Microsoft has just confirmed today Windows 7 will hit stores ahead of schedule on October 22, 2009. The new OS was originally going to be released early 2010. The company said it would make the new OS available to PC makers by the end of July. Microsoft also confirmed it will offer a program for people to upgrade to Windows 7 for free if they buy a new computer just prior to Oct 22. Details were not released.

There are a couple of ways for you to get Windows 7 up and running on your Intel powered Mac. Now, you can install the new Windows 7 Microsoft OS in a virtual environment on your Mac for free. Windows 7 remains on schedule for general availability on Christmas 2009.

Just follow these simple steps to get Windows 7 up and running in a virtual environment on your Mac in no time.

Firstly, you need to download and install VirtualBox (Mac, Windows), a free virtual environment developed by Sun Microsystems to let developers test out apps, or even run a new OS virtually, in this case, Windows 7.

One of the benefits with this method is the ability to run Windows 7 without having to restart your computer.

Read the full story

Microsoft has just updated its mobile apps for Windows Live services. The new app is available in two flavors, one for touch and another for non-touch devices. The new version 10 of Windows Live for mobile includes many new useful features, such as push and pull sync for Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger integration, seamless photo sharing, Windows Live Search, Windows Live Spaces, among other additions and enhancements. You can download it here.