The UK Mobile Report

Microsoft Vista - what MS won't remind you

US magazine PC World has put Windows Vista through the wringer. The conclusions are a concern for any casual buyers taken in by the 'newer is better' mantra coming from Redmond.

PC World says "Vista is generally slower than XP, but better at multitasking on dual-core PCs." It also warns that "you need a minimum 1Gb of RAM for it to be worth having Vista."

So clearly you need to check the spec of your machine (or intended new machine) before you bother with Vista at all. Also it raises the question of why anyone would buy a new PC in January - Vista isn't being launched globally until 30 January and so don't expect it to be preloaded on your new machine any day soon.

Microsoft must do better?

Vista Refuseniks are predictably many in number. Concerns focus on the new stringent licensing restrictions, Digital Rights Management, and User Account Control. Wikipedia has an excellent overall review which summarises all the critical issues.

Gossip: The hundreds of journalists that attended the UK launch of Vista at Arsenal's shiny new football Stadium last month were kept waiting for hours while various wonderous claims were made for the new software.

General grumbling ensued and was compounded when they were told that they would not be leaving with a nice shrink-wrapped pack of Vista each (which they all expected). But Microsoft - masters in the art of persuasion - had a trump card up its sleave. Just before they left journalists were told that they would each be getting, gratis, a new PC pre-loaded with Vista. To my knowledge these PCs have not yet been dispatched, but rest assured most of the copy has been filed.

In the US this free giveaway tactic has caused a bit of negative discussion. Take this at NowPublic.com for example. The piece names and shames top bloggers that got free PCs.

Zune buzzwatch

If you launch a new product you want Gartner analysts on your side. But Gartner is distinctly gloomy in its pronouncements on the Microsoft Zune. FT.com has the story. My favourite Gartner quote is "Sometime around version three they [always] get it right." Cold comfort for Christmas buyers then.

Mobile money initiative

Tech firms and mobile operators have joined forces to plan a global standard for electronic wallets in mobile phones, according to Reuters.

It says that Sony and former Philips chip unit NXP Semiconductors are to form a joint venture, to plan, develop, produce and market a secure chip that will include both companies' contactless chip card formats: Mifare and FeliCa.

These formats use NFC, the short-range wireless technology used in payment cards like London's Oyster card.

Verdict: It's high time someone sorted out the mobiles for payment conundrum. But most people I speak to suggest its politics not chips that is causing the logjam.

 

London Wimax by January?

Techdigest is reporting that Urban Wimax is promising a London-wide Wimax service by January. I'll believe it when I see it. The hundreds of WiFi providers operating within the congestion zone must be worried though. Urban Wimax meanwhile is saying nothing on its web site.

What is Wireless USB?

The next big thing of course. Guy Kewney has the latest update care of some research by IMS Research. It suggests that WUSB could stunt Bluetooth growth. Ain't it always the way?

My favourite story about Guy (who was once a colleague  at Ziff-Davis, where he held the lofty title of 'Editorial Fellow') is the one where he was summoned to BBC television for a quick interview about iTunes. Instead of picking Guy in the reception the hapless researcher picked a taxi driver who was there for an interview for a data entry operator post.

To cut a long story short, the taxi driver went live on TV, and even managed to answer the questions reasonably coherently. The subsequent footage became a big hit on YouTube. I am not sure if Guy is suing the BBC for impersonation but I for one would like to see his clone in action again. No offence Guy but the imposter was great telly.