14 DAY TRIAL // The Ultimate Extras project was designed from the get go to enable Windows Vista Ultimate users to "Experience life outside the box!" In mid March 2007, Microsoft offered for download Windows DreamScene, a technology delivered exclusively through Windows Update to Vista Ultimate users. In March, the Redmond company was promising that the Technical Preview phase was meant to help finalize the testing of the product. But all went quiet on the Ultimate Extras front after that and the preview release of DreamScene for Vista Ultimate remained just a preview.
This month the Ultimate Extras Team responded to inquires from the community about the continued inactivity of the project and the failed promises that came with it. Barry Goffe, Director, Windows Vista Ultimate delivered an update on the Windows Ultimate Extras, and suddenly the initiative took its first breath after a prolonged period of coma.
"To sum it up for you here, the team recognizes that they've been dark for some time on the topic of Ultimate Extras, but want to go on record that they plan to deliver pending DreamScene and Language Pack Extras by summer's end, and expect to disclose a schedule of further Extras releases after that milestone. The reason for the Extras' delay has been the team's staunch devotion to final quality; your feedback, on DreamScene in particular, has been key to ensuring their focus on meeting the community's exacting standards. They plan to add to the Extras line up from then on out to make Ultimate the only version of Windows Vista you'll want to use," revealed Nick White, Microsoft Program Manager.
To celebrate the reviving of Ultimate Extras, Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc offered the video fragment embedded at the bottom. You will be able to feast your eyes on DreamScene running on dual-monitors on a system powered by Vista Ultimate.
"And before you ask: no, I don't have any additional details, as the team has priorities that supersede my questions (in other words, they're hard at work). But, know that I'll pass along any feedback you may have for them, be it regarding the current slate of Extras or what you'd like to see the program deliver in the future," Nick added.