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Microsoft sorts out government sites, sounds

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 9:59pm CET

Two projects recently revealed by Microsoft are helping government officials figure out which way is up and what was said about it.

US appeals court denies patent to 'abstract' risk management system

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 9:10pm CET

In yet another sign that it's getting harder to gain -- and keep -- "business method" patents, a pair of inventors lost an appeals court bid this week to patent an energy-related risk management system.

PDC 2008: Recapping a week with Windows 7 and Azure

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 9:01pm CET

With the debut of Windows 7, Office 14 and its Web counterpart, along with a completely new Windows "operating system" for the cloud called Azure, PDC 2008 was a week that didn't let up. For those who didn't catch all of the news, here's a quick recap of our coverage.

AOL: Hello to Facebook, goodbye to Xdrive, Pictures

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 7:33pm CET

All in the same week, AOL opened up user access to outside social networks, while starting to shut down user access to its own AOL Pictures, Xdrive and Bluestring services.

Verizon-Alltel merger approved by DOJ, but with conditions

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 6:15pm CET

The United States Department of Justice has conditionally approved Verizon's acquisition of Alltel, provided Verizon divests from 100 markets.

Sorry folks, Opera Mini won't be coming to the iPhone

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 6:00pm CET

In a New York Times interview this week, Opera's Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner said Opera Mini has been ported to the iPhone, but cannot be released.

Another 100,000 Sony batteries recalled

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 4:04pm CET

A voluntary recall has been issued for another 100,000 Sony batteries that power notebooks from HP, Toshiba, and Dell.

Psystar puts Blu-ray on a Mac OS desktop first

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 9:14am CET

Although reportedly now in legal mediation talks with Apple, Mac clonemaker Psystar this week introduced Blu-ray -- a technology not yet supported by Apple -- in an optional drive for its Mac desktop PCs.

PDC 2008: Toolkit for asynchronous programming emerges from robotics

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 8:50am CET

On Wednesday at PDC, research took center stage, as the company took time to show off its virtual telescope and its experimental engineering projects. But one of these projects is something that applies to big business, not just laboratories.

PDC 2008: Cross-platform .NET surprisingly makes a fast game scripting engine

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 7:48am CET

An open source project to make a common language runtime for Linux, Mac, and iPhone that's .NET-compatible, has ended up succeeding in an area no one may have expected at first: as an artificial intelligence provider for gaming engines.

PDC 2008: Will multitouch change the Windows application?

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 6:23am CET

The research and resources that Microsoft has invested in its Surface project will soon pay off for everyday Windows users, with new multitouch functionality being added to Windows 7. But how soon will Windows apps feel the change?

OpenID announcement leads to Google kerfuffle

Publié: octobre 31, 2008, 5:30am CET

Google's announcement of testing on a new API for OpenID identity providers drew cheers from some quarters. But a few observers seethed at a perceived breach of orthodoxy.

Mike Nash answers your questions about Windows 7

Publié: octobre 30, 2008, 1:15am CET

Yesterday we asked you to tell us what you wanted to know about Windows 7. We posed many of these questions to Mike Nash, corporate vice president of Windows Product Management. Read on for the answers.

Eee maker Asus rumored to be planning Android phone for 2009

Publié: octobre 30, 2008, 12:14am CET

Although much better known in the US for its Eee MID device and its motherboards, Asus also builds phones, including the first dedicated Skype device. Now the Taiwanese manufacturer reportedly plans to follow the footsteps of G1-maker HTC.

More details on the new Windows 7 Taskbar

Publié: octobre 30, 2008, 12:05am CET

At PDC 2008, Microsoft took the wraps off Windows 7 and showcased its new dock-like Taskbar. But the revamped Taskbar isn't in the pre-beta build distributed to attendees, so we went hunting for more details on Windows 7's most prominent new feature.

Shipping delay moves G1's Wal-Mart premiere to next week

Publié: octobre 30, 2008, 12:03am CET

A discount-priced G1 phone, slated for availability today in Wal-Mart stores, has now been pushed back to about November 3 by a shipping delay, BetaNews has learned.

Scareware worm stretches out to Picasa, Google Reader

Publié: octobre 29, 2008, 9:47pm CET

A Facebook worm wending its way through the address books of unsuspecting users is gaining trust by pointing to two equally trusted sites, researchers warned on Wednesday.

Sony's PS3 soars in sales, but to little financial benefit

Publié: octobre 29, 2008, 9:40pm CET

After winning the HD "format war" and enjoying brisk sales of the Blu-ray-enabled PlayStation 3, Sony this week saw its profits for the past few months effectively canceled out by a surge in the relative strength of the Japanese yen.

AT&T revives free iPhone Wi-Fi hotspot access

Publié: octobre 29, 2008, 8:45pm CET

After what should have been called Battlefield Starbucks, the AT&T and T-Mobile skirmish over providing connectivity at the ubiquitous coffee shops, AT&T has brought back its amended free hotspot policy for iPhone.

High-definition Netflix streaming coming to Xbox 360

Publié: octobre 29, 2008, 7:49pm CET

A highly-anticipated aspect of the "New Xbox Experience" dashboard upgrade for Microsoft's Xbox 360 is the addition of streaming Netflix content. Today, it has been revealed that the content will include some 300 high-definition titles as well.

Google moves to address OpenID confusion among users

Publié: octobre 29, 2008, 7:29pm CET

Acting on concerns that OpenID's a great idea but a miserable user experience, Google on Wednesday announced an API based on usability research for OpenID identity providers.

Linkedin gets app platform, sticks to productivity

Publié: octobre 29, 2008, 5:34pm CET

Linkedin, the social network for professionals, has taken a cue from Facebook and MySpace and has included its own applications platform. In keeping with the site's ethic, the launch applications are largely productivity-based.

Verizon adds 458,000 FiOS subscribers in three months

Publié: octobre 29, 2008, 5:25pm CET

Driven by its FiOS HDTV and Internet broadband services and Verizon Wireless, a joint venture with Vodane, Verizon's business boomed big time from July through September, even as the economy began to slow.

PDC 2008: Live blog of the Microsoft Research keynote

Publié: octobre 29, 2008, 4:35pm CET

Day three of PDC 2008 kicks off with a morning keynote from Rick Rashid, Senior Vice President for Microsoft Research. The company's robotics efforts are expected to be a prime topic of discussion for developers here.

Phoenix gets embedded DVD player for HyperSpace

Publié: octobre 29, 2008, 3:42pm CET

California's Phoenix Technologies, the company most famous for its BIOS, has announced an upgrade to its HyperSpace virtual Linux environment that will allow a system's DVD player to be accessed independently from the core OS.

PDC 2008: The hard job of moving on after Vista

Publié: octobre 29, 2008, 6:59am CET

Remember the good old days when it seemed that a PC on everyone's desktop was a modern miracle? After recent experiences with Vista, the course Ray Ozzie may set for Windows 7 appears intended to recapture some of that magic.

In-depth with the Windows 7 Media Center

Publié: octobre 29, 2008, 1:16am CET

If you're a Windows Media Center user, you don't want to miss an in-depth look at what changes are coming with Windows 7. Microsoft's Charlie Owen, who works on Media Center, goes through every new feature along with screenshots.

'10+2' customs rule could bode ill for tech costs

Publié: octobre 25, 2008, 2:55am CEST

A new rule proposed by the Department of Homeland Security would, according to some industry groups, kneecap the tech-manufacturing industry's "just-in-time" cost-management strategies.

Happy hours and hype on the social-networking sites

Publié: octobre 25, 2008, 2:27am CEST

Where did everybody go? Recent Nielsen Online statistics reveal that the social-networking congregating online may not be hanging out where you think they are.

Online gamer arrested for 'virtual murder' in Japan

Publié: octobre 25, 2008, 12:48am CEST

She isn't accused of homicide, exactly, but a woman in Japan could spend five years in jail on charges related to "murdering" her virtual husband in revenge for a virtual divorce.

US Department of Justice approves RFID licensing

Publié: octobre 25, 2008, 12:20am CEST

The US Department of Justice has completed its review the RFID Consortium's joint patent-licensing arrangement that covers essential technologies in UHF RFID, and have deemed it pro-competitive.

Tab Mix Plus for Firefox 3 stacks up a new version

Publié: octobre 25, 2008, 12:09am CEST

For those of us who not only need to keep dozens of Firefox tabs open at once but need to see them to remember they exist, Tab Mix Plus' upgrade to Firefox 3 compatibility is some of the week's best news.

SP2 for Vista, WS2K8 to enter beta Wednesday, will support Blu-ray

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 11:52pm CEST

With Microsoft picking up the pace in both the development and marketing of Windows 7, it's also finding itself moving ahead with the next amendment package for Vista not too long after the release of SP1.

Swedish anti-piracy legislation moves ahead

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 11:41pm CEST

The EU anti-piracy directive that would let intellectual property holders get information about file sharers has been implemented in a Swedish bill, which this week received approval to be presented to Parliament.

Cartoon Network seeking beta testers for MMO

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 11:38pm CEST

Time Warner's Cartoon Network is in the final stages of developing its own massively multiplayer online game (MMO) called FusionFall, and is seeking beta testers to help iron out any problems.

Android and iPhone users have similar taste in apps

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 9:02pm CEST

Apple iPhone users are slightly more into gaming, but users of both Android and iPhone phones like to play games, shop, and find out about music and the weather, according to an analysis of application downloads issued this week.

Intel retracts 'inappropriate' statements about ARM, iPhone

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 7:46pm CEST

Intel execs at this week's Developer's Forum made derisive remarks about the ARM chips used in most smartphones -- including the iPhone -- saying they made devices "not very smart." Another executive then issued a retraction of sorts.

Apple accedes to developer demands by issuing new iPhone NDA

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 7:03pm CEST

Apple has replaced its original iPhone NDA -- dumped around three weeks ago under pressure from disgruntled developers -- with a new, two-part agreement. One part of the new NDA is publicly posted, whereas the other isn't.

Microsoft prepares for a mild recession, nothing worse

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 6:54pm CEST

In another indication that the American information technology industry is better suited to riding out the economic storm than other sectors, Microsoft's forecast for the rest of this year is for slightly slower growth.

Dish Network rolls out MPEG-4 HD to more US markets

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 5:13pm CEST

Yesterday, Dish Network announced that 21 new markets will be transmitting content in MPEG-4, bringing the total US Markets using the standard to 52. In six of these added markets, local HD channels were added to content rosters.

New troubles reported with iPod-like e-voting units

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 4:21pm CEST

With just over a week left before the general election, reports are surfacing of problems with e-voting machines from manufacturers rarely mentioned in the news.

TSA releases its final 'Secure Flight' watchlist program rules

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 2:48pm CEST

The TSA will take over responsibility for the "Secure Flight" passenger screening program in early 2009, according to information released by the DHS yesterday. DHS also revealed just how large its watchlist is.

NAB fight against 'white spaces' access gains Congressional support

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 12:51am CEST

Lobbyists for the National Association of Broadcasters made headway today in their efforts to block FCC approval of a Google-spearheaded computer industry proposal to open the "white spaces" for free and open access.

Amazon EC2 exits beta, offers WS2K3 in the cloud

Publié: octobre 24, 2008, 12:50am CEST

Beginning today, customers can implement instances of Windows Server 2003 (licensed to and purchased by them) in Amazon's cloud, enabling businesses to deploy sophisticated Internet applications without their own servers.

Out-of-band security patch addresses critical Windows vulnerability

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 11:59pm CEST

It's a part of Windows that handles all the file and print sharing services over any network. Today, Microsoft decided to take the unusual step of issuing a patch for a vulnerability on this part now, and not wait until November 11.

UIQ devices get Opera Mobile 9.5 beta

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 11:33pm CEST

Opera Software has been touring the world this week while supporting the release of the latest Opera Mobile browser beta version 9.51b2, which was released on Monday.

EFF steps in on YouTube DMCA takedown controversy

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 10:53pm CEST

With its strong condemnation of recent YouTube takedowns of campaign videos incorporating news footage, the EFF might be able to accomplish for fair use what the presidential political campaigns have not.

Google wants to expand into Russia, but Russia won't let it

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 10:31pm CEST

Google's attempts to buy a Russian contextual ad firm Begun are now being blocked by antitrust authorities in that country, who have turned down Google's application -- temporarily, at least.

Making the G1's battery live longer than a soap bubble

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 10:12pm CEST

Reckless usage of any 3G device, including T-Mobile's G1, can kill a fully charged battery in a matter of hours. With the benefit of history and some key Android apps, G1 owners can take precautions to extend their battery lives.

Android to include more apps Monday, and some won't be free

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 10:01pm CEST

Android open source developers will be able to start charging for their software in January, Google announced today. Meanwhile, Google's online store for mobile software -- now containing only a few dozen applications -- is still in beta.

Beta test a new wireless headset for the office and your PC

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 9:34pm CEST

Best test firm Centercode is looking for people in the workplace who spend a significant amount of time on the telephone. The product being tested is unlike any other in that it not only connects to the desktop phone system at your office, it also works with your PC.

Samsung's Blu-ray players are next to get Netflix

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 6:02pm CEST

Samsung today has announced two of its existing Blu-ray players, the BD-2500 and BD-2550, are eligible to receive a feature upgrade to support the popular Netflix streaming on demand service today.

Comcast to roll out 50 Mbps 'wideband' to Philly, Boston, NJ, NH

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 5:52pm CEST

Comcast spokesperson Lynsey Silvesti confirmed to BetaNews this afternoon that the 250 GB/month download cap instituted this month will also apply to the cable provider's new Extreme 50 and Ultra "wideband" tier customers.

TiVo lifts the curtain on new on-demand partner content

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 4:22pm CEST

Broadband-connected TiVo owners today get a boost to their on-demand content catalogs as CinemaNow and Jaman make their libraries available for rent.

Lala whistles a happy, DRM-free tune

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 4:21pm CEST

The new Lala music service's great leap forward isn't in offering DRM-free tracks -- it's the acknowledgment that really, 30 seconds isn't enough to know whether you like a song enough to buy it.

Amazon CFO: New Kindle will wait until 2009

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 6:18am CEST

UPDATED Amazon's Q3 earnings call had plenty of positive things to say about their success with the Kindle e-book reader. Good thing the company's happy with it, because it'll be the one and only Kindle for the remainder of the year.

Google is still talking with DOJ about Yahoo deal

Publié: octobre 23, 2008, 12:09am CEST

Google hasn't changed its position around a Yahoo deal since early October, according to a report today. The search engine giant is still talking with the DOJ about antitrust concerns.

Circuit City might close 150 stores, as possible bankrupcy looms

Publié: octobre 21, 2008, 12:24am CEST

Circuit City is considering closing 150 stores or more, according to a report today. Even worse, the retailer could be facing bankruptcy if holiday sales fizzle as expected, say some financial analysts.

Yahoo's blues: Looming layoffs, tense call

Publié: octobre 21, 2008, 12:12am CEST

Yahoo's in the middle of rolling out a new front page -- a phrase that ought to enter the lexicon next to "rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic" if rumors of significant layoffs are true.

Taiwanese MP3 maker charges Apple again with illegal monopoly

Publié: octobre 20, 2008, 11:20pm CEST

Tenacious Taiwanese MP3 player company Luxpro has yet again engaged in litigation with Apple over its Super Tangent (nee Super Shuffle) MP3 player.

Analyst revises 2008 Blu-ray sales downward by 25%

Publié: octobre 20, 2008, 10:49pm CEST

Due to the stinging blows dealt by the economy these days, some analysts are now predicting bleak sales, both for the holiday season and 2008 as a whole, for Blu-ray players and many other CE products in the not-so-cheap category.

Flash's quirky 'two-second' bug still requires manual uninstall

Publié: octobre 20, 2008, 10:27pm CEST

How many times, the old Ronco TV spokesperson used to ask, has this happened to you? You're playing a Flash video in Firefox for Windows, and for a moment, you think it's actually going to start up.

Microsoft's Web Platform finally comes together

Publié: octobre 20, 2008, 10:05pm CEST

There are dozens of little tools and services you need to download from Microsoft in order to actually start developing Web applications on your own. Finally, the company has decided to make them all available through a single form.

Apple's rebuttal chides Microsoft for not saying the 'V' word

Publié: octobre 20, 2008, 9:28pm CEST

Thanks to the depth of coverage given to Microsoft's "Windows, Not Walls" advertising campaign, Apple has come forward with its own ads addressing the palaver.

Social types Flock to Firefox-based browser

Publié: octobre 20, 2008, 8:37pm CEST

It lacks access to Firefox's vast collection of add-ons, but if your time online centers around social networking, Flock's browser may already have precisely the features you need.

Goodbye, Jamba and Jamster: Fox Mobile Group grows

Publié: octobre 20, 2008, 6:58pm CEST

When News Corp. and VeriSign came together in the Jamba joint venture in 2006, Fox Mobile's then-President Lucy Hood was slated to take over as CEO of a "new venture." Now, VeriSign and Hood are out and Fox Mobile Group takes shape with the former Jamba CEO at the helm.

Is Motorola readying a 'social networking' Android phone?

Publié: octobre 20, 2008, 5:59pm CEST

About three weeks ago, Motorola disclosed intentions to BetaNews around building Android devices. Details have yet to be announced -- but now, some of the specifics might be indirectly emerging.

Thomas mistrial raised in file-sharing defense

Publié: octobre 20, 2008, 5:29pm CEST

After last month's mistrial in the proceedings against accused copyright infringer Jammie Thomas, a defendant in a similar file-sharing cases is using the decision as a precedent for retrial.

SanDisk juggles its assets in advance of NAND flash downturn

Publié: octobre 20, 2008, 5:09pm CEST

In the latest indication that manufacturers are bracing themselves for the worst, the leading provider of flash memory cards for countries including the US is reducing its stake in two key factories where NAND flash is made.

Fightin' words: What Web users searched and said during the debates

Publié: octobre 18, 2008, 8:20am CEST

If you're tired of the election season, maybe you "don't want to hear another word about it." The rest of the country, however, had words of its own to get out during the recent debates.

Hands-on with Sprint's Xohm network in Baltimore: Does WiMAX deliver?

Publié: octobre 18, 2008, 2:26am CEST

Sprint heralded the launch of its Xohm WiMax network in Baltimore last week by calling for the death of wireline broadband. But how does it stand up against cable and DSL, or wireless 3G services? BetaNews has been using Xohm for the past month in order to find out.

Green-vehicle manufacturer Tesla does dirty by its staff

Publié: octobre 18, 2008, 1:30am CEST

Tesla, the buzzed-about clean-tech electric car maker, has delayed its S-model sedan, demoted its CEO, and closed its Michigan office -- the last action, via blog post.

Hubble Space Telescope crashes again, and fix may not come until February

Publié: octobre 18, 2008, 1:00am CEST

And you thought fixing your PC was tough? After beaming in pictures from outer space for the past 18 years, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope now needs to be repaired. But that might not happen until next week, or possibly even next year.

Asus Eee PC celebrates first birthday with sub-$300 price

Publié: octobre 18, 2008, 12:10am CEST

Just one year after the launch of the Eee PC, Asus is celebrating its surprise success -- and consumers are finding the device on sale in unlikely places for less than the cost of an iPhone.

Google CEO: Internet search is actually benefiting from recession

Publié: octobre 18, 2008, 12:05am CEST

In a way, Google has actually benefited from the economic slowdown, since Internet search queries are booming, said Google CEO Eric Schmidt, in telling financial analysts about Google's increased profits and revenues during the third quarter. But still, internal cost cuts are under way, even at Google.

Qwest sued by customers miffed over early termination fees

Publié: octobre 17, 2008, 11:29pm CEST

Like Sprint and Verizon Wireless before it, Qwest is now being sued by customers seeking to squelch early termination fees (EFTs). Two Qwest customers in Washington State are challenging Qwest's practice of charging cancellation fees on so-called "price-for-life" plans for broadband ISP services.

US Treasury says IRS still hasn't fixed vulnerabilities in tax processing systems

Publié: octobre 17, 2008, 11:20pm CEST

Vulnerabilities in two IRS computer systems -- including the one developed to replace all existing tax processing systems at the agency -- were known and repeatedly raised, but not addressed, during the nine-year development process.

Yahoo launches new profiles aimed at making site more social

Publié: octobre 17, 2008, 11:00pm CEST

Yahoo has renewed its approach to making its site more social, rolling out a beta of its updated open profile system. The feature will enable Yahoo to better track and target ads to its users.

Apple sells 200 millionth TV episode, over 1 million in HD

Publié: octobre 17, 2008, 10:00pm CEST

Although it didn't announce any new content for its iTunes Store, Apple reiterated that it is now carrying content from all four major television networks alongside news that it has sold 200 million TV episodes.

Mac users flaming over FireWire; Jobs shrugs

Publié: octobre 17, 2008, 9:24pm CEST

Some Mac veterans are in an ecstasy of grief over the absence of Apple's own FireWire port from the new low-end MacBook. But what does it mean?

Flash, DivX on Demand added to PS3; PSP gets App Store

Publié: octobre 17, 2008, 8:45pm CEST

This week, Sony updated the system software to both its PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 video game consoles. Finally, Sony's portable console received its own access to the PlayStation Store.

T-Mobile: 50 Android applications to be available for G1 launch

Publié: octobre 17, 2008, 6:35pm CEST

When T-Mobile delivers the G1 on October 22, about 50 third-party software applications will be available for the Android-based smartphone in Google's online Android Marketplace, a T-Mobile executive said last night.

DirecTV2PC beta software streams satellite TV content to PCs

Publié: octobre 17, 2008, 6:10pm CEST

Without the addition of any new hardware, DirecTV Plus HD DVR users will be able to stream recorded HD content from their DVR to local PCs, or watch live TV on their PC while recorded content is being played on the DVR.

YouTube and the DMCA: Ten years of takedowns

Publié: octobre 17, 2008, 6:00pm CEST

The irony of John McCain's tussles with Google's YouTube over his campaign's video clips is rich stuff for techies who have been observing the mayhem the Digital Millennium Copyright Act has engendered over the years.

BlackBerry flip phone now available on T-Mobile

Publié: octobre 14, 2008, 12:52am CEST

Showing that the upcoming G1, the industry's first Android-based mobile device, isn't the only new smartphone to be "exclusive" to its wireless network, on Monday, T-Mobile USA announced the availability of a BlackBerry flip phone.

No surprise: 'Windows 7' will be Windows 7

Publié: octobre 14, 2008, 12:39am CEST

Is it an indication that poetic titles and artificial excitement can do less to endear an OS in the minds of its users than simple, straightforward functionality? Today, Microsoft said it's going back to doing things by number.

Columbus Day means tech stocks re-discover forward momentum

Publié: octobre 14, 2008, 12:07am CEST

For the last several days, investors whose contribution of capital influx fuels the US technology business had difficulty determining which way was up. Today, on what for some was a holiday, they definitely found up again.

Mufin upends musical expectations for curious listeners

Publié: octobre 13, 2008, 11:25pm CEST

Got ears? Willing to roam outside your musical comfort zone? Then you should know the Mufin, man, and we can introduce you.

Everyone talk at once: .NET 4.0 will include Parallel Extensions

Publié: octobre 13, 2008, 11:16pm CEST

Parallelism in programming has largely been conducted in the laboratories. But with the next version of the .NET Framework, developers everywhere will be able to experiment with what could become a monumental change in languages.

MySpace opens its user-created advertisement platform

Publié: octobre 13, 2008, 11:15pm CEST

The MySpace consumer ad platform which was unveiled at the end of September has been Re-unveiled as "myAds-beta," giving entrepreneurs the ability to buy "Hypertargeted" ads on MySpace.

FCC report opens the door for white spaces devices

Publié: octobre 13, 2008, 11:11pm CEST

An FCC technical report issued Friday makes it look more likely that the US government will sign off on a Google-led pitch to clear the white space spectrum for free use by Android. The news couldn't come at a worse time for T-Mobile.

Final Silverlight 2.0 to ship tomorrow

Publié: octobre 13, 2008, 7:03pm CEST

UPDATED In a teleconference today, Microsoft Corporate Vice President Scott Guthrie told the press that the company's 2.0 version of Silverlight will be ready to ship tomorrow, October 14.

CBS goes after Hulu by aligning with YouTube

Publié: octobre 13, 2008, 5:57pm CEST

Though reports early last year said that a deal between CBS and Google for YouTube distribution had fallen by the wayside, the network's content will soon be available in full on the popular video site, complete with commercials.

Microsoft finds published exploit of Vista privilege elevation hole

Publié: octobre 13, 2008, 5:25pm CEST

A less-than-critical Vista hole could become more critical, as Microsoft's security team says it's aware of a published exploit that could enable an ordinary process to pass itself off as a system process with unrestricted access.

Things left unsaid, in a recent interview with Sony's CEO

Publié: octobre 11, 2008, 5:16pm CEST

When Charlie Rose interviewed Sony CEO Sir Harold Stringer on Wednesday, a few excellent questions were posed -- but a few others should have been.

EU regulations block Italian ISPs from blocking Pirate Bay

Publié: octobre 11, 2008, 5:03pm CEST

In August, Italian courts ordered that local ISPs block popular BitTorrent destination The Pirate Bay, but the decision was later overturned in appeal. This week, we found out why the Court of Bergamo ruled as it did.

Making it to Apple's App Store by staying out of court

Publié: octobre 11, 2008, 4:55pm CEST

Easily, the place to be for iPhone apps is Apple's App Store. But some VoIP software providers are learning that it helps to offer apps that don't require jailbreaking. and which won't land them in the halls of justice.

Wal-Mart changes its mind, leaves existing DRM servers up

Publié: octobre 11, 2008, 1:43am CEST

In what can only be described as another "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario, faced with the option of thousands of disgruntled customers, Wal-Mart is informing them it's decided to leave its online DRM servers running.

Hands on: An amateur photographer tests out Adobe's latest Lightroom

Publié: octobre 11, 2008, 1:05am CEST

Digital cameras have changed the photography landscape, enabling amateurs to become what marketers call "prosumers." The latest gear and software tools are now being directed at this group, but is it worthwhile for you to upgrade? Mary Hartney spent a month with Adobe's Lightroom 2 to find out.

Mobile service providers brace for the economic storm

Publié: octobre 11, 2008, 12:52am CEST

Your cellular-service provider is no more immune to the effects of financial panic than anyone else, and as the economy contracts, certain "unlimited" voice and data plans may, in fact, find themselves limited.

Apple warns users about bad Nvidia graphics chips

Publié: octobre 11, 2008, 12:24am CEST

In offering free repairs on impacted MacBook Pro laptops, Apple yesterday told users that the symptoms of faulty Nvidia graphics processors include "distorted video or no video."

New Norton Vista tool trades UAC for online feedback

Publié: octobre 10, 2008, 10:21pm CEST

The latest freeware tool from Norton Labs offers to do Vista users a favor by turning off many of those annoying User Access Control prompts. If you're wondering what Symantec wants in return...so were we.

Verizon Wireless to raise fees for service-related texts

Publié: octobre 10, 2008, 9:23pm CEST

Verizon Wireless sent an announcement to partner companies this week that it will add a 3Â¢ fee for Mobile Terminated (MT) messages on the first of November.

BlackBerry Bold sales halted in UK

Publié: octobre 10, 2008, 9:04pm CEST

Research in Motion's BlackBerry Bold has undergone yet another delay, this time it's been attributed to "software issues" by UK service provider Orange.

Internet snoop Adzilla vacates the American market

Publié: octobre 10, 2008, 6:52pm CEST

US Congressional hearings are one sign. But in another sign that North Americans are getting fed up with Web snooping, Adzilla has shut down its American operations and headed for the less privacy-focused environment of Asia.

Qualcomm gains an ally in its renewed war with Broadcom

Publié: octobre 10, 2008, 5:57pm CEST

The leading provider of chipsets for the world's GPS devices is no longer seen as unchallenged in that department, and in August was handed a crushing defeat at the hands of Broadcom. Now, the enemy of its enemy may be its newest friend.

First look at latest OpenOffice merits a second

Publié: octobre 10, 2008, 4:44pm CEST

Time spent with the fourth and final release candidate of OpenOffice.org for Windows 3.0.0 may finally lead stubborn Microsoft Office users over the great productivity-suite divide.

The Games for Learning Institute wants to grow a new geek crop

Publié: octobre 10, 2008, 4:16pm CEST

Microsoft's partnering with a number of New York colleges and schools to work math- and science-friendly video games into middle-school classrooms. Wait, you say -- don't middle-school kids already have enough love for videogames?

OpenSource World steps into LinuxWorld's more constrained shoes

Publié: octobre 10, 2008, 4:03pm CEST

In announcing this week that a new event, OpenSource World, will now usurp the long-standing, LinuxWorld extravaganza held annually in August, conference organizers IDG World Expo are continuing down a path mapped out back in 2005.

Major beta changes summon all hands to TweetDeck

Publié: octobre 9, 2008, 1:32am CEST

A popular Twitter client gets stronger as TweetDeck's v0.19b release makes its way to users of the AIR-based application.

YouTube takes first steps toward an entertainment shopping mall

Publié: octobre 9, 2008, 1:19am CEST

For the first time, video downloads generated from Google's YouTube site are no longer 100% free. Rather surprisingly, though, users have greeted the new links to fee-based music and content largely with positive comments, if any.

It's not over: Broadcom files a new suit against Qualcomm

Publié: octobre 9, 2008, 12:28am CEST

Can a company with patent rights over a technology charge royalties to anyone who uses that technology...even as it's passed down from reseller to retailer to customer? Recently the Supreme Court said no, and that gave Broadcom an idea.

Intel expresses concern about the AMD split and intellectual property

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 11:11pm CEST

For the better part of two decades, AMD has been a producer of x86 chips, and at times sold more of them to consumers than Intel. So since x86 technology was conceived by Intel, what happens to it now that someone else will build upon it?

Motion denied: Class-action suit against Apple, AT&T continues

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 10:53pm CEST

The class action antitrust lawsuit filed against Apple and AT&T last year for their strict control over the iPhone has withstood the companies' motions to dismiss, Northern California District Court Judge James Ware has ruled.

Yahoo's new social networking calendar enters beta

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 10:38pm CEST

After ten years, Yahoo is finally updating its online calendar, with new capabilities ranging from Flickr-based photo integration to iCal compliance for sharing information with friends all over the Web.

Burst Media's 'Thought Leaders" network: Grownups wanted

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 10:02pm CEST

When the going gets weird, the weird... grow up? That's the bet Burst Media's making with its new Thought Leaders network.

AdSense ads wind their way into Flash games

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 9:08pm CEST

After initial testing with social media game maker Playfish, Google is now launching a beta that will include Sprint and Sony as advertisers and Zynga and Konami as game creators. Is this the beginning of an ad-supported virtual world?

Verizon officially announces touchscreen BlackBerry

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 8:55pm CEST

"The world's first touchscreen BlackBerry...What will it feel like?" asks Verizon's teaser page for the upcoming BlackBerry Storm that was announced today.

RealDVD restraining order sticks til Nov. 17

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 5:35pm CEST

Yesterday was the last day that US District Court Judge Marilyn Patel would be available for hearings until November 17, putting the case between Real Networks and the MPAA on hold.

Adobe works to pre-empt a 'clickjacking' security nightmare

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 5:35pm CEST

Cross-site scripting vulnerabilities remain the most difficult for Web browser and tool manufacturers to thwart, especially because legitimate sites may be hosted by multiple domains. Today, Adobe Flash finds itself in the crosshairs.

MySQL co-founder quits job at Sun, as open source database frays

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 5:22pm CEST

Feeling hemmed in by the boundaries of Sun's corporate structure, MySQL co-founder David Axmark shot off a resignation letter telling Sun that he 'hates rules,' and he also 'hates breaking them.'

Anonymous message board posters must show IDs to government

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 4:08pm CEST

A Pennsylvania judge has ordered the owner of a Web site dedicated to Lackawanna County, PA political affairs to disclose the identity of six anonymous posters for posting defamatory remarks about the Scranton City Council President.

The latest Mozilla Labs add-on ties presence to location

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 3:55pm CEST

Mozilla on Tuesday launched another new experimental Firefox plug-in that adheres to the nascent W3C specification for geolocation APIs, and that's built to understand and manage users' location information.

IBM rolls out multi-OS Power6 servers, launches 'virtual memory' beta

Publié: octobre 8, 2008, 3:51pm CEST

Tuesday, IBM added two new PowerVM servers for bringing together mixed Unix, x86 Linux, and IBM i workloads. And with IBM's PowerVM Active Memory Sharing now entering beta, virtualization moves from processors into the realm of memory.

Verizon study: User error the cause of more IT breaches

Publié: octobre 4, 2008, 9:11pm CEST

Security threats to businesses vary according to what sort of businesses are targeted, according to a Verizon study covering over four years and 230 million compromised records.

Bill to investigate video content-blocking passes Senate

Publié: octobre 4, 2008, 12:49am CEST

The FCC will start to investigate video content-blocking technologies, if a bill just passed by the US Senate clears the House, including not only the V-Chip but other technologies that don't work hand-in-hand with ratings systems.

New Sony Reader includes touch, but no wireless

Publié: octobre 4, 2008, 12:19am CEST

Yesterday evening, Sony officially announced its third generation Reader e-book, equipping the over two-year-old product design with an upgrade that includes tactile sensitivity.

Was the Yahoo/Google deal a ploy to weaken Yahoo?

Publié: octobre 4, 2008, 12:07am CEST

With the DOJ expressing skepticism over Yahoo's agreement to sell search ad space to its biggest competitor, a letter from a key US senator urging action could be preaching to the choir. What's interesting is that senator's theory.

A mixed week for citizen journalists as Steve Jobs declines to die

Publié: octobre 3, 2008, 11:48pm CEST

Good news: Steve Jobs did not have a major heart attack this week. Bad news: A serious "citizen journalism" misfire may have caused several heart attacks for investors anyway.

Payment standards body will let failed security protocol lapse

Publié: octobre 3, 2008, 10:56pm CEST

In what is supposed to be a fast-moving industry, a security hole in an encryption system for global banking has been open for seven years. Yesterday, finally, a standards body mandated that the hole must be closed by 2010.

DC Metro transit system finally gets some bars

Publié: octobre 3, 2008, 9:38pm CEST

Both the US Senate and House of Representatives have approved a bill that will give all cellular customers coverage in the Washington DC Metro transit system.

Apple seeks dismissal of Psystar's 'monopoly' counterclaims

Publié: octobre 3, 2008, 9:35pm CEST

In defending itself against antitrust allegations, Apple has filed a motion in US District Court denying counterclaims by Doral, FL-based Psystar that Apple is a "monopolistic power," and seeking a dismissal.

By 'Windows Cloud,' did Ballmer mean an operating system?

Publié: octobre 3, 2008, 8:40pm CEST

UPDATED In an interview with the UK edition of CIO Magazine online published yesterday, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer answered the one question he may have wanted to keep secret until PDC later this month.

Skype admits security breach in China

Publié: octobre 3, 2008, 8:15pm CEST

Skype's Josh Silverman admitted yesterday that a security breach enabled Chinese Skype users' instant message conversations to be recorded and made accessible on public Web servers.

Beyond Android, Motorola develops WM6 security for US Army

Publié: octobre 3, 2008, 5:45pm CEST

While Motorola is engaged in device development for the Android platform, the company's Good Technology Group software arm has now garnered US Defense Department certification on a secure e-mail system for Windows Mobile devices.

Copyright board leaves rates unchanged, iTunes lives for another day

Publié: octobre 3, 2008, 5:44pm CEST

The recording industry's efforts to compensate for lagging CD sales by promoting hikes in royalties rates, suffered another serious setback yesterday in the US as a panel of judges ruled mechanical royalties rates should stay put.

Label suit against CEO of MP3Tunes dismissed

Publié: octobre 3, 2008, 1:41am CEST

"Big Four" music label EMI and fourteen affiliate labels sued MP3Tunes as a company and its CEO Michael Robertson personally last year for alleged copyright infringement. A judge has tossed the personal lawsuit.

Imeem redesigns as competition toughens

Publié: octobre 3, 2008, 12:25am CEST

Music site Imeem has undergone a redesign that premiered yesterday evening, streamlining the service as its OpenSocial comrade MySpace chews up headlines with MySpace Music.

NPR opens the doors on its social network

Publié: octobre 3, 2008, 12:23am CEST

NPR's got people, as in "NPR people" -- listeners whose fondness for National Public Radio is shorthand for who they are. Now they have their own social network.

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