Microsoft has retired Windows XP from retail and large computer manufacturers but they will still be providing support for the operating system and to smaller system builders and netbook makers like Asus.

It’s a little surprising that Windows XP has served us for seven years already. Doesn’t it feel like it has only be released a few years ago to replace Windows 2000? Some die hard Windows XP users and lovers even set up a petition to Microsoft to bring back Windows XP I think they are just now prepared for “change”.

I have Windows XP on my desktop computers and Windows Vista on my laptop. While at first I was looking to downgrade my Vista to XP, I decided not to and to give VIsta a chance. I have to say that I rather enjoy the improvements that Vista affords. Of course, I am just a normal user who has no plans to push my Operating Systems but as long as they could do what I want, I am fine with it.

Having said that, I would not purposely upgrade my two computers running on Windows XP to Vista. Let’s see if these two computers could last until Windows 7 is released sometime in 2010. Hahaha!

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In 1975, Bill Gates and Paul Allen formed a partnership that is what we know now as Microsoft. Bill Gates was only 19, Paul Allen was 22. It must have been like a dream for them to realize that their company has grown exponentially in thirty years and continue to grow even while there are people who are anti-Microsoft for their exorbitant pricing of software and programs.

Microsoft founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen

On June 27th, 2008, Bill Gates steps away from corporate life to devote his time to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a charitable foundation that he started with his wife, Melinda, an employee with Microsoft at one time. It takes a big man to build an empire like Microsoft and an even bigger man to walk away from it all. Well, not totally away as Bill Gates will still be clocking in to the office once a week.

William H. Gates III

Bill Gates certainly looks like he has a charmed life. Let’s hope that he could make some drastic changes to worldwide health concerns with his Foundation. More power to him!

I read with interest that Apple’s iTunes has sold more than five billion songs since its launch in 2003. This means that they have sold five billion songs in approximately five years. That is an amazing achievement.

This makes iTines the largest digital music [and video] marketplace in the United States, possibly the world. Of course, sales of music increased with the affordability of iPods and music at US$0.99 each only.

However, I don’t see myself buying even one song file because I could always download their free song, even if I may not like that kind of music, and there’s plenty more free songs on the radio and on the web. In addition, I could always rip my own CDs. These may not be the latest but they are songs that I could listen to over and over again.

Since adding videos to the iTunes Store, more than 50,000 have been sold already. Me, I only grabbed all those free videos! Hahaha!

Great news! Gizmo5 is offering TEN free SMS texting from June 12th - June 26th, 2008 to any mobile number in the world.

Of course, ten is too little but something is better than nothing. If I were to send ten text messages to the United States, I would have to pay RM0.50 per message. Ten will be RM5. Blekkk

However, to enjoy these ten free SMS messages from Giuzmo5, you will need to have at least US$0.25 in your call out balance. If you don’t have it, then too bad. The minimum that you can purchase is US$10 and that would not be worth buying IF you would only want to claim the ten FREE SMS.

As for myself, I have US$0.50 in my account. I don’t even remember why. I think it was a sign-up bonus or something.

As long as I could remember since I started using mobile phones, I had wanted my phones to be able to slot in two SIM cards at the same time with both lines active. I was told that it is not possible but later, some innovative guy found a way to modify the phone to fit in two SIM cards but we could only have one active line at a time.

China then flooded the market with an all-in-one mobile device that could practically do everything but let’s not talk about Chinamen’s electronics!

The other day, my friend bought a Samsung SGH D800 and he is so happy that it could accommodate both his SIM cards with both lines active at the same time. He said that he could flirt in one line and put his wife on hold on another line. Well, is that the purpose of having two lines? LOL

As for me, I am still carrying two devices with my 3G SIM in my Nokia E61i and my SIM-less Apple iPhone. Well, I WOULD upgrade to 3G iPhone if they could catch up with Asian mobile manufacturers!

A few days ago, my friend happily announced that he bought an EEE PC 900 for MYR1699. He told me that the current retail price is MYR1899. He was very happy and thought that he managed to bag a bargain.

Little did he know that over in Taipei, Taiwan that day, AsusTek unveiled at Computex 2008 three new models of EEE PC, namely the Eee PC™ 901, 1000 and 1000(H).

It is amazing that these little netbooks pack a punch. However, I feel that with each newer model, Asus actually defeats the original purpose of coming out with the EEE PC; an affordable and lightweight “laptop” and indeed, the first generation EEE PC was only as large as an ordinary paperback [book].

With the EEE PC growing bigger and more expensive with each newer and improved model, soon they will be like a 12in laptop! And then who still wants an EEP PC anymore?

Read about the three new EEPC models at the website of Asus HERE.

When I got myself an iPhone, an associate, chided me for succumbing to the allure of the Apple iPhone and told me that Google’s Android will be coming out soon and will be even better than the revolutionary iPhone.

Now, I have used the iPhone for more than six months already and Android is STILL not released yet. However, there are rumours that Android’s release date has been pushed forward, especially when the second generation 3G iPhone is expected to be announced during the week of 9th June, 2008.

Wait a minute, though. Android is actually a mobile platform and NOT a physical device so comparing the iPhone with any device that will be running Google’s Android will be like comparing an Apple with an orange.

Questions have been raised if a person who is planning to purchase a 3G iPhone, or plan to upgrade from the first generation iPhone to 3G iPhone, wait for the release of Goolge’s Android. My main concern, should I get a new device, since I am planning to replace my Nokia E61i, would be to see what device would be running Google’s Android besides the comparison of features and functions.

But like I mentioned, 3G iPhone is no longer good enough when people here are already enjoying 3.5G capable mobile devices.

I have a Gizmo5 account and installed the application on my Nokia E61i for a long while now. A few days ago, I received a mailer from them informing that we now can get mobile alerts in addition to desktop alerts on Gizmo5 as long as we are logged in, of course.

The concept is pretty simple. Each Gizmo5 user is now assigned with a Gizmo5 email address. So when an occasion arises that you wish to be alerted “on the go”, just use your Gizmo email address.

Here is a screenshot I took from Gizmo5, which pretty much says it all. And according to the mailer, you can use this alert just about anywhere; Google Alerts, eBay, Facebook. Basically just about any website that provides email notifications.

By the way, Gizmo5 is a free service too. Of course, when you are logged onto Gizmo5 on your mobile device, you will be billed for data usage. I am on an unlimited plan, so can log on for long hours, provided I remember to!

As you probably know already, I’m on the market for a new smart device to replace my Nokia E61i. I’ve been impressed with the N82 recently, particularly its camera and video features but I am partial to QWERTY already. My friend said to wait for the Nokia E71.

Nokia E61i vs. Nokia E71

Boy Genius Report has a very comprehensive report on the Nokia E71. There is no news yet when it will hit Malaysian shores or what price point it will be sold at, though I am guessing this baby will be pushing MYR2,000 like the Nokia E61i when it was first launched.

Image from Boy Genius Report

This E71 looks thinner than the E61i or the iPhone and seriously slimmer than E61i. However, if there’s one thing that would put me off from buying the E71, besides the price tag, it would be the narrower QWERTY. Also, I hope there’s a way to turn off predictive text. I have a hard time with it even though I have been using the iPhone for more six months now, especially when I want to write in Manglish.

Image from Boy Genius Report

For a full review and video walkthrough, check out Boy Genius Report.

I read with interest the recent report by Greenpeace that video game consoles contain toxic chemicals and that with today’s technology, game console manufacturers are in the position to produce environmentally friendly video game consoles.

Sony Playstation 3

The three major video game consoles that were put to the test were Sony’s PlayStation 3, Nintendo’s Wii and Microsoft’s Xbox 360.

Nintendo Wii

This reminds me of the video game console that I had a long time ago, while I was in high school, called Micro Genius. I don’t know if anyone played this but this was one of the cheaper game consoles in the market back then.

Microsoft Xbox 360

Since leaving school, I no longer had time for video games but I don’t mind playing a game or two not and then, provided that they are not addicting! I wonder how toxic Micro Genius is… I still have it lying somewhere at home I’m sure.

I recently participated in a contest that has a video game console up for grabs. I hope I win it so that I don’t have to buy. These are freaking expensive and I am still questioning if they are worth it!