Microsoft is launching Windows Vista tomorrow. It remains to be seen how the new operating system impacts on everyday computing. I know that it’s easy to find a cheap laptop right now, as long as you’re prepared for it to come with Windows XP. My present leased Dell is due to be replaced in a year’s time so I’ll have the benefit of everyone else’s experience by the time I sign up.
Windows Vista is not the inevitable choice though, as Paul Walton points out on his new blog, Getting There. Paul’s posted a cartoon from The Joy of Tech, revealing his true loyalty in this time of uncertainty…
I’ve just posted a couple of stories connected with the launch of Apple’s new Intel-chip-driven MacPro computer.
Apple Intel Factory
At Duncan’s TV Adland I’ve written up the story of the TV advertisement featuring the music of Moby, “God Moving Over the Face of the Water”, and a concept straight from Postal Service music video, “Such Great Heights”.
The blogosphere in Mac circles has been buzzing with the thought that once again Apple has used a copied concept for its marketing. As it turns out Josh & Xander, the directors of the Postal Service video are also the directors for the new Apple ad.
Postal Service Such Great Heights
Having seen the music video I thought it was worth writing up at Duncan’s TV Music Videos. The video was shot in a wafer fabrication plant - a factory where data is imprinted into silicon chips and disks.
And linked up with the two stories is the launch of Apple iLife 06 for Mac, and the MacBook Pro.
Well it has finally actually happened. Apple has pulled off the opening of its Australian iStore. If you don’t believe me check out the web site. Prices are reasonable - $1.69 a song, $3.39 a music video, $5.07 an EP, and $16.99 a full album.
The iTunes Store runs from the iTunes software, not from the internet like HMV and Sanity. It took me a while to work out how to change the settings from USA to Australia. I tried the “Account” feature but found no joy there. Finally I found the “Choose Country” option down the bottom of the page. And there it was - Australia.
There’s nothing on the iTunes store to specifically tell us we’re in Australia. But a look at the content gives it away. The featured albums at the top include Paul Mac, Evermore, Spiderbait, Missy Higgins and Bernard Fanning (of Powderfinger). There’s a free download of the single, “Shadowland” by up and coming band Youthgroup.
Sony BMG is yet to join the iStore party in Australia. I wonder what they’re holding out for.
We recently upgraded to the video version of iTunes on the family computer and promptly tried out all the quicktime videos on the hard drive. I don’t think iTunes was designed to cope with the number of videos we now have in the library. iT stalls every time we open up. Not good. However the earlier version is still working on the laptop.
At 
