Vista SP1 Compatibility Center Debuts

Vista SP1 Compatibility Center Debuts - Into Beta Looking for software and hardware products fully compatible with Microsoft's latest Windows operating system? Well, look no more, as the Redmond company has unveiled the ultimate resource designed to parade the software and the hardware solutions tailored to Windows Vista, now with Service Pack 1. Set up to offer consumers extensive information as to what products are tailored to Vista, the Windows Vista Compatibility Center centralizes data on in excess of 9,000 items that play nice with the operating system.

The Windows Vista Compatibility Center was announced the past week at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2008 in Huston, Texas by Brad Brooks, corporate vice president, Windows Consumer Product Marketing. However, the new Vista compatibility hotspot took a while to become fully functional. But now users can browse for cameras, printers and scanners, MP3 and media players, TV devices, communication devices, mice, keyboards and input devices, displays, networking, graphics cards and storage devices compatible with Vista.

But in addition to hardware, the website also offers an extensive list of software which integrates seamlessly with Vista, totaling in excess of 9,000 items. But, in the end, browsing is not really manageable with all the categories and subcategories but search capabilities are available.

The items featured on the new website are labeled as compatible if they pass the Certified for Windows Vista, Works with Windows Vista, or Games for Windows logo programs or if the developer claims that it offers support for the platform. "Hard block" products in the Windows Vista Setup program are deemed incompatible, and if information is insufficient, Microsoft will display a "Status Unknown" message. The bottom line is that since Service Pack 1 introduces no architectural changes compared to the RTM version, the Windows Vista Compatibility Center is not limited at the gold build of the client but also extends to Vista SP1.

"Released in February 2008, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) includes the complete set of Windows Vista updates we've issued over the past year. Available at no charge, Windows Vista SP1 doesn't add features or require you to learn anything new - it simply makes your PC even more enjoyable to use and helps it run more reliably and smoothly. In addition, our hardware and software partners have worked extensively with us to help improve the Windows Vista experience. They've updated more applications to be compatible with Windows Vista, delivered new device drivers, and ensured that most new devices and software programs are compatible with Windows Vista," Microsoft informed.
By: Marius Oiaga, Technology News Editor (http://news.softpedia.com)