Windows 7 for Free, Plus is the Palm Eos a Phony?

Everyone likes free software, and most of the time piracy is the only answer. Microsoft, awknowledging the "tester" mentality of many early-adopter types, says it's going to provide the release candidate of Windows 7 for free, starting this Tuesday, May 5th, all the way till June 1st of 2010. What's the impact of this move? We ask Chris Spera from Gear Diary and Iyaz Akhtar from Gadget Tell about exactly how they see the move playing out. Chris thinks it's great for Microsoft, and great for consumers, especially given the current economic climate. Iyaz concurs, expecting the response in social media alone to play a big role in marketing Windows 7. Microsoft had better be sure they've got a winner on their hands, because large bugs in the operating system could be catastrophic if given on such a large base, but I'm sure Microsoft thinks this won't be Vista 2.0.

Also, we've had about a day to start to digest the Palm Eos, and taking a look at the leaked specs has our two panelists pausing for concern. Chris actually drew a representation of the device, and thought it seemed a little small, especially for his taste. Iyaz thinks the whole Eos mess might just be a viral focus group gone right for Palm, and that if the device didn't exist before, it, or a variant of it, will definitely exist now.

Whats your take on the Eos? Does the BlackBerry-esque form factor have you licking your chops? Or do you prefer the sliding keyboard of the Pre? Also, don't forget Windows 7, will you be the first in the download line on Tuesday? Have to nabbed a copy off of BitTorrent already? Do you think Microsoft might actually have a shot at getting it right?