You have to almost do a double take now adays at how cool some of the new is surrounding Windows 7.  Especially if you are a Mac person.  Because, let’s face it, we are not used to Microsoft being very user-centric and cool.  BUT (very big but here) Microsoft, it is rumored, is planning to sell Windows 7 on a USB key aimed at installation on netbooks.  Windows7news.com reports:

According to a source which was not revealed by CNET, Microsoft could end up selling Windows 7 on a USB drive, whereas right now the only way that a user can obtain a retail copy (legally) of Windows 7 is via retail or by download. This would be a good move for Microsoft as they had announced that any edition of Windows 7 will be able to run on a netbook; however, the trick would be getting it installed.

According to CNET, not selling Windows 7 on USB drives would be detrimental to Windows 7’s success:

The challenge of getting Windows 7 on to older Netbooks threatens to cast a shadow over the technical work Microsoft did to get Windows 7 running on Netbooks. Its predecessor, Windows Vista, proved ill-suited to Netbooks forcing Microsoft to continue selling Windows XP as its answer to the low-cost notebook phenomenon.

Complicating matters further is the fact that most Netbooks are running Windows XP. Those moving from Windows XP can buy an upgrade version of the software, but must back up their data, do a clean installation of the operating system and then reload their applications.

So here we have Microsoft actually focusing on Netbooks just when you thought they didn’t care.  VERY slick move.  I have to say I am really liking the consumer focus Microsoft is maintaining these days.  What are your thoughts?  Leave a comment.

Rachel and Cal have a spat about the SMACKDOWN netbook purchase.  We also have JEFF POWERS from GEEKAZINE.COM.  We discuss Windows Security Essentials and Netbook Collusion.

This episode sposored by:

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Here are a couple of articles we will be talking about on this weeks show…

From Computerworld:

February 8, 2009 (Computerworld) A federal judge last week ruled that Psystar Corp. can continue its countersuit against Apple Inc., giving the Mac clone maker a rare win in its seven-month-old battle with Apple.

He also hinted that if Psystar proves its allegations, others may then be free to sell computers with Mac OS X already installed.

In an order signed on Friday, U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup gave Psystar the go-ahead to amend its lawsuit against Apple. According to Alsup, Psystar may change that countersuit, which originally accused Apple of breaking antitrust laws, to instead ague that Apple has stretched copyright laws by tying the Mac operating system to its hardware.

From PC Pro:

Microsoft’s decision to limit Windows 7 Starter Edition to running only three concurrent applications could force up the price of netbooks in the UK. The company announced last week that it was launching Windows 7 Starter Edition as a low-cost option designed specifically for netbooks.

However, the company’s decision to impose a three-app limit could force many manufacturers to opt for the more expensive Home Premium.

Next Episode this Thursday…Don’t miss it!

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It’s been a slow news week in the land of tech. All things being equal, Rachel and I are scratching our heads coming up with good topics for this week’s show. Not to mention how busy we have both been this week. But you know, I ran into a story on Macrumors today that really started to get me thinking.

This evening they posted a story about AT&T having thoughts about subsidizing notebooks/netbooks with built in 3G connectivity. Macrumors reports:

AT&T has been exploring the possibility of heavily subsidizing the cost of netbooks by bundling 3G data contracts. The sales model has been well established amongst mobile phones, including Apple’s own iPhone 3G. Consumers who agree to the two-year 3G data contract could find their netbooks discounted to $99 or less. AT&T explored this model in a deal with Radio Shack who offered an Acer netbook for only $99 over the holidays:

As president of AT&T’s new Emerging Devices division, [Glenn] Lurie hopes to do a lot more of those deals. His mission is to get just about everything except phones connected to AT&T’s broadband network — laptops, GPS devices, cars, games, medical equipment, “all the way to dog collars,” he quips.

AT&T’s Lurie reports that they are in talks with “lots of folks” and specifically says that he “would very much like to do more business with Apple.”

While AT&T presently provides exclusive service to Apple’s iPhone 3G, Apple has yet to support any built-in data services with their notebooks. If Apple were to introduce a netbook (a possibility they’ve downplayed) with built-in 3G networking, such subsidies could bring customers’ up front costs down by several hundred dollars.

Let me see if I can connect the dots here.  Macworld happens with tepid response, Windows 7 public beta comes out to quite a bit of fanfare, there is NO mention of Snow Leopard lately, Apple COO Tim Cook states that netbooks are not in the near future, and now this.  Do you get at least the start of a feeling that Apple truly has something big in the netbook space right around the corner?

I can hear you all laughing at me.  But look at the picture this way.  With the economy sagging so badly and the tech sector being gutting like a prize trout, what would be the effect of Apple bringing out an Amazing new tablet/netbook/other worldly device AND have it subsidised by AT&T?  I mean, what would be the effect if all this came at a price of $99?  I know what the effect would be. BOOM!

We welcome your thoughts and comments.