MSN Announces Explorer 6.1, Delays Slightly
Despite rumors that Microsoft's Brad Chase is leaving the company, MSN is moving full steam ahead. According to Microsoft, over six million people use MSN Explorer and the latest incarnation of the software will soon be released. Explorer consolidates all of MSN's online services into a user-friendly environment meant to compete directly with America Online. MSN Explorer 6.1 features several minor upgrades and additional functionality. As Microsoft ventures further down the Dot Net path - MSN Explorer users can expect broader changes.
Internet Explorer, an MSN Instant Messenger client, MSN Internet access, and music software are components of the software. MSN portal content is also integrated. The installation of MSN Explorer will be enhanced in version 6.1, and it should be easier for customers to access all of these features.
Beta Test Motor City Online
Electronic Arts is looking for beta testers to try out Motor City Online, the first online-only racing, driving, and car customization game. The development team is looking for users to test the stability of the network and the effect of load on gameplay, test all features for functionality and usability, and test for overall functionality. Beta testers will be added gradually, starting with around 1000 this Spring. By the time the game ships, EA plans to have ten times that number. For more information and to sign up to become a beta tester, visit the Motor City Online Web site. As the site warns, "beta testers will need to be prepared for frequent server resets, which could potentially result in the loss of personas and equipment." Note: EA is currently only accepting testers in the US and Canada, however they are making an effort to expand the test.
Corel Ships WordPerfect Office 2002
Corel Corporation recently began shipping the latest version of WordPerfect Office, the company's rival to Office XP. The office suite will be available in North America beginning May 1 in Standard and Professional editions. The Standard Edition will retail for $159 USD and include WordPerfect 10, Quattro Pro 10, Presentations 10, and CorelCENTRAL 10, the company's highly touted e-mail client. Professional Edition includes Corel's database software, Paradox 10, as well as Dragon NaturallySpeaking 5.0 and will retail for $259 USD.
"We have a devoted following of WordPerfect users and we are rewarding that
loyalty by providing new features that reflect their priorities," said
Graham Brown, executive vice-president, business applications, in the press release. "We consulted with our customers during the development process and we incorporated their feedback into the final release. We are confident that WordPerfect Office 2002 directly answers our customers' needs and the early response from our Beta testers suggests that our enhancements are right on target."
Game Voice Beta Update
For those of you with a Microsoft Game Voice, the folks at Redmond have announced the availability of Game Voice 1.2a Beta. New features include full compatibility with Windows 2000, better keyboard injection for improved voice command recognition, keyboard push-to-talk for your chats, keyboard activation for voice commands, improved compatibility for American and British English profiles, and also Internet auto-dial will no longer be triggered automatically. Notably, DirectPlay features in this release are based on DirectX 8, rather than DirectX 4 as previous releases were. Many NAT/Firewall issues were also resolved in this release. This release is not backward compatible with other versions of Game Voice, and users will not be able to connect machines running older code.
When installed with Direct X 8, the software now is compatible with Windows 2000 games such as Quake 3, Half-Life, and Asheron's Call. This beta solves the issue of voice command failure that some users were experiencing.
Apache 2.0 Reaches Beta
A beta version of Apache 2.0 was completed last week. This long awaited update to the popular, open-sourced software features enhanced usability, customization, and performance. Two major new additions are Multi-processing Modules (MPM), and the Apache Portable Runtime (APR).
MPMs are respondsible to answering Web requests and will allow Apache to be better supported under a variety of operating systems. Because MPMs can be specialized, Apache can now use native networking technologies in the operating system, vastly improving response speed of the server.
'Clippy' Lives On
Microsoft has created a parody Web site around the life and times of 'Clippy,' the quirky Microsoft Agent Office Assistant. Due to the functionality in Office XP, Microsoft does not feel it is necessary for Clippy to assist users anymore. In short, Clippy is now obsolete and may require job re-training. Visitors to the Web site can vote on his fate, view his resume (even he needs one now), check out his to-do list, watch a video edited by Gilbert Gottfried (who else could bring the Clippy persona to life?), and even play a game with Clippy. Although, I am sure that Clippy does not find dodging staples to be very entertaining. For a laugh, read about and vote on Clippy’s fate at officeclippy.com.
Internet Explorer 6 Public Preview
UPDATE: You can download the offical release here.
BetaNews has received word on the soon to be available Public Preview of Internet Explorer 6.0. Microsoft currently has set up a bug reporting Web site that confirms Microsoft's plan to release the preview shortly. Internet Explorer 6 will include a slew of new features, including a Personal Bar, an Image Toolbar, Auto Image Resize, Media Bar, Contacts/Instant Messaging Integration and increased Web privacy. Read on for more information.
Here is the complete notes on the upcoming beta:
Microsoft Announces Earnings Date
After many high tech companies warned of quarterly loses, Microsoft has announced that it will release its quarterly earnings on April 19th at 5:30 p.m. EST. You will be able to listen live via a webcast given by John Connors, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Scott Boggs, Vice President and Corporate Controller. Visit Microsoft's investor Web site for more info.
Red Hat, Techs Shine as Market Dims
In a day when the Dow dropped at one point to the sub-10,000 level, the Nasdaq up 67.47, saw Red Hat announce that it had beaten its fourth quarter estimates and broke-even as compared with a loss of $5.6 million last year. Revenues more than doubled to 27 million, from 13.1 million last year. Many Wall Street analysts had anticipated Red Hat to report an operating loss of one cent a share.
British Robodog, Taking its 'Walkies'
Who says you can't make a new dog and teach it old tricks? Not this British inventor, Nick Wirth and his company Roboscience have released their RS-01 "Robodog" for public approval today in London. The robot at 33 inches long, 27 inches tall and 15 inches wide (about the size of a full grown Labrador) can read out e-mails, via a permanent wireless internet connection, be controlled remotely via the internet and even show the master what he's seeing through a color web-cam placed in his "eyes."
Though the RS-01 will not be available for sale, the soon to come "puppies" (Lets call them Robodog 2.0) will be able to do the same tasks and tricks as their father. The synthetic dogs can "climb over obstacles, play football, do handstands and even move like a crab" and will be a bit more expensive then their natural counterparts at $21,500 a piece.
Microsoft Extends Mobile Reach
On the heels of possible new cell phone jamming legislation in Canada, Microsoft today made moves to strengthen it’s wireless market with the launch of a two-way pager and a mobile phone with built-in color screen to browse the Web. The two-way pager, built by Motorola, will carry a version of Microsoft’s MSN Messenger and Hotmail services, while the cell phone produced by Mitsubishi will contain a compact version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser. Microsoft also announced a deal to make a phone based on the company's "Stinger" phone platform, and another with Hewlett-Packard to offer a low-end model of its Jornada Pocket PC handheld computer. For more information on Microsoft's upcoming products, visit the CTIA Web site.
Cell Phone Jamming Technology
While not exactly the freshest news (due to some things we at BetaNews will announce shortly), the Canadian government has opened a 90-day public comment period this week on whether or not the government should legalize cell phone jamming technology. Such technology could be used in movie theaters or restaurants. The blocking could be based in the on-board software of the phone, or by physical jamming devices on the premises. This could also block important emergency calls or the like. We at BetaNews are interested in hearing you thoughts on the matter, as this could soon be coming our way.
ICQ Wants Your Opinion on Ads
It seems ICQ has posted a link on their Web site's front page that reads "Banners on ICQ Messages?! Voice your opinion here!" It includes a link to a message board on ICQ's Web site as well as a link to the BetaNews article and forum. Make your voice heard and tell us what you think about the addition of banner ads to ICQ messages.
Caldera to Open Project 42 Beta
Caldera Inc. plans to release its first public version of 'Project 42,' their latest distribution of OpenLinux. Designed for businesses, Caldera has developed the most recent version to be an uncomplicated, yet sophisticated server. The latest development will show up very shortly on Caldera's beta site. Keep checking back for more updates as it unfolds.
Based on the Linux 2.4 kernel, Project 42 features secure Web, file and print servers along with a set of network infrastructure services. Project 42 is Caldera's attempt to poke their Linux distribution into the mainstream vendor line.
Advertisements in ICQ Messages?
One disheartened BetaNews reader sent word that the ICQ message window is now plagued by an advertisement. This would be a first for the software, however ads have appeared in other areas of the client. Rumors have been going around as to the interoperability between AIM and ICQ, but no confirmation has been received. Evidence suggests the two will soon be interoperable however, as you can login to the AIM system with your ICQ number and password. You can view a screenshot of the advertisement here. Are we seeing an end to free services on the Internet?
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