AOL debuts new desktop software for Windows
After its OpenRide software was not well received, the ISP went back to the drawing board. The result was AOL Desktop, which released Friday.
"Helix," as it was called in beta, follows the general gist of OpenRide, but also continues a path the company has been following for the past several years, including its Communicator, Fanfare, and AOL Suite projects.
Palm to miss revenue targets by a substantial margin
The handheld manufacturer expects to post revenues some $30 million less than its original forecast due to shipping delays in a unnamed product.
Revenues are expected to be between $345 to 350 million dollars, well off of its $370 to 380 million estimate in October. Analysts believe the "product launch" was a wider rollout of the Treo 755p.
Symantec update removes Web filtering program
An update for the company's Norton Antivirus software has yet again caused problems with its customers' computers.
While Symantec is saying it was just a mistake involving a routine software update, the problems caused by the mixup had likely cut off the Internet access of tens of thousands of customers of Solid Oak Software.
EchoStar becomes DISH, spins off most non-sat TV holdings
Ohio politician proposes sex offender tracking device
An Ohio lawmaker is proposing his state help its citizens track the locations of registered sex offenders by using RFID technology.
The technology, known as "Offendar," was developed by a company in the state. A tracking chip is placed in the monitoring bracelet of sex offenders, and when one is within 50 yards of a special key fob, the device vibrates.
FiOS routers at center of latest GPL lawsuit
The Software Freedom Law Center has sued Verizon on behalf of the developers of BusyBox, saying the routers for its high-speed service infringe on the General Public License.
UPDATED The group is asking for an injunction preventing the sale of the Actiontec MI424WR wireless router, as well as unspecified damages and court costs.
CNBC: Apple preps sub-notebook for Macworld
With just a little over one month before the yearly meeting of the Mac faithful, the rumors of an Apple sub-notebook have started to appear.
Sub-notebooks are a relatively new class of laptop computers, although examples have been around since the early 1990s. Many still consider the devices a "niche" product: sales have rarely been substantial.
Three critical patches on tap from Microsoft
Next Tuesday's regular monthly distribution of security patches will include three for DirectX, Windows Media, and Internet Explorer.
Of the seven patches in the next Patch Tuesday package from Microsoft, all three critical patches will be for remote code execution issues. The first two, for DirectX and DirectShow as well as the Windows Media Format Runtime, will not require a restart.
Opera ships Mini for BREW-based phones
The company that boasts of having the first Web browser for mobile phones has finally ported its engine to Qualcomm's BREW mobile application platform.
The Opera browser, which shrinks Web pages to fit on the mobile screen, was the first to take the desktop Web to the mobile Web. Now, a BREW-based version could enable the company to expand its reach even further to cover a significant portion of mobile phones.
Western Digital bans sharing of media on MyBooks
The hard drive maker has now taken on the added role of content policeman by ensuring nearly all media formats cannot be transferred using its sharing application.
Using its Anywhere Access application will prevent users from sharing nearly any file with a multimedia extension over its network, the company said. Western Digital says the move is due to "unverifiable media license authentication."
JetBlue taps Yahoo, RIM for in-flight Wi-Fi test
The low-cost business-centric airline plans to outfit its planes with Wi-Fi so that passengers can access portions of the net while in the air.
While the full Internet would not be available, customers will be able to access their Yahoo e-mail accounts and Yahoo Messenger. Those with Wi-Fi capable Blackberries can access personal and corporate e-mail.
Toyota president: Robotics will be a core business
President and CEO of Toyota Motor Co. Katsuaki Watanabe told reporters at an event in Tokyo that the company plans to focus on robots that will be useful to people in everyday life.
The first of these robots will roll out as a test in 2008, with the company putting out so-called "partner robots" for public use by 2010. The company sees its work as a extension of its automotive business, where robots already play a large part in manufacturing.
Canada's passport application system has security hole
An Ontario man discovered last week that the Web site meant to allow Canadians to apply for passports was allowing access to information on other applicants.
By changing a single character in the URL while filling out the application, he was able to pull up data on another applicant. Jamie Laning told The Globe and Mail that doing so was effortless, and the site did nothing to prevent him from viewing the data.
Dell continues retail push with Best Buy deal
After moving back into retail this summer in Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, the computer manufacturer is expanding into 900 Best Buy stores nationwide.
Several models of the company's XPS and Inspiron desktop and notebook lines will be made available at the retailer. The move is meant to strengthen the company's retail offerings even further and open more choices for consumers.
IBM complains to ITC over ASUSTeK infringement
The Armonk, N.Y. company has asked the International Trade Commission to issue an injunction to prevent the importation of ASUSTeK products into the United States.
IBM says it has repeatedly tried to reach a licensing agreement with the Taiwanese company. "IBM's position has been -- and remains -- that ASUSTeK either must license or stop using IBM's patented technology," it says.
Ed's Bio
Ed Oswald is a freelance journalist from the Reading, PA area. Although he has written across a variety of subjects, Ed’s passion and focus has been on technology and gadgets. His work regularly appears on tech news sites BetaNews, PCWorld, and Technologizer, and has been syndicated to eWeek, Time’s Techland blog, VentureBeat and the New York Times.
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