Not one of their best ads, but it does point out flaws in Vista.

Apple today released version 1.2 of it’s beta Boot Camp software. This is the first official version which supports Microsoft’s Windows Vista.

Other updates include:

• Updated drivers, including but not limited to trackpad, AppleTime (synch), audio, graphics, modem, iSight camera
• Support the Apple Remote (works with iTunes and Windows Media Player)
• A Windows system tray icon for easy access to Boot Camp information and actions
• Improved keyboard support for Korean, Chinese, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Russian, and French Canadian
• Improved Windows driver installation experience
• Updated documentation and Boot Camp on-line help in Windows
• Apple Software Update (for Windows XP and Vista)

Looks like I will be spending my afternoon installing Vista on my MacBook Pro.

It can be downloaded via Software Update today or here.

Well it’s finally confirmed, the Xbox 360 Elite is making it’s debut. Let’s start off with some of the things it was rumored to have, but doesn’t: There is no HD-DVD player built in, and it isn’t a limited edition item.

Other then those two, the rumors are true: It includes HDMI, and a 120 gig HD.

If you already have an Xbox 360, you can purchase the 120 gig drive for $179, or buy a brand new Xbox 360 Elite for $479 when it launches on April 29th.

Watch this Channel 10 video of the device

Amazon has released a new version of their Unbox service. It now fully integrates with Media Center (Vista and MCE) as well as lots of other new features. It is similiar to Apple’s iTunes service, but uses Windows based DRM, so it won’t work on a Mac.

What I really don’t like about the Amazon service, is that I own two of the top name portable media devices (iPod and Zune), yet neither one is supported by Amazon’s service. You need a Plays for Sure device. When will they learn that people like universal access across all platforms (portable and desktop) for their media?

Key features of Unbox 1.5 include:

• 20% faster downloads
• Improved reliability and performance
• 50% faster application load time
• Reduced PC memory usage
• Full support for Windows Vista and Vista Media Center Edition
• Improved portable device support
• Download portable video files only when you want to!
• New user controls and settings
• Video brightness control
• Contrast control
• Video library organizational and sorting
• Optional tooltips
• Multiple file delete

Download Amazon Unbox 1.5 here

Recently Parallels, the program that allows you to run Windows on your Intel Mac, has been releasing betas of it’s latest product. For those who aren’t into beta releases, the final release with some MAJOR upgrades has been released.

Parallels runs $79 but comes with a 14 day free trial. You need to have a valid Windows Product Key in order to install  the software, but if it’s Vista, make sure it is Ultimate, Enterprise, or Business. Those are the only versions which the EULA allow virtualization on, although any other version will still install, it just isn’t terribly ethical legal.

The Parallels server is getting slammed right now, so download it from this mirror.

Over at Microsoft they are still celebrating the release of Windows Vista and Office 2007. I’ve installed both of these products on computers that I use daily, and honestly I can’t see how I could go back to using XP. The interface is so intuitive and beautiful. Aero Glass really makes the OS stand out in a way that I would of never expected.

Over at Channel 10 & 9 at Microsoft this week, watch for some great videos in their Vista/Office week of items like installing Vista, Media Center (my favorite Vista application), the snipping tool, voices on Vista, running your Vista Gadgets on your Windows Mobile phone, and more as the week rolls on.

Google is targeting Microsoft directly in this one offering their Google Apps Premier at $50 per user. This includes 10 gigs of space, no ads in Gmail, 99.9% uptime guarntee, 24/7 phone assistance, 3rd party applications and services (yet to be determined what these might be), and all of the following applications: Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, Docs & Spreadsheets, Page Creator and Start Page.

It is yet to be determined when/if Google will offer a PowerPoint type program online, but that would certainly lead the way towards switching users from Microsoft’s Office Suite.

Last I checked ONE copy of Office Standard Edition was $299 with the Ultimate Edition at $599. Including the cost of email hosting, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a deal. Companies can save hundreds or thousands of dollars if they are planning on upgrading to the new Office Vista packages.

I have been using Google Apps for Domain for NickStarr.com and running all of my email through it. It works great, and I’ve had no problems at all. It is a great suite of products, and Google is going to make a ton of money on this one. Watch out Microsoft, Google’s got their sites set on you.

Oh btw, this is also free until April 30th as well.