Microsoft has responded to claims by German-based TecChannel yesterday that Windows Product Activation could be easily bypassed. The group states this feat is accomplished by simply copying a certain file provided the amount of RAM is identical on each machine. Based upon the report, this would allow for an unlimited number of activations - effectively rendering WPA obsolete. However, Microsoft strongly disagrees with TecChannel's assessment of its IP technology, claiming that activation is still yet to be cracked, and has not reached its peak.

Microsoft product manager Allen Nieman told BetaNews, "Contrary to what is stated,
these steps do not lead to a crack of product activation in Windows XP at all and it is certainly not the "death" of product activation in
Windows XP." He goes on to clarify, "What these steps do is provide a method for someone to contrive their PC, with Windows XP RC1 installed, to appear to be another PC with another PC's activation information. It is important to note that by making these changes, it is possible that Windows XP may operate unexpectedly with the user's real hardware configuration."

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In a startling blow to cross-platform developers, Microsoft has announced it will not include support for the Java programming language in the upcoming Windows XP. After settling a lawsuit with Java creator Sun Microsystems in January, the software giant decided the easiest way to prevent further litigation was to simply remove the code entirely. The settlement stipulated that Microsoft would no longer license Java from Sun, and refrain from stating that Windows is "Java Compatible." Outdated Java support will remain available as an added download from Windows Update if required.

Java's removal from the software giant's new operating system comes on the heels of announcements surrounding .NET, Microsoft Web services based on XML. These services are accessed over the Internet from a variety of devices. Coincidentally, Sun has been developing its own Java-based version of .NET, dubbed Jini. However, Microsoft vehemently denies claims that it intends to phase out support for Java as an attack on Sun.

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UPDATED In the dark for nearly three weeks, the existing Napster has taken a back seat while the company prepares to launch its fee-based subscription service. Set to debut late summer, Napster hopes to attract paying customers and simultaneously make amends with the recording industry by sharing only licensed music. Despite claims last month that MusicNet would exclusively power the subscriptions, Napster announced Monday an extended partnership with PlayMedia Systems to provide music in a new, secure format.

PlayMedia, known for its AMP MP3 technology that originally powered Winamp, has collaborated with Napster and Digital World Services to create a new proprietary codec for the upcoming subscription service. A company spokesperson told BetaNews the Napster service will offer a completely new audio format - an offshoot of MP3 based around AMP with an extension of .NAP. Digital rights management will also be incorporated into NAP using technology from Digital World Services.

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Confirming rumors leaked earlier this week, Microsoft and pressplay announced today a partnership to bring pressplay's music subscription service to MSN subscribers, as well as offer Windows Media as an audio format for other pressplay affiliates. MSN Music, first launched in April, will now provide the ability to browse and listen to pressplay's music catalog. Users will be able to create customized playlists, and download or stream music on demand.

A joint venture between Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group, pressplay plans to launch its music subscription service late summer. Facing early skepticism from critics, today's announcement adds credibility to the technology which has yet to materialize in public view.

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Philips is looking for beta testers to try out its latest MP3 offering, the eXpanium AZ1155. This "MP3-CD Soundmachine" features the ability to play any CD you create, a dual color LCD, simplified navigation, and a digital tuner. Applications will be accepted until July 24, whereupon 50 lucky participants will be chosen at random. Testers will be required to use the product for 8 weeks and complete two online questionaires.

The AZ1155 MP3-CD Soundmachine may have been designed to look great, but Philips is also touting the player's sound. According to the company, the Philips "UltraBass2 and acoustically tuned Bass Reflex bodies with great output power will carry your music far and wide." Additionally, because CDs can hold hundreds of MP3s, the boombox has a built-in jog dial for easily browsing music.

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In the first comprehensive study of its kind, an Internet start-up has released a whitepaper providing technical insight into the inner workings of Windows Product Activation. The study's conclusion agrees with Microsoft's assertions that typical hardware modifications will not require re-activation, and that end user privacy is protected. Despite the open analysis, Microsoft is not concerned about details exposed in the paper, citing the inevitability of the technology being reverse engineered. The software giant stands behind WPA as "well engineered work" that will not be harmed by this publication.

Research conducted by Fully Licensed GmbH, a start-up focusing on software licensing, reveals that an ID composed of ten different hardware components and the Windows product key is the only information sent to Microsoft servers during the activation process. A user will be able to change up to three of the ten hardware components before having to re-activate Windows.

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UPDATED While no official announcement has been made by Microsoft, online retailer Amazon.com has provided the first glimpse of the Windows XP box, as well as pricing for the upcoming OS. Not straying far from current prices, Windows XP Home Edition will run $199 USD for the full version and $99 USD for upgrades. Professional Edition will be more demanding on the pocketbook, retailing at $299 and $199 USD for full and upgrade versions, respectively.

Microsoft is positioning Home Edition as the upgrade path for consumers and Professional Edition for businesses, but acknowledges most users will not see a difference. For an extra one hundred bucks, XP Professional offers remote desktop capabilities, offline files, support for dual processors, NTFS, and advanced management tools. By comparison, Windows Me and Windows 2000 cost $9 more than their XP counterparts upon release.

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Keeping in line with its recent trend of holding public beta tests, Symantec has released Norton AntiVirus 2002 sporting an overhauled feature set. As an incentive to testers, the company will also be giving away 50 complimentary retail copies to those who find the most bugs. Since it began alpha testing in early June, NAV 2002 has focused on two key areas - efficiency and stability. Symantec has taken a fresh look at development for this release, re-engineering the product's scan engine so it is optimized for better performance. Known internally as "Torito," NAV 2002 also includes a new HTML-driven user interface, and improved e-mail protection.

Additionally, the NAV installation process has been streamlined with a post-install configuration. Symantec has also opted to begin using the Microsoft installer, noting the release will install on Windows XP, but legacy support for Windows 95 has been dropped. Other improvements introduced in this version include integration with Internet Explorer, and script blocking technology which first appeared as an add-on to NAV 2001.

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Electronic finance leader Intuit is now accepting applications for the upcoming beta test of QuickBooks 2002, code-named Wasabi. QuickBooks is aimed at small businesses, aiding in the management of financial tasks. Not to be confused with the Winamp 3 beta of the same name, the Wasabi test will begin mid-August and extend into December. The company has not yet disclosed new features of the upcoming release. The test is only open to residents of the United States.

The minimum requirements for testing Wasabi are as follows:

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Microsoft released to manufacturing this week Visual FoxPro 7.0. According to the software giant, "Visual FoxPro offers developers a data-centric, object-oriented language for building database applications, including desktop, client/server, and Web-based solutions. Features and enhancements include support for XML Web services, Microsoft SQL Server Data Engine 2000, event binding, and an enhanced development environment." Retail availability is scheduled for July, and will run $579 and $279 USD for full and upgrade versions, respectively.

Microsoft touts four major areas of change in the newest version of its Visual FoxPro development system: the development environment, language features, development tools, and XML Web services. The Visual FoxPro IDE now includes dockable windows, menu configuration options, bookmarks and shortcuts, as well as a new document view to navigate procedures and functions.

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Set for an August release, AOL 7.0 code-named "Taz," is in need of some additional beta testers. For a limited time, AOL members who dial-up to the service are wanted to test the upcoming client's connectivity. Users with slightly higher-end PCs will notice an increase in performance, as the optimization point is raised in this release. Thus far, AOL 7.0 has not brought much in the way of changes, and is merely an evolutionary step in the development of the client.

The user interface has not changed drastically and remains nearly identical to the current AOL 6.0. Information obtained by BetaNews reveals AOL's hesitation to raise the hardware requirements of Taz beyond those set by version 6.

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At long last, Microsoft today released Windows XP Release Candidate 1 to testers, sporting build number 2505. Beating the company's internal release goal of July 1, RC1 marks feature completion for Windows XP. Microsoft issued interim build 2502 earlier this week as a final check before the first release candidate was officially declared. The software giant is expected to make an announcement shortly to Preview Program participants, who will be given access to download the release.

Release Candidate 2 is slated to follow late next month, with a release to manufacturing at the end of August. In preparation for October's launch, Microsoft began a billion-dollar marketing campaign for Windows XP this week in Las Vegas.

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Macromedia this week unveiled Sitespring, a new product aimed at managing the Web site production process. The Web-based application allows teams to collaborate on design projects, keeping track of file changes and archiving. Sitespring integrates with Dreamweaver 4 and UltraDev, as well as Microsoft Project. Macromedia will launch a public beta this summer, making available limited copies on a first come, first serve basis.

Sitespring easily installs on a Windows server and is accessed through a Web browser on any platform. It features personalized home pages to detail projects and tasks, e-mail notifications for alerts and updates, archiving to create snapshots of project files, and automated disk management. Tasks can be forwarded or searched, and contain associated files. Macromedia has setup a page detailing the uses of Sitespring in multiple environments.

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TiVo has begun signups for the upcoming beta test of software release 2.5. While full details of the update have not been disclosed, version 2.5 is focused on DirecTV users, possibly adding the much anticipated dual tuner functionality. By utilizing dual tuners, TiVo can play or record one live show while simultaneously recording another on a different channel. The team also promises neat changes for standalone TiVo units as well.

Testers will be selected at random from all applicants. TiVo will first choose 100 names beginning next week, ramping up to thousands within a few weeks. Those selected will also be considered for future beta tests.

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UPDATED The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia today reversed the decision by U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ordering Microsoft to be broken into two separate companies. A panel of seven justices unanimously ruled that while the software giant did violate the Sherman Act, a breakup of the company was too extreme a remedy. Microsoft was initially told to immediately split its operating system and application software into two companies, in hopes to increase competition. The case will be sent back to the lower court and tried by a different judge.

Jackson will be removed from the case due to actions which the court says "seriously tainted the proceedings." The justices cited the trial judge's interviews with the media, and refusal to hold a evidentiary hearing to discuss the breakup remedy. The Washington Post reports that a new judge will be assigned through a random lottery.

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