By Jeff Bertolucci
June 10, 2010

By Lincoln Spector
January 15, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO – BushPilot’s new wallpaper doesn’t cover his screen. He asked the Answer Line forum for advice.

Windows offers several ways to display your wallpaper (also known as your desktop background). You can tile the image, so that it fills the screen by repeating itself. You can center the image, leaving empty space around it if the image is too small or the wrong shape. Or you can have Windows blow up and stretch the image so that it fills the screen. (Windows 7 offers more options than these.)

If you only pick images that are the same shape as your screen and at least the same size, the options have no effect; all of these choices will result in a single image filling the screen. Only when you pick something smaller or of a different shape does it matter.

Here’s how to change this setting in XP, Vista, and Windows 7:

XP
Right-click the desktop and select Properties. Click the Desktop tab. If you want the image will fill the screen, select Stretch from the Position pull-down menu.

Vista
Right-click the desktop and select Personalize. Click Desktop Background. Select an option under How should the picture be positioned? The first one will fill the screen with the picture.

Windows 7
Right-click your desktop and select Personalize. Click Desktop Background near the bottom of the window, sort of to the left. In the lower-left corner, you’ll find a largish pull-down menu called Picture position. To fill the screen, pick either Fill or Stretch, depending on which result most pleases your eye.

By Tony Bradley
January 14, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO – Memeo, a privately-held company focused on helping users share, manage, and protect their data, announced the launch of Memeo Connect for Google Apps. The new tool enables Google Apps Premier customers to access, migrate, and synchronize files between their desktop and Google Docs.

Google has been courting business customers with its products and services, but most enterprises, and even small and medium businesses, rely on the applications in the Microsoft Office suite for business productivity software. While Google Apps is a robust solution on its own merits, customers need tools that help them leverage Google Apps in a world dominated by Microsoft Office.

In a press release announcing the new tool, Matthew Glotzbach, product management director for Google, said “More than 3,000 businesses sign up for Google Apps every day, and many of them are interested in a tool that effectively assists in the import and management of their existing files and documents between Google Docs and the desktop environment.”
Glotzbach added “Memeo Connect for Google Apps presents our customers with an attractive option to integrate or migrate all of their files into Google Docs.”

I interviewed Spencer Chen, director of corporate communications for Memeo. He explained that “Google has always been oriented around the cloud, but most enterprises possess a legacy of coming from an on-premise environment.”

Chen continued “Memeo has a great track record in providing rich, desktop applications with leading technology partners, so it was a natural fit for Memeo to jointly develop a solution that integrates that divide between the cloud and the desktop environment. Memeo Connect for Google Apps will enable customers to switch back and forth and manage any file type without limitations between these two environments.”

Alternative software like Google Docs, StarOffice, or OpenOffice offer options for businesses looking for cost effective business productivity software. The success of these products, though, relies on being compatible with Microsoft Office formats and conventions.

Even if a business is willing and able to sever itself completely from Microsoft Office, it can’t ignore the fact that Microsoft Office is the dominant software used by partners, vendors, and customers. These businesses need tools that help them straddle the line and transition seamlessly from desktop to cloud, and from Microsoft Office to Google Docs.

The addition of Memeo Connect for Google Apps, which will cost $9 per user per year, makes it easier for business customers to seriously consider transitioning to Google Apps without having to factor in the headache of trying to convert or migrate all existing Microsoft Office data to do so.

The Memeo announcement is indicative of a shift in strategy by Google to recognize that business customers aren’t ready to simply abandon the desktop or ditch Microsoft Office entirely, and to embrace third-party partners to help it fill in the gaps and deliver the functionality customers need.

By Jeff Bertolucci
November 16, 2009

Microsoft has announced plans to peddle Windows 7 desktop space to advertisers, who’ll create Windows UI themes–customized backgrounds, audio clips, and other elements–that highlight their brand, Computerworld reports. In fact, some advertiser themes are already available in the Windows 7 Personalization Gallery, including desktop pitches for soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Pepsi), autos (Ducati, Ferrari, Infiniti), and big-budget Hollywood blockbusters (Avatar).
Ad-themed desktops are new for Microsoft, which has long allowed PC manufacturers to customize the desktop. Hardware vendors like Acer, Dell, HP, and Sony often muck up the Windows UI with background logos and countless icons for trial apps and other crapware. (Those trial apps provide an additional revenue stream, an ugly necessity in the low-margin world of Windows PCs.) Too often the hardware guys’ appalling makeover turns an aesthetically appealing UI into a tacky swap meet.

The advertiser themes are different, however, in that they won’t be foisted on unsuspecting users. Rather, you’ll have to download and install the ad pitch yourself. As a result, I doubt many Windows 7 users will gripe about ad themes. Hey, if you’re a Preparation H fan, why not devote the desktop to your favorite ointment?

Nevertheless, I think ad themes are a bad idea. They may boost Microsoft’s bottom line a bit, but they run counter to Redmond’s grand scheme of creating an elegant Windows 7 experience.

Microsoft may have refuted the claims of its blabbermouth employee who told a British publication that Windows 7 cribbed its sleek appearance from Mac OS X. (Bad career move there.) But any casual observer can tell that Windows has borrowed more than a few UI concepts from Apple over the years. I don’t see why things would change now.
Redmond’s situation is complex. Unlike Apple, it doesn’t control the entire Windows ecosphere. It makes the software but not the hardware. Consumers typically obtain Windows via a third party–the the PC vendor, which works its toxic voodoo on the desktop. Furthermore, Microsoft and its OEM partners don’t enjoy Apple’s generous profit margins, and therefore must find creative ways to boost revenues.

If Microsoft truly wants a Mac-like experience for Windows 7 users, it should lock down the desktop. Non-commercial themes are OK, but tacky ads, movie promos, and other cheese ball garbage must go.

By Jason Snell
Macworld
October 21, 2009

Apple iMac (21.5″ & 27″)
www.apple.com

Apple announced a major update to its iMac line of desktop computers, replacing the old 20- and 24-inch models with new 21.5-inch and 27-inch models featuring a true widescreen 16×9 aspect ratio and impressive high-end features previously found only in the Mac Pro line, including the first quad-core processor ever in an iMac.

As is common with new Apple products, these new iMacs offer more features than their predecessors, but start at the same $1199 base price. The new models feature a new enclosure that’s wider, to encompass the wider aspect ratio, with an all-aluminum back.

The displays on both models are backlit by LEDs, marking the first time Apple has integrated this bright, instant-on lighting in a desktop computer. The 21.5-inch display has a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, the equivalent of a 1080p HDTV, and features 90 percent of the resolution of the old 24-inch iMac model. The massive 27-inch model’s resolution is 2560×1440 pixels. Both use the IPS display technology used previously only on high-end iMacs, meaning both systems have good color fidelity and a 178-degree viewing angle without color shift.

Following the lead of the MacBook Pro line, these new iMac models feature an SD card slot right below the optical-drive slot on the computer’s right side. The systems ship standard with the new version Apple’s wireless keyboard and the new Apple Magic Mouse. (Users who prefer wired input devices will be able to opt for them as a configure-to-order option from Apple, for no price change.)

These new models offer a new RAM ceiling of 16GB, double the maximum memory of previous models. The iMacs can now can be configured with up to 2TB of storage.

The low-end 21.5-inch iMac model, priced at $1199, features a 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and Nvidia GeForce 9400M video circuitry. A $1499 model features the same specs other than a 1TB hard drive and the ATI Radeon HD 4670 video card. The $1699 27-inch model features the same specs as the $1499 model, but with the 27-inch display. All of those models are available immediately.

The $1999 high-end model, which won’t be available until November, brings the iMac product line to new performance heights. It’s powered by a 2.66GHz Intel Core i5 quad-core processor and features a ATI Radeon HD 4850 video card. A configure-to-order option will swap in the Intel Core i7 chip for the Core i5.

Based on the Lynnfield processor that’s part of the same Nehalem chip family found in the Mac Pro line, the Core i5 is a four-core processor that features “turbo mode,” technology that allows the chip to shift automatically from a slower clock-speed, four-core mode into a faster-speed mode with only two cores active. The turbo-mode speed of the Core i5 chip can go as high as 3.2GHz, and the turbo-mode speed of the Core i7 can go up to 3.46Ghz.

In a clever touch, the 27-inch iMac has a new feature that dramatically increases its versatility. Via a series of adapters Apple says will be available shortly, users will be able to attach external display sources, such a DVD players or even other computers, to the iMac’s display. At that point, those sources will take over the iMac’s display, effectively turning it into an external monitor or an HDTV.

In addition, the iMacs sport redesigned speakers, which Apple promises deliver better bass response with less distortion. They’re also super-quiet, sporting three ultraquiet fans which operate at just 18 decibels when idle. The larger chassis has also allowed Apple to introduce more space between heat-intensive components such as the CPU and graphics chip, for better cooling.

Finally, the new iMac is the most environmentally conscious consumer-level desktop Mac to date. Not only has Apple removed toxic chemicals such as mercury by opting for the LED-backlit display, but it’s also finally managed to remove PVC from the external power cords, the last remaining source of that chemical in the machine. (The PVC-free cable is only available in certain countries, however.) As with the rest of its computers, the new iMac meets the EPA’s Energy Star standard and also earns a EPEAT Gold rating.

Before this update, the last round of iMacs were released in March of 2009 and featured a 20-inch model powered by a 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo processor for $1199, and a series of 24-inch models with processors at 2.66, 2.93, and 3.06GHz for $1499, $1799, and $2199 respectively.

Shown above during the unveiling of Lenovo’s latest consumer PCs are (from left) Michael Ngan, country manager for Consumer Business, Lenovo Philippines; Vicky Agorrilla, country general manager, Lenovo Philippines; Susan Tan, notebook product manager, Lenovo ASEAN; and, Jimmy Chin, desktop product manager, Lenovo ASEAN. 

Lenovo Philippines recently unveiled the latest additions to its Idea brand of personal computers for consumers, – the IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one desktop and the new 16-inch IdeaPad Y650 and 14-inch Y450 laptops.

Targeted at the space and design-conscious user, as well as the entertainment and gaming enthusiast, the sleek IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one features a 21.5-inch frameless screen in a modern design that measures only one inch at its slimmest point, making it one of the slimmest all-in-one desktop PCs.

For the entertainment enthusiast, the IdeaCentre all-in-one features a 16:9 aspect ratio screen for cinema-like viewing and support for 1920×1080 full HD resolution, delivering outstanding image quality. The integrated speaker system includes a bass sub-woofer and Dolby Home Theatre audio certification, while the optional Blu-ray player completes the home cinema experience. Users can also take advantage of a digital TV tuner for watching and recording their favorite TV programs. Users can opt to include the Microsoft Vista Media Center for easy recording of TV programs and interactive navigation between videos, music and TV programs.

For gaming enthusiasts, Lenovo developed the 4-in-1 optional remote controller. It is the first to bring PC users the ability to play games using the remote control’s ‘motion drive’ feature, which controls on-screen objects according to the movement of the remote.

The Y-series is designed for HD and multimedia, making the series ideal for the entertainment enthusiast. The Y Series is equipped with 16:9 format glossy widescreen panels, optional latest generation NVIDIA GFX graphics for gaming and smooth HD video playback and Dolby Home Theater surround sound. The IdeaPad Y650 laptop also features JBL speakers for a rich sound. The Y Series includes the new Lenovo OneKey Theater software to enhance the audio and visual experience.

 
The IdeaPad Y650 laptop will retail at PhP82,995, while the IdeaPad Y450 laptop will retail at PhP47,500. The IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one desktop will retail at PhP63,900.

The Y Series laptops and the IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one desktop are now available in the Philippines through leading retailers and Lenovo business partners. For product inquiries, consumers may call 1800-1651 0438 or visit www.lenovo.com/ph.