Appeals Court Reverses MS Breakup
UPDATED The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia today reversed the decision by U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ordering Microsoft to be broken into two separate companies. A panel of seven justices unanimously ruled that while the software giant did violate the Sherman Act, a breakup of the company was too extreme a remedy. Microsoft was initially told to immediately split its operating system and application software into two companies, in hopes to increase competition. The case will be sent back to the lower court and tried by a different judge.
Jackson will be removed from the case due to actions which the court says "seriously tainted the proceedings." The justices cited the trial judge's interviews with the media, and refusal to hold a evidentiary hearing to discuss the breakup remedy. The Washington Post reports that a new judge will be assigned through a random lottery.
Microsoft Axes Smart Tags
Bowing to pressure from its critics and citing consumer feedback, Microsoft has decided not to include Smart Tags in the upcoming releases of Windows XP and IE6. Smart Tags use XML to turn certain keywords on any given Web site into links that provide additional information. Users would see a word with a purple dotted line underneath, and would be directed to sites hand picked by Microsoft – including its own offerings. The technology will be shelved for now, but may appear in later product releases. This decision does not affect a similar feature found in the recently released Office XP.
This week's refresh of the Internet Explorer 6.0 Public Preview included Smart Tags, but disabled the feature by default. Webmasters who objected to the added functionality on their pages were allowed to disable the links with a simple HTML tag. But this did not stop customers and Redmond competitors from crying foul, claiming Microsoft had an unfair advantage over where visitors were directed.
Beta Test Symantec NAV for Exchange
Symantec is looking to recruit testers for a mid-July beta of Norton AntiVirus for Microsoft Exchange 3.0. The beta includes several new features, most significantly support for Exchange 2000's virus API dubbed VSAPI 2.0. VSAPI 2.0 offers new functionality such as context information for attachments and message body scanning. Symantec has plans to fully support VSAPI 2.5 as well. Interestingly, this release marks the end of Symantec's support for Netscape browsers and following Compaq’s announcement of plans to cease Alpha development, NAV will not support the DEC Alpha platform.
The beta can be remotely installed on multiple servers, and will provide a management interface using Microsoft Management Console (MMC). For customers with less demanding needs, NAV also includes the option to install on standalone Exchange servers. In this case, the primary means of management is an HTML-based user interface that can be accessed through the server or remotely via the Internet. Daily tasks can also be automated though a "zero maintenance" mode, simplifying operation for smaller customers.
Corel Opens KPT 7 Beta
Corel is now accepting applications for its upcoming KPT 7 beta test. KPT 7 is a plug-in suite for Adobe Photoshop, Corel PHOTO-PAINT and Bryce, "which lets digital artists apply a wide variety of transformations and special effects to their artwork." KPT 7 will add support for the upcoming Bryce 5, set to debut next month. To join the beta team and create spectacular images, visit Corel Beta News.
Microsoft 'Shares' .NET Framework
Microsoft today announced a partnership with Corel to develop its C# and Common Language Infrastructure (CLI) development tools for the FreeBSD operating system. Versions of these tools will be made available to academic institutions and researchers under the "shared source" initiative. Redmond has been promoting shared source in place of the open source GPL licensing agreement which it has described as being "viral in nature." Corel is experienced in developing products for flavors of UNIX, having once distributed its own version of Linux.
Often beleaguered by the open source community, Microsoft spokesperson Craig Mundie underscored the company's code sharing strategy, stating "First, we took the core Microsoft .NET technologies to the W3C and ECMA standards bodies for standardization. Now, with Corel, we're creating an implementation under our shared source philosophy." A beta version of the tools is expected to be released in early 2002 with a final version coming later that year.
Control TiVo From The Web
TiVo has ushered in a new era of television, where convenience and entertainment meet head on. And now it may become even easier for busy professionals to schedule recordings and manage favorite shows on the run. A new project called "Tivo Web" has cropped up from the TiVo underground allowing remote manipulation of the device - all from the Web. Users can browse the entire channel guide, and schedule or delete recordings with a few clicks of the mouse.
Although Tivo Web simply manipulates information and images stored in the system database, it must be physically copied onto the TiVo, a task that can be quite daunting. Those willing to risk voiding their warranty will have no problem finding detailed instructions on hacking the unit.
Oracle Bets on Subscriptions for Small Business
Firing up the rhetoric, Oracle front man Larry Ellison announced a new suite of online business applications Tuesday, aimed to compete with Microsoft's bCentral. Described by Ellison as a "direct assault" on the Redmond giant, Oracle's service will target companies with 100 employees or less at a cost of $99 USD per month. Microsoft's purchase of Great Plains software assures that an online battle will ensue between the world's two largest software companies.
The over 100,000 bCentral subscribers pay an average of $30 USD each month according to an Associated Press report. However, Ellison is confident enough that his service will be adopted by the marketplace and claims, "bCentral is so bad that our biggest fear is that people will think online services won't work." Oracle will charge an Internet startup, NetLedger, with the task of promoting its online business applications to small businesses. Oracle owns a majority share in NetLedger.
New Beta Organizes Palm
As Palm upgrades its hardware, more and more files can be stored in any given handheld's memory. With a significant number of files, organization and access time soon become an issue. Many third party developers have answered the call to improve file management on handhelds beyond what is offered by the core Palm OS. At PC Expo in New York, Bachmann Software announced that it was up to the task.
A beta of FilePoint, a file management system, is currently in testing and the final code will be available to Palm customers within 60 days. FilePoint features fast searching by filename, keyword, and date. It is also compatible with the most popular business applications for Palm OS. A simple interface manages all tasks including viewing, editing, and file sharing.
Windows XP RC1 Draws Near
Microsoft today released to testers the final interim build before Windows XP is deemed Release Candidate 1. Build 2502 marks the seventh interim release since Beta 2 debuted in March. The much anticipated first release candidate will signify feature complete code, with only bug fixes and fine-tuning made thereafter. RC1 is expected to arrive sometime next week, slightly delayed from the original June 20 schedule.
It was previously reported that last week's 2494 would be the last interim release before RC1, but Microsoft beta coordinators clarified in an e-mail today that, "This build is NOT RC1. We expect to post RC1 for download within a week. If you have a slow connection to the net, you may wish to wait for RC1."
Intel Introduces Affordable Wireless Net
Continuing its drive to expand its product offerings, today Intel announced a new wireless networking (IEEE 802.11b) solution at the TECHXNY Conference. Intel Wireless Gateway includes an all-in-one solution; offering an access point, router, and imbedded firewall. Software for the gateway is web-based, intended to simplify the out of box experience. Additionally, up to 32 networked computers are supported, and protected by 128-bit encryption.
With this release Intel is targeting home offices, small businesses, and branch offices. The Wireless Gateway is certified interoperable with wireless LAN solutions from other manufacturers. It is expected to retails at $299, and will be available for purchase in August worldwide. This release is intended to compete with rivals such as Linksys and Apple who have long been offering inexpensive 802.11b solutions.
Real Demos MusicNet, Legal Downloads
Last week's Streaming Media West conference in Long Beach, California, was host to many exciting new technologies, including the upcoming music subscription service from MusicNet.
MusicNet was formed as a joint venture between RealNetworks, EMI, Bertelsmann, and AOL Time Warner, to offer legal downloads of music to subscribers. Real controls the largest stake at 40% according to company representatives, and Real CEO Rob Glaser holds the top spot at MusicNet as well.
In Race to Top, Yahoo Sees its Future
Recent media coverage has depicted a head to head match up between AOL and Microsoft while competitors seem to fade away. Remaining a distant third in the race to dominate instant messaging, Yahoo has announced that it is adding video support to its IM client. Yahoo remains one of the most visited portal sites, but its IM usuage pales in comparison to the sites overall popularity. This attempt to prop up its lagging user base comes at a time when AOL and Microsoft are aggressively adding new features to their software.
Currently holding the top spot, AOL brands offer a considerable advantage over competitors. In the US alone, over 22 million users partake in AOL's Instant Messenger service. An additional 8 million prefer ICQ. Combined, these two services represent 54% of all instant messenger users. In comparison, Microsoft holds just 26% off the market – although its popularity continues to rise.
Handheld Sharpens View of Internet
Next week's PC EXPO is expected to uncharacteristically serve as a platform for the launch of many products other than PCs. Set to reveal the extremely versatile device this week, Interactive Imaging Systems (IIS) has released details on its upcoming iCOM Wireless Personal
Internet Browser (PIB). According to the company, the iCOM PIB features a full color VGA screen that is used in conjunction with a proprietary "virtual display system" to present online content just as it would appear on a 21 inch monitor.
A wide range of options are available for connecting to the Internet, and two CompactFlash data ports allow varied peripherals to be attached to the iCOM. Specialized versions
will be manufactured for military applications, police forces, aircraft mechanics, medical workers, and wherever else there is a demand for
portable devices. Pricing is slated to directly compete with PDAs and cellular phones.
Microsoft Refreshes IE6 Preview
A
refresh of the Internet Explorer 6 Public Preview was posted for customers to evaluate this weekend. Many bugs reported in the first build have been squashed, stability has been improved, and code optimized. This download will upgrade Internet Explorer, its base components, as well as Outlook Express for Windows 2000 users.
Additionally, it has been reported that some users encountered Apple's QuickTime browser plug-in broken after installing this update.
The refresh sports build number 6.0.2479.0006, and is the newest build publicly available.
Internet Explorer 6 includes many changes and enhanced features that bring a new way to browse the Internet. It features a new look and behavior, including innovative browsing capabilities such as enhanced Explorer bars, integrated instant messaging, media playback, and automatic picture resizing. Internet Explorer 6 can also help to maintain the privacy of personal information on the Web, and provide error reporting to identify problems to be fixed in future Internet Explorer service packs.
Sony to Blast Off New Service
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.
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