he demanded back in May added, “Oh no. At the right price, whatever the price is.“
But Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer didn’t bite and said a couple of days later, “We are not interested in going back and re-looking at an acquisition. I don’t know why they would be either, frankly. They turned us down at $33 a share.“

Ouch.  Yahoo has begun the search for a successor, but finding someone willing to take over the tough job of turning around what was once the net’s top search engine won’t be easy, and for now what lies in the company’s future is anyone’s guess.

Read: [PC World]

• Walmart’s Cyber Monday 2008 video game deals
• Configure your BMW on a Microsoft Surface
• Amazon’s Thanksgiving weekend, Cyber Monday 2008 game deals

Sections: Web, Websites, Google

One of the things Apple has on Microsoft (among many) is that they have a fully functional online store available in many countries around the world.  Not until recently, Microsoft only had online stores set up in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Korea.  However, they unveiled a website for the United States, which sells many Microsoft products such as Office 2007, games, Xbox 360 components, and Zune products. 

Microsoft essentially has two ways of getting the products you requested to you.  The first way is the traditional shipment delivery method.  Basically, after you order something, it will be shipped to your within however much time it specifies.  The other way, which is more modern, to get what you purchased to you is via download.  Continued after the break.

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Sections: Computers, Desktops, Laptops, Gaming, Accessories, Games, Web, Downloads, Websites

Usually, Canada has to pay more for the same technology we Americans enjoy for a cheaper price.  We can often be thankful that we can get the same item for cheaper here than Canada.  However, a Canadian retailer, Future Shop, has put up a listing for the Microsoft Zune Second Gen 8GB player - one that will make you pretty surprised. 

Future Shop is listing the 8GB player 149.99 CAD, but after a 50 CAD discount, it becomes 99.99 CAD.  That price, 99.99 CAD, is equivalent to about $82, which is more than $50 cheaper than any 8GB Zune you can find in the United States.  In case you live in Canada and want to take advantage of this offer, you better do it quick because in a few days, the price for this Zune will go back to 149.99 CAD. 

Read [Future Shop]

• Walmart’s Cyber Monday 2008 video game deals
• Configure your BMW on a Microsoft Surface
• Amazon’s Thanksgiving weekend, Cyber Monday 2008 game deals