Palm Computing is planning on charging users who want to upgrade to the new OS 3.5, according to the NY Times. PalmOS 3.5 was debuted last February and the company told Palm owners that, as always, a free update would be available shortly. However, Palm Computing has changed this policy and plans to charge less than $20 USD for the update, citing significant software enhancements. Palm will also announce an Internet Kit, a version of OS 3.5 with Internet software, for under $50 USD. Palm developers can currently download OS 3.5 free of charge.

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Microsoft has sent over some goodies for BetaNews visitors in preparation for the Windows Me launch on September 14. The first item is an exclusive commercial to promote the upcoming version of Windows. Next up is a Windows Me screensaver outlining the new technologies and features in the OS. Microsoft will also be starting a new sweepstakes on the 14th in addition to holding a live Webcast from the event. Those interested in actually attending can catch the Meet Me Tour, visiting cities across the United States. While you wait, check out the commercial and screensaver direct from BetaNews.

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U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff today ruled against MP3.com, forcing the company to pay Universal Music Group $25,000 USD for each CD copied to the MyMP3.com database, an amount totalling almost $250 million. Shares of the company dropped sharply after the ruling, leading many to question the future of the company. MP3.com told the judge that any pently oover $500 per CD would be a "death sentence". MyMP3.com has a database of 80,000 CDs which users may listen to after the service establishes ownership of the CD.

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MandrakeSoft has released the first beta version of Linux-Mandrake 7.2, code-named Ulysses. Linux-Mandrake is a pre-configured version of Linux which aims to provide simplicity through graphical interfaces. It makes use of KDE, GNOME, and the RPM package system, making it fully compatible with Red Hat Linux. New features in version 7.2 include Internet connection sharing, installation support for CABLE and DSL, increased hardware support, KDE 2 Beta 4, GNOME 1.2, and XFree86 4.01. Those interested in testing and debugging this beta may grab the release from the nearest FTP mirror. For more information, visit the Ulysses Beta page.

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Headlight Software is doing a last minute beta test for the upcoming GetRight 4.3. This test fixes bugs found in 4.2c and adds a few new features including a new Skins version, an increase in segmenting limits, and advertising changes. The main bugs looking to be stomped are GetRight crashing at the end of a download and a timing bug under Windows Me. Those interested may download the new build via FileForum and submit bug reports. The final release of GetRight 4.3 will appear shortly.

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WindowBlinds over the past 2 years has become so popular that Microsoft has begun introducing some of its features into the next version of Windows known as Whistler. By doing so, they have created a new term in the customization world: "Visual Styles" - a term that will likely come to mean something between full blown skinning and simple color schemes. But the question on the minds of many in the skinning community is how will Whistler affect WindowBlinds.

Brad Wardell from Stardock thinks there are two possibilities:

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WindowBlinds made its debut on BetaNews back in January of 1999. It was version 0.40 and there were grave doubts about whether a third party program could integrate itself into Windows and change how it looked. WindowBlinds 0.40 was slow, buggy, and a resource hog. Since then, WindowBlinds has gone through intense development adding new features and performance increases, but usability has not been enough for the mainstream user - until now. Stardock went back to the drawing board and scrapped their existing rendering engine. Using what they had learned over the past 2 years they started fresh. Read on as we preview WindowBlinds 2.0, and give you a look inside the future of Windows.

WindowBlinds: What the Heck is it?

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Caldera Systems has released a Linux Technology Preview showcasing early software development with a beta version of the new Linux 2.4 kernel, Sun Microsystems' Java HotSpot technology and glibc 2.1.91. Caldera notes, the "product is for developer testing and to preview this upcoming Open Source technology," and includes the JDK and SDK development tools. The preview runs $20 USD, however a free $20 rebate is available here. For more information and to order the technology preview, visit the Caldera Web site.

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Brad Wardell sends word that Stardock has released BuilderBlinds 1.0 for the general public. BuilderBlinds is a powerful visual skin design studio that makes it about as easy as it can get to create something as complicated as skins for WindowBlinds. BuilderBlinds will also soon support creating skins for Whistler. A screenshot of BuilderBlinds can be seen here. To download this new release, visit FileForum.

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Sean writes, "Microsoft just released Windows Media 7 Resource Kit Beta. The Resource Kit includes over 15 tools and utilities to assist content producers in the creation, distribution, and playback of Windows Media. In addition to newly released tools that improve the overall experience of working with Windows Media Technologies, the kit also includes popular utilities that we first introduced in Windows Media 4.1, and supplements Windows Media Encoder 7 Software Development Kit (SDK)." Some of these tools include a load simulator and new Media Monitor for tracking connections of up to eight streams. In addition, there is a new remote setup utility, a batch utility for multiple encoding, and an indexer for ASF files. A new popup utility, and MetaFile creator and cleaner also help content producers to distribute media. For more information and to download the resource kit, visit Microsoft's Windows Media Web site.

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Microsoft has released a privacy update to Internet Explorer 5.5, bringing the build number up to 5.50.4308.2900. This version is for all versions of Windows, including Windows Me. According to Microsoft, "new features in this update give you a clearer understanding of different types of cookies and where they originate, as well as an easier way to manage and delete them." Those wanting to download the new beta build may do so via FileForum. Be sure to let us know what you think of the release below.

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Microsoft has invited numerous past and current testers to beta test the company's upcoming version of Windows, codename Whistler. In an e-mail to potential testers the beta team wrote, "As we prepare for the next exciting release of Windows, we are pleased to invite you to participate in the Microsoft Windows Whistler Technical Beta program. Whistler is the code name for the next release of the Windows
operating system for both consumers and corporate users, based on Windows 2000 technology." Those who received the invite must visit WindowsBeta before September 15 to register.

Whistler made waves earlier this year when pre-beta code was leaked onto the Web. Both screenshots and reviews of Whistler have since appeared, leaving very little to the imagination. The OS represents a combination of Microsoft's consumer and business Windows divisions and is slated for release in fall of 2001.

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Steve writes, "Dynamix is taking beta applications for Tribes 2, its greatly anticipated sequel to the ground breaking and award winning StarSiege Tribes game. They will be choosing approxiametely 1000 applicants. Tribes 2 is scheduled to be released in Fall 2000." The test is open to applicants worldwide and testers must sign a non-disclosure agreement. There are only a few days left to sign up, so hurry and apply to test Tribes 2.

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UPDATE: Nullsoft has taken down the shots. Sorry guys! - BetaNews has discovered screenshots of Nullsoft's upcoming Winamp3, codename Wasabi. The new look to Winamp is much more streamlined, yet leaves the original Winamp look and feel intact. Users will notice the addition of a visualization button on the player and a new still-unknown button next to shuffle. Winamp3 is still in beta with an expected release in the coming months. The team assures BetaNews it will be well worth the wait. What do you guys think?

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Microsoft has released the much anticipated second beta of DirectX 8.0 to testers. Beta 2 sports a build number of 146 and both runtimes and the SDK has been released. Testers looking to download this build may visit Microsoft's BetaPlace. The software giant also asks "that each of you update your system configuration using this survey so that we have accurate system configuration information and can contact you if we need to test known issues with specific configurations." Keep checking back for further information regarding DirectX 8.0.

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