In its online and retail stores, Microsoft is selling computers loaded with all of its online software including its Windows Live, Zune, and Security Essentials products.

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But no Twitter, Facebook etc. just yet. Microsoft has released a new downloadable update for Xbox Live. Nope, it's not the one which will deliver Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and Zune functionality - according to Major Nelson, that's due to arrive next month. This update just adds WPA2 support for the Xbox 360 wireless network adapter. Ah well. Read more...

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Patrons line up before store's opening in O.C.

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Google at a Los Angeles event tonight unveiled its widely expected advanced music search feature. The addition (a video of which is available below) automatically parses regular searches for music from all four major labels and automatically filters it by artist, album or track; users can then either sample or buy the tracks through Lala or MySpace's iLike. Those who use recommendation-based ...

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Sweeps 'crapware' under carpet Microsoft has wagged its finger at users to dissuade them from hacking upgrade versions of Windows 7 to get a full copy of the new operating system on their PC.… What is your recession sales strategy?

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The Windows PCs at Microsoft's first retail stores are deliberately purged of the third-party apps they would normally carry, employees and eyewitnesses have confirmed. Product Advisor Jared Marino explains these systems, regardless of the brand, are considered Signature PCs and won't include any unnecessary third-party software. In exchange, they come preloaded with the normally optional ...

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I was wondering how aggressively -- or not -- Microsoft would market Windows Live services once it began selling Windows 7. The answer seems to be somewhat aggressively. But is that tepid enough to keep the Softies out of antitrust hot water?

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The store, the company's first in California, will open in the Shops at Mission Viejo at 10 a.m.

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Not only is Microsoft reselling select Windows 7 PCs normally sold by its hardware partners, but the company is making sure they come only with the software it wants. Yes, that means that if you buy a PC from Microsoft, it won't come with the usual "crapware," though it won't be a clean install either. Microsoft is still bundling its own software, including Windows Live Essentials and Microsoft ...

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With the introduction of Microsoft retail stores the Redmond giant also decided to introduce its own line of PCs called Signature PCs. These are typically machines selected from other manufacturers such as Sony or HP. Usually when you buy a pre-built machine or laptop one of your tasks when you turn it on for the first [...]

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