There’s nothing quite as scary as a new operating system roll out for businesses especially when they’ve invested quite a bit of time and money in acquiring licenses for Windows XP applications. Fortunately for them, and us, Windows 7’s XP Mode will smooth things over.

The Windows Blog brings word that XP Mode has hit RTM status and will be available to download for Windows 7 Professional, an higher, users meaning your XP applications will run in a nice virtualized environment that should make things go smoothly.

You’ll be able to grab your own copy of the software when Windows 7 launches October 22nd.

Source: Windows 7 Team Blog

It’s official, the Palm Pre smartphone officially launches on Saturday, June 6, as The New York Times predicted the Pre would.

Where can you grab the most anticipated smartphone since the iPhone? Sprint helpfully informs us that the “Pre will be available nationwide on June 6 in Sprint stores, Best Buy, Radio Shack, select Wal-Mart stores and online at Sprint.com for $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate.” So expect to pay $300 out of pocket, even with the contract.

And if you want some of that inductive charging action (i.e. no wires), then expect to shell out another $70 for the Touchstone Charging Kit that includes the charging dock and a back cover required to charge the Pre.

Source: Sprint

If Internet chatter is any indication, you’ll be able to stroll down to the Sprint store on May 17 and pick up a Palm Pre. Sure it’s a rumor, but some factors like a new round of employee training and a vacation blackout during May are lending credence to the rumblings.

We’ll know soon enough if the rumors are true. For now, prep your fingers for webOS…