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Microsoft's Ray Ozzie: 'Nobody's going to be 100% open'
The mobile apps ecosystems of the world may converge over time, led by apps being ported over across platforms, according to the Chief Software Architect.
Will Firefox beat IE9 to Direct2D rendering?
Just days after Microsoft executives gave conference attendees a peek at a new rendering technology, a Mozilla contributor revealed he's working on the same thing.
Where there's smoke: Apple warranty stance raises troubling questions
Carmi Levy | Wide Angle Zoom: Smoking can be dangerous not only for your lungs, it appears, but for your Apple hardware warranty.
The fallacy of Facebook privacy
Carmi Levy | Wide Angle Zoom: If an insurance company learns something interesting about its client through the Internet, is that snooping?
Microsoft 'worked with Apple' for Silverlight on iPhone, says Goldfarb
By not making such a big deal out of trying to stream video to the iPhone, Microsoft got a big deal out of it, revealed the Silverlight product manager.
Clicker.com cuts through the Web video chaos
In a world where homemade video and Hollywood movies travel the same pipeline, it's good to have a real search engine to cut through the clutter.
A case study in improving software: What Office 2010 can learn from Notion 3
A music composition product gambles with a complete overhaul, in an effort to make headway against two well-known competitors in a tough market.
Kindle 2 update adds battery life, native PDF reader
Amazon has pushed out an update to the Kindle 2 e-reader that lengthens battery life and adds a native PDF viewer.
Safari on iPhone gets competition from a $1 browser app
Apple likes to say it gives iPhone users a full browsing experience, but a new competitor tries to incorporate more desktop browser features.
Action Replay maker sues Microsoft for Xbox 360 'predatory technological barriers'
Third-party video game accessory maker Datel has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft over the Xbox 360's recent Dashboard update.
Hitachi introduces third-gen Blu-ray camcorder
By Michael Hatamoto on July 24, 2008, 5:09 PM
4 Comments
Hitachi today announced the third version of its Blu-ray camcorder that is able to record and store video directly on a disc so it can be later viewed on any PC or TV with a Blu-ray drive -- but not a PS3.
The new Blu-ray camcorder, DZ-BD10H, has a 30GB hard drive and CMOS image sensor along with an optional 32GB SDHC memory card that is able to store up to five hours of video in 1920x1080 AVCHD resolution.
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Creative adds to music player lineup with Zen Mozaic
By Michael Hatamoto on July 24, 2008, 2:54 PM
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Creative expanded its music player lineup Thursday, releasing new models designed to be fashionable with a mosaic design where the buttons are located.
The Creative Zen Mozaic comes in four sizes -- 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 16GB -- with a stronger emphasis on the music player's looks than functionality.
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Study says bank Web sites leave clients vulnerable to theft
By Michael Hatamoto on July 24, 2008, 1:08 PM
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When you hop on the Internet to check your online bank statement or pay some bills, do you ever wonder how secure your bank's computer network is? A new study claims most bank Web sites are vulnerable to identity theft.
A study done by Atul Prakash, a professor at the University of Michigan who teaches in the department of electrical engineering and computer science, found that more than 75 percent of 214 financial institutions checked in 2006 had at least one design flaw that could open up online bank users to potential identity theft.
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As Olympics near, China begins crackdown by arresting blogger
By Michael Hatamoto on July 23, 2008, 11:35 PM
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As the country prepares to open the 2008 Summer Olympics in three weeks, Chinese officials have arrested a writer and dissident who was already on probation after being charged a few years ago.
Du Daobin, 43, who was found guilty of charges of "incitement to subvert state power" in 2004, was scheduled to end his parole on August 4, just four days before the start of the summer games. He was initially arrested in 2003 after posting blog entries and articles talking about democracy and human rights changes the Chinese government should make in the future.
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Employee hands over passwords to hijacked San Francisco computer network
By Michael Hatamoto on July 23, 2008, 11:27 PM
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Much to the delight of San Francisco computer network officials, Mayor Gavin Newsom was given the password so the city can again have access to its computer network after it was hijacked by a city employee.
Terry Childs, 43, of Pittsburg, California, manipulated the city's computer system and held it hostage for more than a week before handing over the passwords. Specifically, Childs locked city officials out of the FiberWAN network that controls the city's e-mails, law enforcement records, payroll, and other personal records.
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AOL bulks up Health site with new content partnerships
By Michael Hatamoto on July 22, 2008, 1:01 PM
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Faced with an uncertain future and struggling ad business, AOL is bulking up its AOL Health Web site, adding Caring.com, Health.com and HealthCare.com as three new partners.
HealthCare.com offers a list of more than 1 million medical doctors across the United States, depending on location, medical specialty, and health insurance plan; Caring.com features articles and guides on how to care for elderly patients; and Health.com offers articles, tips, images, videos and health tips for patients.
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Slydial helps avoid conversation with direct-to-voicemail messages
By Michael Hatamoto on July 22, 2008, 12:43 PM
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Ever have one of those moments where you wanted to leave someone a message without actually talking to them? Understanding this feeling, MobileSphere recently introduced Slydial, a free service that allows users to leave a voicemail for a person without risking that they answer the phone.
Those wanting to avoid an actual conversation simply need to dial 267-SLYDIAL (267-759-3425), sit through a brief history about Slydial and why it should be used, an advertisement that will last a couple of seconds, and then enter the person's phone number. Once all that is completed, the Slydial service connects to the person's voicemail just like a regular phone call.
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Alltel offers subscribers slideshow tool, but it doesn't come cheap
By Michael Hatamoto on July 21, 2008, 5:59 PM
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Alltel Wireless has rolled out a new offering called MyShow that allows subscribers to create picture slideshows using pictures that are taken through a phone's camera or stored on the device through an external memory card.
Created by Fun Mobility, the MyShow service was officially launched in April during the CTIA Wireless 2008 event in Las Vegas. It simplifies the creation of an online photo gallery, while also adding text and background music to each slideshow. Once a slideshow has been created, users are able to share it either through the MyShow Web site, or install a widget created specifically for social networking sites Facebook and MySpace.
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More pressure on AMD as Intel drops prices of some of its CPUs
By Michael Hatamoto on July 21, 2008, 5:04 PM
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Putting even more pressure on rival AMD, which is already struggling and replaced its CEO, Intel over the weekend cut some processor prices from 12 percent up to 31 percent, specifically focusing in on its Core 2 and quad core CPUs.
Intel's Core 2 Duo E8500, which runs at 3.16GHz, received a 31 percent price cut, with prices dropping from $266 down to $183. The Desktop Core 2 Duo E7200, operating at 2.53GHz, received a 15 percent price cut down to $113 from $133.
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Zumobi widgets slide on over to BlackBerry
By Michael Hatamoto on July 18, 2008, 5:17 PM
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BlackBerry owners will now be able to use Zumobi to have instant access to widgets that provide a wide variety of miniature applications previously available only for Windows Mobile devices.
Zumobi now offers support for the BlackBerry Pearl (series 81xx), Curve (series 83xx), and Series 88xx using OS 4.2 or newer. The service is free for phone owners to download and install.
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One admin's missing password leaves San Francisco in a lockdown state
By Michael Hatamoto on July 18, 2008, 5:00 PM
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A former San Francisco city computer network administrator remains in a Bay Area jail after pleading not guilty to four charges of computer tampering. Meanwhile, the city's computer network is in limbo.
Prior to his arrest, Terry Childs, 43, of Pittsburg, California, managed to manipulate the city's computer system, creating a password that has effectively locked out all other city network administrators. As an employee in the San Francisco Department of Technology Information Services, he helped create a new network used for the San Francisco FiberWAN (wide-area network), his former defender said.
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Japanese, Korean researchers may extend the lifespan of NAND flash
By Michael Hatamoto on July 18, 2008, 12:29 PM
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Scientists from the University of Tokyo and Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) claim they have successfully created a new flash NAND memory that can operate for hundreds of years.
In an e-mail correspondence with BetaNews, AIST confirmed it had created the new NAND memory, and said it hopes to have it out the door soon.
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Tomorrow, a new top-level domain just for .ME
By Michael Hatamoto on July 16, 2008, 4:43 PM
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Those interested in getting a .ME domain name -- perhaps one named just for themselves -- can do so after ICANN, the organization responsible for overseeing Internet domains, opens up .ME domain registration tomorrow.
The "Sunrise" period of registration for .ME domains began in May, where trademark owners were permitted to register their own names early. The "Landrush" period began in June, in which any interested party can submit a domain application without restrictions.
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Atom-based Acer Aspire One makes its American debut
By Michael Hatamoto on July 16, 2008, 2:40 PM
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Acer today officially launched US sales for the Aspire One, its stylish, ultra-lightweight notebook with Intel's newest Atom processor built-in, and whose hard drive...is optional.
The US market will see three Aspire One models available, with base prices ranging from $379 to $449. The ultraportables are available in white or blue, with brown and black expected to be available for the holidays.
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Sony, HP get behind an open format for digital audio
By Michael Hatamoto on July 15, 2008, 4:39 PM
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Hewlett-Packard and Sony announced they will work together to develop a new generation of Digital Audio Tapes, called DAT 320, which will be built on an open standard so that other companies are able to contribute.
Although the two companies are collaborating to create the Digital Data Storage (DDS) standard, they both have plans to offer DAT 320 tape drives and cartridges that will eventually compete against one another. The Sony and HP products will have the same speed and capacity, though it's likely their firmware will be different, even though the drives will be interchangeable.
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Maybe the sixth time's the charm: Podcast syndicator Odeo relaunches again
By Michael Hatamoto and Scott M. Fulton, III on July 15, 2008, 4:10 PM
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After one roller-coaster ride of a start, online media service Odeo has once again relaunched its Web site, this time adding several new features developers hope will finally help it finds its market.
Specifically created to cater to content syndicated by RSS feeds, Odeo presents viewers with a video and audio catalog ranging from boxing and mixed martial arts, to cooking and home gardening videos.
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EBay prevails in counterfeit sales dispute
By Michael Hatamoto on July 15, 2008, 2:20 PM
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Yesterday, eBay secured an important legal victory after New York District Judge Richard Sullivan ruled the online auction service actually did do enough to thwart the sale of counterfeit jewelry.
The battle between Tiffany and eBay started four years ago in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, and has ended with a decision stating it's the responsibility of manufacturers to police counterfeit goods sold through eBay.
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New Garmin GPS loses its buttons in the wilderness
By Michael Hatamoto on July 14, 2008, 6:01 PM
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As adventurers head further into the wilderness, GPS maker Garmin launched a new line of handheld GPS devices designed for outdoor, fitness and marine enthusiasts, including one that's both buttonless and waterproof.
The Oregon line is the predecessor successor to the Colorado line of GPS units, with several key improvements added for adventurers. This new waterproof GPS unit has become buttonless -- a major difference between the Oregon line and Colorado line, with Garmin choosing a touch screen interface.
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New Creative sound systems promise to compensate for poor MP3 quality
By Michael Hatamoto on July 14, 2008, 5:12 PM
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Creative introduced two new consumer-grade media players that claim to be capable of identifying different parts of an MP3 track that have lower sound quality, and remastering them to restore sound quality as much as possible.
The Creative Zen X-Fi and Zen X-Fi with Wi-Fi both offer a 2.5-in. TFT display, built-in FM radio, built-in microphone, a video converter, and SD card expansion slot for additional storage. All of the devices measure 83mm x 55mm x 12.8mm and weigh in at 69 grams.
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West Coast lines grow longer as iPhone 3G buyers are told to wait
By Michael Hatamoto on July 11, 2008, 3:40 PM
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Just a few blocks away from the Moscone Center, where Steve Jobs and company host Macworld and WWDC every year, the enthusiasm for Apple's latest product launch was apparent.
SAN FRANCISCO (BetaNews) - Purchasing products in the Apple Store here typically can be an interesting experience, as it's quite common to exit a Jobs keynote and head to the store just a few blocks away, with Apple employees still unaware of what was announced.
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