Filed under: Windows, How-Tos

Everyone likes to try and predict the future and with the Custom Electronic Design & Installation (CEDIA) show only a month away, the crew at Engadget HD threw all of their crazy ideas out there for your reading pleasure. For the most part all of the predictions are around Windows Media Center and how it will integrate with other products like the Zune HD, Digital Cable and HD satellite services, but there are some other fun things throw in. We really believe that this is going to be the year that Redmond brings everything together, so if you're the type who doesn't think it'll ever happen, then click through to find out why we think you're wrong. Either way, you can expect we'll be on the scene in Atlanta to check out what's new first hand.

Microsoft's half-price deal for Windows 7 ran out a few weeks ago, bumping prices back to painful levels. If you're thinking about pre-ordering anyway, wait. There's a decent chance there'll be some new deals as we get closer to launch. They want the launch to be a success, after all, and success will be measured by sales numbers. The standard upgrade pricing—$120 for Home Premium—is too much to guarantee the kind of rocket launch Microsoft's looking for. You know, the one that shows they're back on track, especially after this past quarter.

Sort of funny that Microsoft made a big show of handing over the Windows 7 RTM code to Lenovo and other manufacturers last week -- the first activation crack for the OS has just appeared, and it's based on Lenovo's OEM license key. Oops. The crack apparently works with 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Ultimate, and it apparently passes Genuine Advantage, so things are looking good for all you wannabe pirates out there. You did buy an upgrade disc, though, right?

Based on some of the things you've read about Windows 7, it's sometimes not so apparent that we're still talking about a work in progress. Not so with build 7057 - there's a little reminder right in the middle of the desktop when Windows starts up. Notepad will be there, unabashedly displaying the contents of desktop.ini.