Oct. 31--The Mac and PC characters on the well-known Apple television commercials may seem civil, but Microsoft and other tech companies are launching new projects to try and steal some of the appeal from the iPod and iPhone producer.

After loads of problems associated with its Vista operating system, Microsoft hopes its new Windows 7 will help recover some cool points with consumers. Meanwhile, Motorola released details on Thursday about its iPhone-fighting Droid smartphone.

And, at least with Windows, the approach may be working. Cleveland, Tenn., resident Aaron Brown said the new system helps Microsoft gets its mojo back.

"With my parents, I've always told them to get Macs because they're easy to use, but I think I can recommend them getting Windows again because it has caught up," he said.

In his review for Cox Newspapers, Omar Gallaga was happy with what he called "Microsoft's attempt at a do-over on Windows Vista."

Vista, Microsoft's previous operating system released in 2007, became a punching bag and a punchline for critics and users frustrated by glitches. The problems are addressed in the new Windows version, according to critics and local tech fans.

MIXED REACTIONS

Jon Moss, principal at Moss Benefits Group in Chattanooga, said he had seen his share of problems with Vista, but he was going to stick with Windows because the system works better with the company's customer management software.

He said his office is split between Vista and the older Windows XP system, but he probably will switch over to the new version of Windows.

Andreas Bruhwiler, on the other hand, is going to wait on the upgrade.

"I would rather not because we have a system that works," said Mr. Bruhwiler, who owns Alrol of America in Dalton, Ga., which makes rubber rollers for carpet manufacturing. He plans to wait for the bugs to be worked out of the new Windows system before he commits.

Brainerd resident Mary Yearwood, a self-described "Google person," has the same concerns.

"Those Windows (first editions) come out and they're all buggy and you don't know how to use them," she said. "I'm really not a big Windows fan."

By the time the bugs are worked out, her favorite search engine and e-mail provider may be ready to offer an alternative. Google announced in July that it will unveil its Chrome operating system in the second half of 2010 to compete with Windows. Speed, simplicity and security are the keys to the new operating system, according to a post on Google's official blog.