Stardock today announced Object Desktop 2008 for Vista and Windows XP. Stardock products are essentially synonymous with Windows tweaking and customization, and Object Desktop is their flagship product.

For the first time, Object Desktop will be split into two versions: Regular and Extra Crispy...oops, we mean Ultimate. The Ultimate version is 20 bucks more, but from our vantage point it seems to be worth it; you get around 10 added programs for the extra Jackson (doesn't quite have the ring of "Benjamins," does it?).

Both version include WindowBlinds, a program to alter the look of the entire Windows GUI; IconPackager, a one-click icon manipulator; DesktopX, a desktop enhancer that adds widgets and more; and Deskscapes, a progam that allows you to run animated desktops on your Vista machine (not limited to Vista Ultimate).

Existing Object Desktop users get the Ultimate version for free. That makes us warm and fuzzy inside.

If you've never played with Object Desktop before, you should give it a shot; but only if you have countless hours to waste trying to find that just-so look for your machine.

In our experience, we've spent hours and hours adjusting, tweaking, repackaging, downloading, etc...just to slink back to the normal Windows GUI after the novelty of customization had worn off.

But that's just us.

Object Desktop requires XP or Vista.

Thanks, Stephanie!