Does Live.com Mean the End of MSN?
One of the most frequently asked questions following the Windows Live launch on Tuesday has been: "What happens to MSN?" Microsoft executives were quick to reassure that the online brand will survive. But with Messenger, Search, Mail and more becoming Windows Live services, what's left for MSN?
The answer isn't yet clear and will likely only come into focus once Microsoft's next-generation products begin rolling out next year. What is known is that most existing MSN services will get the new Windows Live moniker.
Web Based Microsoft Gadgets Go 'Live'
As part of its Windows Live unveiling Tuesday, Microsoft rolled out a new version of MicrosoftGadgets.com, which serves host to mini-applications that can reside either in Windows Vista's Sidebar or on the new Live.com Web site. The company is offering up three Xbox 360 consoles to spur development of Live.com Gadgets.
"The Microsoft Gadget platform is much more than just desktop items- it will connect Windows and the Web," says Microsoft product manager Sean Alexander. "Start.com was just the beginning." Current Web-based Gadgets include Virtual Earth and Flickr. A tutorial is available for would-be developers.
Sony Releases PSP Media Manager Tool
Sony's PlayStation Portable soared off store shelves with the promise of the first true portable entertainment experience: in addition to video games it plays music and movies, photo slideshows and even supports Web browsing. But getting content onto the PSP has proven easier said than done.
On Tuesday, Sony responded to the complaints by releasing the PSP Media Manager, a software application designed to ease the process of transferring content to the device. Using thumbnail navigation, users can select photos and videos to be converted into formats the PSP supports.
Opera Browser Takes to the Skies
Not content with just shipping its Web browser in mobile devices and on the desktop, Opera Software is expanding its horizons to in-flight entertainment systems. As part of a deal announced Tuesday, Opera will be offered as part of the Thales TopSeries System to provide airline passengers with a full Internet experience.
Thales is currently in use by a number of airlines worldwide and functions on most new Boeing and Airbus jets. Opera's international support was named as a key reason for its selection. "Opera's speed, small-size and Extensible Rendering Architecture (ERA), coupled with its headache-free portability to Linux devices, make it the natural choice for new Internet devices and use cases," Christen Krogh, Opera's VP of Engineering, said in a statement.
Oracle Releases Beta of Free Database
The free open source database leader MySQL has some new competition from expensive enterprise database leader Oracle. The company on Monday unveiled a beta release of 10g Express Edition, otherwise known as Oracle Database XE, which is free to develop, deploy and distribute.
Oracle's new edition is aimed at students, small organizations and software developers looking to integrate a database into their applications. Although it offers the same core as Oracle's more pricey business offerings, XE is limited to systems with a single processor, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of database storage space.
Supreme Court: No to IE Patent Case
The United States Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear an appeal by Microsoft regarding its patent lawsuit brought by Eolas and the University of California over the way Internet Explorer utilizes browser plug-ins.
The decision is the second legal setback for Microsoft in as many months. In late September, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office upheld Eolas' patent, which Microsoft claimed should be invalidated by prior art. Microsoft said it would turn to the courts to have the patent nullified.
Steve Case Leaves Time Warner Board
America Online founder Steve Case announced on Monday he was finally leaving Time Warner behind, resigning from his board of directors position. The former company Chairman following AOL's doomed merger with Time Warner in 2000 says he will devote more time to his new health care investment company, Revolution.
"Leaving Time Warner's Board will give me a greater opportunity to grow Revolution, including avoiding any potential conflicts of interest as Revolution moves into new areas," Case said in a statement. Other executives at the time of the merger, including Gerald Levin and Bob Pittman, have previously left Time Warner.
Telefonica to Buy O2 for $31.4 Billion
Spanish telephone giant Telefonica SA has announced plans to purchase British mobile phone company O2 -- formerly known as BT Wireless -- in a blockbuster deal valued at $31.4 billion. O2 currently boasts 25 million customers across the UK, Ireland and Germany.
The deal, which is expected to close in January, follows Telefonica's $3.3 billion purchase of a majority stake in Czech wireless carrier Cesky Telekom. Telefonica Chairman Cesar Alierta said the O2 purchase will give the company a much-needed boost in Europe after expanding its Latin American operations.
Microsoft Offers SPOT Watch Upgrades
In an effort to keep people subscribed to its MSN Direct service, Microsoft is offering owners of a first-generation SPOT watch a free upgrade if they renew their contract. The offer applies to owners of a Abacus, Fossil or Suunto n3 SPOT watch and will last only as long as supplies last.
According to SpotStop.com, Microsoft wants to reward those who signed up to the service during its early stages. Those eligible will receive a same-brand upgrade, meaning Suunto n3 owners can obtain a second-generation Suunto n3i. To apply for the free upgrade, customers must call 866-676-8487 with their MSN Direct and watch model information handy.
Microsoft May Pull Windows from Korea
In its quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Microsoft made an interesting disclosure about an ongoing investigation by the Korean antitrust agency: it may delay future versions of Windows in South Korea or pull the operating system from the country altogether.
The Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) is looking into allegations that Microsoft violated antitrust laws by bundling services such as streaming media and instant messaging. The complaints first came from Korea's Internet portal Daum Communications and later by RealNetworks.
Microsoft CRM 3.0 Beta Now Available
.NET Framework 2.0 Final Released
In preparation for the launch of Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005 on November 7, the final release of the .NET Framework 2.0 is now available for download. Version 2.0 serves at the underpinnings for next-generation Windows applications and will be integrated into Windows Vista.
According to Microsoft, the new release "improves scalability and performance of applications with improved caching, application deployment and updating with ClickOnce, support for the broadest array of browsers and devices with ASP.NET 2.0 controls and services." Download the .NET Framework 2.0 from FileForum.
Visual Studio, SQL Server 2005 Go Gold
Microsoft on Thursday released to manufacturing Visual Studio 2005 and SQL Server 2005, just over a week before the products make their official debut at a gala event in San Francisco. Downloads of the next-generation development products will be available for MSDN subscribers later today.
"Microsoft has noted since it began development of these products that it will ship when customers have indicated the products are ready," a company spokesperson told BetaNews, hinting at the numerous delays. "Today's RTM milestone is evidence that Microsoft's customers have given the company the 'OK' to sign, seal and deliver the latest evolution of its application platform."
SBC to Change Name to AT&T
Once its $16 billion merger with AT&T closes next month, SBC says it will adopt the AT&T, Inc. name and introduce a new logo for the company. SBC has always said it planned to use the AT&T brand, but the announcement confirms the end of the SBC name for the company's products and services.
"The AT&T name has a proud and storied heritage, as well as unparalleled recognition around the globe among both businesses and consumers," SBC CEO Edward Whitacre said in a statement. "No name is better-suited than AT&T to represent the new company's passion to deliver innovation, reliability, quality, integrity and unsurpassed customer care."
Coalition Posts Spyware Risk Guidelines
The Anti-Spyware Coalition published new guidelines on Thursday designed to help consumers assess whether or not a software product is considered spyware. The group also revised an earlier draft of definitions that differentiate between acceptable and invasive advertising.
With 43 percent of Internet users reporting they have been infected with spyware, tools to detect and remove the malicious applications have become a prerequisite for PC users. But much confusion still exists on what constitutes spyware and adware, which has led to improper classification and even lawsuits.
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