Google Trials Search-by-Phone
Google may have an answer for those tired of paying for expensive 411 calls from their cell phone: Google Voice Local Search, which goes by the nickname Goog-411. The service, currently in testing on the search company's Labs site, makes local business searches accessible via the phone.
In theory, Goog-411 is simple: users call a toll-free number (1-800-GOOG-411) and speak their search query, which is then processed through speech recognition software. If there is an exact match, Google can connect the user directly to the business free of charge.
Gaim IM Client Renamed to 'Pidgin'
The popular open source instant messaging client Gaim has a new name thanks to legal pressure from AOL, now being dubbed "Pidgin." The slightly more bizarre moniker comes after lengthy and secret settlement talks with AOL, which Gaim developers apologized for.
Originally called "GTK+ AOL Instant Messenger," the project was renamed to Gaim after an initial complaint by AOL. After AOL trademarked the "AIM" name a few years later, the company put legal pressure on the developers once again, who sought support of lawyers.
Vonage Wins Temporary Stay, Can Sign Customers
6:45 pm CT April 6, 2007 - Late Friday, VoIP service provider Vonage announced with some relief that the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has issued a temporary stay of a judge’s order imposed earlier today. Were that order to take effect, then Vonage would be prohibited from signing on new customers beginning next Thursday.
The temporary stay gives Vonage time to assemble its plea for a permanent stay, but probably not much more time – maybe a matter of days.
Qualcomm-Nokia Patent Fight Heats Up
Wireless communications company Qualcomm fired back at Nokia Thursday afternoon, calling the phone maker's $20 million payment "nominal" and filing an arbitration demand requesting that Nokia be forced extend a royalty agreement set to expire on April 9.
In announcing its payment, which involves WCDMA/UMTS patents granted to Qualcomm, Nokia said it believed the sum was fair and had no intention of extending the previous agreement, which would cost the firm much more than $20 million. Nokia added that it would make future payments, but offered no further details.
Goodbye DVI and VGA, DisplayPort is Here
While it still may be a few years before we can officially wave goodbye to VGA and DVI, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) today announced approval of DisplayPort 1.1 as the new industry standard for flat panel displays, projectors, PCs and consumer electronics devices.
DisplayPort 1.1 most notably adds support High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) version 1.3. HDCP is the copyright protection technology required by both Blu-ray and HD DVD content, which prevents the digital video signal from being hijacked and recorded to unprotected media.
Microsoft: Ignore Third Party Vista "Service Packs"
For years, tech enthusiasts have been compiling hotfixes into unofficial service packs for Windows, offering brave users a quick way to update their operating systems before Microsoft finishes its own. But for Vista, Microsoft is warning users not to trust these third-party roll-ups.
In a blog entry posted Tuesday, Vista product manager Nick White specifically mentions one such "Service Pack 1 preview" for Microsoft new operating system. The fact that Microsoft is preparing SP1 for Vista is a given, but the company has remained coy about its potential release date.
Microsoft Patches Windows Cursor Flaw
As expected, Microsoft has released security update MS07-017, which patches a critical vulnerability in Windows Animated Cursor Handling. The company says it was working on the fix since December, and has posted it early due to reports of attacks.
The problem is similar to one discovered in early 2005, which did not apparently affect Windows XP Service Pack 2. The new vulnerability came to light in December, but an exploit taking advantage of the flaw surfaced only last week.
Microsoft to Fix Critical Vista Flaw Early
Microsoft confirmed Sunday that it would not wait until April's "Patch Tuesday" to release a fix correcting a critical flaw in Windows Animated Cursor Handling, which affects most supported versions of the company's operating systems. Instead, an update is coming Tuesday.
The exploit, which results in a crash-restart-crash loop, is triggered by a buffer overflow in an animated cursor file. A similar flaw was discovered in early 2005, but did not apparently affect Windows XP Service Pack 2. The new issue, discovered by McAfee's Avert labs does impact XP SP2 and Windows Vista, as well as Windows 2000 SP4 and Windows Server 2003.
Office Upgrade Guarantee Hits Snags
Customers who purchased Office Student and Teacher 2003 after October 26, 2006 planning to take advantage of the "Technology Guarantee Program" that offered a free upgrade to Office 2007 have found themselves missing Outlook due to a packaging change.
At issue is the new Office Home and Student 2007, which replaces the former Student and Teacher SKU. Unlike its predecessor, Microsoft Outlook is not included in the update; therefore, Microsoft promised to send the product on a separate disc to those customers taking advantage of the promotion.
3rd Party Patches Critical Windows Flaw
Not content to wait for Microsoft to remedy the issue, independent security firm eEye released a temporary patch for a critical flaw affecting Windows that can lead to a crash-restart-crash loop. But Microsoft does not recommend such third-party patches.
The potential exploit is trigger by a buffer overflow in an animated cursor file. A similar flaw was discovered in early 2005, but did not apparently affect Windows XP Service Pack 2. The new issue, discovered by McAfee's Avert labs does seem to impact XP SP2 and Windows Vista, as well as Windows 2000 SP4 and versions of Windows Server 2003 from the initial release through to SP1.
AIM Now for Vista, AOL Web Mail
AOL on Wednesday released the final version of AIM 6.1, which primarily brings support for Windows Vista, as well as announcing a new beta of AOL Web Mail that integrates AIM. Users will be able to conduct AIM conversations directly from their Web-based AOL Mail interface.
AIM 6.1 has been in beta testing for a number of months and is fully compatible with Vista, which launched at the end of January. Other new features in the update include the ability to send an offline IM or SMS message when a buddy signs off AIM, and new Buddy List docking and color picker options.
Dell to Ship Linux on Desktops, Laptops
Dell confirmed on Wednesday plans to offer Linux pre-installed on select desktop and notebook systems, beyond its current Linux-based servers and Precision workstations. The decision comes after feedback on its IdeaStorm site and a survey that garnered over 100,000 responses.
No specific timeframe was given for the expanded Linux plans, although the company said in a blog posting that it will provide an update in the coming weeks regarding the effort. It will detail "information on which systems we will offer, our testing and certification efforts, and the Linux distribution(s) that will be available," Dell said, adding that, "The countdown begins today."
Buy More Vista Licenses, Save 10%
Microsoft has launched the appropriately named Windows Vista Additional License program, which will enable customers to save a bit of money if they want to install Windows Vista on multiple computers. Before, users had to purchase a completely new copy of Vista; now, they can just buy a license key online and save 10 percent.
"Remember, not properly activating Windows Vista will lead to it running in reduced functionality mode, so this new program is a handy way to avoid that situation. With it, customers can use their original Windows Vista media for installation and activate each installation using the newly purchased licenses," explained Vista product manager Nick White. The program is now available in the United States and Europe.
Best Buy Acquires Speakeasy ISP
Electronics retailer Best Buy has taken the unusual step of acquiring Speakeasy, one of the largest independent Internet service providers in the United States. The company is increasingly focusing on selling services to small businesses, which is where Speakeasy excels.
Speakeasy services, which include DSL broadband and voice over IP telephone offerings, will be sold through the retailer's Best Buy for Business division, which has locations in 281 physical stores across the country. The company intends to become a one-stop shop for small business technology needs.
Cingular Users to Get Windows Mobile 6 Upgrade
At the CTIA Wireless tradeshow this week, Microsoft announced that AT&T (formerly Cingular) will be providing Windows Mobile 6 as a free upgrade to current customers using the Samsung Blackjack, HTC 8525, or Palm Treo 750. T-Mobile previously said it would offer a free upgrade as well.
Windows Mobile 6 is the latest version of Microsoft's smartphone operating system that brings a number of new features to handsets. AT&T customers using the Treo 750 will gain HSDPA 3G capability with the upgrade, allowing for faster download speeds. Palm will provide the WM6 upgrade directly to Treo 750 customers in Europe and Asia.
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