PDF Files on Windows CE
In other Windows CE news, BSquare has announced the availability of its new software, dubbed Ansyr Primer, that will allow PocketPC devices with Windows CE installed the ability to read the popular Adobe format PDF. Because the PDF format is a standard in viewing documents on the Internet, this is a major step in the Windows CE and PocketPC arena. The software will be bundled with BSquare's range of PocketPC and Windows CE devices, as well as licensed by third parties for their Web-enabled devices. For more information visit BSquare.
Windows CE News
Microsoft yesterday unveiled the newest version of its mini-operating system Windows CE, this one being for automobiles. This is the third version of the OS for cars, the first being the Clarion AutoPC which combined car phone, stereo, and PDA elements with voice activation. The second version of the software will debut later this year in the luxurious Cadillac line of cars. Along with the new software, MS also introduced Car.Net, a new set of standards it hopes to see adopted in the automotive industry for how computers and cars exchange information. Read the Houston Chronicle for further information.
Windows Whistler Beta Slips Yet Again
While the date for the beta release of Windows Whistler has slipped yet again according to Paul Thurrott, there seems to be much ado about the latest build 2281 of the next consumer Windows OS. According to other reports on The Register, testers are saying that the efforts to reduce boot time have paid off big time, with total boot time down to 10 seconds or less. It even seems to work better than the Windows Me fastboot option.
The Register continues by saying that the newest build appears to be mostly bug fixes, but does utilize the new Start Menu Microsoft has been working on which "a ballooning panel which kludges together Microsoft's abandoned task-centres idea with the traditional hierarchical Start menu."
Get Color and Gaming in a Handspring
A new line of Handspring Visors was launched today to mark the restarting of a heavy competition in the PDA market between the ever popular Palm device and the Handspring Visor. The new Visor Prism gives users color on their screens, as well as a new attachment that turns your Visor into a gaming device. The new color version of the PDA will retail for $449 USD comes with a 16-bit color display and 8MB of RAM, as well as a faster processor. Visit Handspring for more information.
New Vaio Laptops With Crusoe/Integrated Camcorder
The first of its kind, Sony today launched a new series of Vaio laptops aimed at recording and broadcasting video content. The new laptops feature the hot-topic Transmeta Crusoe processor, and a built-in lens unit on the side for recording video content. The new laptop is expected to retail for about $2,800 and will come equipped with the software to allow the user to personally broadcast the content being recorded by the camera. For more information visit ZDNet and read the article there.
Mitnick Sits Down With Yahoo!
Yahoo! Internet Life has quite a lengthy interview with former hacker Kevin Mitnick, in which they discuss his past and his future, along with a host of other subjects. Amongst the questions and answers, Mitnick told reporters that he does not want to be notorious...but I think it's too late for that already. The interview even talks about Kevin's experience with a 12-step computer addiction program. Check it out on ZDNet for the full story.
'Cellular' Computing Power
USA Today is reporting that Big Blue has set forth to create 'cellular' computing to handle the massive amounts of data the future of the Internet will bring. The new technology will bring the power of 32 computers to a dime-sized chip via tiny processors integrated with memory and communications circuits. IBM says the problem lies in the software, and not the hardware that is already being developed. According to the report, IBM is hoping for 32 to 36 cells on a single chip, each cell with a 1GHz processor, with up to 1GB of memory on each chip to move the information between the cells. The first of these supercomputers will help scientists study protein folding in the human body, and is dubbed Blue Gene. For more information read the article on USA Today.
Bluetooth Wireless PC Card Beta Testing
Beta Test Services has another great beta testing opportunity lined up for all those interested parties out there. This one involves testing 3Com Bluetooth wireless PC card technologies between two Windows98/2000 computers with PC card slots and any other Bluetooth connected devices. According to the Web site, testers would "Test installation software, driver functionality, documentation and hardware form and function." The deadline to apply is October 25th, so visit Beta Test Services for more information.
Pair of Updates at Allaire
Allaire, makers of the popular database software ColdFusion Studio and the HTML software HomeSite, have released updates for both of these programs. ColdFusion has been updated along with ColdFusion Server (4.5.1 Service Pack 1 released). The service pack allows ColdFusion 4.5.1 to run on Solaris machines, while fixing other important bugs and boosting overall performance (full list of improvements). Beta 2 of the upcoming HomeSite 4.5.2 is now available for download as well. For more information visit Allaire.
Odigo 3.0 Alpha Testing Begins
The Odigo Team sent word that today marks the beginning of the testing sequence for version 3.0 of their popular instant messaging software Odigo. Odigo is known for its interoperability with Yahoo and ICQ, as well as its continuous battle with AOL interconnectivity.
Version 3.0 features the ability to logon from any terminal with Odigo installed because the program will now save your buddylist and user preferences on Odigo servers to make it easier on you. Other new features include easy spotting of site representatives that are "Odigo friendly" as well as private multi-user chat rooms.
The History of Videogames - Part II
MPOG.com has whipped up a nice little article about the history of videogames, and gaming systems. It is quite the read, and brings back a whole slew of memories and good times. The article even has nice little pictures of the consoles! So if you are bored, or really that interested, its a fun little read for a Friday. We all remember what it was like to play Pitfall on the Atari, and then when I got my Sega...well that was the end of the world with Sonic running around. Now I stare in awe at the Dreamcast and NFL2K1, quite possibly the best videogame ever. Read the article here.
Microsoft Sends Myriad of Updates
Since there is more than one, in fact there are 2 patches, 2 security bulletins, and 2 software updates, I thought I'd just write them all into one big article for you all so you don't have to keep clicking around to find them. Thanks to Win98Central for posting all of these today, and now for the meat of the article.
Patch Available for "Microsoft VM ActiveX Component" Vulnerability
Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security vulnerability in Microsoft(r) virtual machine (Microsoft VM). If a malicious web site operator were able to coax a user into visiting his site, the vulnerability could allow him to take any desired action on a visiting user's machine. (go here)
Rebates on Apple Powerbooks and G4s
Reuters is reporting that in the electronic version of the Wall Street Journal for today, Apple has stated that it will begin offering rebatess on the purchase of Apple Powerbooks and G4 systems. The rebate begins today and runs through October 31st, so if you were thirsting for one of those cute little G4 "cubes" you can get $300 USD off your purchase. If you were looking for one of those cute little Powerbooks, you can get $200 USD off your purchase. Enjoy!
Flaming Batteries Everywhere!
Dell has recalled 27,000 notebook batteries for fear that they could "burst into flames". The Inspiron and Latitude models of Dell notebooks are affected by the recall, if they were shipped between June 22nd and July 15th to the Americas (North, Central, and South); and if they were shipped between June 22nd and October 4th to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Specific model numbers reported on ZDNet are as follows: Latitude CPiA , CPi R, CPtC , CPtS , CPtV CPxH , CPxJ , and Inspiron 3700 and 3800 computers. Dell says there is a "remote chance" of the battery actually bursting into flames, and there has only been one reported incident. It still seems important though, because if my laptop was on my lap and it burst into flames, that would not be good. Visit Dell for more information.
Sun Opens StarOffice
Today makes it official, Sun has opened StarOffice. Way back in July BetaNews reported that the giant company had plans to do so under the GNU General Public License, and today the company delivered. According to ZDNet, Sun plans to do with OpenOffice.org what Netscape did with its much acclaimed Mozilla open source spin-off. No word from Sun has come yet on when it plans to officially release the full version of StarOffice, but in the meantime you can download the 6.0 Alpha source over at OpenOffice.org. It is available in binaries and solver format for Windows NT, Linux, and Solaris. You can also download the straight source code there as well.
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