VMware Releases New Converter Tool
VMware on Monday released a beta version of VMware Converter 3, a tool that takes a physical computer system and transforms it into a virtual machine image to be used with the company's products. The new release combines two previously separate tools: VMware P2V Assistant and Virtual Machine Importer.
In addition to the physical-to-virtual conversion, Converter 3 can also change third-party VM formats including Microsoft Virtual Server and Virtual PC and Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery into VMware compatible images. Converter 3 will be available free of charge, with a special Enterprise Edition for paying customers. A beta version is available for download now.
AOL Testing 'Light' Version of AIM
Responding to the requests of its more advanced users, AOL has begun developing a new lightweight AIM client that includes just the basic instant messaging functionality without all the frills. Called AIM ET, the software is available from AOL's Greenhouse site that offers previews of new products.
Since the late 1990s, instant messaging clients have become more than just text-based communication tools. They include a wide range of functionality like voice and video chat, integrated blogging and even the ability to make phone calls. But for those looking for a basic IM experience, much of the additions have simply amounted to extraneous "bloat."
Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-On: $199.99
Microsoft put the high-definition rumors to rest Wednesday, announcing at its X06 event in Barcelona that the HD DVD add-on for the Xbox 360 will arrive in the U.S. in mid-November at a cost of $199.99 USD. The package will come with a copy of "King Kong" on HD DVD and the Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote.
Microsoft previously said the add-on would launch in Japan on November 22 at a price equivalent to $169 USD. With a $200 price tag, the total combined cost for the technology will run $500 or more, the same price as Sony's forthcoming PlayStation 3, which includes a Blu-ray drive. European gamers will need to wait until 2007 for the HD DVD add-on, and will pay 199.99 euros or £129.99. A separate fall update to the Xbox 360 will add support for 1080p high-definition output.
MS, Peter Jackson Create Game Studio
Microsoft has joined forces with renowned director Peter Jackson to establish a new game studio called Wingnut Interactive, as well as develop a completely new chapter in the "Halo" series along with an entirely original game that focuses on "interactive entertainment."
“My vision, together with Microsoft Game Studios, is to push the boundaries of game development and the future of interactive entertainment," remarked Jackson. "From a movie-maker’s point of view, it is clear to me that the Xbox 360 platform is the stage where storytellers can work their craft in the same way they do today with movies and books but taking it further with interactivity.” Microsoft also announced Wednesday "Halo Wars," a real-time strategy game designed for the "Halo" franchise by Ensemble Studios, developer of "Age of Empires."
Visual Studio Incompatibility Hits Vista
Microsoft acknowledged Tuesday that developers looking to build applications on Windows Vista will need to upgrade to Visual Studio 2005 SP1, highlighting compatibility issues the company is dealing with as the new operating system nears release.
Both Visual Studio 2002 and 2003 will not work on Vista, and the most recent update to Visual Studio 2005, Service Pack 1, will likely have compatibility problems. Microsoft is working hard to resolve those issues before Vista ships. Developers can continue to use Windows XP to build applications that also run on Vista.
Sharp Builds Three-Way LCD Screen
Japanese manufacturer Sharp on Wednesday demonstrated a new LCD flat panel that allows for three different images to be viewed on a screen depending on the angle. The company introduced a dual-view LCD last July, which is already being used in cars.
The idea is that multiple people can use a single display for different purposes. For example, Sharp noted that a driver could be accessing directions, the passenger looking at shopping information, while those in the back seat view a movie. The technology divides the backlight into three different directions to accomplish this feat.
Microsoft, Yahoo Complete IM Interop
Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it has completed the joining of its instant messaging network with Yahoo! Messenger, meaning any of the services' combined 350 million users can now send messages to those on either network. The interoperability was being beta tested since mid-July.
"This chapter of the story comes to a close," said Windows Live Messenger team member Leah. "Anyone using the latest version of Windows Live Messenger or Yahoo! Messenger (in most countries) will be able to add friends, send messages and select emoticons with those from either network like crazy – and we encourage you to do so!"
Sony Launches eBook Reader, Store
Sony has officially launched its portable Reader device, which offers a high-resolution electronic paper display for reading eBooks and other documents. It's designed to give a printed look that's easy on the eyes. The company has also opened an eBook store to support the Sony Reader.
Over 10,000 titles are available from the CONNECT eBook store thanks to agreements with a number of publishers, Sony said, although book pricing was not discussed. The Sony Reader features on-screen controls and has a battery life equivalent to 7,500 page turns. It will retail for $350 USD from both SonyStyle and stores such as Borders.
Vista NYT Reader Beta Now Available
Microsoft and the New York Times have made available a desktop application for reading the newspaper's content on a PC, which was built using WinFX and takes advantage of new features in Windows Vista. The Times Reader was first unveiled in April as an example for developers.
Specifically, Vista's WPF display technologies enables NYT content to be automatically adjusted for any screen size, with users able to customize font size and content relevance. The application also utilizes the same font styles as the print edition of the New York Times. Download the Times Reader beta from FileForum.
SanDisk Introduces 16GB Flash Card
Digital photographers rejoice; SanDisk announced at Photokina in Germany this week 12-gigabyte and 16-gigabyte CompactFlash cards that fall under its Extreme III lineup. The new additions are the highest capacity memory cards on the market, offering a minimum read and write speed of 20MB per second.
With more consumer and professional photographers now shooting in RAW, increased storage capacity has become ever more important. SanDisk says the cards have the widest guaranteed operating temperature and come with RescuePRO software for recovering lost images. But they don't come cheap: the 12GB model is priced at $779.99 USD, with the 16GB card costing $1,049.99 USD. Both will be available in December.
Microsoft Releases Fix for VML Exploit
In what could be the quickest patch ever to be released by Microsoft, the company on Tuesday publicly issued a fix for the highly-publicized Vector Markup Language (VML) vulnerability affecting Office and Internet Explorer that surfaced last week and was being actively exploited by numerous attacks.
The exploits prompted two security firms to issue unofficial patches for the problem, and Microsoft promised on Friday to rush out out a fix. The company traditionally waits until its monthly Patch Tuesday to release updates, but it has issued out-of-cycle patches in the past when customers were at risk. Users can download the patch now from Windows Update.
FBI Awards Microsoft for 'Exceptional Service'
The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Monday awarded nine Microsoft employees certificates for "Exceptional Service in the Public Interest," the agency announced. The recognition relates to Microsoft's help in tracking down those responsible for the Mytob/Zotob worm.
The FBI launched an investigation 2005 to discover who was behind the Zotob attacks, which utilized a mass-mail attachment to copy itself into the Windows SYSTEM32 directory. From there, it would launch a process intended to preclude users from accessing certain Web sites, mainly from anti-virus vendors.
Pioneer Sues Samsung Over Patents
Pioneer has sued Samsung in the United States over alleged patent infringement involving plasma displays used primarily in television sets. The two companies were in licensing talks that apparently fell through, prompting Pioneer to file a lawsuit.
Japan-based Pioneer says it holds a patent regarding an electrode configuration that improves plasma display quality, as well as a patent covering a manufacturing step that increases the brightness of a display. South Korea-based Samsung SDI is violating both of those parents, Pioneer says.
Lenovo Investigating Sony Battery Fire
Although it was not among the companies to issue a battery recall, Lenovo acknowledged over the weekend that it was investigating an incident in which an IBM ThinkPad T43 laptop overheated and caught fire at Los Angeles International Airport. Nobody was hurt, but officials have begun expressing concern about the safety of laptops on airplanes.
Lenovo says the battery in question was manufactured by Sony, and was the same type recalled by Dell and Apple. However, the company stopped short of detailing the specific problem and did not say whether it would announce a recall. In other cases, a manufacturing problem in Sony's plant led to microscopic shards of metal getting into the battery and causing a short circuit.
Apple Issues Aperture 1.5 Upgrade
At the Photokina conference in Germany Monday, Apple responded to the release of Lightroom Beta 4 with a major update to its own RAW image processing software. Aperture 1.5 brings to the table a new library and integration with iLife and iWork.
Other new features include XMP metadata support and an export API that enables third parties to build Aperture support into their applications. Apple has also added adjustment options, including a luminance-based Edge Sharpen filter for high-quality sharpening and a new Color tool. Aperture's Loupe magnifier has also been enhanced. Version 1.5 will be available this week as a free upgrade for Aperture 1.0 users, and cost $299 USD from the Apple Store.
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