AMD Subpoenas Skype Over Intel Deal
AMD this week subpoenaed popular Internal calling company Skype as part of the chipmaker's ongoing antitrust lawsuit against rival Intel. AMD is demanding information regarding a deal to make a conference-calling feature in Skype 2.0 work better on Intel based machines.
A user running an Intel chip can include up to 10 other individuals on a conference call, while those with an AMD process can only connect with 5 people. Skype said the limitation was due to limitations with AMD technology, a claim AMD disputes.
In Split Vote, ICANN Approves VeriSign Deal
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has voted 9 to 5 to approve a deal granting VeriSign continued control of the .com top-level domain despite opposition from some registrars. However, the agreement must still be given the green light from the U.S. Commerce Department.
Under the terms of the deal, VeriSign would be permitted to raise .com registration fees by 7 percent without any justification in four of the next six years, as well as extending the "presumptive renewal" right to the registry when the agreement expires.
Microsoft Rolls Out IE6 ActiveX Change
Microsoft this week delivered a long-awaited update for Internet Explorer 6 that changes the way the browser loads embedded ActiveX control. The modification comes as part of an ongoing patent dispute with Eolas Technology and the University of California.
The patent specifically involves the mechanisms used to embed interactive programs in a Web browser. Eolas successfully sued Microsoft in 2003 alleging IE's plug-in architecture infringed on its patent, and was awarded $521 million in damages, which has ballooned to $560 million due to interest.
3 Guilty of File Sharing, RIAA Sues 750
The United States Department of Justice on Tuesday heralded a victory in federal court against three members of the "Apocalypse Crew" warez group. The individuals were sued for sharing digital pre-release copies of songs and albums through P2P networks, and have pleaded guilty.
The RIAA, meanwhile, sued another 750 people in its own crackdown on piracy.
Apple Unveils iPod 'Hi-Fi' Boombox
Entering a market currently dominated by the likes of Bose, JBL and Altec Lansing, Apple on Tuesday unveiled its own portable boombox for the iPod dubbed Hi-Fi. In his keynote address, company CEO Steve Jobs emphasized the need for quality when listening to audio in the home.
Beneath its black grille, the iPod Hi-Fi features two 80mm mid-range drivers in sealed acoustic suspension, and a 130mm dual voice coil subwoofer in the center. "We get great bass out of this thing and it doesn't distort when you crank it up," boasted Jobs. The $349 USD device includes connectors for all iPod models along with an Apple remote, and can run plugged-in or on 6 D batteries.
Apple Introduces Intel Based Mac mini
At a special event Tuesday on the company's Cupertino campus, Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced a new Intel based Mac mini, marking the arrival of the third Macintosh to transition to the new platform. The diminutive computer comes in the same form factor as the G4 version, but promises to be 2.5 to 3.2 times faster than its predecessor.
A 1.5 GHz single- and 1.67 GHz dual-core version of the Mac mini would be available. The system includes gigabit Ethernet, four USB 2.0 ports, as well as analog and SPDIF audio outputs. The low-end model with combo drive and 60GB hard drive will run $599 USD, while the dual-core Mac mini with SuperDrive and 80GB hard drive is priced at $799.
Microsoft Updates Live Messenger Beta
Microsoft on Tuesday began rolling out a new Windows Live Messenger build to beta testers, streamlining the client's interface and adding a number of new features such as integration with Windows Live Contacts. The release, numbered 8.0.566, also supports colorization of the entire Messenger window.
For now, Live Messenger remains a private beta test, but Microsoft is encouraging users to invite as many people as possible, and the company is reportedly accepting new applications within 24 hours through ideas.live.com. Developers aren't offering a final release date, but say it will occur later this year.
Google Goes Mobile with Blogger, News
Google has linked up with phone manufacturer Sony Ericsson to deliver a mobile Web log application that integrates with the search giant's Blogger service. In addition, Google on Tuesday unveiled a special version of Google News tailored to the small screens of cell phones.
Sony Ericsson's K610, K790 and K800 models will ship with the blog tool, which connects with the mobile camera to quickly post photos while on the go. The application also features a simplified sign-up process for those without a personal blog through Google.
Interview: A Look Inside Paint.NET
In the two years since it began as a senior project, Paint.NET has surged in popularity around the world and its developers continue the open source work from their new jobs at Microsoft. BetaNews sat down with project lead Rick Brewster to gain insight into Paint.NET, which he calls "Photoshop for everyone."
Microsoft may not be known for its support of open source, but the company mentored the software in its early stages and Paint.NET is used internally on the Redmond campus. For now, however, Paint.NET remains an "unofficial" project and Brewster says it -- and the code inside -- will remain free. Version 2.6 is now available for download.
Scoble Warns: Origami Over-Hyped?
Speculation continued over the weekend regarding Microsoft's Origami Project, with a purported video of the product further feeding the rumor mill. Microsoft admits the video of the portable PC is legit, but says it was an early concept. Company evangelist and blogger Robert Scoble warns the hype may lead to disappointment.
News of Origami broke last week after Microsoft leaked out a teaser Web site at origamiproject.com. A Flash animation pops up three questions: "Do you know what I can do? Or where I can go? Or how I can change your life?" It ends with the text, "Learn more on 3.2.06."
Microsoft Confirms Six Vista Editions
Echoing the information that leaked out last week, Microsoft early Monday confirmed it will ship six different editions of Windows Vista. Two versions will be designed for businesses, three for consumers, and one for emerging markets. But will consumers welcome choice or simply be intimidated by the number of options?
As previously reported, at the bottom of the list is Windows Starter 2007, which will likely replace the current Windows XP Starter Edition SKU. This slimmed down version of Windows does not carry the Vista branding as it is designed purely as a low-cost option in specific countries.
Microsoft to Unveil Secret Project Mar. 2
With speculation flying about what "fun new products" Apple plans to announce next week, from video iPods to DVR-enabled Mac minis, Microsoft has its own surprise up its sleeve. The Web is abuzz with guesses as to what the Redmond company plans to unveil at origamiproject.com on March 2.
The site, registered by Microsoft and "discovered" early this week, provides few hints. A Flash animation pops up three questions: "Do you know what I can do? Or where I can go? Or how I can change your life?" It ends with the text, "Learn more on 3.2.06."
MPAA Sues Usenet, Torrent Search Sites
The Motion Picture Association of America has found a new target in its war against piracy: search engines providing links to copyrighted material. Although they distribute no files themselves, such sites are a critical piece of the infrastructure that enables movie piracy, the MPAA says.
Lawsuits were filed Thursday against: BinNews.com, Torrentspy.com, IsoHunt, BTHub.com, TorrentBox.com, NiteShadow.com, Ed2k-It.com, NZB-Zone.com, and DVDRs.net. The suits mark the first time the MPAA has gone after Usenet related services, which have largely been spared in the crackdown on illicit file sharing.
Microsoft Opens Court Docs in EU Fight
Microsoft on Thursday openly released confidential documents it used in its defense against the European Union. The documents were filed on February 15 in response to the Statement of Objections issued by the European Commission. Microsoft says the now-public evidence proves it "is in full compliance."
The December Statement of Objects threatened Microsoft with fines of 2 million euros per day for not complying with a March 2004 judgment against the company. Microsoft had been ordered to sell a version of Windows without its Media Player software, as well as divulge portions of Windows Server protocols.
Google Testing Web 'Page Creator' Beta
As Microsoft waves goodbye to FrontPage in Office 2007, Google seems to be picking up the slack and is beta testing a new Web-based HTML editor dubbed "Page Creator." Google's service utilizes AJAX to give it the feel of a desktop application, but at the moment the tool's functionality remains limited.
Google Page Creator currently enables Google Account holders to create single pages, with up to 100MB of storage. The company provides a free URL at http://username.googlepages.com to access the pages a user creates. Google says Page Creator does not currently support making full "sites" of content.
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