Mozilla, Google, Real Ink Software Deal
In an effort to compete directly with Microsoft, RealNetworks, Google and Mozilla announced a multi-year deal Wednesday where both the Google Toolbar and Mozilla Firefox browser would be bundled with Real's RealPlayer software. The announcement is a expansion of an existing two-year agreement with Google. When installing RealPlayer, users would now also be given an option to install both pieces of software during the process.
The deal is likely to benefit Firefox the most. The browser, now used by 15 percent of US Internet users, would receive additional exposure it may have not received otherwise. "Mozilla is very pleased to partner with global leaders like Google and Real to distribute our award-winning Firefox Web browser," Mozilla CEO Mitchell Baker said in a statement.
AOL to Go Free in September
As expected, Time Warner said Wednesday it would no longer charge broadband users of its online service AOL in a move designed to boost advertising revenue. While the company will still offer dial-up access at $25.90 USD per month, it would no longer be aggressively marketed.
The switch to a free service is a real gamble for AOL -- the company is expected to lose about $2 billion in subscriber revenue as a result of the move, which must be made up in advertising. However, something needed to be done, as AOL has lost a third of its subscribers since 2002.
Microsoft's Spaces Takes On MySpace
Microsoft began rolling out a major update to its Spaces blogging service late Tuesday, adding functionality that it hopes would allow it to compete with social networking juggernauts such as MySpace. The upgrade also features tighter integration with other Live services, including more customization options through the addition of gadget support from the Windows Live Gallery.
Access to the Windows Live Spaces site was slow Tuesday night, and it appeared as if sections of the service where still non-functional. Past updates have caused similar problems, some of which have lasted for several hours after the launch of new features.
Microsoft Sues Belkin Over U2 Patents
Microsoft sued peripheral manufacturer Belkin Tuesday, claiming the company infringed on patents surrounding a technology called U2. According to a complaint filed with the International Trade Commission, Belkin has been adding the technology that allows peripherals to automatically determine if they need a USB or PS/2 connection while refusing to enter into talks with the Redmond company.
U2 was first publicly released in March as part of a broader effort to make Microsoft innovations more widely available. Other manufacturers such as Targus and Fellowes have already licensed U2, and Microsoft says Belkin's actions unfairly hurt those companies. While Microsoft is seeking no financial compensation, it wants Belkin products with U2 included removed from the US market.
108 Year-Old Telcom Tax Repealed
A 108 year-old tax that originally was used to fund the Spanish-American War ceased to exist Tuesday, and telecommunications industry executives vowed to continue to press for further tax relief for their customers.
A three percent tax was charged to subscribers of long-distance services, as well as wireless, VoIP, prepaid telephone cards and other bundled services.
Pasadena Selects EarthLink for Wi-Fi
The city of Pasadena, California said Tuesday that it had selected EarthLink to enter into negotiations to build a 23-square mile wireless network. 1MBps service would be provided at a low cost, with special programs aimed at offering further discounts to low-income residents of the city.
"EarthLink is pleased to have been selected to unwire the City of Pasadena," municipal networks unit president Donald Berryman said in a statement. "Our company has deep ties to the City, and we look forward to building a Wi-Fi network that delivers affordable broadband to its residents, visitors and city workers."
Boston Looks at Non-Profits for Wi-Fi
With municipal wireless networks, most cities have opted to let the private sector build and maintain the system. However, the city of Boston may end up taking a completely different approach: turning the keys over to a non-profit.
That was the recommendation of a task force put together by Mayor Thomas Menino. The group said the best course of action would be to allow a non-profit raise the $16 million to $20 million that it believes would be necessary to build and maintain the network.
Flaw Found in 2006 McAfee Products
A flaw in many of McAfee's security products could open up users to a data exposure risk, security firm eEye Digital Security warned late Monday. Among the programs affected are Internet Security Suite, SpamKiller, Privacy Service and Virus Scan Plus, although the 2007 versions, released Saturday, are immune.
McAfee has confirmed the flaws and is working on a fix, saying a patch would be delivered automatically to subscribers by midweek. No known attacks have been reported to be taking advantage of the vulnerability. Exploit code is not available on the Web, researchers said, thus it's likely no attacks would occur.
Cartoon Network, CNN Join iTunes
Turner Broadcasting said Tuesday that it had added to Apple's iTunes programming from its CNN and Cartoon Network channels, including content from the popular 'Adult Swim' program block of the cartoon channel. The new content would be provided in addition to the free podcasts already offered by Adult Swim and CNN.
Among the content added includes the first season of Cartoon Network's "Johnny Bravo," popular Adult Swim cartoons Aqua Teen Hunger Force," "The Venture Bros.," and the third season of "Sealab 2021," and select programming from CNN's documentary series "CNN Presents."
E3 Conference to Scale Back for 2007
UPDATED The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), promoter of the gaming industry's top trade show E3, announced a significant downsizing of the popular convention on Monday. Among the changes will be far stricter admission policies, and a change of venue.
The show has grown to 60,000 attendees and is one of the largest annual tech conventions. However, the cost for companies to attend and promote their wares at E3 have apparently become too high for some, and several high-profile companies have been rumored to be pulling out of the show.
French Copyright Law Hits Roadblock
Apple scored a victory late last week, as the French Constitutional Council ruled that parts of the so-called "iTunes law" were unconstitutional, and violated sections of the 1789 Declaration of Human Rights and constitutional law regarding protection of property. The changes, while not altering the fact that companies may still have to share DRM technology, would require they be compensated.
Fines for file sharing included in the bill were also eliminated. French Intellectual property attorneys lauded the ruling as a victory for property rights, saying companies had the right to receive some type of compensation for their work. The review was brought about when 100 lawmakers complained about the bill after its passage last month.
Verizon Launches iPod-Like Phone
Verizon made major changes to its VCAST Music service on Monday, including the elimination of the $15 monthly fee to use the service and the addition of MP3 file support. The changes come in support of the new iPod-like "Chocolate" phone from LG.
The Chocolate appears much like the iPod, complete with a click wheel that is very similar to that on the iconic device from Apple. The phone will be available for $199.99 USD, with a $50 mail in rebate through Verizon stores, and $149.99 USD through the company's Web site. Both promotional prices would require a two-year agreement.
CNN Turns to User-Submitted Content
Cable news network CNN plans to join the user-submitted content movement on Monday by introducing CNN Exchange, an area where viewers will be able to submit their own articles, pictures and video. The effort would be the largest commitment to "citizen journalism" by any major news organization.
A dedicated staff will sift through submissions and post the best to its various properties, including CNN's television networks, radio properties and CNN.com.
Microsoft Submits Tech Docs to EU
The European Commission said Monday that Microsoft was cooperating and had submitted documents to avoid further fines by the regulator. The documents are currently under review, however the EC said it was too early to say whether or not the information provided was sufficient.
Microsoft is facing larger fines beginning in August if it does not submit the required information, and the company had already been fined 280.5 million euros for failure to comply with a 2004 antitrust judgment. Altogether Microsoft owes the EU 777.5 million euro in penalties, further non-compliance could push that number far higher.
Microsoft Demos PC, Cell Phone Combo
Microsoft is currently developing a new cell phone operating system that it would market as low-cost computing alternative in developing nations. Called FonePlus, the current iteration of the product is essentially the WebTV platform running on a mobile phone.
In developing markets, PCs are too expensive for most people. In turn, the mobile phone is increasingly becoming a method to access the Internet. Microsoft's FonePlus, essentially a low-cost PDA, would be able to access the Web, e-mail and multimedia, while also providing productivity applications similar to PocketOffice.
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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