Vista Ultimate Wallpapers and Language Packs - Not the Last Ultimate Extras

Concomitantly with the release of Windows Vista, Microsoft unveiled an initiative designed to deliver extra value to the users of the high-end edition of the operating system. The $399 Windows Vista Ultimate is set up to offer end users not only the complete edition of Microsoft's latest platform packed with everything but the kitchen sink, but also access to exclusive content created especially with the Ultimate SKU in mind.

Since the introduction of the Ultimate Extras, Microsoft has had a rough ride matching the initial promise with actual materials. A few days short of Vista's first nine months on the shelves, the original extras are finally complete and available for download. Windows DreamScene, Language Packs, BitLocker and EFS Enhancements and the Hold 'Em Poker Game, on top of a collection of both static and dynamic wallpapers make up the Ultimate Extras collection - a set of offerings far from Wow, and more close to a list of modest additions to the Vista Ultimate edition.

However, with the release of the remaining Vista Ultimate MUI packs, Barry Goffe, Director, Windows Vista Ultimate, promised that making good on the initial Ultimate Extras promise was not the last word from Microsoft. Still, the fact of the matter is that the future of the Ultimate Extras could not be more vague, with Goffe urging users to stay tuned for more content but without even a whisper on what it has in store. Last week, the Ultimate Extras team made available the remaining 19 languages packs for Windows Vista Ultimate. Taking the number of Vista Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI) to 36. Microsoft also updated lpksetup.exe, a component in the language pack installation process available for download here.

"While [the] delivery of the [the MUI packs] marks the final installment of the Extras announced earlier this year, these are by no means the final set of Extras that we intend to deliver. (...) Beyond the Extras shipped to date, we plan to ship a collection of additional Windows Ultimate Extras that we are confident will delight our passionate Windows Vista Ultimate customers," Goffe added. "Given our track record, it would be unwise to provide details of what comes next until I am 100% confident in our ability to deliver. Please rest assured, though, that our team is working on hard to deliver on our promise to Ultimate customers. I look forward to announcing the next Ultimate Extra. Please stay tuned� "