Just the latest of the TV ads

thanks to @WindowsUK – nut hey why don’t you enable the videos on that page to be embeddable!

aha thanks for the tip on embedding…

Rob

You can win a private gig with The Sugababes over at http://www.sugababeslovewindows7.com/my_gig.html

“The Sugababes have teamed up with Windows 7 to make it simple for you to win an amazing night to remember, with an intimate performance from the girls for you and your mates. We want to hear your ideas for your perfect gig with the girls, so get entering below!

Simply fill out your details and tell us your gig idea - what the occasion is, when you’re planning it for, where it’s taking place, what you would love the girls to sing and why you would like the Sugababes to appear. Good luck”

Also check out the Suagababes trying out the best new features of Windows 7

Rob

I don’t have an iPhone (not surprisingly I don’t want to have Steve Ballmer jumping on it ) but if I did one of the first apps I would have is  the Bing Wallpaper Downloader for iPhone so I can look at all those beautiful bing wallpapers

Source : Redmond Pie

Thanks to @TaimurAsad for the tip

Rob

Well besides the 3 default ones Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer and Windows Media Player  (which of course you can un-pin).  Out of interest what else have you got pinned to your taskbar in Windows 7?

Personally I have added:

• The snipping tool
• Windows Live Writer
• Twhirl
• Outlook
• Excel
• Winpub ( this is an internal tool)
• Sticky notes

If you want to learn a little more about how to pin new items to your task bar watch this video.

Rob

You can never have enough emoticons right? Then these 10 emoticons for Windows Live Messenger from MSN Arabia are a nice addtion for your collection.

Download the Windows Live Messenger – Eid Emoticons

Thanks to Blake for the spot

Rob

Today we launched the Windows Compatibility Center in a number of languages

• Germany: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/de-de/
• Spain: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/es-es/
• Italy: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/it-it/
• Russia: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/ru-ru/
• China: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/zh-cn/

Of course if you can always use the English language version at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility

Rob

There have been a few new and improved articles posted to the Windows Online website recently and I just wanted to point them out.

1. Windows 7 activation error: 0xC004F061

“If you receive error "0xC004F061" when trying to activate Windows 7, it means you're using a product key for an upgrade version of Windows 7 and a previous version of Windows wasn't on your computer when Windows 7 was installed”

2. Optimize your home network for Windows Media Center Extenders

“With a Windows Media Center Extender and the right setup, you can stream media stored on your Windows 7 computer to another room in your home. To do this, your computer and your Extender must be connected to a home network”

3. Play To: frequently asked questions

“Play To is a feature you can use to stream music, pictures, videos, and recorded TV to other computers and devices on your network. You can control playback using your computer. For example, you can create a song playlist in Windows Media Player on your computer, and then stream it to a compatible stereo receiver that's connected to your network.”

4.Great ways to share your videos using Windows 7 and Windows Live

“Do you have your own videos or home movies on your computer that you want to share? You can burn your videos to DVD if you want to share with a few friends or family members, or you can upload videos to different video sharing websites to share them with the world. There are other options for sharing videos with friends and family, too, such as by using Windows Live SkyDrive, Windows Live Sync, e‑mail, or instant messaging. And if you want to be able to watch your videos on different computers and devices at home, there are ways to do that, too. Windows 7 and Windows Live provide many options, so you can choose the ways that work best for you. "

Rob

I spotted this being mentioned over on the MVPBlog and looks very interesting and something worth a look at if you are interested in getting more out of Windows Live

“MVP Brad Jones with Marcus Schmidt recently released a new book entitled “Windows Live Essentials and Services: Using Free Microsoft Applications for Windows 7”.

The book is a full-colour, step-by-step guide for using Microsoft's new Windows Live Essentials series of free applications. Step-by-step instructions show you how to use not only these applications, but also associated Windows Live on-line services.   As an example, you'll learn just how easy it is to create panoramic pictures in seconds or how to create movies from pictures in just a few minutes. Then you'll get the inside scoop on how to communicate and share using Messenger, SkyDrive, Spaces, and Groups.

With this book, you'll quickly be on your way to accessing these useful applications in an effort to making your life easier.

· Learn how to get Live Essentials Applications free and install them on your computer

· Chat with Live Messenger, keep in touch with Live Mail, and set up and create your own blog with Live Writer

· Get creative with Photo Gallery and Movie Maker, which let you manage and enhance your photos and turn them into movies

· Socialize with the help of Live Spaces

· Organize appointments and special days with Live Calendar

· Use SkyDrive to store files and documents online for easy access from anywhere

· Explore additional apps and services such as Live Contacts, Live Groups, Bing Maps, Bing Search, and more”

You can buy it at Windows Live Essentials and Services: Using Free Microsoft Applications for Windows 7: Amazon.co.uk: Bradley L. Jones, Marcus Schmidt: Books

Don’t forget we have loads of great Windows Live content on the Windows website which we should be keeping up to date as well.

Rob

Some great Australian 7 second demos

Parental Controls

Peek

Wake up

Rob

So it is official now, you should be able to watch TV from Sky Live and On-Demand with Windows 7 Media Center.

“A new world of high quality television programming is now open to Windows Media Centre users in the United Kingdom as Sky Player on Windows 7 launches today. That’s more than 500 movies available anytime from SkyMovies and thousands of programmes from 24 channels – all delivered to your PC, on your schedule. There’s plenty of great live sporting action, including Barclay’s Premier League, UEFA Champion’s League football and loads more.”

You can find out more at http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/skyplayer/

Also there is a special promo offer to celebrate this, again detail on the above link:

To celebrate the launch of Sky Player on Windows 7, Sky and Microsoft are offering three months of Sky Player for the price of two with any Windows 7 purchase. Those who already have Windows 7 can subscribe to the offer via the Sky Player sign in page in Windows Media Centre.

You can find lots more info at the UK Windows Media Center web site.

Rob