Microsoft Tests OneCare Beta for Vista
Microsoft has released a beta of Windows Live OneCare version 1.5, which most notably adds support for Windows Vista. The original iteration of the PC protection and maintenance suite was only compatible with Windows XP.
OneCare, available online and at retail outlets, includes antivirus, anti-spyware and PC tuning and backup tools, along with free support for $49.95 USD per year. The package falls under a new class of all-in-one utilities being offered by security vendors such as McAfee and Symantec, as well as AOL.
Windows XP SP1 Support Ends Today
Microsoft is officially ending support for Windows XP Service Pack 1 and SP1a Tuesday, with users being recommended to install SP2 as soon as possible. The move means that no more security updates will be released for the now-obsolete version of Windows.
Windows XP SP2 was released on September 17, 2004, and Microsoft notes that it provided two years of support to SP1 customers since that time. The company traditionally offers only 12 months of support for previous service packs, but because SP2 was a major upgrade to Windows XP, Microsoft opted to give customers additional time for deployment.
Google Buys YouTube for $1.65 Billion
Google has agreed to purchase popular video sharing site YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock, the two companies announced after the close of the stock market Monday. The deal marks the largest acquisition for Google in the company's eight-year history.
A potential deal had been rumored since late last week, prompting surprise from a number of industry watchers who failed to see what Google would gain from the purchase. However, the search giant says it will unite YouTube with its online advertising platform.
'Adware' Distributor Loses MVP Status
Responding to a flurry of negative feedback, Microsoft has decided to revoke the Most Valuable Professional status it recently bestowed on Cyril Paciullo. Paciullo, or Patchou as he is known, is a developer who created the Messenger Plus application.
Messenger Plus adds a number of features onto Microsoft's instant messaging client, such as combining individual chats into a unified window with tabs, and removing the embedded advertising. The software is quite popular among Windows Live Messenger users, leading to Paciullo's nomination to be an MVP.
Vista RC2 Out, Last Build Before RTM
As expected, Microsoft on Friday issued the second release candidate of Windows Vista - the last public build before the next-generation operating system is released to manufacturing. As with the interim build before it, RC2 will be available to a limited number of CPP participants, beta testers, as well as TechNet and MSDN subscribers.
"Since the release of Windows Vista RC1, Microsoft has continued to receive excellent feedback that is helping to improve the overall quality and performance of the product," a company spokesperson told BetaNews. "RC2 reflects that feedback and includes important improvements in performance, application compatibility and fit and finish work. Customers should verify any outstanding issues not addressed during their RC1 testing." Download Windows Vista RC2 from FileForum now.
Office 2007 to Go 'Gold' This Month
Microsoft is winding down the beta program for Office 2007 as it prepares for a release to manufacturing before the end of the month. On October 25, Microsoft will close its Office Preview site and stop allowing downloads of the beta.
The Beta 2 Technical Refresh, made available last month, will be the last build available to testers. As previously reported, Microsoft will not be issuing a third beta or release candidate of Office 2007, although the development team has continued to make tweaks to the product.
Google to Subpoena Microsoft, Yahoo
Google said Friday that it plans to subpoena its search rivals Microsoft and Yahoo in order to obtain information that will help the company defend its book scanning project from a legal attack. Google was sued by both the Association of American Publishers and the Authors Guild, which accuse the company of copyright infringement.
Microsoft and Yahoo, meanwhile, joined up to build their own book search with an organization called the Open Content Alliance. Google is seeking details about that effort, which has raised far less ire from publishers by adopting an opt-in approach to selecting what books it scans, and thus is not being challenged in court.
Microsoft to Issue 11 Security Patches
On October 10, Microsoft will issue 11 security bulletins as part of this month's Patch Tuesday. Six of the updates affect Windows, with the highest severity being "critical." Another four patches will cover Microsoft Office, also with critical severity, while a moderate fix is slated for the .NET Framework.
Among the fixes will likely be a patch for the WebViewFolderIcon ActiveX control, which is part of the Windows Shell. An exploit has surfaced for a vulnerability in the control that could result in an attacker gaining the same user rights as a local user. Unlike with the VML fix, Microsoft has waited to patch the WebViewFolderIcon flaw, saying it was unaware of any actual attacks taking place.
Nvidia Buyout Rumors Surface Again
Speculation that Intel is preparing to announce an acquisition of graphics chipmaker Nvidia surfaced again on Wednesday, pushing Nvidia's stock up over 10 percent before it began to fall again Thursday morning. Analysts said an announcement was impending, but it never happened.
Nvidia has looked like a promising target for Intel since its rival AMD acquired ATI in July for $5.4 billion. The merger will allow AMD to offer integrated processor and graphics solutions to its customers. By 2008, AMD plans to introduce new processor configurations that would integrate the CPU and graphics processor into a single unit.
Google Announces Literacy Project
In India, there are nearly 300 million people who can't read and another 400 million with very basic knowledge of the alphabet. That is the impetus behind The Literacy Project, an initiative created by Google, the Frankfurt Book Fair literacy campaign, and UNESCO's Institute for Lifelong Learning.
The project integrates Google's services with information on literacy, as well as resources such as subtitled videos for reading practice and research papers on the worldwide problem. Links to blogs are provided, as is a map of the world's literacy organizations. "The idea that others around the world will be able to see what we’re doing —- and in turn, that we’ll be able to see what other people are doing and saying about literacy -— is thrilling," said PlanetRead president Dr. Brij Kothari.
AOL Launches Free OpenRide Software
AOL on Wednesday officially launched OpenRide, the successor to the company's aging software client that will serve as the cornerstone of AOL's transition from ISP to Web services provider. But can OpenRide help the company revamp its image and usher in a new, free AOL?
During its heyday as the world's largest Internet service provider counting close to 40 million users, AOL released new versions of its software for members like clockwork, ratcheting up the version number and appending new features each year.
Creative Xmod Claims to Improve Music
Creative has unveiled a new device called the Xmod, which is based upon the company's X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity audio platform and promises to improve the audio quality of compressed music, such as that purchased from Apple's iTunes or any MP3 files.
Shaped like a candy bar, the Xmod plugs in between an audio source and stereo speakers or pair of headphones. It works with any portable audio player including the iPod, along with plugging into a computer's USB port without requiring the use of software. Creative claims the result is "better than CD quality" sound.
D-Link Introduces Wi-Fi, GSM Phone
Home network equipment maker D-Link entered the mobile phone market Tuesday, introducing a new line of "V-CLICK" handsets that work with both traditional GSM operators as well as Wi-Fi networks. Users can switch between the technologies with a click of a button.
As wireless hotspots become more ubiquitous, phone manufacturers have turned to building handsets that are able to utilize Internet connectivity for making calls over VoIP. The idea is that such calls are cheaper than traditional cellular calling, especially when dialing internationally. In addition, Wi-Fi coverage could help areas where cellular signals are limited or non-existent.
Napster Brings Music Service to Japan
While it is struggling to retain subscribers in the United States and even considering a sale of the company, Napster on Tuesday launched its subscription music store in Japan, following through on a promise made last year - albeit six months late.
Napster's Japanese store is actually a joint venture with Tower Records Japan, and features two million tracks including local artists. The company hopes Tower's reach in the country, where it is the largest music retailer, will help it compete with Apple's iTunes, which has been in Japan for over a year and has seen modest success.
Microsoft Tests Security for SharePoint
Microsoft has released a beta version of its Forefront Security for SharePoint product, part of the company's new lineup of security tools for businesses. The application is designed for Office SharePoint Server 2007 and SharePoint Services 3.0, due out early next year with Office 2007.
The technology is essentially a new iteration of Antigen for SharePoint Server, which Microsoft acquired from Sybari Software in 2005. Microsoft has implemented five antivirus engines into the software, along with improved performance and simplified management tools. Pricing has not yet been established, but the beta release is available now free of charge.
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