Ultimate Extras, Where are you?

Yes!  I was thinking about this just the other day and how lame Ultimate Extras have been so far.  Why don't they give us some Plus!-like features?  Throw in some Movie Maker transitions/effects.  Give us new screensavers.  Give us ANYTHING!  I've been very disappoiinted by this so far.

I've been wondering the same thing, and why is DreamScene still just a Preview release? I mean really, Microsoft should be going the extra mile to add some benefit to the Ultimate users.

I've pretty much disregarded it at this point, they've had several months since Vista was released and have shown little indication their working on much of anything, and releases are entirely absent.

With Microsoft saying precisely nothing at all about Ultimate Extras, and the blog has had one post since January... and that several months ago.

To be honest I don't expect much more over the next year then maybe a theme/skin for Vista, a few new backgrounds and a screensaver. Along with a small application, perhaps another card game?

I'm dubious there are many people there putting much time in on any Ultimate Extras. It obviously wasn't a big priority initially, and it seems dubious it will become one. I haven't seen any sign their getting many extra sales of Ultimate based on the promise of potential additions, so redirecting most of the Ultimate Extras team to other projects may be more profitable from their POV.

Ditto on the thoughts, and I was surprised that no other bloggers have said something about it before. Kudos, Josh!  Ultimate has been a three trick pony with 1 trick few use (BitLocker), one that is so-so (Texas Hold'em) , and the other more of a preview (DreamScene).  If this was a standalone product and not a version of operation system, we would be calling it Vaporware. Is anyone at Microsoft reading this? That isn't how you want to come across to the base of consumers and enthusiasts who opted for the Ultimate Edition.

I was woundering too Josh

I have come to the conclusion, Ultimate is probably worst SKU in the Vista lineup, it can't live up to its name.

Yeah, I'm afraid I have to agree with everyone too.... But I say guys that we're asking for too little.  A screensaver, some more dreamscene backgrounds?  For Ultimate, I would expect actual real apps like advanced tool sets, a completely different GUI theme, and even additional OS animation capabilities, like windows that 'blow in the wind' as you drag them across the screen as originally demo'd in the very early Longhorn days.  I agree, but we need to demand more than just a screen saver and a card game.  It's not like they can claim "well, that would be too resource intensive to do the blowing windows" because DreamScene is so resource intensive I've never run it.  Personally, I think Microsoft didn't give the Extra's team enough resources to do anything worth while, and now they're trying to sweep it under the rug and pretend it never existed.  Everyone knows what a huge Microsoft guy I am, but come on guys, pathetic.  This could have been something really cool, but it's gonna take a gutsy dreamer to run that department with enough resources to pull it off.  Half way isn't going to cut it.

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Yea, same as everyone here really - I emailed them through there blgo about 2 weeks ago. No response. I mean, in Windows it goes on about digital reading stuff, and more.. i mean, in the words of my brother "i feel i've been conned buying Windows Vista Ultimate". Now, from my perspective I didnt buy Ulimate for the extras, but when you say you're going to have them, it's a bit appauling that a PREVIEW pack  is about all we have so far with no explination.. I guess my brother may be right after all...!

Yeah the lack of Extras is completely rediculous.  It makes me wonder what this team is actually doing if anything.  And if Microsoft knew this is how it was going to be, why bother having an overpriced ultimate edition if you're not going to offer the users any extras for it that might eventually justify the stupid price that you pay in the stores.

Yeah I stole 3 launch bags at the launch to get ultimate and yet the extras are few and far between if any.

Where is tht photo software Gates showed off during the Keynote

wait wait wait, they still have an ultimate extras team?

PingBack from http://chris123nt.com/2007/06/13/windows-ultimate-extras/

Josh,

Thanks for the heads-up!  Makes me work a little bit for them, but I'll take what I can get.  I definitely enjoy using WMM and a couple more effects always help.  Just wish we could get more similar Extras.  I mean, if they take away Plus!, at least give back SOME of the functionality of it.

Now actually, after writing that, I just thought of something.  Being that Ultimate Exras are, basically, meant to replace Plus!, one would expect at least something comparable to be released in a similar timeframe.  To that, I've uncovered that Plus! for 98 and Plus! for XP were both released the same day as the OS.  We didn't get the first Extra for almost a month after Vista was released to the public.  And we still haven't gotten an even half-way comparable feature-set to Plus!  Come on, all I'm asking for is a screensaver maybe, a theme or so, and yeah, still want those WMM/DVD Maker extras.

By the way Josh, love the blog!  Keep it coming!

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This was also discussed in the Activewin.com forums a few times--the consensus by all (supporters and detractors alike) is that the Extras are becoming (or have become) a joke at best.  

I remember listening to some of the execs talking about ways to boost revenue through premium SKUs.  Hey, Microsoft powers-that-be... as long as you're deciding to offer a premium SKU based on the promise of exclusive content/abilities (aside from deciding to confuse your customers through all the different choices), you should **follow-through** with that promise.  I'm generally a Microsoft supporter, but I can totally see how some would consider this a con-job.

Breaking News!!

The entire Microsoft Ultimate Team, was kidnapped last January, after several months of investigation by FBI(Finding By Inch), it was announced that the team was spotted near Cupertino area. Investigations continuous, officers says.

PS.: Sorry if my english is not very accurate. And, by the way, I'm not Apple fan!!!

Well Ultimate Extras have been lame heres my break down

Bitlockertool = dont use

Texas Hold'em = used once

DreamScene = Dont work for me under vista due to the nvlddmkm stopped responding  error AKA TDR Error and leads to a bluescreen of death

at lest they could have made a good defragger for vista

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Bitlockertool=ultimately useless (does ANYONE use bitlocker???)

Texas Holdem=ultimately unplayable (who wants to watch the AI plod through their cards when you fold?)

Dreamscene=ultimate cpu usage (which is strange, because ATI made it available a decade ago without the same problem)

Just waiting for the ultimate class action lawsuit for failure to deliver...

Wouldn't you think they might be waiting on SP1 to release more Extras? Remember how SP1 is suppose to update the OS Kernel to the newest one (that of Windows Server 2008)... so maybe there will be more capabilities or abilities to do better Extas...

But it is true though, we haven't seen much, and its been a while now... Maybe they do need people to give them some Ideas on what to do...

It's high time someone brought this scam to light.  $400 for Vista Ultimate, and nothing about it has been ultimate so far (except for that ultimate pain in the butt known as WGA, which continually fires off even on legal copies).

It's easy enough to plug in your own mpegs to create moving desktops, but Ultimate is really boring after playing around with it for a few weeks.  Unless microsoft can WOW us with something different (and useful) I think Home Premium is a better buy.  

I was also wondering what is happening with Ultimate Extras.  I am yet to get something really useful ... and worth saying ... "Ultimate" extras :) :(

Will Head writes... How do you sell a top of the range edition of a new operating system? Well, Microsoft thought it wasn't enough to...

istartedsomething proclaims that Windows Ultimate Extras is a sham, and asks where the responsibility for selling the uber-expensive version of...

For those that wondered, yes there is an extras beta team yet but there has been NO action or posts there in several months.  I am on the extras beta team and all of us are wondering what is going on also.

All extras people are under an NDA agreement and thas probably why there has been nothing new.  The NDA was so tight, we cant even discuss it among those of us on the team.  :)

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when i read all the blog posts listed here...I was forced but to give my own opinion with regards to the BIG DELAY of the Ultimate extras. I bought my copy of Vista Ultimate last February, and being a software geek, i get the ultimate version...with expectations that my newly bought laptop will be the secured, powerful, plus those stunning visuals that makes you go "WOW". This word was overly exaggerated for the ultimate version....Yeah!!! i expected so much, i believe i am not the only one who wants the "best" from Microsoft.....

Hey guys!!!! what happened to y'all??? Still there???

Peace out!

when i read all the blog posts listed here...I was forced but to give my own opinion with regards to the BIG DELAY of the Ultimate extras. I bought my copy of Vista Ultimate last February, and being a software geek, i get the ultimate version...with expectations that my newly bought laptop will be the secured, powerful, plus those stunning visuals that makes you go "WOW". This word was overly exaggerated for the ultimate version....Yeah!!! i expected so much, i believe i am not the only one who wants the "best" from Microsoft.....

Hey guys!!!! what happened to y'all??? Still there???

Peace out!

Hey, good to see you got an update.

But still its not very detailed.

I was wondering the same thing a few weeks ago and wrote about it here

http://insomniacsvoid.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!C49B820B7D6CEDE4!205.entry

There you will find a list of things inwhich i would like to see released via EU.

As John Lydon once said...

"Ever get the feeling you been cheated?!"

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From the Ultimate Extras blog on March 20, 2007:

"With that in mind I wanted to share a little something for those paying attention and in the process I can start the "Backstage Pass" section of this blog. Under this tag I plan on blogging about things that are happening behind the scenes.  This way you can get a sense of what the team is working on. "

That was also the last update. It seems to confirm that suspecion that "nothing" is happening.

i almost started my own blog just to bring this up. I too sent them an email wondering if they were all right. Guess you dont get replies unless you have a public site and others may read up on the TRUTH.

if i needed a different language then i would have bought a different language OS. Since when is that an extra? I bet all we get are trials and demoes from the Extra team and Extras will become "Windows Vista Ultimate 'Extra ads and opportunities for MS and partners to make EXTRA money from a subscription or service line'"

MS has been very very poor in communication and follow through since XP SP2. Across the board. i am beginning to doubt my own intelligence for still thinking that MS cares at all about meeting deadlines or expectations that they themselves set.

Welcome to another issue of the Weekly Roundup where I try to recap the highlights from the week. There

Agreed!  I'm very disappointed about the lack of follow up.  Microsoft is doing the same thing with Podcast support in the Zune! My patience is running low.  Please MS, follow through!

靠，垃圾VISTA，U版的扩展还不出来，我晕了

Yeah i feel ripped off too.  At least i didn't pay $400 thou, i got the OEM version of Ultimate Con for $200.  But still, aside from the poker game there has been nothing really useful to me.  Every Tuesday i get my hopes up, and i see nothing in the extra section.    

Billy boy and the crew are stealing the money of consumers again.  Promising something and not delivering.  Started with Windows 3.1 and then the 'wonderful' windows 95 (what a piece of trash, OS2 was insanely better but IBM failed in marketing).

come on MS, where are they or cough up the money.  If nothing else, give me my choice of software programs for free which add up to double the amount of the ultimate price differential.  At leas then I might get a little better feeling about this rip off.

Looks like Linux is the best way to go.  At least those guys don't lie to you.  And, their OS if muchmore modular and secure (don't have to reboot with half of the updates).

Yes Defentely we have all been shammed... or not.....   just a quick question here... how many of you guys bought.... and I mean ACTUALLY bought a copy of Vista...

$400  bucks..... thats a lot ! ! !     I on the other hand did not purchase and will not purchase.... any Micro$oft  stuff plainly becasue its not worth the money.... that and thanks to the wonderfull world of TORRENTS...    I like many others obtianed my copy by Torrents.......  and I still feel Shammed .... even though I did'nt buy it.....  : )

I'm actually glad I did'nt... I was considering coughing up the money for the home premium edition becasue Bill and his Gang said this OS would be Pirate Proof !   but it seems they coul'dnt even do that right...  I'm not an APPLE user but I gotta tell you..  Apple is PRETTY....... for an OS.......  and Vista is just not delivering on the "WOW" ......   Besides MAC OS   the next best thing is UBUNTU ! ! !  which I have installed as a secondary OS.....  works great.......  and is Free....

In addition, I also sent the Ultimate Extra's Team a message... but I guess they are too busy playing the MAC OS......  and thinking " why did'nt we do that first?"

I would of expected the TEAM to have something out at least once a month....  but the things they put out were LAME..... the videos for the dreamscence LAME ! ! !  the people uploading on wincustomize.com have done much better with these Dreams thatn the M$ Team....   I wonder how much these guys get paid...

anywayz.....  I hope they WOW us with something pretty soon..... Some of the feautrures VISTA has look pretty LAME and DULL next to the MAC OS.... the Sidebar looks like childsplay...  compared to the Dashboard...... ! just for starters....

If Apple weren't so Danm expensive I would buy one.....  and if installing applications in Ubuntu were a little more simple to use I would actually pay $25 for it.....  but the problem with Ubuntu and all the other Linux ....   is that when your a newbie and you ask the HARDCORE LINUX people a question or for support they make u feel like a DumbA** ! !  anyways thats my 2 cents...  and we will stay posted on where is the Ultimate Extra Team ?

if anyone is interested in a civil suit against ms....i am in the process of working out the details with my lawyer. besides the ultimate extras, there is a violation in the fact that so many people are suffering constant bsod and the like, instabilities..... on hardware that is vista certified. i myself own a computer company, and i am steering everyone away from it.... the only reason i run vista on a few machines is because i have to, someone needs to be able to warn the unknowing consumers that vampire bill gates preys on.

i don't know who deserves to get shot more, good ole bill or good ole george

Why not BOTH ?

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I paid $500.00 Can. and got a bad feeling that once again Microsoft ripped me off.

No wonder why so many people are going on Linux.

Yep I am pretty annoyed too : ( I played the poker game for half an hour before i got bored you would expect more from microsoft. I cant say it was worth the money at this point not a very happy customer : (

Maybe its a repeat of Windows ME, maybe they are just practicing for the next event. Food For Thought!

I am not surprised, but very disappointed, that Microsoft has chosen not to honorthe stated promises to the consumer.  While marketing-speak can hardly be called a contractual agreement, there maybe a clear-cut false advertising case in the making.  If MS has, for the most part, abandoned or sidelined Ultimate Extras development, each buyer deserves compensation.  I see an oncoming class-action lawsuit that won't be helpful to any of MS's other ongoing legal woes.

I really like MS products, but they've got to start acting in the right spirit or their consumer base will begin to move to the alternatives in droves.

Purchasing Ultimate for me is a total waste of money that could be used elsewhere on my system. After removing “features” that rob the speed ability what is the benefit compared to my good running XP? Security and stability? HARDLY!

Did you guys all forget about GroupShot ? This software was presented during Bill Gates keynote at CES 07. It was supposed to be released as an extra for Vista. And the purpose was to retrieve the best part of two pictures to make only one picture in the end.

Another failed promise ?

http://research.microsoft.com/projects/GroupShot/ groupshot seems to be available already :-)

Never heared of it, but the first link in google allowed me to download it :-)

Julien:

Though, the last version (1.03) is dated Sep. 2006 and lists XP as a requirement, you can get Group Shot here:

http://research.microsoft.com/projects/GroupShot/

All you guys are crazy if you actually plunked down all that $$$ for Vista Ultimate. I mean I'm no Apple fanboy, but my god $350+ for a new version of WINDOWS? are you kidding me?

Amen! Glad someones asked this, maybe they thought we'd forgotten!

After running the Anytime Upgrade and playing around with Vista some more, I remembered that I hadn't

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