Many people have already found that the Windows 7 experience is tremendously improved when compared to Vista.  Now, as Microsoft launches the beta for Windows 7 service pack 1, what do we see that could be improved or fixed?  For now, I haven’t found any release notes despite the fact that I joined the beta testing 2 days ago.  According to Softpedia, there are no new features for Windows 7 and only fixes.  So, far after the service pack, my normal everyday activities remain normal…with the exception that my Windows now bears evaluation marks….

Evaluation?!  Well, one thing for sure is that my copy is not an evaluation copy.  But apparently if you apply the beta SP1, you end up with a an evaluation which makes me wonder – will my legally licensed version of Windows now expire?  Oh boy.  I wish I backed up ahead of time before running this.  If any of you are daring enough to want to join the beta, go sign up but be warned, betas are not for the faint of heart or for the general consumer public.

Chris McKay of Lakeridge Software is starting to diversify his portfolio, branching out into the Android ecosystem.  His first application, a sharp 180 degree turn from the skinning and task managing Windows Mobile utilities Wisbar Advance and Wisbar Advance Desktop, is PIM application TaskIt.  TaskIt is currently in beta form, coming in at version .094.  You can find more information about it below, and jump onto the beta thread for downloading and commenting here.

Here are some of the features:

• Android 1.5+ support
• Homescreen widgets
  TaskIt features 2×2, 4×1, 4×2 and 4×3 widget sizes
• Create a task or project from any app
  If you don’t have it configured otherwise, a long-press on the search button will allow you to create a task or project wherever you are
• Supports sub-projects
  Projects can contain sub-projects for better organization
• Promote a task to a project
  If you decide a task requires more steps, press Menu > Promote to Project
• Projects are completed when the last task is finished
• Tasks can be set to appear in the future
  By setting a start date, the task will not appear in the “Today” view until the start date
• Reminders
  Be reminded about a due task
• Overdue reminder
  You can optionally display a daily reminder when there are tasks that are overdue
• Pin projects to TaskIt’s home screen
  Want easier access to a project you’re working on, pin it to TaskIt’s home screen
• Filter tasks by context or tags
• Share your task with others
  If you want to send a task to another user, “share” it from the task’s summary page via Menu > Share
• Repeating tasks
  Set your task to repeat every day, week, month or year from when it’s due or when you complete it
• Floating tasks
  You can have a task visible on the “Today” view without requiring a due date. It will remain visible until you complete it

Here are a few screenshots:

The “home screen”

The project list. The number indicates the active tasks and sub-projects (it does not include any sub-sub-projects)

The task list with tag, note, context and due date indicators

The task editor

My excitement can hardly be contained in regards to this application…  you guessed it.  CloudFiles for Windows Mobile has just received another substantial update on it’s trek to version 1.0 status.  Version 0.9 beta, released today, is now available.  When logging in using CloudFiles on your Windows Mobile device, you will automatically be notified of the update and prompted to download the new version.  If you haven’t already checked it out, do so here.  I suspect we’re getting really close to version 1.0!

Version 0.9

• New:
- We are excited to introduce Commandline-Support for uploading & downloading files to/from dropbox using Commandline-Arguments!
• Example for downloading a file:
”CloudFiles.exe” -pw:password -d “public/Testfile.txt” “\My Documents” 
=> Downloads the file “Testfile.txt” to “\My Documents”
• Same for uploading:
”CloudFiles.exe” -pw:password -u “\My Documents\TestFile.txt” “public”
=> Uploads TestFile.txt to your public folder
 
Optionally, you can use ‘-s’ to suppress the final “Download/Upload complete”-message, and ‘-o’ to overwrite existing files without warning
• Fix:
- Samsung OMNIA: Picture upload now possible
- Some few, small fixes

Blackberry owners are all probably more than familiar with Tether, which is turning one year old this week (check out their one year contest, in which they are giving away six brand new phones).   In addition to that giveaway, though, they also announced they are branching out and offering their service to Android users.   For those of you who are not familiar with it,Tether is an application that allows your PC to take advantage of your smartphone’s data plan, allowing you to access the Internet on your laptop anywhere there is cellular coverage.  Until now, this service had only been available for Blackberry…until now.  Last night,I received an email from the folks at Tether announcing that their new Android app is now available to Beta testers.  According to them, the Android tether app is already marking speeds up to 6.8 Mbps.  head over to Tether to sign up for the Android Beta.

SoftMaker Office 2010 for Linux Public Beta

This new version of our quick, reliable, and capable office suite for Linux offers significant improvements, such as:

• Reads and writes DOCX files (Word 2007) seamlessly, even those with password protection.
• Imports XLSX files (Excel 2007) with highest fidelity, including password-protected ones.
• PlanMaker offers presentation-quality charts
• Flexible sidebar in SoftMaker Presentations for common formatting tasks
• Comes with a license for 3 PCs (home and business) in the box
• … and much more!

Everyone who purchased SoftMaker Office 2008 for Linux will receive a free upgrade to SoftMaker Office 2010 for Linux after its release!