Microsoft to Pay Novell $348 Million
As part of a blockbuster agreement announced last week in which longtime rivals Microsoft and Novell shook hands over Linux, Microsoft will pay Novell $348 million up front, but Novell will return $200 million of that amount over five years.
The specific numbers came in an a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission made by Novell late Tuesday. "The financial commitments Microsoft is making as part of this agreement are significant," company CEO Ron Hovsepian said in a statement.
Palm Calls NTP Patents 'Dubious'
Palm has publicly responded to a lawsuit by patent holding company NTP, which accuses the PDA and Treo maker of infringing on seven patents related to wireless e-mail and connectivity, calling into question the validity of those patents and claiming they relate "to a paper-based e-mail service."
Palm acknowledged it has been in contact with NTP concerning licensing the patents, but notes it was not going to license technology that may be rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. "Palm respects legitimate intellectual property rights, but will defend itself vigorously against the attempted misuse of the patent and judicial systems to extract monetary value for rights to patents that may ultimately have no value at all," the company said.
Adobe Donates Flash Code to Mozilla
Adobe announced at the Web 2.0 conference on Tuesday that it was donating the scripting language engine from Flash to the Mozilla Foundation, where it will become an open source project called Tamarin as well as being integrated directly into the Firefox Web browser.
Specifically, Adobe is opening up its ActionScript Virtual Machine, which forms the core of Flash Player version 9. The most recent release in June added improved debugging, faster start times, full runtime error reporting, and better performance.
Verizon, YouTube Near Content Deal
Verizon is nearing a deal with YouTube to bring the popular video sharing site's content to both mobile phones and televisions, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. But the question arises: what exactly would YouTube be offering, as much of its content is unlicensed.
The deal will center around Verizon Wireless's V-Cast service and Verizon's FiOS television offering, which is continuing to expand around the United States. V-Cast utilizes the carrier's high-speed EVDO network, and enables customers to watch videos and listen to music on their phones.
Xbox Live Gets TV, Movie Downloads
Microsoft late Monday announced a major new initiative to offer television shows and movie downloads via its Xbox Live service, further transitioning the Xbox 360 from video game console to consumer home entertainment device.
The new service, dubbed Xbox Live Video, will launch on November 22 - the one year anniversary of the Xbox 360's launch. Initial content partners include CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, TBS, UFC, and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
Microsoft Launches Virtual Earth 3D
Microsoft on Monday took the wraps off Virtual Earth 3D, a new version of the company's mapping application that enables users to "fly" through three-dimensional models of cities from directly within their Web browser - complete with virtual billboards.
The idea is that users can type a query into Windows Live Search and click on the "maps" tab to bring up results in a local context, with the ability to view two-dimensional aerial and bird's-eye imagery, or the new 3D models offered by Virtual Earth.
NTP Sues Palm for Patent Infringement
Eight months after winning a $612.5 million settlement from BlackBerry maker Research In Motion for alleged infringement of heavily-contested patents, NTP has sued Palm over similar claims. NTP says Palm's products, services and processes infringe on its patents.
At issue is likely Palm's popular Treo smartphone, which, like the BlackBerry, offers mobile e-mail and connectivity functionality. NTP says it only filed suit after licensing talks fell apart, and in turn, the company is seek cash compensation from Palm.
Wikipedia Used to Spread Virus
The open nature of online encyclopedia Wikipedia in which anyone can submit and edit articles is what has made the service a staple of the Internet. However, that same openness was used on Friday to hijack an entry and trick users into downloading a virus.
The German edition of Wikipedia was used as the vehicle to convince users to install what they thought was a "fix" for a new variant of the Blaster worm, which affected over 50,000 Windows computers in the summer of 2003. The attackers then sent out a German-language e-mail purporting to be from Wikipedia that told users to visit the page.
Gates, Ballmer to Testify in Iowa Case
UPDATE: In a statement to BetaNews, Microsoft clarified that Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer were already on the company's witness list submitted in September. The judge's ruling now means the plaintiffs can call the two as witnesses, rather than just cross examine after they testify for Microsoft.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and CEO Steve Ballmer are slated to appear in an Iowa court later this month to testify in a $450 million antitrust lawsuit - one of the last remaining cases stemming from company's alleged anticompetitive practices.
Symantec Reports on Mac OS X Virus
Security firm Symantec on Friday detailed a new proof-of-concept virus that has surfaced for Mac OS X. Although the malware is not in the wild and is rated a very low risk, researchers say it highlights the fact that no operating system is immune from viruses.
Dubbed OSX.Macarena, the virus infects files in the current folder on the compromised computer. Symantec has updated its definition files to remove the virus and repair the files, although it's unlikely even one Mac OS X system has been affected as of yet.
Novell, Microsoft Ink Linux Partnership
In a surprise move that left many jaws on the floor, Microsoft and Novell held a joint press conference Thursday afternoon announcing a broad partnership to make sure Windows interoperates with SUSE Linux, and includes promises not to sue over patents.
The agreement endures until 2012 and includes joint development, marketing and support of solutions to make Windows and Linux work better together. Essentially, Novell's SUSE Linux will become the Linux distribution recommended by Microsoft to seamlessly work with Windows and not be subject to any patent claims from the Redmond company.
Microsoft Relaxes Vista License Terms
Responding to a wave of criticism following news that the licensing terms in Windows Vista allowed the operating system to be moved to another computer only once, Microsoft has changed its position and relaxed the restriction for retail copies of Vista.
Previously, Microsoft had allowed its operating systems to be installed as many times as the customer liked, as long as it was uninstalled from the previous computer. However, with the arrival of Windows Vista, that was to change.
Nokia to Open Calif. Research Center
Leading mobile phone manufacturer and wireless technology innovating Nokia has announced plans to open a research center in Palo Alto, California, as well as a partnership with Stanford. The university will become a testing ground for new technology developed at the Nokia Research Center.
Nokia plans to focus on four core areas: context-aware content and communities for advertising and recommendation engines; wireless grids for linking up different types of devices; advanced user interfaces and visual media; and emerging short-range radio technologies. The center will initially employ 35 researchers, with plans to expand to upwards of 100.
TiVo Opens Beta Test for Update
TiVo is preparing to beta test a Fall software update and is opening the program to any Series2 customer. TiVo users can submit their service number into a pool, which will be drawn from randomly. The update will be delivered to units automatically.
Although TiVo isn't saying what's new in the release, blogger Dave Zatz said he expects "the slowdown issue seen on certain units (including mine) will be addressed. Secondly, the whispers tell me WPA is coming to the TiVo-branded wireless adapter. Last but not least, I fully expect to see better organization in the Music, Photos, & Spam area — including a dedicated TiVoCast menu."
Photos: Vista, Office 2007 Packaging
Microsoft late Monday took the wraps off its new packaging designs for Windows Vista and Office 2007, which are both slated to hit store shelves early next year. Both the style and box itself have been designed to attract the eye, much like Apple does with its products.
"The packaging has been completely revised and, we hope, foreshadows the great experience that awaits you once you open it," said Vista product manager Nick White. "Designed to be user-friendly, the new packaging is a small, hard, plastic container that’s designed to protect the software inside for life-long use."
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