Gnullsoft, the open source, freeware extension of Nullsoft, Inc., has sent word requesting BetaNews visitors to test their new application, Gnutella. Gnutella will be a GPL, open-source fully distributed search and download system for media and archive files. Currently being developed on Windows, once version 1.0 is released source will be available for bringing Gnutella to many platforms. Gnutella's distributed structure gives it many advantages over current systems (Napster, CuteMX), including fast searches, firewall-friendly downloads, bandwidth limiting, ability to see what others are searching for, ability to stream files, and the ability to change port and define internal network making it next to impossible for college system admins to block access. Update: The beta test has been closed. GNullsoft will be starting a mailing list for testers soon. Keep checking BetaNews for more information.

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The first music-finding plug-in for Nullsoft Winamp has officially hit the Net. Dubbed NapAmp, the new plug-in allows a user to search for digital audio on the Web using the popular Napster service.

Under 70kb in size, NapAmp integrates itself into the Winamp digital audio player from Nullsoft. With a simple keyboard combination, a new box appears, allowing the listener to search for and download MP3 audio using Napster's huge userbase. Although still in early stages of development, BetaNews tests proved NapAmp's quick searching ability coupled with end results almost identical to the actual Napster client.

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With Over 120 Million Page Views Each Month, eFront Network of Websites Already Rank among Top 40 Most-Visited Properties on the Internet

Irvine, Calif., March 9, 2000 --
eFront Media, Inc., a global Internet media company that owns and operates a rapidly expanding network of vertical content channels, officially launched today. With over four million unique visitors and over 120 million page views each month, eFront has rapidly become a leading online guide in specialized areas of interest covering a diverse range of categories. Comparing visitor statistics for eFront's Website network with other networks measured by third-party vendors, eFront now ranks among the top 40 most-frequently visited properties on the Internet.

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US set-top box software vendor OpenTV has teamed up with Japanese electronics giant
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd (Panasonic) to expand its
interactive digital TV platform to comply with the MHP (multimedia
home platform) standard.

OpenTV, which names America Online, Liberty Digital, News Corporation, and Sun
Microsystems among its investors, has
developed software that supports interactive digital TV applications
and is licensed to television network operators and set-top box
manufacturers worldwide.

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The new Microsoft Corp. video game
console expected to be unveiled Friday reportedly will be powered by the same features that drive state-of-the-art personal computers.

The system, which is expected to be rolled out at a conference
keynoted by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates Friday, will contain hard
drives, microprocessors and memory components similar to what's
found in high-end PCs, according to an Associated Press story today.
The consoles will also be able to access the Internet, enabling users
to engage in multi-player games.

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Motorola has taken the wraps off an Internet radio prototype called Smart Radio. The firm says that the technology has been designed for in-vehicle use. As the name implies, the technology is designed to allow drivers to capture music on demand, as well as to listen to real time traffic reports and download audio books across the Web.

Motorola says that the system can also be used to access voice-mail, receive the latest news and weather reports, and access updated stock portfolio information and e-mail services.

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Sonic Solutions, a California producer of a DVD authoring system says it has unlocked a new standard for streaming DVD video content over the Internet.

The company says that a new streaming video standard it has created, Streaming DVD, enables anyone with a computer and high-speed Net access to create and broadcast interactive DVD video online - either though e-mail attachments or on Web pages. The standard, the company said, is built on previous industry standards such as DVD video, MPEG-2 (Motion Picture Experts Group type 2) video, and MP3 audio.

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Microsoft is now taking registrations for this Spring's eXtreme, taking place on April 8th all across the country. Microsoft eXtreme is your chance to see what new software and technology Microsoft has in store for the future. The software giant will be giving demos of FrontPage 2000, Pocket PC, and the upcoming Windows ME. Registration is completely free, however seating is limited. Attendees wil receive a free t-shirt and trial CD. To register, visit the Microsoft eXtreme Web site.

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In January, the Recording Industry Association of America sued the Web site MP3.com over two recent site upgrades. CD owners can now have copies of tracks automatically saved in password-protected areas of the site for later listening from any Net device, and they can immediately download tracks of CDs they buy.

Users don't have to upload tracks from their own discs, only insert their CDs into their computers so MP3.com can confirm they possess the discs. The site already has stored music from 80,000 CDs, which amounts to an illegal database "with no permission and no license," RIAA president Hilary Rosen wrote Robertson in a letter of protest.

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IBM has taken the wraps off new software that translates, or "transcodes," Web information - including text and images - to a format readable on a variety of Internet appliances.

Known as WebSphere Transcoding Publisher, the software is said to extend the reach of Web data and applications to a new generation of information appliances, including smart phones, car browsers and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

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IBM today unveiled its WebSphere Transcoding Publisher to move Web content to Internet appliances by translating text and images to a readable format.

The software customizes content to match the capabilities of the receiving device, which means applications do not have to be rewritten, the company said. "It is device-sensitive in terms of bringing text and images down to the device in the right format," Jamie Thomas, IBM's director of host integration solutions, told Newsbytes.

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Microsoft is on a roll, releasing another new game beta, keeping an almost bi-monthly schedule. First Allegiance, then Starlancer, and now Motocross Madness 2.

After the popularity of the first Motocross Madness, gamers have been patiently waiting for MCM 2 for months - if not years. While an exact release day is unknown at this point, Microsoft is expected to begin the MCM 2 beta test shortly. It is currently only open to a select group of testers and Microsoft refuses to disclose whether we will see a public beta in the future.

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Rumors circulated today at CeBIT in Hannover that Microsoft is working on a version of their Office suite for the Linux platform. Arthur Tyde, executive vice president of Linuxcare, told the press that "I have heard there are 34 developers working at Microsoft to develop a version of Office for Linux." However, Microsoft representatives denied the rumor, telling BetaNews that "Microsoft always considers customer feedback for future development, but at this time, this is not something MS is working on." Possibly stemming from a Microsoft job posting requesting Linux developers late last year, rumors involving the open source movement have become popular tales on the Redmond campus.

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Hoping to capitalize on the convergence of wireless communication and the Internet, Oracle Corp. Chairman and CEO Lawrence J. Ellison said today his company has formed a spin-off, OracleMobile.com, with the purpose of turning the telephone into an Internet appliance.

In what was billed as an "important announcement in the
wireless Internet industry," Ellison spoke to the press and industry
analysts
today in New York City. While no major new technological ground was
broken, what emerged from the hour-long presentation was the
certainty that new money and technological muscle were about to make
their presences felt on the Internet.

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Microsoft has begun development on next-generation Internet software, code-named 'Mars', for its MSN online service. Secretly in the works for months, Microsoft refused to acknowledge the existence of Mars until ZDNet's John C. Dvorak announced the software in a recent column. BetaNews and ActiveWin have combined efforts to give you an inside look at the new software.

Over the last few months, Mars has been the subject of many false rumors due to confusion surrounding the software's purpose after it was initially announced on ActiveWin. Many people assumed it to be the upcoming Internet Explorer 5.5, Dial Up Networking add-ons, or even a new user interface technology for Windows. However, Microsoft representatives spoke to BetaNews and cleared the air this week, stating "Mars is a codename for a project designed to simplify and enhance the Internet experience for MSN users." When asked for further information regarding features and release dates, Microsoft told BetaNews and ActiveWin, "It is too early to give details, but we look forward to doing so soon."

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