iThinkDifferent » Windows 7

Facebook Messenger for Windows Available for Download

Imran — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:03:32 +0000

Facebook Messenger for Windows Available for Download

Titled Facebook Messenger, Facebook has officially released an app for Windows which lets you chat with your friends, watch their recent posts in the news ticker as well as stay up to date with notifications. According to Facebook, the app is being rolled out to a limited number of users, which answers the question as to why there isn’t an official page on this but just a help topic entry only. Strangely, despite being in trial period, Facebook hasn’t called the Messenger app beta.

Facebook has previously released Messenger apps for mobile platforms namely iOS (Read more about Facebook Messenger for iPhone here and here), Android and Blackberry. Lucky for us, Facebook decided not to go with any third party framework such as Adobe ‘hog’ Air to build the app but has used native Windows APIs. The app even supports Aero Snap in Windows 7 – you can drag it to the side of the screen to make it stick there – similar to how Windows 8 metro apps work.

The app shows friend requests, messages previews and notifications. Underneath, it shows the news ticker, friends for chat and then the search bar. An annoyance we’ve faced during testing was that the look and feel of messages is horrible when compared to the Facebook Messenger apps for mobile platforms. You can’t see previews of images and videos in messages like you can on Facebook and on the mobile Messenger apps. Clicking on any of the messages in the dropdown in the header takes you to Facebook in your browser instead of opening a messenger window which really beats the purpose of this app. You can’t even change your online/offline status from the app itself either so in many ways, the app is very restricted.

For version 1, the app is pretty decent but we would like to see this app improved as these tiny bugs make it annoying sometimes. The notifications on the desktop make it worthy enough for any Facebook addict’s desktop though.

Download Facebook Messenger for Windows (Supported only on Windows 7)

iThinkDifferent - All things different about Microsoft, Apple, Google and the Internet.

Microsoft: There’s No Such Thing As “Post-PC”, PCs Are Here To Stay

Haras — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:56:38 +0000

Microsoft: There’s No Such Thing As “Post-PC”, PCs Are Here To Stay

Apple is continuously saying that the desktop PC is dying. They claim that we are in the “post-PC era”. This is a very controversial idea, because most people don’t agree with it.

Microsoft has also rejected the idea of a “post-PC era”. The software giant claims the PC isn’t even middle-aged yet. While Apple also agrees, certain things cannot be done on the iPad, that can easily be achieved on a Mac or PC, they do say that the PC is almost dead and the iPad is the future.

Microsoft has said that they believe tablets will accompany desktop PCs for some time, but they will by no means replace them.

“I’ll be the first to admit that these new “non-PC” objects do a great job at enabling people to communicate and consume in innovative and interesting ways. That’s not surprising, because they were expressly designed for that purpose. But even their most ardent admirers will not assert that they are as good as PCs at the first two verbs, create and collaborate. And that’s why one should take any reports of the death of the PC with a rather large grain of salt. Because creating and collaborating are two of the most basic human drives, and are central to the idea of the PC. They move our culture, economy and world forward. You see their fingerprints in every laboratory, startup, classroom, and community.”

We’re not sure whether Frank Shaw is directly attacking tablet manufacturers because Microsoft does not yet have a fully tablet optimized operating system. Or, he if really does think that the “post-PC” term doesn’t make any sense.

Tablets are nothing new to the table, however when Apple introduced the iPad, they completely changed everyone’s perspective of a tablet. After the iPad, many companies have tried to copy the iPad, but clearly some have failed. The Apple iPad still dominates the tablet market, and analysts believe it will continue to do so in the future.

iThinkDifferent - All things different about Microsoft, Apple, Google and the Internet.

Fujitsu Releases Phone Running Windows 7

Haras — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 11:24:53 +0000

Fujitsu Releases Phone Running Windows 7

Fujitsu has announced that they are releasing a new smartphone that fully runs Windows 7.

The device is named “F-07C” and runs a full version of Windows 7. In addition to this, it also comes packed with a two year license of Microsoft Office ‘10.

This phone will not only run Windows 7, it also runs a specific mobile OS too. Users can switch between the two operating systems with a touch of a button.

Manufactured by Fujitsu, the phone is powered by a 1.2 GHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM and 32GB of SSD storage.

Unfortunately, this is not the thinnest device you will ever see, the device is more than twice as thick as the iPhone 4, and weighs twice as much too! The worst thing about the phone is that it only has enough battery to run Windows 7 for approximately 2 hours. Now, we know that this is a desktop OS so we shouldn’t expect 10 hours of battery life. But two hours… rather short. If you are interested in the phone, you can see the phone in action below. (via WinRumors)

iThinkDifferent - All things different about Microsoft, Apple, Google and the Internet.

Windows Live Essentials 2011 Available For Download [Build 15.4.3538]

ICEMAN — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:44:28 +0000

Windows Live Essentials 2011 Available For Download [Build 15.4.3538]

Microsoft has released Windows Live Essentials 2011 with improved performance and SSL support for Windows Live Mail. There build for this update is 15.4.3538.0513. The 2011 essentials update brings enhancements to photo uploading in Mail, improved voice and video quality in Live Messenger and address issues regarding crashes in Photo Gallery.

Here is a list of changes in Windows Live Essential 2011 update:

Mail: We fixed a sorting issue in the Sent items folder and improved the upload reliability and instrumentation in Photo mail.

Messenger: Fix for stability issues and changes to improved voice and video quality. Fix for issue that was causing sound to be lost after upgrading, and improved performance when displaying the MSN Today page in the main window.

Photo Gallery: Various bug fixes for crashes related to launching Photo Gallery through Autoplay and facial recognition.

The two phase update will begin this week via MSDN and through http://explore.live.com. You can however grab your copy of the update via the following link:

Download Windows Live Essential 2011 Build 15.4.3538.0513

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[via BlogsDNA]

iThinkDifferent - All things different about Microsoft, Apple, Google and the Internet.

Microsoft Releases 3 New Windows 7 Themes – Kung Fu Panda 2, Small World and Waterdrops

Imran — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:05:41 +0000

Microsoft Releases 3 New Windows 7 Themes – Kung Fu Panda 2, Small World and Waterdrops

Microsoft has been doing a great job of releasing new Windows 7 themes now and then specially to tie in with popular movie releases and events. This time, Microsoft has released 3 new Windows 7 Themes: Kung Fu Panda 2, Small World and Waterdrops. Check them out after the break!

Kung Fu Panda 2 theme

Prepare for the return of awesomeness! Download this free Windows 7 theme featuring images of your favorite characters from Kung Fu Panda 2, a 3D movie by DreamWorks Animation in cinemas across the world this summer.

[ilink url="http://download.microsoft.com/download/9/B/1/9B180A02-DF78-4B2F-8C1E-32C2EDA79E2A/KungFuPanda2.themepack" style="download"]Download Kung Fu Panda Theme[/ilink]

Waterdrops theme by J.P. Peter

Discover the world inside a water drop with this free Windows 7 theme featuring astonishingly artistic images by photographer J.P. Peter.

[ilink url="http://download.microsoft.com/download/B/E/8/BE84E4E8-1B48-4274-AD53-0A2243D58D00/WaterdropsByJPP.themepack" style="download"]Download Waterdrops Theme[/ilink]

Small World theme

Take a closer look, then get even closer in this free Windows 7 theme that examines nature’s delicate side.

[ilink url="http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/9/A/89A728DA-EC8F-4379-8514-830ABC35FF42/SmallWorld.themepack" style="download"]Download Small Worlds Theme[/ilink]

P.S. Check out our Windows 7 Themes collection too!

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iThinkDifferent - All things different about Microsoft, Apple, Google and the Internet.

Windows 8 Build 7850 Leaks!

Imran — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:51:35 +0000

Windows 8 Build 7850 Leaks!

Windows 8 build 6.1.7850.0.winmain_win8m1.100922-1508_x86fre_client-enterprise_en-us.iso has been leaked in the wild! This is the first Windows 8 build to be leaked and according to Neowin, it is the final Milestone 1 as well as the last version 6.1 build. You wont find this build yet on your favorite file sharing website because it has just been leaked to a private ftp.

What is Windows 8 and why should you care, you ask? Windows 8 is Microsoft’s next operating system that is in the works and slated for a 2012 release. Microsoft is planning the following features for Windows 8:

An App Store with support for .appx apps. Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 are likely to run the same apps.
Metro UI for tablets as well as a new Immersive UI. There will be an Immersive UI version of IE too.
Multi-platform support. Think like how OS X is a superset of iOS. Windows 8 will also support ARM processors.
Cloud integration. Leaked screenshots so far show Windows Live integration in the taskbar.
A Windows Phone 7 Metro inspired login screen.
Auto Aero Glass colorization based on Desktop Background colors.
A new PDF Reader based on Metro and .appx
Ribbon in Windows Explorer

This is just the list of things we know from the likes of Rafael Rivera and Long Zheng so far. We still haven’t seen the new UI completely yet as it’s tightly under wraps by Microsoft.

Anyhow, the leaks have begun so we will start getting a better idea of how Windows 8, touted as Microsoft’s biggest challenge for an OS by Steve Ballmer, will turn out to be. If you somehow download and install Windows 8 M1 leaked build, don’t blame Microsoft for the bugs and any issues you run into. Most of it is still Windows 7 in terms of look and feel and functionality. You’re not supposed to be using it and it’s a work in progress.

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iThinkDifferent - All things different about Microsoft, Apple, Google and the Internet.

Samsung Laptops Shipping With Keyloggers – Check Yours!!

Austin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:39:41 +0000

Samsung Laptops Shipping With Keyloggers – Check Yours!!

If you own a newer Samsung laptop, you might have a fiasco on your hands akin to the Sony 2005 BGM Rootkit scandal. According to Network World, Samsung has been installing a keylogger on its new laptops. A keylogger, for those who don’t know, is a program designed to record every single keystroke entered, even in password-protected windows, and usually transmits the logged keystrokes regularly via email. Mohammad Hassan, who discovered the keylogger, had this to say:

While setting up a new Samsung computer laptop with model number R525 in early February 2011, I came across an issue that mirrored what Sony BMG did six years ago. After the initial set up of the laptop, I installed licensed commercial security software and then ran a full system scan before installing any other software. The scan found two instances of a commercial keylogger called StarLogger installed on the brand new laptop.

Later on, Hassan returned the R525 due to display problems(after the keylogger had been removed). He replaced his previous model with a different Samsung laptop, the R540. Upon scanning it, he found that the R540 had the same keylogger installed in the same directory as it was on the R525! “The fact that on both models the same files were found in the same location supported the suspicion that the hardware manufacturer, Samsung, must know about this software on its brand-new laptops.”

Samsung has since launched an investigation into the keylogger incident, with the aid of Mr. Hassan(and Mich Kabay, who published the original article via Network World). If you own a Samsung laptop, specifically one of the R Series, scanning it with a proven anti-virus software would not be a bad idea(I personally recommend Windows Security Essentials).

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iThinkDifferent - All things different about Microsoft, Apple, Google and the Internet.

Jailbreak 4.3.1 Using Sn0wbreeze 2.4b1!

Austin — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:59:33 +0000

Jailbreak 4.3.1 Using Sn0wbreeze 2.4b1!

When it comes to jailbreaking tools, Windows users often get left in the dust as PwnageTool is a Mac only application. A PwnageTool jailbreak for 4.3.1, while complicated, did become available the day after 4.3.1 was released. Windows users have been forced to wait, but not anymore. The new beta of sn0wbreeze, version 2.4b1, can now jailbreak 4.3.1. Please note that like the PwnageTool jailbreak, this jailbreak method is also tethered. Here’s how to jailbreak 4.3.1 using Sn0wbreeze:

*Note: This jailbreak is compatible with the iPhone 4, iPhone 3Gs, iPod Touch 3G/4G, and the original iPad.

*Disclaimer*: iTD is not responsible for anything that happens to your device while following this guide. Those who do so do it at their own risk.

Step 1: Download sn0wbreeze 2.4b1 here and make sure your iTunes is up-to-date. If you haven’t already, download the 4.3.1 firmware for your device here, or via iTunes.

Step 2: Make sure you have the 4.3.1 firmware for your device somewhere you can find it(like your Desktop). If you downloaded it via iTunes, the ipsw should be located at “C:/Users//AppData/Roaming/Apple Computer/iTunes/Device Support/”. (To enable hidden files and folders, click Organize > Folder Options > View > “Show hidden files, folders, and drives”)

Step 3: Run sn0wbreeze. After clicking “OK”, you should have a window that looks something like this:

Step 4: Click the arrow on the bottom right. Drag/drop or browse to your custom firmware and select it. Allow Sn0wbreeze to analyze the firmware fille, then click the arrow again.

Step 5: Select “Expert Mode” and click the next arrow. Select “Build IPSW” and hit the next arrow once more.

Step 6: Let Sn0wbreeze do its thing. You can choose to play Pac-Man if you have Adobe Flash for Internet Explorer installed.

Step 7: Once Sn0wbreeze finishes, it will assist you in booting your device in DFU mode. The steps are as follows:

Connect your device via USB
Power down your device
Hold the Power and Home buttons for 10 seconds
Release the Power button but keep holding the Home button for 10 seconds.
Your device will now be in DFU mode

Step 8: Restore your device with iTunes, but keep sn0wbreeze open. Hold Shift while clicking “Restore” and browse to the custom firmware file created by sn0wbreeze.

Step 9: Don’t do anything stupid. Let iTunes do its thing. Make sure not to accidentally bump or disconnect your device.

Step 10: After your device is restored, open the “iBooty” folder on your Desktop and launch “iBooty.exe”. Select your device from the bottom-left drop-down menu, and then click “Start”.

Step 11: Follow the on-screen instructions to put your device in DFU mode, just like in Step 7.

Step 12: Once your device is in DFU mode, let iBooty do the rest. When your device boots, it will be jailbroken on 4.3.1. If your device is ever restarted, use iBooty to boot it into a tethered state once more by following steps 10-12.

Although Mobile Substrate has now been updated to work with 4.3.1, there are many Cydia packages that are not yet ready. Use caution when installing anything from Cydia.

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Storage Solutions – Dropbox vs. Windows Live Mesh

Austin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 07:38:46 +0000

Storage Solutions – Dropbox vs. Windows Live Mesh

When it comes to backing up files online, one of the most used services is Dropbox. However, Microsoft has recently rolled out Windows Live Mesh, which provides Dropbox with some competition. Each have their pros and cons, so I decided to test them both. Here’s what I found:

Dropbox

Strengths:

1) Available for Mac, PC, and Linux.

2) Ability to share files with those that do not have Dropbox.

3) Automatic syncing.

4) App for iOS and Android.

5) Upgradeable. 50GB for $9.99/month and 100GB for $19.99/month.

Weaknesses:

1) Slow upload/download speeds.

2) Free plan only includes 2GB of storage.

3) Only syncs contents of “Dropbox” folder.

Windows Live Mesh

Strengths:

1) Available for both Mac and PC.

2) Fast upload/download speeds.

3) Free plan includes 5GB of storage.

4) Can set any folder/s to sync.

5) Automatic syncing

Weaknesses:

1) No Linux support.

2) Can only share files with those using Windows Live Mesh.

3) Only mobile support is for Windows Phone.

4) No current storage upgrade options for Live Mesh.

Overview:

Overall, Windows Live Mesh had the best to offer. With 5GB of online storage, faster upload/download speeds, and the ability to sync any folder regardless of location, ditching Dropbox in favor of Live Mesh became an easy decision for me. However, if you use Linux or wish to share files via direct download, Dropbox is the better choice. Each have their strengths and weaknesses, so ultimately the choice between the two is personal. Personally, I’ll be using Live Mesh.

iThinkDifferent - All things different about Microsoft, Apple, Google and the Internet.

WizMouse Brings Mac/Linux-Style Scrolling to Windows

Austin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:20:50 +0000

WizMouse Brings Mac/Linux-Style Scrolling to Windows

One of my favorite features in a Unix/Linux-based OS is the ability to scroll in any window my mouse is over, whether it’s the “active” window or not. When running Windows, it can be frustrating to find that you cannot do the same thing natively. WizMouse bridges the gap by bringing a Mac/Linux scrolling style to your Windows OS.

With WizMouse running, any window your mouse hovers over can be scrolled, whether partially covered by multiple other windows or not. WizMouse is free and supported by donations. The list of useful applications for WizMouse is a long one, and to go back to scrolling without it feels awkward and clunky. Free yourself from awkward scrolling and give WizMouse a try by downloading it here. After all, it’s free!

If you enjoy WizMouse, let us know in the comments below!

iThinkDifferent - All things different about Microsoft, Apple, Google and the Internet.