RSS
Google Chrome 4: Yes, it's fast, but is it usable?
As Betanews readers have responded to our stories about Chrome's JavaScript superiority...Does that mean we'd actually use this browser? Well...
Verizon Wireless launches new Android, Chocolate, and ruggedized phones
The lower-priced Eris joins the Droid, while the Chocolate gets a touchscreen and more music playback.
Early sales figures for Windows 7 nicely high, but do we know why?
Fans of triple-digit surges in figures quoted by Betanews will love this one, as it appears Microsoft rediscovered how to pull off a software launch.
Myka announces its latest Linux-based 'net top box'
Myka's ION brings Boxee, XMBC, and much more to HDTVs.
What hath Mac wrought? A remembrance after a quarter-century
The reason there's a Macintosh today is not because of some brilliant flash of engineering genius, but because Apple had the audacity to learn from its mistakes.
Early build of Moblin 2.1 improves connectivity, but not device support
The Linux Foundation's Atom-centric OS yesterday received a major overhaul with the project release of Moblin 2.1 for netbooks and nettops.
The iPhone's China syndrome: Sales of 5,000 and climbing
There's actually a country where Apple's device is not a godsend, where sales can be measured in the dozens.
New European counterpart to FCC will ensure 'a more neutral net'
Late Thursday night, the ruling telecom administrators of the EU's member nations signed away their final authority to a new entity overseen by the EC.
Sophos study suggests Windows 7 UAC's default setting is self-defeating
Without any anti-virus installed, a Sophos test showed, User Account Control was only capable of thwarting just one malware package out of ten samples chosen.
Indiscreet tweet trips awareness of Web SSL vulnerability
A group of high-level security engineers had been making progress on thwarting a low-level threat to the Web, until somebody blurted it all out on Twitter.
Verizon Wireless launches new Android, Chocolate, and ruggedized phones
By Jacqueline Emigh on November 5, 2009, 7:07 PM
8 Comments
In New York City today, Verizon Wireless rolled out new additions to its expanding Android and LG Chocolate phone families, while also delivering sneak previews of a new, consumer-friendly ruggedized phone called the Casio G'zOne Brigade (shown above).
Like its previously announced top-of-the-line Android phone, known simply as the Droid, the less expensive Droid Eris will be available for the first time in Verizon stores tomorrow -- which is also when pricing will be revealed.
Continue reading Verizon Wireless launches new Android, Chocolate, and ruggedized phones...
Verizon's Droid claims 10,000 apps, graphics co-processor, and 'a map for that'
By Jacqueline Emigh on October 29, 2009, 4:18 PM
24 Comments
At a sneak preview in New York City on Thursday night, execs from Verizon Wireless, Motorola, and Google gave reporters from Betanews and elsewhere a point-by-point illustration, supported by a few of Android's 10,000-plus apps. They also showed off some features not even mentioned in Verizon's anti-iPhone marketing blitz: a stellar 3.7-inch high res display, turn-by-turn GPS voice navigation with Google Latitude and Street Views, and innovative peripherals like a car mount and multimedia station.
In a scathing new ad campaign, Verizon takes aim at everything Apple's rival iPhone doesn't do. "iDon't have a real keyboard," according to an ad. "iDon't run simultaneous apps," and so on, and so forth.
Continue reading Verizon's Droid claims 10,000 apps, graphics co-processor, and 'a map for that'...
Microsoft wows Windows 7 crowd with Internet TV
By Jacqueline Emigh on October 22, 2009, 6:17 PM
23 Comments
While most of the Windows 7 features demo'd at today's New York City launch were already known about far and wide, Microsoft surprised a lot of the crowd with Internet TV, a streaming media capability that just might some day spur consumers to ditch pricey cable TV services like Time Warner and Cablevision.
Internet TV lets you stream video and audio programming directly into Windows 7 Media Center, without the hassles of going to myriad Web sites and downloading multiple players, said Microsoft rep Brian Yee, in an interview with Betanews at the Microsoft bash.
Continue reading Microsoft wows Windows 7 crowd with Internet TV...
Live from the NYC Windows 7 press event
By Jacqueline Emigh on October 22, 2009, 9:43 AM
11 Comments
The world pretty much knows what Windows 7 contains, thanks to technology previews and early releases to developers. So what's left for anyone to be surprised about? Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer gave a hint as to a possible answer this morning on NBC's Today program, telling host Matt Lauer that one of the most noticeable new features of the operating system will be multitouch. With Apple premiering its "multitouch mouse" a few days early, did Ballmer have something similar in mind?
Betanews' Jacqueline Emigh is with the press contingent in New York City, and is filing live updates from the scene.
Bento personal database for Mac gains Wi-Fi sharing, security
By Jacqueline Emigh on September 29, 2009, 10:25 PM
4 Comments
Launched on Tuesday, Bento 3 is the third major release of the personal database from Apple's FileMaker division since the original rollout of the product in January 2008.
With the new Bento 3, users can employ Apple Bonjour, a technology intro'd earlier for iTunes and iPhotos, to let other users on a Wi-Fi or wired LAN locate and view information in their personal databases.
Continue reading Bento personal database for Mac gains Wi-Fi sharing, security...
3G wireless eReader from Irex aims to tackle Amazon's Kindle
By Jacqueline Emigh on September 23, 2009, 8:56 PM
12 Comments
Through new partnerships with Verizon Wireless, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, and other major US firms, the European-based Philips spin-off hopes to at least hobble the Amazon giant in North America. Set for release next month, Irex's 8.1-inch touch screen eReader will be better than the Kindle in almost countless ways, officials contended during a press conference today in New York City.
Unlike the Kindle, which is dedicated to sales from Amazon.com, the Irex DR800SG will support Barnes & Noble's eBookstore and ultimately other e-comm sites, magazines, and newspapers, too, said Hans Brons, CEO and founder of Irex. Based in the Netherlands, Irex has been carefully eying the US e-reader marketplace for more than a year now, according to Brons.
Continue reading 3G wireless eReader from Irex aims to tackle Amazon's Kindle...
Windows Mobile 6.5 struggles to gain ground against iPhone and Android
By Jacqueline Emigh on September 22, 2009, 10:29 AM
6 Comments
Earlier this month, Microsoft announced support for Windows Mobile 6.5 from North American mobile carriers including AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Telus, and Bell Mobility; along with major phone makers Samsung, HTC, LG, HP, and Toshiba. But not Palm...and it's that fact which got the most attention.
But while Palm shoveled out plans last week to dump Microsoft's mobile OS, support for Windows Mobile is now popping up from places ranging from AT&T to innovative new VoIP provider Zer01 and media content specialist (and iPhone/Android/RIM developer) FlyCast.
Continue reading Windows Mobile 6.5 struggles to gain ground against iPhone and Android...
Preview of Windows 7 netbooks, PCs from Asus, Samsung, and ViewSonic
By Jacqueline Emigh on September 21, 2009, 11:58 AM
4 Comments
In a flashback to the more prosperous years before the current "deep recession," hordes of truly enthused journalists crowded dozens of vendors' booths at a revitalized Pepcom pre-holiday event in New York City last week, waiting for their turns to get up close and personal with forthcoming consumer electronics wares.
ViewSonic, a company known until now mostly for its monitors, introduced a total of four new PCs at Pepcom's press event Thursday night.
Continue reading Preview of Windows 7 netbooks, PCs from Asus, Samsung, and ViewSonic...
Lenovo launches Windows 7 ThinkPads with multitouch and outdoor screens
By Jacqueline Emigh on September 15, 2009, 12:46 PM
2 Comments
With the October 22 rollout of Microsoft's new operating system now little over a month away, Lenovo today introduced portable PCs with two unique screen options: a multitouch screen, enhanced by a new application called SimpleTap, plus a super bright screen visible even under the sunniest skies.
Lenovo is offering the new multiscreen technology with both its T400s laptop and X200 tablet PC. The super bright screens, however, will be available only with the X200 tablets, said Mika Majapura, worldwide segment manager for ThinkPad X-series, in a briefing for Betanews.
Continue reading Lenovo launches Windows 7 ThinkPads with multitouch and outdoor screens...
Symantec launches Norton Security 10 and Quorum technology
By Jacqueline Emigh on September 10, 2009, 6:15 PM
23 Comments
With ID theft reaching increasingly alarming proportions, Symantec this week rolled out a battery of new tools geared to helping PC users fight victimization, at a press event Wednesday in New York City.
The company's latest round of heavy artillery includes new Quorum technology, integrated into the now available Norton Internet Security 10 and Norton Antivirus 10, plus a free tool known as the Norton Online Risk Calculator.
Continue reading Symantec launches Norton Security 10 and Quorum technology...
Dell and Nickelodeon launch 'slime' netbooks for kids
By Jacqueline Emigh on August 12, 2009, 5:22 PM
Add Comment
At a press event in New York City this week, Dell and two partners rolled out a new product that will compete in the home market versus kids' netbooks slated for release this fall by Eee maker Asus and Disney.
The upcoming Dell Inspiron Mini Nickelodeon Edition is based on a low-end, slimmed down version of Dell's current Mini 10 netbook, known internally as a "bear" edition, noted Bill Holden, a Dell product management executive, speaking with Betanews at the event.
Continue reading Dell and Nickelodeon launch 'slime' netbooks for kids...
Ten-finger multitouch headed to mobile gadgets this year
By Jacqueline Emigh on July 22, 2009, 12:27 PM
4 Comments
Synaptics, the creator of touchscreens already embellishing the iPhone and G1 Android phone, today rolled out new multitouch technology for mobile gizmos which rivals that of Microsoft-'s table-sized Surface.
The "Three-Finger Crumple" and "Two-Player Tennis Lite" are just two of the new offerings likely to show up on new mobile devices at year's end through Synaptics' introduction of the ClearPad 3000 Series touchscreen solution.
Continue reading Ten-finger multitouch headed to mobile gadgets this year...
T-Mobile's strategy to combat Apple's iPhone with Android
By Jacqueline Emigh on July 9, 2009, 5:26 PM
7 Comments
To put a bigger dent in Apple's growing command of the US mobile phone market, T-Mobile USA will start to use weapons ranging from hardware diversity to "usability," improved customer service, and new software applications, according to Cole Brodman, CTO for the mobile carrier.
"IPhones are great, but Apple's vision isn't as wide," Brodman contended, during an interview with Betanews at a New York City press event on Thursday.
Continue reading T-Mobile's strategy to combat Apple's iPhone with Android...
Three Android phones on the way from T-Mobile in 2009
By Jacqueline Emigh on July 9, 2009, 8:31 AM
Add Comment
T-Mobile USA's myTouch 3G, the second Android phone to spring up in the US market, is geared to greater customizability and ease of use than the earlier G1, said Cole Brodman, T-Mobile USA's chief technology officer, at a press event in Manhattan on Wednesday.
The nation's premiere Android phone carrier will follow up with two additional Android phones this fall, but these will not include HTC's Hero, a new mobile phone that Orange has already signed on for in Europe.
Continue reading Three Android phones on the way from T-Mobile in 2009...
HP intros SimpleSave external drive for 'hands-free' PC backup
By Jacqueline Emigh on June 26, 2009, 12:14 PM
1 Comment
Offered in capacities up to 2 TB, HP's new SimpleSave External Hard Drive spares users from installing backup software. The four gadgets in the line-up each come with software that runs right off the drive, stated Mark Ostendorf, HP's business development manager for PC accessories, in a meeting with Betanews at Pepcom's Digital Experience press event in New York City.
When you plug the drive into a PC's USB port, SimpleSave starts to back up your data automatically. Following the first back-up, the gizmo automatically checks for file changes each time the PC is idle for five minutes, also performing incremental backups.
Continue reading HP intros SimpleSave external drive for 'hands-free' PC backup...
First US peek at HTC Hero phone with Sense interface
By Jacqueline Emigh on June 26, 2009, 11:53 AM
Add Comment
HTC's Hero, finally formally introduced in London on Wednesday after months of rumors, was shown at Pepcom's Digital Experience event in New York City earlier this week, and Betanews got a peek.
Reps in the HTC booth focused on the phone's widget-based interface, known as HTC Sense. Up to now, HTC's G1 has been the only Android phone in commercial use. But HTC is also working on differentiating its Android devices from others that will spring up in the future, according to a rep.
Continue reading First US peek at HTC Hero phone with Sense interface...
Lenovo launches ThinkPad T400s with a thinner design, new keyboard
By Jacqueline Emigh on June 25, 2009, 12:38 PM
1 Comment
CORRECTION FROM THE M.E.: Here's a correction Betanews is happy to make. Although information Angela Gunn and I received last month appeared to verify that the big blue ThinkVantage button that was one of IBM's original signature ThinkPad features would be discontinued starting with the T400s unveiled earlier this week, Betanews was told by Lenovo today that not only does the T400s include the ThinkVantage button, but that the feature is not being discontinued after all.
What's more, the feature will do what it has done in the past, including give users the ability to recover their systems starting with the single button click. Though there will be changes to the feature over time, Betanews was told that the plan now is for those changes not to be nearly as drastic as had been indicated last month.
Continue reading Lenovo launches ThinkPad T400s with a thinner design, new keyboard...
Averting another format war, this time in 3D TV
By Jacqueline Emigh on June 15, 2009, 5:26 PM
8 Comments
With virtually every major TV manufacturer now eyeing the release of 3D HDTVs, almost 200 companies in the global entertainment and consumer electronics industries are now working on uniting behind a common set of technology standards for consumer viewing of movies and other 3D content on home TVs.
Their hope is to avoid a repeat of the ugly HD video disc format war, which left Toshiba badly bruised and HD DVD a distant memory.
Continue reading Averting another format war, this time in 3D TV...
Dell: Most Linux users don't really need the latest version
By Jacqueline Emigh on May 20, 2009, 3:24 PM
14 Comments
The new Mini 10v netbook that Dell launched last week will get more capabilities over the year ahead, including what the company is calling "wireless improvements." However, although "Linux enthusiasts" might wish otherwise, an upgrade from the currently supported Ubuntu Linux 8.04 to the newer 8.10 or 9.04 won't be happening yet. A later release of Ubuntu isn't in the best interests of "mainstream users," according to an e-mail from Dell to Betanews last night.
The official word from Dell is that there are two main reasons for sticking with Canonical's Ubuntu 8.04 -- for the time being, anyway -- in the Linux editions of its Inspiron netbooks, a line-up also available with Microsoft's Windows XP.
Continue reading Dell: Most Linux users don't really need the latest version...
Dell changes its Windows vs. Linux netbook strategy, plans new subsidized model
By Jacqueline Emigh on May 13, 2009, 5:22 PM
23 Comments
Rolled out last night at a press event in New York City, the Mini 10v "companion netbook" offers some but not all of the same features as the slightly pricier Inspiron Mini 10 "media netbook," according to DK Ray, product marketing manager.
The new Inspiron Mini 10v is the first netbook from Dell to be available for Windows and Linux simultaneously, and it won't be the last. Up to now, Dell has released the Windows XP flavors before the Ubuntu Linux editions. Going forward, though, Dell will ship all future netbooks on the same OS, Ray divulged, in a meeting with Betanews at the event.
Continue reading Dell changes its Windows vs. Linux netbook strategy, plans new subsidized model...