Microsoft has confirmed that a new updates for users of the Windows 7 beta is coming next week while also adding that a Release Candidate (RC) for the upcoming Service Pack 2 of Windows Vista is being sent out to a few testers.
Windows 7 manager Brandon LeBlanc noted that on February 24th, five test updates would be released which “will allow us to test and verify our ability to deliver and mange the updating of Windows 7”.
LeBlanc did add however that the new updates would not fix any bugs but instead would simply “replace system files with the same version of the file currently on the system”.
The updates will need to be added manually through Windows Updates.
Vista SP2 RC, build 6002.16670.090130, was recently released to Microsoft Connect testers and should soon find its way to a larger range of beta testers.
When the SP2 eventually hits, it will encompass all previous updates and patches for the OS and will include 691 hotfixes, adds the source.
Result for: beta testers
Microsoft has confirmed that a major update for its Vista operating system is coming soon and that Vista Service Pack 2 will enter public beta next week.
Unlike Service Pack 1, which mainly packaged together securities fixes, SP2 will come with new improvements which will add support for newer hardwares and technology standards.
PC World says the highlights of SP2 are as follows:
* The introduction of Windows Search 4.0, said to speed up searching and deliver better keyword relevancy
* The addition of the Bluetooth 2.1 Feature Pack, which will support emerging Bluetooth technology
* The added ability to record data to Blu-ray discs directly within the operating system
* Improved WiFi setup with changes to Windows Connect Now, Vista’s network configuration tool designed to detect and configure wireless devices.
* Better time zone-safe file synchronization with new support for the exFAT file system, which allows for UTC timestamps.
All beta testers in Microsoft’s Technology Adoption Program will get the beta on October 29th and the final release will be based on how much changes are required during the beta period.
Result for: beta testers
In what should be welcomed warmly by owners of jailbroken iPhones or iPod Touches, members of ZodTTD have announced they have successfully ported the extremely powerful media player VLC (Video Lan Client) to the media devices.
Dubbed vlc4iphone, the port has its own frontend and will make your iPhone or iPod Touch capable of drag-and-drop playback of MP3, XviD, FLAC, MPEG2, MPEG4, h264, and OGG formats.
According to the official post on the site the project is still in beta, but it is expected to be released to the public in the near future.
The list of new additions, according to the post, are:
* Compiled in FFmpeg!
* MANY more decoders supported, including support for XviD, h264, MPEG4, FLAC, 3GP, MP3, MPEG2, AVI, and more!
* Added volume control.
* Fixed a warning when no media is found.
* Increased the size of vlc4iphone’s binary from 5MB to 24MB! Lots of media goodness packed inside!
Unfortunately, for right now the beta is only available to ZodTTD Beta Testers. You can however, become a tester by donating to the site, if you cannot wait for the public release.
