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Gates--Software is the digital core
In his CES keynote address, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates explains why he thinks software will play an important part in creating new and exciting consumer electronic experiences.
C|Net Video

Gates reveals Mira image
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates introduces 'Mira' and 'Freestyle', two XP extensions he says will help create Microsoft's version of a connected home C|Net Video

Two parties involved in the European Union's investigation of Microsoft secured a few extra days to draft comments. The parties are expected to deliver those comments by Wednesday, after missing a Monday deadline. The late comments are not expected to affect the outcome of the proceeding. A representative for the European Competition Commission declined to comment on the delay requests. The Competition Commission is investigating whether Microsoft used its market dominance in desktop operating systems to unfairly gain share in the server market. In August, the regulatory body extended its probe to include streaming media software.

A number of complaints from Xbox early adopters had Microsoft scrambling early this week to refute rumors that its new gaming console is defective. Apparently, "hundreds" of the Xbox units sold during the 2001 holiday season had to be returned, and many users reported waiting weeks for the problems to be fixed. An Associated Press investigation into the situation found that users were unimpressed with the customer service they received from Microsoft. Microsoft says, however, that less than 1 percent of Xboxen produced so far were faulty. And Nintendo reports a similar statistic for its recently released Game Cube.

A federal judge Monday rejected Microsoft's request to delay hearings on what sanctions should be applied against the software giant for violating U.S. antitrust law. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly stuck to her timetable for remedy hearings beginning March 11 even though Microsoft complained that the nine states still pursuing the case had dramatically expanded the scope of possible sanctions. The decision against delay means the remedy hearings remain on a parallel track with separate hearings on a proposed settlement of the case reached between the U.S. Justice Department and nine other states.

Microsoft will take yet another step down the consumer electronics path on Monday with the demonstration of a customized version of Windows XP tuned to digital entertainment. At the Consumer Electronics Show, which began Monday in Las Vegas, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates will show off a prototype consumer interface for Windows XP, code-named Freestyle, according to the company. The new interface is intended to turn PCs into home electronics or entertainment systems by offering direct access to the digital entertainment features of Windows XP.

Microsoft announced Monday that law enforcement authorities had seized more than 45,000 copies of counterfeit software in the Asia-Pacific region last month. Items seized during raids on software dealers in Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and India included pirated versions of the software giant's newly launched Windows XP operating system, its Office XP package and its Windows NT Server.

It's a new year and a new round of processor battles between Intel and Advanced Micro Devices--and that means newer, faster PCs for desktops near and far. In the predawn hours Monday, as expected, AMD launched its new Athlon XP 2000+, which runs at 1.67GHz, and shortly after that Intel followed suit with its new "Northwood" Pentium 4 running at 2GHz and 2.2GHz. The chip debuts kicked off the usual parade of announcement from PC makers. Dell Computer has introduced a new Dimension 8200 desktop starting at about $1,900 with the new 2.2GHz Pentium 4, a Dell spokesman said. And Compaq Computer has begun offering a new Presario 8000 desktop containing the Athlon XP 2000+ chip, starting under $1,500.

Intel today introduced its highest-performing Pentium 4 processor ever, running at 2.2 gigahertz (GHz), or 2.2 billion cycles per second. Built using Intel's most advanced manufacturing technologies, the processor sets the stage for a new class of high-performance PCs that power increasingly popular digital music, photography and video uses, as well the latest applications being developed for the workplace. Systems based on the Pentium 4 processor at 2.2 GHz are available immediately from leading computer makers worldwide.

Today at the 2002 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. announced that leading DVD player manufacturers have adopted Microsoft Windows Media (TM) Technologies for their new DVD players. Panasonic and Apex Digital Inc. today unveiled the first DVD players supporting Windows Media Audio (WMA), which enables consumers to play back more than 22 hours of their favorite music from a single CD and, for DVD players that support DVD-R, enable them to store almost 250 albums on a single DVD. In addition, Shinco (Jiangsu Shinco Electronics Group Company Ltd.), and Toshiba Corp. announced plans to support Windows Media in DVD players introduced in 2002. These consumer electronics manufacturers account for a significant number of the DVD players manufactured and sold in the United States in 2001. In October, for the first time, the sale of DVD players to consumers eclipsed that of VCRs according to the Consumer Electronics Association.

Thanks to ActiveWin for this story.

Despite the fact, the page linked in the header doesn't mention anything special, Microsoft has indeed silently released a new version of the Windows XP PowerToys. What's the difference you're wondering? Well two new utilities have been included! The ISO burner lets you burn ISO using the built-in burning engine of Windows XP, while the Audio Shell Player offers buttons to control the playback of MP3s, WMAs from the Windows taskbar to save valuable screen estate.