After a bewildering series of high-profile rumors about the supposed imminent release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) appeared on various Windows news and rumors sites and blogs in the past few weeks, Microsoft took the unprecedented step this week of denying all of them. Reports suggested that Microsoft’s previous timetable for Vista SP1, which would see a public beta by the end of 2007, were wrong; instead, we were told, Microsoft would ship SP1 in final form by the end of 2007 and would ship a beta in July. Then, reports of a so-called Vista SP1 WDK (Windows Driver Kit) download on the Microsoft Connect site triggered another round of wishful thinking and heady news reports.

All of this is, as it turns out, completely untrue. “There will be a Windows Vista service pack and our current expectation is that a beta will be made available sometime this year,” a Microsoft spokesperson said, as first reported on Bink.nu. “Service packs are part of the traditional software lifecycle–they’re something we do for all Microsoft products as part of our commitment to continuous improvement, and providing early test builds is a standard practice that helps us incorporate customer feedback and improve the overall quality of the product.”

Here’s what’s really happening. Microsoft’s previously-stated schedule for Vista SP1–a public beta in late 2007 with the final release next year–is still on track, and the company has never altered its schedule since announcing that plan. The company will, however, issue an early pre-release version of Vista SP1 to a limited group of external testers, as it always does, sooner than that. This will not constitute the start of the technical beta for Vista SP1, or mark a public beta release at all.

As for that Vista SP1 WDK, well, that was just a typo. What Microsoft actually posted was a WDK for Windows Server 2008, the upcoming successor to Windows Server 2003 R2.

I’ll be sure to report on Windows Vista SP1 when there’s actually something to report.

Title: Microsoft Shoots Down Vista SP1 Rumors
Author: Paul Thurrott
Date: 19 Jul 2007
Source: Windows IT Pro

Age of Conan Game Windows Vista PC Even though he killed himself in 1936, Robert E. Howard created one of the most enduring characters in fantasy fiction–Conan the Cimmerian, aka Conan the Barbarian. The gruff, rough, and virtually indestructible warrior slew and stole his way through a brutal ancient realm in 20 short stories, published from 1932 to 1936 in the sci-fi magazine Weird Tales.

Since then, Howard’s complete works and unpublished Conan stories have been republished in numerous books and adapted into a popular comic series. They have also inspired two films–the classic Conan the Barbarian (1982) and the less-than-classic Conan the Destroyer (1984), both starring Arnold Schwarzenegger–and two much-less-than-classic syndicated television shows, both named Conan: The Adventurer (1992 and 1997-1998, respectively).

Because Conan is one of the most popular figures in fantasy fiction, the stories have also inspired several games. The first, called Conan, came out in 1984 for the Commodore 64. The most recent, also called Conan, was released for the PC, Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation 2 in 2004–in Europe. However, the game’s publisher, TDK Mediactive, could not find a US distributor.

Now, Conan fans yearning for adventure on their computers have something to look forward to. North Carolina-based publisher Funcom announced today that it is developing Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, a new role-playing game featuring the brawny barbarian. However, unlike the company’s most famous game, Anarchy Online, the game will not be a traditional massively multiplayer role-playing game.

Instead, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures will be a PC “online action RPG” that will be a mix of “story-driven single-player experience and a massive and brutal multiplayer endgame.” According to Funcom game director Gaute Godager, it will begin as a single-player RPG adventure, and when that portion’s story is complete, it will let players bring their characters into an MMORPG universe. Said Godager, “Have you not felt the urge when a great single-player RPG ends to have your character live on and interact with other fellow travelers? To enter an even greater world? This is that opportunity, to have a detailed RPG all about you, your choices, and your character, and if you win, to share that victory at an even greater stage.”

Age of Conan is set after the titular barbarian–following many years of bloody struggle and plunder–has become king of the city of Aquilonia. “But,” according to Funcom, “Conan’s rule is on the brink of chaos, spiraling towards the doom of ancient evils.” The game will incorporate the various elements of Howard’s “dark, lush, violent, and sinful universe,” including “cruel gods, mythical creatures, lost civilizations, and a struggling human race.”

Besides an apparently extensive story, Age of Conan will feature 7.1 surround audio and advanced graphics, as evidenced by the screenshots accompanying the release. The gameplay promises to go “against the formulaic nature of online RPG combat.” Using a “Real Combat” engine and a “multipoint melee system,” players will be able to target specific parts of their opponents’ bodies.

The multiplayer part of the game will also feature real-time strategy elements, which will let players create formations of characters and non-player characters. The game will also feature large-scale battles, which will let players attack hostile strongholds, as well as more-standard MMORPG elements, like guilds.

Funcom also said the game’s launch would accompany a whole new wave of Conan products, including a Dark Horse Comics series, an anime film, new novels, and a toy line from McFarlane Toys.

Game Title: Age of Conan
Author: f13dotnet
Source: Windows-Vista-Update

Microsoft Corp., the world’s biggest software maker, may report slower fourth-quarter profit growth today after paying as much as $1.15 billion to fix faulty Xbox video-game consoles.

Net income probably rose to 32 cents a share in the quarter ended June 30 from 28 cents a year earlier, according to the average estimate of 11 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Sales may have increased 12 percent to $13.3 billion, the survey showed.

The repair expenses, which eroded gains from new Windows and Office programs, revived debate over whether Microsoft should be in video-game consoles at all. The unit that includes Xbox has lost more than $5 billion in the past five years amid competition with Nintendo Co. and Sony Corp.

“Given the amount of capital and time they’ve put in, at some point you evaluate the feasibility of going against Sony and Nintendo,” said Pat Becker Jr., who helps oversee $2.5 billion including Microsoft shares at Becker Capital Management in Portland, Oregon. “Is that really a place Microsoft should have resources deployed?”

Microsoft said this month that an “unacceptable” number of its Xbox 360 machines were experiencing a complete shutdown customers call the “red ring of death,” after the circle that appears on defective consoles. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, 51, extended the warranty and the software maker is reimbursing users who have already paid for fixes.

The Redmond, Washington-based company reports results today after the close of regular Nasdaq Stock Market trading. Spokesman Bill Cox declined to comment for this story.

`What Else?’

The repairs cut profit by about 8 cents a share, according to Goldman, Sachs & Co.’s Sarah Friar in San Francisco. At least eight analysts reduced their earnings per share projections after the announcement July 5, lowering the average estimate by 7 cents.

The Xbox breakdowns add to a stream of bad news holding back the stock, Friar said. “People reacted like `God, what else can happen?” said Friar, who rates the shares “buy.” “Microsoft needs to prove they can create large profitable businesses outside of the operating system.”

Shares of Microsoft have risen 3.5 percent in 2007, giving up some of the gains that came before the Jan. 30 release of the new Windows Vista program. Rivals Apple Inc., Oracle Corp. and Google Inc. have all posted bigger increases this year.

Microsoft rose 14 cents to $30.92 yesterday on the Nasdaq. Twenty-five analysts suggest buying the shares, eight recommend holding them and one has a “sell” rating, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Bored of It

In the Xbox unit, revenue probably declined 10 percent to $1.16 billion, Friar said. Console sales missed forecasts amid competition with Kyoto, Japan-based Nintendo’s Wii, she said.

Sales in the other four main divisions probably rose at least 10 percent each, with revenue from Windows for personal computers jumping 17 percent on Vista purchases, Friar said. The Web business may have gained 10 percent as advertising growth continues to lag behind leader Google, she said.

Microsoft may yet prove to be a better value than companies such as General Electric Co. and Coca-Cola Co., which have similar price-to-earnings ratios and are growing at a slower pace, Becker said.

Joel Hirsh, an analyst at Kovitz Investment Group in Chicago, expects the stock to rise as much as 20 percent within 18 months.

“Yes, they are trying to find growth, but it’s not like they aren’t growing already,” said Hirsh, whose firm manages $1.1 billion, including Microsoft shares. “The beauty of this company for us is that other people are bored of it.”

Title: Microsoft Xbox Repair Costs May Cut Fourth-Quarter Profit Gain
Author: Dina Bass
Date: 19 Jul 2007
Source: Bloomberg

Microsoft Corp. could pull the trigger on putting out a beta of the first service pack for Windows Vista any day, with a final release by November, sources close to the company said.

Microsoft has been mum about exactly what will be included in Windows Vista Service Pack 1, a rollup of updates for the OS, many of which are pushed out automatically through its Web-based update services. The company also has not said when the software will be in final release, with the latest from the company revealing only that a beta will be out sometime before the end of the year.

The WinBeta.org blog reported in a post that Microsoft ’s Windows Driver Kit (WDK) team sent out an e-mail to beta testers that a new build of the WDK was being released to them to coincide “with the recent OS beta release for Vista SP1 Preview,” hinting that SP1 beta is soon to be sent to testers.

Others speculate Microsoft might release the SP1 beta on the day it will report the company’s fiscal 2007 fourth quarter and year-end financial results.

In an e-mail interview, one source close to the company said he had been told by insiders that a beta of SP1 would be out by now, so an imminent release is highly likely. And another in an interview over instant messenger said that beta testers report SP1 will definitely be out this week, with a final release coming in November or December.

At Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner Conference in Denver two weeks ago, Mike Sievert, corporate vice president of the Windows business group at Microsoft, toed the party line on Vista SP1 and said little about when it would be released or what would be in it, and hinted that Microsoft’s own plans for the service pack are still in flux.

Sievert also downplayed the software’s role in when some Windows users will upgrade to Vista, though it’s widely known many users — especially business and enterprise customers — are waiting for SP1 before replacing Windows XP with Vista.

“Most companies are still in the evaluation phase,” he said in an interview. “Service pack or no service pack, they’re still looking at what they will deploy.”

Title: Windows Vista SP1 Beta Due This Week
Author: Elizabeth Montalbano
Date: 19 Jul 2007
Source: CIO India

Wanna play Gears PC online? Then you’ll have to sign up for Games for Windows - Live

Anyone who wants to enjoy the carnage of Gears of War online on PC - and let’s face it, who won’t want some of that? - will HAVE to sign up to Games for Windows - Live.

Microsoft has told CVG that the game will only be playable online through the PC’s version of the Xbox online service.

Although it’s free to sign up to Games for Windows - Live, it’s news that’s sure to rankle PC gamers used to freedom and choice when it comes to online gaming.

Microsoft slipped out during E3 that Games for Windows - Live is to be made available for Windows XP, although there’s not concrete date on when this is to happen - but it’ll be before Gears of War releases in November.

Epic’s PC version of its show-stopper shooter will feature 19 multiplayer maps on release and two-player co-op and eight-player competitive game modes.

Title: Gears of War demands Games for Windows - Live account
Author: Stuart Bishop
Date: 17 Jul 2007
Source: CVG

If you had been waiting for the launch of Halo 2 for the PC in India, then wait no more! Microsoft has finally released the highly anticipated first-person shooter Halo 2 for Windows Vista . The PC version has the classic story, improved visual presentation, multiplayer thrill and all-new Map Editor.

Mohit Anand is the Country Manager of Entertainment & Devices Division for Microsoft India. He comments , “Halo 2 is one of the most exhilarating first person shooter titles ever, with its unmatchable graphics and sound effects. In our effort to provide a unique real time experience to gaming fans across platforms, Microsoft EDD once again brings alive the Master Chief on your PC with Windows Vista”

Halo 2 has been developed by Microsoft Game Studios. The game will be available in India at a price of Rs 1649. Indian gamers had to wait for a very long time for the PC version of Halo 2. It was released in June 2007 in other territories.

The only thing about PC gaming in India is that most of the gamers have not yet migrated to Windows Vista, they still use XP. Who knows, maybe a game like Halo 2 will persuade users to use Microsoft’s new operating system . Anyway, click here to see a video of the PC version of Halo 2 that we uploaded some time ago.

Title: Halo 2 for PC Launched in India by Microsoft
Author: Game Guru
Date: 18 Jul 2007
Source: Game Guru

Microsoft Corp.’s efforts to plug 11 security vulnerabilities by way of its monthly update has security vendors warning users to apply the patches as quickly as possible.

Both McAfee and Symantec issued statements in response to the five vulnerabilities carrying a severity rating of ‘critical’, another five were labeled ‘important’, and one classified as a ‘moderate’ risk.

The critical vulnerabilities affect Excel 2000, Windows Server 2000 and versions 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 of the .Net framework. A hacker could exploit a vulnerability to remotely execute malicious code on a target system.

Dave Marcus, security research and communications manager at McAfee Avert Labs, said vulnerabilities in Office applications have been a favorite attack method among cyber crooks. He said users should move quickly to apply the security patches particularly those for Excel and Active Directory.

“Trojan horse attacks often use rigged Office files that exploit vulnerabilities in the productivity applications,” he said. “The vulnerabilities in the .Net framework could be exploited through malicious Web sites. Simply visiting such a Web site would result in malicious code being installed on the victim’s computer.”

“It’s interesting. We see hackers targeting Excel, it’s a favorite of theirs, and anytime you have the possibility of a remote code execution in any Office application it is a cause for concern.”

He also noted a vulnerability in Windows Active Directory — widely used as a directory service by businesses — could expose Windows 2000 users to worm-type attacks since it could be exploited over the Internet by an anonymous attacker. The potential threat here being a hacker could crash a machine, anonymously run programs, or steal information from Active Directory.

“The Holy Grail of vulnerabilities is remote code execution. The actual vulnerability can result in the hacker making arbitrary commands on a system and you never want that,” he said. “Whenever there’s a vulnerability update released by a vendor, customers should apply due diligence and apply those patches as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, officials for Symantec Corp. said the logic flaw in the Windows Vista Firewall that was identified by Symantec in February 2007, exposes network services that should only be accessible from the local area network to the Internet.

By tunneling traffic over the Teredo protocol, an attacker can access network services that would otherwise have been blocked from the Internet. While classified as an “information disclosure vulnerability,” if this logic flaw were combined with a vulnerability in one of the exposed services, this vulnerability could have more serious, widespread implications.

“As this month’s patch release demonstrates, Microsoft’s decision to rewrite the Windows network stack and its accompanying firewall continues to have long term security implications,” said Oliver Friedrichs, director, emerging technologies, Symantec Security Response. “A network stack can take decades of heavy scrutiny in order to become battle hardened. As an operating system’s first line of defense, its quality is directly related to its ability to withstand attack.”

Microsoft also issued patches for multiple vulnerabilities in Excel. The bulletin included a fix for a previously disclosed Denial-of-Service issue that is now billed as having the potential for remote code execution. An attacker would need to entice a user to open a malicious Excel file to leverage these vulnerabilities.

Warren Shiau, lead analyst, IT research for The Strategic Counsel, said the issue of known vulnerabilities going for lengthy periods of time without patches being issued isn’t necessarily as big a problem as it’s often made out to be.

“Vulnerabilities open up the potential for exploits, but if there are no exploits then there can be a time window (often lengthy) for issuing patches,” he explained. “A thing to note about many of the vulnerabilities is that harm can be avoided through common sense user behavior.

“With the Excel vulnerability for instance, if you don’t surf unknown sites and don’t click on suspicious links you probably could eliminate the possibility of bringing up an infected .xls file.” As is the case for other vendors, when Microsoft issues patches it’s often a situation where it’s protecting users from themselves.

“I think it’s an innate characteristic of civilized people to have trust, and an innate characteristic of criminals to try to take advantage of this trust,” he added.

Symantec officials recommended IT administrators evaluate the possible impact of these vulnerabilities to critical systems, plan for required responses including patch deployment and implementation of security best practices using the appropriate security and availability solutions, and to take proactive steps to protect the integrity of networks and information.

Of equal importance, verify that appropriate data backup processes and safeguards are in place and effective, and remind users to exercise caution in opening all unknown or unexpected e-mail attachments and in following Web links from unknown or unverified sources.

Consumers are advised to regularly run Windows Update and install the latest security patches to keep software up to date and to avoid opening unknown or unexpected e-mail attachments or following Web links from unknown or unverified sources.

Title: Microsoft fixes necessary to plug significant flaws
Author: Liam Lahey
Date: 15 Jul 2007
Source: eChannel Line

There’s been a streak of security updates and issues for often-used products in the last few days. First was Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday rush, and then that scrap about Internet Explorer and Firefox. Finally, Adobe patched holes in Flash Player.

Now, Apple just fixed eight security bugs – seven of which I’d define as “critical” – in QuickTime media player. The updated version is numbered 7.2.

Apple doesn’t actually call them “critical.” But when a threat description says that a successful exploit can result in “arbitrary code execution,” that would seem to mean that a successful exploit would let someone else take over your PC. So that’s my choice of word.

Software makers usually try to be vague enough in their discussion of how a bug works that they don’t make crackers’ jobs any easier or give anyone ideas. Apple is no different, and is even a bit more vague than some. But at least three of these bugs could bite you if you were to play booby-trapped movie files of different types – including H.264 and .m4v format MP4 files.

A fourth flaw could be taken advantage of if you started up a malicious multimedia file written using the Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL).

(I’ll let you guess at how it’s pronounced, but what it does is synchronize elements in a multimedia presentation. For instance, it could be used to write a script that shows a series of pictures one second each while “Happy Birthday” plays.)

The other three critical vulnerabilities Apple only characterizes as “design issues” so I’m not even going to guess at that. But it does say that you could be successfully attacked by merely visiting a site that hosts a malicious link. All in all, it’s definitely an update worth getting.

There are updates for the Mac OS X v10.3.9, Mac OS X v10.4.9 or later, Windows Vista, and Windows XP Service Pack 2.

If you don’t have your software update preferences set to automatically download and install updates, you can get the download manually.

For more information and links to the downloads check out Apple’s security bulletin.

Title: More Patches: Now It’s QuickTime’s Turn
Author: Stuart Johnston
Date: 12 Jul 2007
Source: PC World

Evesham’s e-box has been given a welcome revamp with the introduction of Dual-Core processing, high-definition capabilities and Windows Vista and is being launched as the new e-box HD.

The new Evesham 320GB e-box HD is a fully functional DTR and an all round entertainment system.

With a small footprint, almost silent operation and not unbecoming looks, it’s one way of getting a computer into the lounge without a small war breaking out.

Supplied as standard with a fully functional remote control this claims to give you complete control of your digital entertainment from the comfort of your sofa.

The e-box HD combines state-of-the-art PC, TV, DVD and hi-fi capabilities into one simple system.

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ processor delivers Dual-Core technology providing up to 70% higher performance than predecessors which should mean efficient multi tasking, ideal when you wish to run more than one applications at any one time.

The e-box HD’s processing power means you can be watching TV while downloading your home movies without any waiting times or system lags.

The new e-box HD is also ready to go AMD Live! which puts all your movies, pictures, videos and TV programmes in one place, AMD Live! then allows you to access those files on your mobile, MP3 players, other TVs, etc.

The e-box HD boasts a Dual DVB-T TV Tuner that lets you watch, time-shift and record live television and record one digital channel while watching another.

Now with an HDMI port you can connect the new e-box HD to the your HD TV.

Other features include front mounted USB connections, and the inclusion of Microsoft Vista Home Premium as well as a Logitech Cordless Keyboard.

Prices start from £699, visit the site below for more info.

Title: Evesham’s e-box gets revamp, goes high-def
Author: Amy-Mae Elliott
Date: 11 Jul 2007
Source: Pocket-Lint

Microsoft released a total of six updates to patch eleven security holes on Tuesday, including fixes for four vulnerabilities in the company’s productivity suite, Microsoft Office.

The vulnerabilities included two issues rated Critical by Microsoft for Excel 2000. Those two flaws and a third vulnerability were rated Important, or did not affect, other versions of the company’s spreadsheet program. A fourth flaw, rated Important by Microsoft, could allow an attacker to remotely execute a program if a user of Microsoft Office Publisher 2007 opened a specially-crafted file.

Vulnerability researchers and attackers have focused on Microsoft Office over the past two years. Attacks using Trojan horse programs camouflaged as Office files have targeted executives and managers in many companies and government organizations. While Microsoft has warned of attacks using Office flaws in the past, the current crop of Excel flaws is not currently being used to compromise systems, the software giant stated in its advisories.

The other eight flaws fixed by Microsoft on Tuesday include a vulnerability in the firewall of the company’s latest operating system, Windows Vista, which could allow IPv6 traffic to be used to gather sensitive information about the machine. Three flaws — including two issues rated Critical — affect Microsoft’s .NET framework, another two issues affect the company’s Active Directory server, and the last flaw could allow an attacker to run code on Microsoft’s Internet Information Server.

An analysis of the flaws can be found on the security response blog of Symantec , the parent company of SecurityFocus. The analysis points out that, while not explicitly mentioned in the advisories, a fourth flaw in Microsoft’s Active Directory server and other flaws in Microsoft Excel were patched by the software giant.

Title: Office flaws continue to haunt Microsoft
Author: Robert Lemos
Date: 11 Jul 2007
Source: Security Focus