XP Service Pack 3 RC1 Ready for Download

While Microsoft is quick to downplay XP when comparing it to Vista, the legacy OS continues to shackle the hearts (and systems) of many. Fortunately, Microsoft just opened up their XP service pack 3 release candidate for general download -- that means you. SP3 RC was previously only available by invitation. Now get going, you'll need time to download all 336MBs of the last major update to the six-year old OS.

Windows Vista SP1 RC1 Publicly Available

You've heard about it, you know what it's got, you want it like crazy -- and about 11 months after launch Microsoft delivers on Vista's first service pack (in release candidate form, anyway).

Xbox 360 Gets DivX/XviD Playback

This is fucking awesome, especially if your a pirate!

A few notes:

• You can play files off of a CD/DVD
• It supports almost all files
• AC3 Audio is supported
• It supports Windows Home Server
• Video Stretching is kind of weird
• You can skip through a video with the bumpers
• It's fast
• It doesn't work in Windows Media Center Extender
• It's not entirely perfect

Read on for more details about these notes.

Vista SP1 public beta to hit in December?

Speed boost or no, all of you clamoring for some hot Vista SP1 action will be able to get a beta-style fix in December, according to ZDNet. Apparently "selected testers" will get a release candidate in the first week of the month, with general availability to come the week after. ZDNet says the current SP1 build being tested is 17051, but it's not clear whether that's the version to be released or not. Like all things SP1, looks like we'll just have to wait and see.

First Look at Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac

The new Office is chock full of interface enhancements following in the footsteps of Office 2007 for Windows, including a new ribbon-like toolbar, lots of snazzy animations, and a much snappier performance. Read on to check out the gallery.

Windows Vista SP1 Looking Good, Due in Q1 '08

The first service pack for Windows Vista is on its way, and PC Magazine has a preview of an early private beta version. The good news is that reviewer Neil Randall found the service pack to be faster overall than the shipping version of Windows Vista, and also noticed more drivers available and improved encryption. Randall also experienced applications within Adobe Creative Suite CS2 running faster, dialog boxes popping up more rapidly, and other file copying speedups. This bodes well for the shipping version of SP1, which should be available along with Service Pack 3 of Windows XP (the last service pack for XP) in Q1 of 2008.

Zune Release Date Confirmed for 11/13

Microsoft's just confirmed with us the November 13 release date of the new Zunes. Whether or not the firmware for the old Zune is coming on 11/13 is still unconfirmed.

Vista Service Pack 1 Details Announced

After months of speculation, rumor, and silence from Microsoft, the company is finally talking publicly about Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista. Microsoft says that the first public beta of Windows Vista SP1 will be available in the next few weeks to TechNET and MSDN subscribers. The company confirmed that a smaller group of testers is already putting SP1 through its paces.

AOTS: Backstage with Bill and Steve

Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have a war of words backstage at the "All Things Digital" conference

Microsoft Multi-Touch Surface Confirmed for $5-10k

Microsoft expects prices to plummet over the next three to five years to the point they'll be in your homes. In the meantime you'll be able to play with them at T-Mobile stores as-well-as Harrah's and Sheraton hotels. Follow the link for the video.

NoPE Release New Vista

Being a pirate couldn't be easier with this Vista hack. When installing windows this cracked dvd will automatically enter the serial and download updates.

X-Play: Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night Review

AOTS: Halo 3 Zune

Special edition Halo 3 Zune.

Limited Edition Adult Swim Zune

For all those Venture Brothers, Aqua Teen, Sea Lab, Harvey Birdman, and Robot Chicken nerds whose hearts just skipped a beat, steel yourself. While Microsoft is indeed producing a limited edition Adult Swim version of the Zune, when we say it's limited edition, we mean it: only 500 are being made, and will be given away at a Turner promotional event tonight. Obviously these units will have pre-loaded content, including photos, music, and, naturally, such classic shows as Assy McGee, Metalocalypse (rawk), and even a new program titled Lucy, Daughter of the Devil (on screen).

Video: Side-by-Side Comparison of F.E.A.R. on PS3 / Xbox 360

Zune 2.0 Rumors

The second full-sized Zune and its flash counterpart will both be out this year. The full-size Zune will look aesthetically similar and have the doubleshot plastics, but will be a bit thinner. The flash device will be video capable and have a large display that "covers about 75% of the [face]", while staying about 3 x 1.25 x 0.25-inches in size. Even though the flash-based device will have the same (lame) WiFi, Microsoft's expecting to pump out 2.4 million next-gen Zune devices before holidays 2007.

The First Guitar Hero II Downloadable Tracks

You have a choice of three packs of three songs.

Name: Guitar Hero Track Pack 1
Price: 500 Points
Availability: Not available in Asia
Dash Details: Bark at the Moon as made famous by Ozzy Osbourne, Hey You as made famous by The Exies, Ace of Spades as made famous by Motorhead

Name: Guitar Hero Track Pack 2
Price: 500 Points
Availability: Not available in Asia
Dash Details: Killer Queen as made famous by Queen, Take it Off as made famous by The Donnas, Frankenstein as made famous by The Edgar Winter Group

Name: Guitar Hero Track Pack 3
Price: 500 Points
Availability: Not available in Asia
Dash Details: Higher Ground as made famous by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Infected as made famous by Bad Religion, Stellar as made famous by Incubus

Note that all of these songs are covers and not master tracks, like they were before. Each pack weighs in a 500 MS points. That means, at this price point, to get all 47 of the original Guitar Hero tracks, it would cost you roughly 7,850 MS Points or $98.09 USD.

X-Play: Alien Hominid HD Review

An old-school sidescroller with a Martian theme for the new-fangled XBox 360.

Microsoft Virtual PC 2007

Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 is fully compatible with Vista Ultimate and other Windows OS allowing you to run multiple PC operating systems virtually on one machine while sharing the files already on your PC. This is great for those apps that may not be fully compatible with Vista thats keeping you from making the switch. Very cool...and free.

Download Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 here.

The Loop: Will Windows Vista Revolutionize The PC?

Kevin, Chris Donahue and Patrick Norton discuss the necessity of upgrading to Windows Vista.