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January 9th, 2008

Face it, Windows Ultimate Extras are history

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 2:14 pm

Categories: Microsoft

Tags: Long Zheng, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

In Focus » See more posts on: Vista

One thing that you can say about Long Zheng is that he’s tenacious. He just won’t let the issue of the missing Windows Ultimate Extras drop. But I’m now pretty convinced that the chances of seeing any decent Windows Ultimate Extras have died.

There was a time when I was enthusiastic about Windows Ultimate Extras because the program seemed like a good way for Microsoft to drip-feed Ultimate users with useful utilities and fun apps, but as time went on I started to get the feeling that Microsoft really didn’t have much of a plan as to what extras and that maybe they wouldn’t be as cool as I’d hoped. Now I’m certain that what we’ve seen so far will be the best of the Extras.

I’ve even dropped my standards over what I consider to as Extras - the other day someone asked me what the current line-up of Extras was and I mentioned the language packs even though I knew they’d be of no use to the guy. And the others, well DreamScene is fine if you like killing your system’s performance (it causes my quad-core system to idle at about 30% CPU) and Texas Hold-Em is fine if you like that sort of thing.

Long Zheng has some ideas for the Windows Ultimate Extras team:

  • Premium high-resolution wallpapers pack
  • Premium DreamScene videos
  • Arcade or puzzle games (ex. Peggle)
  • Windows Media Player 11 skins or visualizations
  • Windows DVD Maker menu themes
  • Windows Photo Gallery slideshow themes
  • Extended free trials of Windows Live OneCare
  • Premium Internet Explorer 7 add-ons

All good ideas, but I have another suggestion - a T-shirt with the slogan “I bought Windows Vista Ultimate and all I got was this lousy T-shirt!”

Face it, Windows Ultimate Extras are history

Accept it folks, there isn’t going to be any cool stuff.

Thoughts?

Adrian Kingsley-HughesAdrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations

Want to get in touch? Got a tip? Feel free to drop me a note! I ALWAYS respect anonymity. I'm also on Twitter (@the_pc_doc)

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 37 Talkback(s)
RE: Face it, Windows Ultimate Extras are history
Microsoft should give away a free 4GB Zune - customized with "Vista Ultimate" on the back.

This would help promote the Zune (I prefer my Zune over my old Ipod) - and also be a way of "thanking"... (Read the rest)
Posted by: NextRevolution Posted on: 07/09/08 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
It's OK, the rebate will be on it's way soon. (NT)  TripleII | 01/09/08
I heard that the check was in the mail  Ole Man | 01/09/08
I have been told that rebates will be in two batches  jdickey | 03/05/08
You are not seeing the big picture...  Mike Cox | 01/09/08
Give me a break...  rafaelr | 01/09/08
Lets welcome the new member to the site  davidr555 | 01/09/08
It's almost like a form of self-hazing for the freshmen, eh?  MGP2 | 01/09/08
Another fish on the Mike Cox hook...... (nt)  bportlock | 01/10/08
WOW! You Gotta Live One, Mike! Quick get da' net!  Kromaethius | 01/19/08
Drum roll..........  D. T. Schmitz | 01/09/08
re: Big Picture  philipralban@... | 01/10/08
RE: Face it, Windows Ultimate Extras are history  davidr555 | 01/09/08
Microsloth's idea of "extras"  MGP2 | 01/09/08
Ultimate Waste  DarienHawk67 | 01/09/08
Go back to a home and pro version system  ye | 01/09/08
Basic economics 101  bportlock | 01/10/08
You should take the course  otaddy | 01/11/08
I'm not a big fan of MS, but...  bhartman33@... | 01/20/08
So by staying with Vista Home...  daddykevin13 | 01/09/08
offer a store credit?  Ole Man | 01/09/08
Fools  DarthRidiculous | 01/10/08
Wooohoooo  BroGnorik | 01/11/08
RE: Ulitmate hoax.  Kungfoofighterx | 01/10/08
RE: disclaimer  JakAttak | 01/10/08
argh  JakAttak | 01/10/08
Got to agree with you there..  gene_fitz@... | 01/10/08
RE: Face it  Landrue | 01/11/08
Probably hard to prove  otaddy | 01/11/08
Media Center is Greater  VONDRASHEK@... | 01/15/08
Ultimate "Extras" bonus  pristle | 01/18/08
Are You Kidding Me?!?!?!  Kromaethius | 01/19/08
Lots of mower power  myron757@... | 01/20/08
Myron, how did you...  Kromaethius | 01/20/08
DreamScene st6ill crashes and it;s not the beta anymore.  HypnoToad72 | 01/20/08
Vista is like a first date pretty exciting but really not going anywhere  mlkiely@... | 01/21/08
RE: Face it, Windows Ultimate Extras are history  toolman1 | 03/04/08
RE: Face it, Windows Ultimate Extras are history  NextRevolution | 07/09/08

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