Office 12 to Feature 'Super Tooltips'
Tooltips, those little yellow popup boxes that provide information on a button or menu option, have become an indispensable part of the modern user interface. Now, Microsoft is looking to extend their usefulness by introducing what it calls "Super Tooltips" in the upcoming release of Office 12.
The next-generation Office suite from Microsoft is already slated to bring a major UI makeover. Standard toolbars have been replaced with task-oriented "Ribbons" that include features pertinent to the current job. But such a change will require a learning curve, which is where the new larger tooltips come in.
Microsoft to Modify ActiveX in IE Update
In order to avoid infringing on a controversial patent that it has been struggling to battle in court, Microsoft has decided to change the way Internet Explorer loads embedded ActiveX controls. An update for IE will be rolled out early next year, the company says.
The patent involving the mechanisms used to embed interactive programs in a Web browser is owned by Eolas Technology and backed by the University of California. 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.
Microsoft Refreshes WinFS Beta 1
Now that Visual Studio 2005 is out the door and the .NET Framework 2.0 has been released, Microsoft has issued an updated build of WinFS Beta 1 to MSDN subscribers. WinFS is Microsoft's new SQL-based file system technology that is slated for release as an add-on shortly after Windows Vista.
The idea of WinFS is to create a "sea of data" that abolishes the need for the standard file and folder hierarchy. For example, no longer would documents need to be stored in My Documents or images in My Pictures; instead, Windows would simply display the files associated with a particular request on demand.
AOL Releases Standalone Security App
In an effort to better protect its members from the ever-increasing tide of worms, viruses, spyware and other security risks, AOL on Friday rolled out a standalone application called Safety and Security Center. The tool fills the gaps in Windows with antivirus, anti-spyware, and firewall protection.
AOL has tapped McAfee to provide the virus scanning engine and firewall, which is designed to protect both dial-up and broadband Internet users. AOL Spyware Protection 2.0, meanwhile, utilizes Computer Associate's PestPatrol technology to remove over 28,000 different spyware and malware programs.
MS Standardizes Shared Source Exec
Jason Matusow has headed up Redmond's Shared Source initiative for the past five years, but now Microsoft has tasked him with a more important job: evangelizing its embrace of open standards. Matusow announced in his blog that he has taken a new role as Director in the Corporate Standards Strategy Team.
Although Matusow didn't detail what he would do in the position, it's likely the shared source veteran will help with Microsoft's new open standards efforts in Office 12. "I'll still be opining about OSS, particularly as it is so closely related to what I am going to be doing in the standards space," Matusow assured. Microsoft Linux Lab head Bill Hilf will take over as "the Shared Source guy."
IE Flaw Puts Google Desktop at Risk
Internet Explorer is not having a good week. After the discovery of an unpatched flaw in the ubiquitous Web browser and code to exploit it prompted Microsoft to issue a public advisory, a new vulnerability has been found that puts users of Google Desktop at risk -- even if they are running a fully patched system.
Uncovered by Israeli hacker Matan Gillon, the security hole involves a problem with the way IE imports cascading style sheets (CSS) from other Web sites, a technique referred to as cross site scripting (XSS). IE will import any type of file with a bracket, regardless of whether or not it's valid CSS.
Fox: No Plans to Support HD DVD
In the ongoing battle between still-unreleased next-generation DVD formats, Fox Filmed Entertainment has already chosen sides. The studio says it sees Sony's Blu-ray as the clear winner due to PlayStation 3 support, and, unlike other studios, will not produce movies in HD DVD.
The public backing by Fox comes amid wavering support from the computer industry due to Blu-ray's restrictive copy-protection scheme. HP has retreated from Blu-ray's camp after Intel and Microsoft strongly pledged their support for HD DVD instead.
AOL Loses Executive Behind AIM Triton
Chamath Palihapitiya, who took charge of AOL's instant messaging division last year and spearheaded the development of AIM Triton, is leaving the company and plans to join venture capital firm Mayfield Fund next year. AOL has not yet named a successor to fill the position.
Palihapitiya was given control over the largest IM network amid heavy pressure from rivals Microsoft and Yahoo, and inherited a stagnating AIM client. He shifted the focus to promoting AOL content through AIM and turned market share losses into gains. AIM Triton 1.0 launched last week to serve as AOL's new all-in-one communications suite.
Google Adds Virus Scanning to Gmail
Google on Wednesday silently added a new feature to its Gmail service: virus scanning. The company will now check all incoming and outgoing e-mail attachments to keep users' inboxes safe. By scanning outbound attachments, Google can also keep viruses from proliferating by way of Gmail.
"If a virus is found in an attachment you've received, our system will attempt to remove it, or clean the file, so you can still access the information it contains. If the virus can't be removed from the file, you won't be able to download it," reads a notice in the Gmail Help Center.
Sunbelt Saves Kerio Personal Firewall
Sunbelt Software, maker of a number of security and anti-spyware applications, has saved the day by acquiring Kerio Personal Firewall, which was due to be discontinued at the end of the year. Sunbelt says it will continue to offer a free version of the firewall for home users.
Initially, the product will be re-branded as "Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall," and support will continue for all existing customers. The full version of KPF will be offered at reduced pricing and both Sunbelt and Kerio customers will receive special offers, the company said.
Adware Company Sues Zone Labs
Adware software provider 180Solutions has filed suit against security company Zone Labs for what it claims are "false and misleading statements about 180's products" within the popular ZoneAlarm tool. ZoneAlarm alerts users to the existence of 180's Zango software, and says it may log keystrokes and track Web sites visited.
The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of King County, Washington, alleges that Zone Labs has caused "thousands of 180's customers to remove or otherwise uninstall Zango and/or 180SA. 180 has been damaged by the wrongful removal of its applications caused by ZoneLab's tortious conduct."
Microsoft India Sings About Developers
Last month, Microsoft Korea posted a rap and accompanying music video to celebrate the launch of Visual Studio 2005. Now, Indian rock group Parikrama has created a song to honor the arrival of Bill Gates in India on December 9, where he will herald the arrival of Microsoft's next-generation developer tools.
"Called 'Superhero' the song is about the life of a programmer," reads the Microsoft India Web site. "Afternoon comes when everyone eats," the song goes, "Staring down at lines on his L.C.D screen, Cracking up the code, faster than the speed of light."
Dell Returns to Store Shelves -- Sort Of
Dell has forged a deal with Costco that will put its personal computers on store shelves for the first time in 15 years. The leading PC manufacturer left the retail market in 1990, but has decided to sell a handful of older Dimension 4700 desktops and Inspiron 2200 laptops through Costco.
Costco had previously offered Dell systems on its Web site, but never in actual brick and mortar stores. Although the deal is a departure from the company's usual sales methodology, don't expect to see Dell systems in other stores anytime soon. Dell officials say the Costco deal is designed to offload older inventory, and it has no plans to return to retail.
Windows Live Mail Beta Refreshed
Microsoft on Wednesday began rolling out Milestone 4 of its new Windows Live Mail beta, formerly known by the code-name Kahuna. The update adds support for Web browsers beyond IE6 and implements a number of new features such as spell checking and resizable window panes.
When complete, Windows Live Mail will serve as the next-generation Hotmail, offering an application-like interface for viewing and sending e-mails online. The service has been rebuilt from the ground up to be fast and safe using Microsoft's AJAX-based Atlas framework and a new architecture known as FireAnt.
MP3tunes Debuts Online Music Storage
MP3.com founder Michael Robertson is reviving an old service with a new twist as part of his new venture called MP3tunes. The company on Wednesday launched Oboe, an online music storage locker that offers syncing and streaming capabilities. But is Robertson setting himself up for another attack by the RIAA?
The new service is designed to rid users of having to carry around their music around wherever they go. "It makes more sense to safely store your music online and sync it or stream it to all the places you listen to music, which is exactly what Oboe makes possible," Robertson says.
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