Microsoft Issues Workaround for IE Flaw
Microsoft earlier this week issued a downloadable fix for a flaw in Internet Explorer that could cause the browser to exit and execute code, however the update simply provides a workaround for the problem. The bug lies in the javaprxy.dll COM object, and the download will disable it until Microsoft does further research.
Microsoft says it has received no reports of attacks that have exploited the vulnerability, but will provide further guidance in the near future. As part of the advisory, Microsoft continued to urge caution when clicking on links within e-mails.
Yahoo Expands Mobile Portfolio
Yahoo expanded its mobile offerings on Thursday by allowing users to send short text messages to obtain information on a variety of subjects including sports, weather and stocks. For example, sending a text message like "Pizza 94025" will find you pizza parlors within that zip code.
"Though it may seem like a step backwards from the rich mobile-web based search that Yahoo! Mobile already has, it's actually just another -- and one could argue faster -- way to access the same data," Russell Beattie of Mobile Yahoo wrote in the Yahoo Search Blog on Thursday.
Sprint Launches Wireless Broadband
Sprint on Thursday announced that it had begun its national rollout of high-speed EV-DO data service, with the hopes of reaching 60 cities by early next year. Sprint follows the Verizon Wireless EV-DO rollout that began last year in major metropolitan areas and now covers 30 cities.
Sprint's EV-DO service will initially be available in airports and business districts across 34 markets. Service will expand to cover 14 full metropolitan areas during the third quarter, then to 40 before the end of the year.
MS AntiSpyware Changes Raise Concern
A spyware researcher has found that an update to Microsoft's AntiSpyware program has changed how it flags programs from Claria, an adware developer. Last week, it was rumored that Microsoft was considering purchasing the company for its software technology to deliver personalized ads.
Eric Howes at Spyware Warrior discovered the changes during a recent test and found that Dashbar, Gator, PrecisionTime and Weatherscope had all been switched from a "Quarantine" classification to "Ignore."
Intel Invests in Online Film Distribution
At a yearly retreat for media CEOs, Intel announced that it is investing in a company called ClickStar with the intent to create a distribution system for films over the Internet before they are released to home video. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
ClickStar was formed by actor Morgan Freeman, most commonly known for his roles in movies such as "The Shawshank Redemption," and producer Lori McCreary, with financial backing from Intel. Freeman and McCreary formed ClickStar's parent company, Revelations Entertainment, in 1996.
Sony Losing Battle with PSP Hackers
Hackers have successfully cracked the copyright protection used on PlayStation Portable discs and the games have begun to appear on Internet sites and file-sharing networks. This is the second time hackers have cracked the PSP's protection; it was first cracked shortly after its release in Japan last year.
To run the games, all the downloader must do is save them to a Sony Memory Stick. The crack only works with version 1.5 of the PSP operating system. New games will require 1.51 in an attempt to thwart copiers, so users will be forced to upgrade if they want to play the newer games.
Tablet PC Memory Leak Patched
Microsoft on Tuesday posted a fix for its Tablet PC operating system that would prevent the computers from suffering performance degradation over time. Known as a memory leak, the problem resulted from the program that detects electronic pen input. If left open, the program would suck up all available memory, forcing a reboot.
"This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix," Microsoft said on the support page that includes the downloadable patch.
Microsoft to Launch Phones in France
Determined to break into the telecom market, Microsoft announced on Wednesday an agreement with France Telecom to develop products and services. Initially the two companies will work together on two projects, one for VoIP and the other a software project that would combine voice, video and data services.
At a press conference in Paris, Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer told reporters that "the first product would be available within a year," although his assessment may be a bit optimistic.
Disney to Launch Mobile Phone Service
Mickey Mouse is going mobile. Disney is preparing to launch a cell phone service geared towards families on top of Sprint's nationwide network. The service, which is expected to lose money in the short term, will launch next year featuring voice calling and entertainment features.
Disney is not the first company to approach Sprint about renting its network airtime. ESPN will soon debut a service aimed at sports fans. Such niche services are becoming the latest way for new wireless operators to break into the market comprising over 60 percent of U.S. residents. By targeting specific groups, companies hope to grab every last possible customer.
Napster Debuts College Service with Dell
Napster and Dell will team up to provide a comprehensive solution for colleges, where schools who buy Dell's PowerEdge 1855 servers will actually be able to host music from the Napster library on school machines. The companies say this will speed up network performance by keeping downloads on the internal network.
So far only one school, the University of Washington, has signed up for the package and will launch it in the fall semester. The new program will augment the previous initiative by Napster to target colleges that it started in late 2003.
EU Software Patent Law Rejected
Striking down a controversial proposal that would have made it possible to patent software, the European Parliament on Wednesday voted 648 to 14 to reject legislation that had been backed by several technology companies. Microsoft, Nokia and Siemens had all expressed support for the bill, as well as some governments of the European Union.
The bill also marked the first time in the Parliament's history that it had rejected a common position of the governments of the EU. The software patent law was originally passed by the EU Council in March, despite public opposition and objections from Denmark, Poland and Portugal.
AOL Teams with Plaxo for Address Book
AOL and Plaxo released the terms of an agreement Wednesday that will give AOL customers more control over their personal contacts. Plaxo's services will be integrated into AOL's suite of programs and Web properties, and AOL's AIM service will be connected with Plaxos's standalone client as part of the deal.
The companies say that the aim is to assist users in keeping track of their friends, family and associates' changing contact data, while also allowing the user to select what personal data they would like to make available. The system would work similar to the way the current version of Plaxo works, and would be interoperable with users of the standalone client.
iTunes Nears 500 Million Downloads
Apple on Tuesday launched a new contest to celebrate the success of iTunes as the service approaches its 500 millionth download. The Cupertino company will be offering prizes such as free song downloads, free iPods and even a three person trip to see the band Coldplay with backstage passes.
To celebrate the milestone, the company has placed a counter on its front page, which stood at over 481,600,000 as of mid-afternoon Tuesday. Every 100,000th downloader will receive an iPod mini of their choice as well as a 50-song credit for the iTunes Music store.
Trend Micro Beefs Up Corporate Messaging Security
Trend Micro on Tuesday enhanced its lineup of security products for corporate messaging, offering new and enhanced antivirus and anti-spam measures, as well as protection for the content within those messages. The company says its products come at the perfect time as threats to corporate environments seem to be on a marked increase.
As different messaging tools evolve to add more capabilities and features, so do spam and virus threats. New threats are expected to emerge, and Trend Micro believes that its integrated support model will help to minimize them.
Windows May Come to Sun Servers
Once thought unthinkable, Sun may eventually offer Microsoft's operating systems on its servers if customers ask for it. This is according to comments made last week by operating platform vice president Tom Goguen.
Currently, the company has no such deal with Microsoft; however, the two companies have taken great strides to work out their differences.
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.
Ethics Statement© 1998-2024 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy.