Patch Tuesday Brings Two Fixes
As promised, Microsoft on Tuesday rolled out two security updates as part of its monthly Patch Tuesday program, one rated "important" and the other "critical." The patches fix flaws in Internet Explorer, as well as a vulnerability in the Windows Kernel.
Microsoft has fixed four critical vulnerabilities within Internet Explorer versions 5 and 6, replacing an earlier cumulative fix issued in October of this year.
Xbox 360 Not a Hit in Japan
Confirming initial reports, a survey released Tuesday shows that Saturday's debut of the Xbox 360 in Japan fared much worse than the launch of the original Xbox in the country in 2002. Microsoft's failure to excite Japanese gamers could mean early trouble for the console outside of the Western world.
The Asian market is crucial to any game console's success. For example, 20 percent of the more than 100 million PlayStation 2 systems were sold in the region. However, Microsoft still has time to increase sales, as the Xbox 360 will be the only next-generation console on the market for at least the next several months.
Japan HD DVD Player Launch Delayed
The race for a next-generation DVD standard could become closer, as Toshiba on Tuesday said its planned end-of-year launch for HD DVD players in Japan will be delayed until early 2006.
This could mean both HD DVD and rival Blu-ray formats would launch players at the same time, essentially giving consumers the power to choose a winner. HD DVD was expected to have an advantage in overall market momentum by launching months earlier.
MTV Joins Microsoft for Music Service
MTV Networks on Tuesday announced that it will launch a digital music service, which would be integrated into the forthcoming Windows Media Player 11 and feature content from MTV, VH1 and CMT, as well as over 2 million songs from major labels and thousands of independents.
Called URGE, the service is set to debut in 2006. MTV plans to offer content in a variety of genres, and has garnered support from executives of the major labels in addition to music superstars like Alicia Keys, Coldplay's Chris Martin, and Gretchen Wilson.
Vonage Debuts Cell-like Wi-Fi Phone
Vonage and UTStarcom on Tuesday announced a cell phone-like device that will allow customers to use their Vonage accounts from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi connection.
Initially, the phone will only operate with public networks, meaning hotspots like those in Starbucks or some airports would not be compatible. However, Vonage said that it plans to resolve these issues as soon as possible.
Microsoft, MCI Partner on IM Calling
Microsoft and MCI on Tuesday announced the formation of a multiyear partnership to bring VoIP calling to Redmond's next generation messaging client. Called Windows Live Call, the feature will be tested as part of a limited beta of Windows Live Messenger, which is set to begin this week.
Details of a possible partnership came to the surface last week when news first broke on Yahoo's VoIP plans. Several Web logs reported on a possible deal in the works, and sources later confirmed to BetaNews that MCI had been selected for Microsoft's VoIP offerings.
Music Industry to Attack Lyric, Tab Sites
The litigious music industry will have a new target in 2006: sites that provide lyrics and scores to popular songs. The Music Publishers' Association says fines and the removal of such Web sites is not enough -- it is even advocating jail time for those operating these sites.
MPA President Lauren Keiser told the BBC Monday that he thought if the MPA would be successful in "[throwing] in some jail time I think we'll be a little more effective". He says the guitar tabs that have been commonplace on music sites for years are "completely illegal."
Cingular Offering New Windows Phone
The beginning of an expected flurry of Windows Mobile 5.0 devices over the next several months began on Monday as Cingular released the 2125 Smartphone, an apparent update to the SMT 5600 that the carrier offered through Audiovox.
The 2125 is very similar to the 5600 -- in fact it is being marketing as the upgraded version of that phone -- although it offers quad-band GSM technology. Other features include a 1.3-megapixel camera, EDGE data, 64MB of SDRAM, Office Mobile, Pocket MSN, a stereo headphone jack, and Windows Media Player 10. The phone runs on a Texas Instruments OMAP 850 200MHz processor.
New Yahoo IM Phishing Attack Surfaces
Instant messaging security firm IMLogic warned of a new phishing attack making its way through the Yahoo! Messenger network on Monday. The attack, IM.Marphish2.Yahoo, attempts to steal personal information by duping a user into believing that they are in violation of Yahoo's Terms of Service. The user is instructed to contact the "abuse department" through a URL that points to the 2wahms.com domain.
When visited, the page looks similar to a Yahoo login page. However, once a user enters their personal information, the site steals the users username and password. IMLogic says that the effectiveness of such attacks is improving as they continue to build upon previous efforts and blend different methods together to further confound traditional antivirus programs.
Sprint Unveils Movie Download Service
While some have questioned the viability of full-length video content on small screens, it appears that Sprint Nextel is concerned with none of that. The wireless provider on Monday launched a new service that will allow its cellular users to view full-length television shows, movies, concerts, and specials.
Sprint has called on MSpot, a California-based mobile entertainment company founded last year, to provide the service. Subscribers with compatible video cell phones will be able to add the feature to their wireless plans for an additional $6.95 uSD per month.
Woman Loses Appeal Against RIAA
In a move that could set a precedent for other peer-to-peer file traders resisting settlement with the music industry, a federal appeals court late Friday refused to overturn a $22,500 judgment against a Chicago woman who was caught downloading music illegally.
The court said that Ceclia Gonzalez's activities were not permitted under copyright law and compared her actions to shoplifting. She argued that she downloaded the songs to decide which she would buy later, and claimed she owned over 250 compact discs.
Man Sorry For Faked Wikipedia Post
The man responsible for writing a Wikipedia entry that linked John Seigenthaler, Sr. to the assassination of John F. Kennedy has come forward and apologized to the former presidential aide. Brian Chase, 38, has resigned from his job as operations manager at a Nashville delivery company over the flap and publicly apologized to Seigenthaler in the Sunday edition of the Tennessean newspaper.
Chase says he didn't know that Wikipedia was considered a serious research tool, and was playing a practical joke on a co-worker. "I knew from the news that Mr. Seigenthaler was looking for who did it, and I did it, so I needed to let him know in particular that it wasn't anyone out to get him, that it was done as a joke that went horribly, horribly wrong," Chase told the paper Sunday. Seigenthaler said he doesn't plan to press charges.
Konfabulator Now Yahoo Widget Engine
The first new version of Konfabulator since its July 2005 acquisition by Yahoo was released on Monday. However, the application has a new name, Yahoo! Widget Engine 3.0, and now includes contributions from the Yahoo! Developer Network.
Nine new widgets were also released today, including five that take advantage of various Yahoo services.
Prodigy Internet Brand Up for Sale
Prodigy, one of the oldest recognized brands on the Internet, is now up for sale, according to documents uncovered by CNET on Friday. Following the merger of SBC and AT&T, the combined company is looking for a suitor to purchase the Prodigy name and 66 registered trademarks across 52 countries.
According to the report, bids will be accepted starting later this month with the sale completing in March of next year. Ocean Tomo, an intellectual equity firm, will handle the bidding process for AT&T. The company expects strong interest in the name, especially from the Far East.
Xbox 360 Off to Slow Start in Japan
Microsoft may have to try a little harder in marketing the Xbox 360 to Japanese consumers if initial reports coming out of the country Saturday are correct. According to several press outlets, reaction to the new console from Japanese customers appeared to be somewhat apathetic.
Checks at several major retailers indicated that sales were much slower than they had been in Europe or the United States. One retailer in Tokyo told the AFP that he had sold less than 50 consoles in the first two hours.
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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