Microsoft said it will not ship the Windows 7 'E' version of Windows...
The software maker had originally proposed shipping Windows 7 in Europe without a browser at all — the so-called 'E' version of the operating system. However, European regulators indicated that might not satisfy its concerns.
Microsoft announced last week that it was open to the ballot screen, but said it would wait to drop the browserless 'E' version until European regulators approved its plan.
The software maker said late on Friday that it decided to ship the same version of Windows 7 for Europe after PC makers complained that having to use the browserless version of Windows 7 for a short period of time would be problematic.
"In the wake of last week's developments, as well as continuing feedback on Windows 7 E that we have received from computer manufacturers and other business partners, I'm pleased to report that we will ship the same version of Windows 7 in Europe in October that we will ship in the rest of the world," deputy general counsel Dave Heiner said in a statement.
The European Commission had said it "welcomed" Microsoft's move, also giving the software maker some confidence that it could ship Windows 7 with the browser included. If the Commission accepts Microsoft's proposal, it will fully implement that proposed ballot screen to Windows 7 buyers in Europe.
"One reason we decided not to ship Windows 7 'E' is concerns raised by computer manufacturers and partners," Heiner said. "Several worried about the complexity of changing the version of Windows that we ship in Europe if our ballot-screen proposal is ultimately accepted by the Commission and we stop selling Windows 7 'E'. "Computer manufacturers and our partners also warned that introducing Windows 7 'E', only to later replace it with a version of Windows 7 that includes IE, could confuse consumers about what version of Windows to buy with their PCs."
The move also solved a challenge for Vista users in Europe who, under the previous plan, would have had to do a clean install to move to Windows 7. It also allows Microsoft to sell an "upgrade version" of Windows 7 in Europe. Microsoft had previously said it would only sell a full version of the OS, though it had said it would sell that at the upgrade price, at least for a time.
Those who pre-ordered Windows 7 'E' through a recent discount offer will get the full version, as Microsoft had promised. However, Microsoft plans to now sell Windows 7 upgrades in Europe and also offer a higher-priced full version (for those without an earlier copy of Windows) — similar to what it is doing in the rest of the world.
Techno News: Nokia Disappoints Investors With Forecast
HELSINKI, Finland (AP) — Shares in Nokia, the world’s largest maker of mobile phones, plunged more than 13.5 percent on Thursday after the company downgraded its forecast for the global handset market and posted lower-than-expected first-quarter earnings.
Nokia reported a net profit of $1.9 billion in the first three months of the year, 25 percent more than the $1.6 billion of the period in 2007 but below analysts’ forecasts.
Revenue grew 28 percent, to $20 billion, from $15.6 billion a year earlier, with strong growth of handset sales in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
The markets were expecting a better result, and Nokia stock closed down $4.74, or 14 percent, to $28.95 on the New York Stock Exchange.
The company, based in Espoo, Finland, said its market share slipped to 39 percent in the first quarter this year, from 40 percent in the October-to-December quarter. But it sold 115 million mobile devices in the first quarter, up 27 percent from a year earlier, and its market share was three points higher than in the first quarter a year ago.
Nokia’s strongest growth in mobile phone sales was in the Asia-Pacific region, which for the first time overtook Europe as the company’s biggest market. It sold 34 million units in the region, accounting for more than a third of the company’s mobile phone sales.
But selling cheaper handsets in emerging markets continued to push down the closely watched average selling price of Nokia’s mobile devices. It fell to $125 in the period, from $132 in the previous quarter and $141 in the first quarter last year.
reference: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/business/18nokia.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Cubans Now Enjoy Cell Phone
If Filipinos are excited for the next release of the latest Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, and other top mobile phone companies, just imagine how ordinary Cubans feel now that they're already allowed to own the gadget most popular in the Philippines. Yes, it's just the first time for most Cubans to own a cellphone since the government restricted its use only for top government officials and foreigners. Not only cellphone, Cubans can now enjoy their new DVD players, computers, and even tourist hotel accommodation which were previously only available for foreigners.Bad News: I Missed the Earth Hour.. Good News: Read This
But hey, I realize still have more chances to help save the earth. And as a person who constantly rely on technology, I am continuously draining energy, which is one of the primary reasons we have this Global Warming. And so I thought of other things which I can personally do to help against this world problem.
1. Conserve Energy - our electronic gadgets consume much of our energy at home. Try to unplug and turn off all that electronic equipment that you think are not actually in use. Turning off lights during the day, or minimizing your airconditioner thermostat during cool nights can be a good start.
2. Avoid Burning - when we burn, we are producing heat energy and carbon dioxide, the main ingredients of Global Warming. Let's start decomposing our biodegradable wastes in the natural way now. It also helps nourish the soil you know.
3. Walk More - walking more helps us save fuel and money, which are already hard to find these days. Not only that we also get to exercise our bodies, thus making us fit and healthy.
These are just some of my ways that I think I can personally do. You can also generate your save-the-earth list. Let us all remember that no single man brought Global Warming to its existence. Therefore no single man can also save this problem, IT TAKES ALL OF MANKIND. Let's be part of this noble cause now, or suffer the consequences now and later.