First Reported Windows Me Bug?
A bug hunter named Andrew Griffiths says he has found a bug in Windows Me WebTV software that would allow a malicious user to crash or reboot the system via data sent over the Internet. Conveniently reporting it to the press on the eve of the WindowsMe launch, Griffiths says that by sending a User Datagram Protocol you can, in some circumstances, cause the system to reboot. Another security firm, Security Focus, has confirmed the vulnerability but reports that if the user has a firewall it is unlikely to be affected, and that the software must be installed and running for the flaw to become a potential problem. Microsoft stated the problem has been known about for a month and they have been communicating with Griffiths and are still determining whether or not it is a serious problem.
WinMe Official!
Today is the official launch day for Microsoft's long awaited Windows Millennium Edition for consumers around the globe. Those of you who preordered the operating system should be getting it in the mail today, and those of you who didn't can run to your local retailer and snag a copy for yourself. Many are suggesting it should be called Windows 98 Third Edition, but the overall feeling has been positive. A yet unnamed special celebrity host will MC the launch party for Microsoft today, and get the ball rolling. Fore more information about the system, visit Microsoft.
Smashing Pumpkins Go MP3
In a slap to the face for the record industry, popular alternative rock band "Smashing Pumpkins" has released their supposed last album on old school vinyl and MP3 format via Napster. There will be no CD release of the music through its label Virgin Records according to sources at CNET. Only 25 vinyls were made, and included in the records was a note that stated the ploy was to be a "final f--- you to a record label that didn't give (The Pumpkins) the support they deserved," according to Sonicnet. The new album, entitled "Machina II", can be found all over FTP and download networks.
Mp3.com Goes Old School
Searching for its best defense, lawyers for MP3.com seem to have found it in an old 1984 Supreme Court ruling concerning Sony's Betamax VCR. On October 2, the company will use this ruling, which favored Sony and legitimized the new technology, to try to overturn a previous ruling that forced them to remove listings of copyrighted music from its Web site. The original ruling stated that a new technology, even if capable of piracy, cannot be outlawed provided it has "substantial noninfringing uses." The question remains whether or not the argument will work in this day and age, though its not certain why it wouldn't. Stay tuned for further developments in this seemingly endless case.
Editorial - Amazon.com Baffles My Mind
The giant retailer, seemingly the one-stop shopping place for all of your consumer needs (with the exception of groceries) just seems to be boggling my mind more and more by the second. Having never cut a profit since its inception over a year ago, the company continues to operate and lose money, while still attracting investors and retailers to sell through them.
How it is that a company can continually lose massive amounts of money and still be functioning the way Amazon.com does is beyond me at times. To top it all off, the company recently revamped its privacy policy to much dismay from its customers and registered members. The new policy has come under heat since the first day it was posted, and continues to be criticized, making the company look even worse as a whole.
Computers Stunt Your Growth
It used to be that coffee stunted your growth as a child, amongst other things. In the age that seems everything can cause cancer and damage your health, a new study from the Alliance for Childhood is reporting that extended exposure to computers can cause eye strain and obesity in children. Reuters writes the study also reports that a child's social skills are dramatically decreased and that computers do not necessarily increase creativity in the young mind. Of course, not everyone agrees with the findings. What do you think?
AOL Opening IM?
The FCC staff recommendations have reportedly come in for the AOL Time Warner review. These papers say that AOL should be forced to open its AOL instant messenger client before proceeding with the multi-billion dollar merger in the works with Time Warner. Staffers also believe that Time Warner should open its cable lines for competitors to use before the committee will approve the joining of the two giants. Other than those two major stipulations, the FCC seems ready to approve the merger. Stay tuned as the story progresses.
AOL and Handhelds for Teens
"AOL Everywhere" seems to be turning more and more into a reality for consumers around the globe. Their latest venture involves what can only be assumed is a large investment (terms are as yet undisclosed) in the handheld maker Cybiko, which aims its products at teens. The device, which retails for $129, allows teens to chat and play games with eachother when within close range of the devices. In coming months the devices will be packed with AOL software and eventually its instant messaging and e-mail software when the device soon becomes outfitted with wireless modem capabilities.
Creative Says No to CeBIT
Angry because the convention has seemingly folded to pressures around MP3 technology and the current litigation surrounding it, Creative Technology has stated that it will not be seen at the annual CeBIT computer convention. The largest of such shows, CeBIT plays host to a myriad of companies and new technologies for people to get a peek at. Considering Creative has several products which embrace the MP3 technology, and the fact that CeBIT has banned all devices related to the technology, Creative made the decision not to attend all together.
Mac OS X Public Beta Wednesday
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is expected to launch the public beta of the much anticipated Mac OS X this Wednesday at the Apple Expo in Paris. According to the report on ZDNet, who have sources close to the project, this release is more feature complete than the previous releases, but still lacks some of the usual features of the Mac OS that many users take for granted. There have been many graphical tweaks to the system, and internally it seems to be very similar to NeXTStep. Read the article on ZDNet for more information.
Download Eudora 5.0 - Win a Palm V
To celebrate the release of version 5.0 of Eudora, Qualcomm is giving away a Palm V Organizer. You simply have to enter your e-mail address and download the latest version, which is free of charge, to be automatically entered in the contest. They will be giving away a total of 10 of the organizers, and you can read the contest rules for more information. Visit FileForum for more information about Eudora Mail Pro.
Warner Jumps on the Bandwagon
Warner Music finally made a music agreement of its own today. The last of the major labels to do so, Warner joins forces with RealNetworks to offer singles for download via major retailers such as Amazon.com and Walmart.com. RealNetworks will be hosting the download service along with readying the music itself for download, while the retailers will provide the venue for the service. The new service will premier in November, and will feature several industry supported file formats.
Napster Usage Triples
According to new Media Metrix statistics reported in Reuters, ironically since Napster has been in trouble with the RIAA and colleges banned it across the United States, its number of registered users has more than tripled from 1.1 million to 4.9 million. Estimates say that at least 6 percent of all homes in America have logged onto the service at least once in July, making it the 43rd most popular Web property.
Think Thinner
Big Blue today unveiled new thinner notebooks, weighing in at as little at 3.1 pounds. The new IBM X Series ThinkPad is less than one inch thick, and will retail starting at $2,199 USD and be avialable immediately according to the Reuters report. Visit IBM for more information.
Microsoft To Include Enhanced TV Software In Windows
Microsoft [NASDAQ:MSFT] has outlined plans to include
Enhanced TV software as standard in future versions of Windows,
allowing users to tap into broadband (cable and digital subscriber
line - DSL) streamed TV transmissions.
In addition, the move will allow PCs to interface with new digital
technologies available from DVD players, all of which will add to the
"TV experience."
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