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PDC 2009: What have we learned this week?
There was the freebie that no one will forget, the heebie-jeebies courtesy of Scott Guthrie, and a teensy bit clearer picture of how this cloud thingie should work.
Live report: Will Google Chrome OS change Linux?
The mysteries of just what Chrome OS is, and how much of an operating system it truly is, may be resolved today.
PDC 2009: Microsoft cares about Web browser performance
The effort to give users of the world's dominant Web browser the impression of quality, is a personal one for the man who leads that battle.
Nokia re-affirms its commitment to Symbian, sort of
Maemo won't necessarily be replacing Symbian in the Nokia N-Series, but that's definitely a place where it will be found.
E-book readers will be in short supply this holiday season
E-readers are hot this year, and a lot of compelling new products have been released, but are there enough electrophoretic displays to go around?
Sony looks to finally open a single storefront for downloads
Sony has had many different download portals for movies, music, e-books, and games, and now it's looking to make a single shop for all of it.
Tuning out the tablet: Time to give the endless speculation a rest
Wide Angle Zoom: Wishing and hoping and thinking and praying....won't put an iTablet on the market.
Five improvements for IT managers in 2010
If businesses are to improve their efficiency for next year, they need to stop and reassess the basic tenets of their job.
AOL's spinoff from Time Warner to shed 2,500 jobs
As AOL moves toward become an independent company again, it will cut nearly a third of its workforce.
Gartner: SMS-based money transfer will be bigger than mobile browsing, search
Gartner issues its predictions for the 10 things our phones will be doing in 2012.
Don't forget to upgrade to Firefox 3.6 beta 3 today
Mozilla has released the latest beta its Firefox 3.6 browser software, just over one week after beta 2.
Security Flaw Exposes 35 Million AOL Accounts
By Nate Mook and Craig Newell on January 22, 2003, 11:19 AM
24 Comments
UPDATED The accounts of millions of AOL subscribers were jeopardized this week due to a serious flaw in the company's Web-based mail system, BetaNews has learned.
The vulnerability stems from an error in one of AOL's international e-mail authentication systems, which granted users access without correctly verifying passwords. By simply entering an account name, an AOL user had the ability to read any other user's e-mail and all personal data contained therein.
Continue reading Security Flaw Exposes 35 Million AOL Accounts...
AOL Quietly Posts Version 8.0
By Craig Newell on October 9, 2002, 11:40 PM
29 Comments
America Online made the final version of AOL 8.0 public on Wednesday afternoon, six days before the official scheduled release of the software. The first people to hear that the software had been completed: AOL's beta testers.
In a dramatic e-mail with the subject "We have reached another Beta milestone!," AOL told its testers that the software had been declared GM, or "gold master." The message continued, "Your efforts and feedback have paid off immensely during our feature testing the last few months, and today we have refreshed Keyword: Upgrade! Be sure tell your friends and family to go to Keyword Upgrade to download the America Online 8.0 software."
Microsoft Pushes CE Development With 'Talisker'
By Craig Newell on August 14, 2001, 3:04 AM
9 Comments
Microsoft released the second beta of "Talisker," the latest version of Windows CE, Monday. Talisker Beta 2 will be the final test release before the final version of the software is issued at the end of the year.
Available as free download or for the cost of shipping a CD, Talisker is Microsoft's first open beta of an embedded operating system. The downloadable image is in the form of an emulator, allowing developers to more easily begin working on the new OS without having to first purchase additional hardware, and runs on Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
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With HailStorm Brewing, AOL Readies 'Magic Carpet'
By Nate Mook and Craig Newell on July 24, 2001, 7:50 AM
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America Online is quietly rolling out a new unified sign-in service, similar to Microsoft's Passport, across its properties and partner sites. Codenamed "Magic Carpet" and currently promoted as the "Screen Name Service," visitors will be able to sign in with a single click and seamlessly browse sites supporting the new technology. Additionally, the service will be compatible with AOL, AOL Instant Messenger, and CompuServe 2000 accounts.
A clear competitor to Microsoft's fledgling Passport service, which provides authentication for MSN sites as well as a wallet service for "express" purchases, AOL's Magic Carpet could have a direct impact on the software giant's goal to establish a Web services platform.
Continue reading With HailStorm Brewing, AOL Readies 'Magic Carpet'...
Our Take: AOL in the Kitchen
By Craig Newell on July 11, 2001, 5:43 PM
5 Comments
Internet appliances have been facing a lot of criticism lately, and for good reason. Sales of most have been slow, and integration with users' existing home networks and ISP accounts has been poor. The InstantAOL TouchPad from Gateway offers the average home user the best option for adding another Internt access point in the house.
The device runs a Linux-based version of AOL, using the Netscape Gecko engine as the internal browser - a feature which is speculated to be in the works for AOL's next desktop client. The TouchPad is the first product product from AOL to use Gecko, with a similar PlayStation 2 client expected later this year.
Sony to Blast Off New Service
By David Worthington and Craig Newell on June 22, 2001, 2:44 AM
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Budding artists will soon have a new forum that will allow them to display and fine tune their works for a worldwide audience. Targeting the 18-24 year old demographic, media conglomerate Sony Corporation intends to succeed were others have failed – by making passive users of its online entertainment services active users. Available this fall, Sony Screenblast will offer users a virtual studio for their own recorded music, and provides powerful tools for editing amateur films -- all on the web. To further entice users, it intends to pull some star power from company ranks to provide users with sample tracks for mixing, and scenes for editing. Screenblast was first revealed to attendees at Streaming Media West, an annual industry convention. Sources say the site will offer editing tools and content from Sony's music and movie departments. For example, a user could add in music clips from Sony artists and remix the song while they are at it. Seeking to not join the list of companies that have failed to build an online medium for entertainment, Sony is planning to offer basic tools for free but is considering a $169 USD fee for premium services. Reuters reports that upstarts such as AtomFilms and Digital Entertainment Network have failed to create a solid revenue stream, and AtomFilms was acquired by Macromedia's Shockwave.com.
While the business success of this venture remains to be seen, consumers remained skeptical. Tony Coppoletta, an avid digital media purveyor, commented, "I'd be interested to try it out and see what it can do, but it's doubtful I would pay $169 for online tools that are likely to be comparable to software that might come with any given TV or video capture card." Sony has had some previous success with subscription-based services on the Internet. The company's online game, Everquest, generates $4 million USD a month from approximately 400,000 subscribers.
Our Take: OmniSky Meets Jornada
By Craig Newell on June 19, 2001, 11:29 PM
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Many people have been considering a wireless ISP, and one of the first solutions for PocketPC users on the run is the OmniSky service for the Hewlett-Packard Jornada. Since we began our review, OmniSky has also introduced a more expensive service for the Compaq iPaq. Read on as BetaNews takes a look at wireless Net for the PDA, and stay tuned for more information on the new iPaq offering.
OmniSky for the Jornada is powered by a wireless modem from Novatel Wireless, the same company that manufactures the modems for OmniSky's Palm V and Handspring services. Installing the device is fairly straightforward, although slightly awkward because you must first remove screws on the back of your Jornada to attach a bracket that supports the modem. Once you've done that, the modem slides on easily and stays secure.
IE6 Privacy Features Cause Advertising Headache
By Craig Newell on June 1, 2001, 2:36 AM
41 Comments
Online privacy advocates will be ecstatic when they take a look at the first implementation of P3P, the Platform for Privacy Preferences, in Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6. P3P technology will allow users to set their privacy preferences in the browser and then let the browser take care of managing whether sites with questionable policies have access to set cookies and the like. But the new restrictions may prove to be more trouble than expected, as P3P can block third-party cookies and result in broken ad banners.
P3P is a new industry standard that enables companies to express their privacy practices in specially formatted tags embedded in their Web sites. P3P is officially an initiative of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), an industry group that approves standards like HTML. Ideally, sites will encode their privacy policies in P3P and the browser will alert the user to practices that conflict from what the user has specified.
Continue reading IE6 Privacy Features Cause Advertising Headache...
AOL to Announce Joint Venture, Expansion into China
By Nate Mook and Craig Newell on May 26, 2001, 8:33 AM
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America Online is poised to announce the creation of a joint venture company with Legend Holdings Limited, the leading PC manufacturer in China. The move marks the first important milestone toward delivery of AOL services to the Chinese mainland. Each company will reportedly contribute $100 million USD to the joint venture, initially providing support services for Legend customers through its FM365.com Web portal. Upon China's accession to the World Trade Organization, the joint venture plans to take an equity stake in Legend's ISP business, establishing the operation of AOL Internet service in China.
With over 22 million people online in China and the Chinese language quickly approaching a majority on the Internet, Legend makes a powerful partner for AOL. Legend is the top distributor of new PCs in the Asia Pacific region, paving the way for wide adoption of joint services via inclusion of AOL software. FM365.com also provides significant reach for AOL, peaking at 25 million daily page views.
Continue reading AOL to Announce Joint Venture, Expansion into China...
OmniSky 3.0 Beta Announced
By Craig Newell on May 16, 2001, 9:54 PM
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OmniSky has invited members of its OmniSky Advisors group to beta test OmniSky 3.0, which will hit beta in June. The beta test is expected to last about two months while advisors provide feedback and bug reports about the new software. OmniSky provides wireless Internet access for a number of handheld devices, including the Palm V, Handspring Visor, and Compaq iPAQ.
OmniSky 3.0's new features will include file attachment management and IMAP e-mail support. The invitation also mentions new "location-based services" which may be to compete with a feature of Palm.Net that allows users to get local information such as weather without having to enter their city or ZIP code.
AOL Testing New Palm Software
By Craig Newell on May 16, 2001, 8:24 PM
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America Online is currently testing internal alphas of two new software programs for Palm OS; AOL for Palm 3.0 and AOL Express 1.0. AOL for Palm 3.0 is the next version of the AOL for Palm client, and AOL Express is a new piece of software for Palm VII to allow wireless access to some of AOL's services.
AOL 3.0 for the Palm introduces many new AOL features to the Palm platform. For the first time, users can connect via a TCP/IP connection using another ISP or the OmniSky wireless Internet service. AOL users will also be able to sync up their AOL mail on their handhelds allowing access to read and compose messages without a modem. As with AOL 2.0 for the Palm, users will be able to read their e-mail, send instant messages, and view their buddy list while connected. Also, if Web Clipping software is installed, the members will be able to access MyAOL content.
MSN Offers Free Re-route.com Service to New Customers
By Craig Newell on May 1, 2001, 9:51 PM
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Microsoft's MSN has partnered with Re-route.com, Inc. to provide one free month of Re-route's "Change of Address" service to new MSN members. By filling out a short form on Re-route's Web site, new MSN members can have e-mails sent to their old e-mail address, including America Online, forwarded along to their new MSN e-mail address. In addition, Re-route will send an e-mail reminder to those who e-mail the old address letting them know that the recipient's e-mail address has changed.
Re-route.com's President and CEO Cloyd Laporte said in a statement, "Changing e-mail addresses is difficult, and a major reason Internet users hesitate to change ISPs. We solve this problem by providing both e-mail forwarding service and change of address notification. " He continued, "By enabling Internet users to choose the ISP that best meets their needs, we believe the Re-route service will change the competitive landscape in the ISP industry. "
AOL Considering Dropping IE
By Nate Mook and Craig Newell on April 25, 2001, 3:12 PM
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BetaNews has learned that America Online, Inc. is seriously considering ending its use of Microsoft's Internet Explorer as the Web browser in AOL software. AOL had agreed to use Internet Explorer in exchange for being pre-installed on Windows desktops.
Microsoft's Jim Cullinan informed BetaNews that the agreement to carry AOL on Windows installations in exchange for AOL making Internet Explorer the internal browser in its software ended January 1, 2001. AOL and Microsoft did discuss renewing the agreement, but nothing was formally agreed upon. Sources close to both companies blame the other for a breakdown in talks.
Review: You've Got AOL Mobile Communicator!
By Craig Newell on February 12, 2001, 9:09 PM
21 Comments
Looking for a way to stay in touch on the go? AOL Mobile Communicator might be the easiest, and most affordable solution for you. The Mobile Communicator is one of the newer additions to the AOL’s AOL Anywhere initiative. Based on the familiar BlackBerry design from Research in Motion (RIM), the AOL Mobile Communicator is a smartly designed pager-sized device for sending and receiving your AOL e-mail and instant messages. This thing will turn heads, even among the crowd that would normally say something like, "You still use AOL?" (you know who you are).
AOL users will have no problem learning how to use the Mobile Communicator. RIM has received kudos for making its BlackBerry amazingly easy to navigate, and this certainly continues with the Mobile Communicator. One of my favorite features is the thumb-wheel, used to scroll through e-mails and menus, and also pressed to make selections. I quickly adjusted to the small-but-manageable keyboard -- you can get typing fairly quickly with your thumbs. One feature you’ll really appreciate is that the buddy list on your Mobile Communicator is automatically synced with the one on your AOL account, so there’s no need to have to add everyone on to it when you first get the device.
Continue reading Review: You've Got AOL Mobile Communicator!...
ICANN Prepares For Election
By Craig Newell on September 22, 2000, 10:18 PM
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ICANN, the independent self-regulatory body charged with maintaining the domain name system, is holding its first ever At Large elections October 1-10. Registered At Large members will be electing five representatives, one from each geographical region, to the ICANN Board of Directors. ICANN faces several controversial issues in the next year, including the implementation of new generic top-level domains like .web and .biz. For North America, the candidates are: Karl Auerbach, Lyman Chapin, Donald Langenberg, Lawrence Lessig, Harris Miller, Barbara Simons, and Emerson Tiller. Candidates were nominated by the At Large members and an ICANN Nominating Committee between May and late August. Information on all of the nominees can be found at http://members.icann.org/nominees.html. To help At Large members make their decision, ICANN is hosting an ongoing Q&A forum on the At Large web site where members can post questions for the candidates and view their responses. In addition, the Berkman Center for Internet & Society and the Internet Democracy Project are sponsoring "A Day with the North-American ICANN Candidates" on October 2 in Cambridge, Mass. The event will consist of an informal dialogue with remote participation over the web, and then a formal debate in the style of the Presidential Commission debates. More information on the debate can be found at http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/icann/candidateforum/.
AOL Releases New 6.0 Build
By Craig Newell on July 13, 2000, 9:16 PM
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America Online released a new build of its 6.0 Beta today, version 4097.45a. This build fixes many of the previous problems with the 6.0 Beta, including connectivity issues, problems with the new HTML mail feature, incompatibilities with Cyrix and AMD processors, and Address Book issues. AOL 6.0 is the next generation AOL client, improving on AOL 5.0, which offered few additional features over the previous version. Also in the latest build, the Welcome screen has been redesigned removing Britney Spears, whom AOL's beta testers have been complaining about in message boards for weeks.
New features in AOL 6.0 include a redesigned toolbar, improvements in AOL Calendar which allow it to be viewed and edited offline, and numerous enhancements to e-mail. In the e-mail department, AOL 6.0 allows users improved sorting of their mailbox, auto-completion of e-mail addresses, fully HTML compatible e-mail, and improvements in the look and feel of the file attachment system. The address book is now stored on AOL's server, allowing you to access it when signed on as a guest on someone else's computer or syncing addresses across multiple computers used for accessing AOL.
AOL Tests Several Anywhere Clients For Palm OS
By Craig Newell on June 30, 2000, 10:35 PM
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America Online is currently beta testing several new versions of AOL Anywhere software for Palm OS devices. They are: AOL Mail VII, a client for AOL users to read their e-mail on the Palm VII wirelessly; AIM 1.0 for Palm OS, an AOL Instant Messenger client for Palm devices; and AOL 2.0 for Palm OS, the generic dialup client for Palm users. These betas are currently only available to AOL members at Keyword: Palm Beta.
AOL Mail VII 1.0 beta is for use with Palm VII or Palm V/Vx handheld computers equipped with OmniSky wireless modems. The client currently offers e-mail only, and runs with the Web Clipping application. Beta performance was spotty, however, with periods of several hours where the service was unavailable while all other aspects of OmniSky were working normally. As a backup, you can always access the regular AOL Mail web site via ProxiWeb if you’re an OmniSky user.
Continue reading AOL Tests Several Anywhere Clients For Palm OS...
Odigo Continues Fight Against AOL
By Craig Newell on June 14, 2000, 6:59 PM
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The makers of the Odigo Messenger service, which has been repeatedly blocked by America Online for interoperating with AOL Instant Messenger, announced today that they would continue to fight the war toward interoperability. AOL fired the first volley blocking Odigo for the first time June 10th. Since then, Odigo has been blocked three more times with fixes available within hours of each block. "Odigo is committed to providing Internet users interoperability," said Avner Ronen, Odigo VP of Strategic Development. "We have received tremendous feedback from users, partners and other players in the IM community, all supporting our efforts to provide IM accessibility."