Bill Gates wants to reinvent the toilet. Yes, that’s right. The toilet. No, I’m not talking about re-releasing Windows ME. He would like to have super efficient toilets that cost less that 5 cents a day per user (definitely not Windows!) and is waterless. Will it happen? Several prototypes are already being developed by CalTech and University of Toronto.

As Gates knows, two-thirds of the world’s people have no access to that great leap in sanitation, credited with adding a decade to our longevity. Their communities can’t afford the water and sewerage systems to which the toilet must be attached. So they make do with latrines or squat in the open, and consequently suffer diarrheal diseases that kill two million annually.

Anonymous sources (as they usually are) are claiming that the Windows RT powered Surface tablets will be coming in October for a mere $199. While I have a lot of reasons to take this as a bad attempt at humor and a bad rumor, there are a couple reasons why it could be legit. It would put a lot of Windows 8 tablets in the hands of consumers. Seeing the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 fly off shelves by offering a powerful tablet for a very low price may have gotten Microsoft happy. Coupled with the Microsoft Store application, it would be a consumption device. Sell at a loss, but make the money (and then some) back by app and in-app purchases.

I won’t take this as fact until Microsoft confirms it themselves. Personally, I’m taking it as a hoax or a bad rumor. I don’t expect them to be $199 at release. If they do, I’ll eat those words… And buy 3 tablets at launch, and give one away on the site. If not, and they are >$500, I’ll pass on them and wait for a cost friendly model.

That MSRP, almost certainly lower than Microsoft’s own cost, would line it up against the Nexus 7 and even the Kindle Fire. It would put Windows 8 on the map in a big way and give a lot of people a lot of reason to try out an operating system that is going to feel rather different than previous incarnations. The question is: will it drive enough sales of media and apps for Microsoft to recoup its loss? Or, will companies like Acer put up enough of a fight in the months between now and October to keep Microsoft from undercutting its own partners? We’ll find out soon, dear readers.

With Windows 8 hitting MSDN and Technet (along with Visual Studio 2012), there are a few things that Ed Bott has noticed since the Release Preview. However, one of my biggest peeves against Windows (since Windows XP) is even more restrictive. I understand that they want to protect their intellectual property and prevent piracy, but it is becoming more of a hassle for the general user. Installing the OS requires an activation key, no problem there. Activation is automatic after installation. That’s alright, too. As long as you’re on your first installation. Assuming drivers are all working and the install went great. In my experience, that is 90% of the time. The other 10%, I have to reinstall for some reason. I’d rather activate on my own time (with my home PC, I wait until the last minute to make sure everything is working as it should – I’ve been burned before).

If it only allows one activation before requiring a phone call, I will be very disappointed. With Windows 7, I had a couple tries before I had to call. I notice this is a big trend in various forums, too. After a reformat and reinstall, users are forced to make the phone call, sometimes explaining to the representative that they are not a pirate and that this in the only PC they are installing it on – basically a phone court trial by Microsoft. Then, if the person deems the reason satisfactory, they will give a long code to enter in to activate Windows. Sure, it takes about 5 minutes. But, that 5 minutes is valuable time that could be wasted doing something else. Very annoying, and it really makes me feel like a criminal defending myself every time I have to make that phone call. Yea, that’s one of my huge disappointments with the recent versions of Windows. It’s a flawed system that punishes the average, law abiding citizen that bought his copy of Windows. Pirates have found ways around it, usually before the release to the public. They aren’t being punished by the activation schemes.

If you’ve become accustomed to installing Windows 7 without entering a product key so that you can use it in evaluation mode for 30 days, you’ll definitely miss that option. After installation, activation is automatic. If you use a product key that’s already been used on another PC, you’ll be unable to personalize some parts of the Windows 8 environment.

On an unactivated PC, you’ll get regular notifications that you need to enter a valid product key. This message appeared in the upper left corner of the screen just now when I tried to visit PC Settings on an unactivated Windows 8 test PC. It didn’t appear to block any functionality, nor did the notifications degrade any features. It appears to be strictly a speed bump. (I’ll be looking into the exact implementation of activation and product key checking in the next few weeks.)

Microsoft’s new lab, “The Garage” was created in 2009 to help employees work on cool new projects in their spare time. A few really cool things have come out from it so far. Of course they are coming up with some really nice stuff – their motto is “Do epic shit!”. And they live up to that motto. Well done, Microsoft. You’re becoming cool again. You’re employees are awesome, and have some great ideas. Letting them have the resources to realize those ideas is great.

The project is successfully breaking Microsoft’s usual patterns. Every day, the Garage is filled with people who just want to fool around with stuff. It also puts on structured events that give employees the chance to work on side projects straight through until they’re ready to be presented.

Microsoft has come up with a solution to avoid using the Metro name – call it Windows 8 and Windows 8 user interface instead of Metro UI. Very clever… I like Metro better. Unless Metro Group makes typefaces or other design elements, I don’t see a problem.

Here’s the official guidance, my sources say: Anything currently/formerly known as a "Metro-Style application" (with or without a hyphen) will now be known officially as a "Windows 8 application." References to the "Metro user interface" will now be replaced by "Windows 8 user interface." And instead of saying "Metro design," the Softies and those adhering to their official guidelines will be using the words "Windows 8 design."

Lenovo announced their next Thinkpad Tablet, powered by Windows 8 Professional. Looks great, but pricing is still unannounced. I love Windows 8 on a tablet, but I’m not sure if/how much more I’d pay for one versus the competition.

ThinkPad Tablet 2 full specs:

• Processor: Intel Atom (unspecified)
• OS: Windows 8 Pro
• Display: 10.1-inch IPS, 1366×768, optional digitizer/pen
• Ports: miniHDMI, audio, microSD slot, USB 2.0, docking connector
• Sound: stereo, dual-array microphone
• Wireless: Wi-Fi, 3G HSPA+, LTE (AT&T only), Lenovo Mobile Access (pay as you go)
• Connectivity: Optional Tablet 2 keyboard and dock
• Camera: Front 2MP, Rear 8MP
• Dimensions: 10.3 x 6.5 x .39 inches; 1.3 lbs.

I know a lot of people own an Xbox and use it for Netflix the majority of time. Yes, it’s a great gaming platform, but it does so much more. It’s a great HTPC (Home Theater PC) or media streamer. Now, the Netflix application on the Xbox is even better. It has a “Just for Kids” option to show only videos that are appropriate for kids 12 and under – or for us Phineas and Ferb fans (myself included! AGENT P!) that want to filter the kids programs.

My young niece and nephew know how to navigate and use the Xbox, but I’d like to throw this on there for them to minimize the chance that Human Centipede is shown accidentally.

Recently, an interview with a Microsoftie had suggested that a ‘new Xbox’ was incoming with the new Windows 8 interface. However, clarification has come in that says that the comment was referring to a new dashboard update coming this Fall (which is related to the recent beta dashboard). Way to squish our hopes and dreams…  

"The comments to The Verge were not understood in their intended context," says a Microsoft spokesperson. "When Brian mentioned a ‘new wave of products,’ he was referring to the full lineup of products coming later this year from Microsoft, including Windows 8, Office, Windows Phone and of course our fall Xbox update which will bring a host of new consumer experiences like Xbox Music, Videos, Games on Windows 8 and Xbox SmartGlass."