customers

Microsoft has admitted that many customers are reluctant to switch to Windows Vista because of its sub par reputation, and the company is now trying to convince customers that there is no need to worry. In a newsletter, Microsoft said, "some ... customers may be waiting to adopt Windows Vista because they've heard rumors about device or application compatibility issues, or because they think they should wait for a service pack release." Although Microsoft will be releasing a Service Pack later this year, the company is anxious for users to adopt the new operating system now. (Source: slashdot.org ... (view more)

Blockbuster is stepping up its game. The movie rental giant has decided to lower online rental prices in an attempt to battle competitor Netflix. Up until recently, Blockbuster only offered the Total Access plan, which allowed customers to utilize ... an online rental system in addition to in-store rentals for $17.99 per month. On Tuesday, the company announced that it would drop the price by a dollar for customers who do not use the in-store portion of the deal. (Source: betanews.com ) Netflix, which does not have any retail stores, offers a similar online-only plan for $17.99 per month. But ... (view more)

The Bank of America and Citibank are now offering nationwide services that allow their customers to do routine banking tasks using only their cell phones. As "smart" cell phones continue to revolutionize the market for mobile devices, so too will ... more banks look to remove the hassles of physically being inside of a financial institution in order to make simple transactions. The two social functions are merging as never before, combining work and play. The service provided by Bank of America allows customers who have cell phones with Internet access to check balances, pay bills and transfer ... (view more)

Dell has come under fire once again -- this time, it's for misleading customers. New York Attorney General Anthony Cuomo has filed a lawsuit against the company claiming that it misled customers on the financing arrangements of their purchases. ... (Source: arstechnica.com ) Specifically, the lawsuit accuses Dell and its Financial Services unit of deceiving customers with enticing financial offers which carried an abundance of restrictions and limitations. Cuomo said that consumers "who purchase Dell's products often find that many of the benefits and inducements featured in Dell's advertisements ... (view more)

Hewlett-Packard (HP) is offering the first affordable PCs with English and Spanish versions of Microsoft Windows Vista Basic and Home Premium to Spanish-speaking consumers and small businesses. "With this expansion of our PC portfolio, we are ... delivering products our Hispanic customers have told us matter most to them," said Mark Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Consumer Computing -- North America, HP. "This community is the fastest growing segment in the United States, and HP is committed to providing them with ready access to technology to work, play and connect with others." Two ... (view more)

In the mid-1990's, 14 million homes in France had a government-sponsored microcomputer called The Minitel. The Minitel left much to be desired in terms of technological capabilities, as the system offered a black-and-white screen with slow ... connection speeds. The system was eventually replaced in favor of the forthcoming Internet. A French Internet service provider, Neuf Cegetel, has taken their inspiration from the Minitel and developed a brand-new computer based on a similar low-cost model. The new computer will be aimed directly at those who are unwilling or unable to purchase a high-end ... (view more)

In an attempt to help businesses adapt to Windows Vista, Microsoft has released free tools that will help companies migrate to the new operating system, including software that will allow older versions of Windows to run alongside Vista in a virtual ... environment. Microsoft is hoping the tools will make moving to Vista less painless for business customers, particularly those who depend on older versions of Windows. During a meeting with financial analysts, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer called analysts sales estimates for Vista "overly aggressive" and tried to downplay expectations for OS sales. ... (view more)

Confused about which flavor of Windows Vista is right for you? What about all those upgrade options and Vista add-ons? Hopefully, this brief guide will help you wade through the confusion. Windows Vista: A Brief Introduction If you haven't already ... heard the buzz, Microsoft will release Windows Vista, it's newest (long awaited) operating system (OS) on January 30, 2007 to consumers. In a nutshell, Windows Vista boasts a polished graphics display, improved security features, and a slew of extras that make day-to-day life easier. Depending on which version you purchase, Windows Vista retails ... (view more)

Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard (HP) announced last Wednesday that the two companies will be joining in a $300 million, three year partnership. The aim of the "People-Ready Business" duo is to attract more large business customers. (Source: ... reuters.com ) With HP making the most personal computers and Microsoft holding the title of the world's largest software maker, the partnership offers mutual potential to each party. In a statement released last Wednesday, Microsoft called HP "the most comprehensive partner we have," a great accomplishment since the software giant has over 640,000 partners ... (view more)

Just yesterday, we reported on the recent judicial attack on pirates and hackers in the technology world. For those profiting off of the industry's power-players by ripping off their software, there is, evidently a price to pay. Ditto for those ... breaking into secure computers. Still, the recent crackdown is not deterring the world's hackers, as major communications provider AT ... (view more)