In recent years the browser market has become more competitive and products such as Firefox and Chrome have really been giving Microsoft a run for their money! This has prompted the release of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 9 web browser.

Along with increased speed of 35% the application has 3 key features that Microsoft has brought to our attention:

• Tracking protection – A new tool that prevents users from being tracked as they move from site to site. This will prevent commercial firms from tailoring adds and reduce spam emails
• It keeps a close eye on any downloads to prevent any Trojans or other viruses from sneaking through
• IE9 also has hardware acceleration built in so it can call on the power of a PC’s graphics card to display sites in more detail.

An estimate has come in from the web analysis firm Net Applications that suggests IE has about a 56% share of the global market, with Firefox on their tail with about 22%, Chrome 11% and Safari 6%.

 Shows all the features and perks of this operating system. I’ve also found that you can tie your media library to your windows ID and access your own music anywhere on the net!!

 Handy.

 Though based on Vista, Windows 7 has removed several of the annoying features of Vista.

 1)     It runs smoothly, and doesn’t pester the user for admin prompts when installing new products and applications

 2)     Browsing is easy. It still has the Aero feature of rolling through windows and Snapping windows to the sides of the monitor,  ‘Peak’ allows you to see through your windows and check the desktop. Browsing explorer also seems effortless. Each window opened shows a preview on the bottom taskbar and internet explorer displays all webpages as thumbnails within a session etc.

 3)     From an admin perspective setting up networks and configuring properties of the profile is also very easy. The GUI is very user friendly and yet although the interface of Vista is still very noticeable, the difference in performance and usability is fantastic.

 4)     Windows 7 is also touch screen compatible. Again introducing the user to a new era of operating systems.

 Definitely a strong operating system after XP.

 My verdict is – its about time Microsoft rolled out a solid operating system which can deliver both commercially and domestically.

 I definitely can see this Operating System creeping into businesses into 2010 and Microsoft have already released the Windows 7 Configuring exam 70-680. To keep the service desk air tight on this new OS, I will be sitting this one in the new year to cover all bases.

http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/article.html?Windows_7_rush_breaks_UK_retail_records&in_article_id=756285&in_page_id=150

But is this rush justified? The same newspaper today said that experts have advised users to avoid using Windows 7 for at least the first year.

‘Software bugs are par for the course for newly released programs and operating systems are no exception,’ said John Bogue, from Which? Computing. ‘Unless you like downloading patches and updates, we recommend waiting a year.’ 

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Dont_touch_Windows_7_for_a_year,_say_experts&in_article_id=756470&in_page_id=34

One very interesting review has carried out a comparison of XP, Vista and 7.  This review is incredibly detailed and the reviewer concludes that they believe that Windows XP is the best operating system of the three.

http://www.testfreaks.com/blog/information/windows-xp-vs-vista-vs-7/

I guess only time will tell … What do you think of Windows 7? Have you installed it yet?

So whenever I see a headline such as “iPhone killer” I always check to see what the phone does better than the iPhone.

From the review at http://e-edition.thelondonlite.co.uk/2009/10/07/?p=15 for the Palm Pre it appears the iPhone might have some competition but only time will tell.