AT&T opens Wi-Fi networks to 3G customers using Windows
iPhone users aren't the only ones who will get free access to AT&T's 17,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, as the company is also opening the doors to its 3G customers signed up for LaptopConnect plans. But the offer has one catch: it requires Windows.
AT&T recently signed a deal to power the Wi-Fi networks at all Starbucks and Barnes and Noble locations, boosting its hotspot number by 7,000. As part of the agreement, it decided to grant iPhone users free access to its network. AT&T is the exclusive iPhone carrier in the United States, giving it an incentive to support those users.
Beta test of a wireless headset for office workers
Beta testing firm Centercode is seeking testers to try out a new wireless headset designed for office environments that promises unparalleled range and audio quality. Individuals must work in actual offices in the United States or Europe.
Testers must already be users of an advanced telephone system (PBX,NBX, VoIP), and spend three or more hours a day on the phone. Those who participate in this test will also be eligible to join future beta tests held by Centercode, which works with companies such as Adobe, Apple and Palm. To apply, visit the beta test callout page.
Adobe updates DNG photo format, adds Vista support
Download Adobe DNG Codec for Windows Vista RC1 from BetaNews FileForum now.
Adobe's Digital Negative specification, also known as the DNG format, was updated Tuesday, as the company pushes it to become a unified standard for working with raw photographic images taken by digital cameras.
Apple signs on HBO for iTunes Store, giving in to variable pricing
As rumored, Apple has forged a deal with HBO to make available for download the channel's content, including episodes of "Sex and the City," "The Sopranos" and critically acclaimed crime drama "The Wire."
The new offering is a big step forward for the video portion of Apple's iTunes Store, which has been growing but has seen fairly slow adoption for sales of TV shows and movies. HBO holds the rights to some of television's biggest series', and its customers are already accustomed to paying extra for its programming.
Texas tells Amazon: Don't mess with us on taxes
Texas is investigating Amazon.com to see whether the online retailer may owe four years of back sales tax for purchases made by customers in the state, but Amazon claims it has fully complied with the law.
At issue is a distribution facility located in Irving, Texas that the retailer has operated since 2006. Before 2006, Amazon utilized a third party to fulfill orders in the state. The Texas Comptroller's Office is looking into whether the Irving location means Amazon has a physical presence in the state.
Microsoft sells two millionth Zune, but sales show little growth
Despite a complete revamp of its Zune portable media player last October and a new software update that brings TV downloads, sales of Microsoft's iPod rival have yet to increase.
In the two years since the device's launch, two million Zunes have reached customers. Although it took Apple's iPod more than two years to reach that same milestone, the industry has changed quite a bit. Apple dominates the market with a 71% share, and has sold 140 million iPods since the iconic player debuted in 2001.
Microsoft President Jeff Raikes leaving to head Gates Foundation
27-year Microsoft veteran Jeff Raikes, who heads the company's Office and business software division, is leaving to become CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the organization announced Monday.
Raikes will take the reigns from Patty Stonesifer, also a former Microsoft executive, who has served as CEO for the foundation since its inception in 1997. Stonesifer said in February that she planned to step aside by the end of the year. Raikes will begin full-time work for the Gates Foundation in September.
Apple stops selling current iPhone, as 3G speculation grows
Many signs have long pointed to a 3G iPhone launch next month, and the speculation grew even louder over the weekend as Apple stopped selling the current 8GB and 16GB models from its online store.
The iPhone becoming "Currently Unavailable" from Apple followed UK wireless carrier O2 posting a message saying that it was temporarily no longer offering the device either. However, O2 later put back on sale the 16GB iPhone without further explanation.
Microsoft drops $50 billion bid to acquire Yahoo
In a statement issued late Saturday, Microsoft announced it has withdrawn its proposal to acquire Yahoo. Speculation surrounding the status of the $50 billion deal has escalated since Microsoft CFO Chris Liddell's deadline of last weekend passed.
"We continue to believe that our proposed acquisition made sense for Microsoft, Yahoo! and the market as a whole. Our goal in pursuing a combination with Yahoo! was to provide greater choice and innovation in the marketplace and create real value for our respective stockholders and employees," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in the statement.
Apple to take on Blockbuster with same-day movie releases? Not so fast.
Today's news that Apple will offer movies for download on the same day as their DVD release was widely interpreted as a major breakthrough that will put iTunes in direct competition with Blockbuster. But there's a catch: Apple will only sell the movies, not rent them.
Movie download services ranging from CinemaNow to Vudu to iTunes have long been hamstrung by availability problems. Some movies can be purchased while others can be rented, and there is usually a delay before the films are available for download after their release on DVD.
Jajah to handle voice calling in Yahoo Messenger
In a move that could greatly expand the customer base of the growing voice over IP provider, Jajah has inked a deal to power the calling features in Yahoo's Messenger client.
Yahoo is making use of Jajah's new Managed Services offering, in which companies can outsource their Internet calls through Jajah's. Jajah handles the infrastructure, customer service and payments, taking a cut of revenues in the process.
Centercode seeks mobile phone beta testers for study
Beta testing firm Centercode is seeking individuals that work or live in the greater New York Metropolitan area to help in a study related to mobile phone service. Although no new products will actually be tested, the study is a chance to help improve signal quality for both calls and data.
Those who participate in this test will also be eligible to join future beta tests held by Centercode, which works with companies such as Adobe, Apple and Palm. Requirements for the study are an active cellular plan with 600 or more prime time minutes. This test will consist of using the phone to perform various tasks and reporting on the successes and failures.
Microsoft's 'Live Mesh' aims to become the universal window to the Web
Microsoft has taken the wraps off a Technology Preview of its new Live Mesh platform, which promises to connect disparate devices so they can seamlessly share information. But beyond the surface, Live Mesh portends that Microsoft doesn't just want to compete on the Web; it wants to be the Web.
The brainchild of Redmond's new Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie and in development for two years, Live Mesh is a bold endeavor that, if successful, could change the way PCs and other devices interact with Internet services and each other. Microsoft wants data and applications to be accessible from anywhere -- online and off -- using any device.
Microsoft's Live Mesh broken down into bullet points
Microsoft's just-announced Live Mesh platform is a complex offering that can be difficult to understand, even to those familiar with the company's typical marketing-speak and software-plus-services buzzwords. In turn, we have broken down Live Mesh into some easily digestible bullet points.
- What is launching today is an initial look at Live Mesh's core experience for consumers. It has two key components: an online service that lets users register their devices, and a 2MB software client -- called the Mesh Operating Environment -- that links and integrates the service into Windows.
Seagate ships its billionth hard drive, promises 2 B in five years
In just under 30 years, Seagate has become the first manufacturer to ship one billion hard drives, and it expects to double that number within the next five.
In recent years, worldwide shipments of hard drives has soared -- a statistic that's not surprising considering the advent of portable digital media players and rising demand for laptops, which are typically replaced much sooner than traditional desktop PCs, as well as online data storage.
© 1998-2024 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy.