Windows XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC Beta
Pros: Dramatically increases software compatibility in Windows 7, fairly seamless
Cons: Still runs on older virtualization technology, requires CPU virtualization support
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: Microsoft’s next version of its desktop virtualization product, Windows Virtual PC, will be a freely downloadable feature of Windows 7. Virtual PC is a big release, and it adds some features from the enterprise-oriented Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) product, including the ability to run virtualized applications side-by-side with native applications on the host PC. Users of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate Editions will get a fully licensed and preconfigured Windows XP Professional with SP3 environment. Dubbed Windows XP Mode, this add-on lets you run XP applications virtually and side-by-side with native Windows 7 applications.
Contact: Microsoft • 800-426-9400
Discussion: SuperSite for Windows
Windows Mobile 6.5
Pros: Fully touch-enabled with a spit-shined UI and some iPhone-like features
Cons: Underneath is the same old Windows Mobile ugliness; not shipping on new devices for 6 months
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: Windows Mobile 6.5 features a home screen that can be configured with big, colorful icons or a nice scrolling list. It offers some iPhone-like features and even out-does the Apple device by surfacing calls, voicemails, emails, and the like to the lock screen, letting you navigate directly to them. But beneath the skin-deep UI lies the ugliness of previous versions. Windows Mobile 6.5 is a nice stopgap until Windows Mobile 7 shows up, supposedly next year. But that's all it is.
Contact: Microsoft • 800-426-9400
Discussion: SuperSite for Windows