eBay Acquires Skype for $2.6 Billion
Confirming rumors the two companies were in talks, eBay on Monday announced it would acquire Internet telephony provider Skype for $2.6 billion in cash and stock, with another $1.5 billion contingent on performance. Skype will be used to facilitate communication between eBay's buyers and sellers.
The move marks a major strategy shift for the ten-year-old company and a dramatic departure from past acquisitions. However, with eBay's stock price stagnant for much of the past year, eBay is looking for ways to restart growth as its core business matures.
Microsoft Cancels Patch Tuesday
UPDATED Barely 24 hours after giving advanced notice of its monthly "Patch Tuesday" fixes, Microsoft late Friday said that it was scrapping the updates over a "quality issue." Microsoft had planned to release a single bulletin for a critical vulnerability affecting Windows.
"Late in the testing process, Microsoft encountered a quality issue that necessitated the update to go through additional testing and development before it is released," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews. "Microsoft is committed to only releasing high quality updates that fix the issues in question, and therefore we feel it is in the best interest of our customers to not release this update until it undergoes further testing."
Beta Test Comic Book Creation Software
Centercode is seeking beta testers for a new software application that automates the creation of comic books compete with bubble text using in-game screenshots, family photos, sports and other pictures. The test is open to users with Windows XP or Windows 2000 SP4.
Testers are recommended to have experience using graphical editing or layout software. Benefits for those who apply include priority selection on future Centercode beta tests as well as hardware and software incentives. More information and signup details can be found on the Centercode Callout.
Can Microsoft Out-Google Google?
For the past decade, Microsoft has largely ignored the Web as an emerging platform for application development with fears that it could render Windows obsolete. But that will all change next week, as Microsoft unveils a new strategy for transforming its Web properties into an open platform for developers.
The shift is a direct attack on Google, which has dominated the online space using that very same technique. Most of Google's offering, from its Search to Maps service to Desktop Sidebar all provide methods for third parties to extend -- and improve on -- the technologies.
Security Vulnerability Threatens Firefox
A security researcher has issued an advisory on a new vulnerability in Firefox that could lead to the remote execution of arbitrary code. The flaw was first reported to Mozilla developers by Tom Ferris earlier this week, but he opted to publicly disclose the problem following a disagreement.
The vulnerability relates to Firefox's handling of IDN, or international domain names, and can be exploited by long Web links that contain dashes. The flaw causes a buffer overflow and opens the door for malicious code to be run on a PC.
Firefox 1.5 Beta 1 Unleashed
Mozilla has released the first beta of the long-awaited Firefox 1.5, the first major milestone since Firefox 1.0 debuted last November. The new release, code-named Deer Park, brings to the table a number of performance and usability improvements, along with new Web standards support.
Enhancements in Beta 1 include a better software update system to serve browser upgrades, the ability to reorder tabs through drag and drop functionality, and improved pop-up blocking. A new feature quickly clears private data using a menu item or keyboard shortcut.
Microsoft Outlines Xbox Live Changes
With the forthcoming launch of the Xbox 360, Microsoft's online gaming service Xbox Live is taking center stage. The next-gen console will come with a free basic, or Silver, subscription to Microsoft's online community, but the company has also announced offerings for those who want multiplayer features.
Silver Xbox Live users can create their own gamertag and personalized profile, along with sending text and voice messages to other players. In addition, Silver members receive access to the Marketplace where they can purchase game add-ons such as weapons, new levels, and additional characters.
Apple Announces New iPod: Nano
Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Wednesday surprised attendees at a special event in San Francisco by introducing a completely new addition to its popular iPod line that will replace the iPod mini. The wafer-thin iPod Nano sports a color screen and holds 1,000 songs in a form factor slimmer than a #2 pencil.
The iPod Nano is "an entirely new ground-up design," Jobs said. Smaller than even Motorola's RAZR phone, the Nano weighs in at just 1.5 ounces. The player is 62 percent smaller than the Mini and 80 percent smaller than the original iPod.
Apple Introduces iTunes 5
At a special event in San Francisco Wednesday, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the fifth generation iTunes client, which brings to the table a number of new features along with additions to the iTunes Music Store. Jobs also announced that Apple has surpassed 10 million iTunes accounts.
iTunes 5 closely resembles version 4 with minor adjustments to the user interface. Playlists can now be organized into folders and a new search bar can seek out specific types of content, such as podcasts or albums. The beefed up search bar has also been to the iTunes Music Store.
Microsoft Touts 'Centro' for Businesses
"Today's business software doesn't look enough like today's businesses," says Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. With that in mind, Redmond has unveiled a new platform designed specifically for midsize companies, which combines the next-generation Windows Server with Exchange and new management tools.
The midsize, or midmarket, segment is defined as organizations with between 25 and 500 PCs. Software companies have often ignored this market, instead building products designed for large enterprises or small businesses. But the number of midsized companies is rapidly growing, while IT options remain limited.
Transcript of Ballmer's Executive Memo
MS Takes On Intuit with New Software
At the company's Business Summit Wednesday, Microsoft formally unveiled a new accounting software package aimed at small and midsize businesses. Small Business Accounting 2006 is Microsoft's first shot at unseating market leader Intuit, which recently completed work on QuickBooks 2006.
On its own, Small Business Accounting 2006 will run $179.99 USD before a $30 mail-in rebate. A larger Small Business Management bundle adds the four Office System components -- Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint -- for $569.99 USD, with an upgrade available for $399.99 USD. A $100 mail-in rebate is available for the full package.
Microsoft Rolls Out New Hardware Line
Microsoft on Tuesday introduced six new mice and two keyboards as part of a revamped hardware lineup that features high-definition optics and advanced ergonomics. The new arrivals include Microsoft's first wired laser mouse designed specifically for gaming.
Three of Microsoft's new mice are for notebook users. The $54.95 USD Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000, $44.95 USD Wireless Notebook Optical Mouse 4000, and $34.95 USD Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 all boast a magnifying tool and new Tilt Wheel while remaining compact for those on the go.
Kazaa Ruled Illegal in Australia
In yet another milestone victory for the record industry over peer-to-peer networks, an Australian court has ruled that Kazaa is violating copyrights and gave the service two months to eliminate further piracy by its users.
Six of the 10 defendants were found guilty of infringing copyrights, including Sharman Networks, company CEO Nikki Hemming and Altnet, the company which created the software that powers Kazaa. They were ordered to pay 90 percent of the record industry's legal fees and a hearing will be scheduled to determine damages.
PayPal Blocks Hurricane Relief Funds
It's no secret that the widespread destruction of Hurricane Katrina was exacerbated by delayed relief efforts, but the latest victims of bureaucracy are those individuals simply trying to help out. Humor site Something Awful raised almost $28,000 in less than 9 hours - right up until PayPal froze the funds.
Something Awful's dedicated community may call themselves "goons," but they have historically been quick to respond when needed. The site previously raised $22,000 to fund armor plating for soldiers in Iraq. And the disaster unfolding in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf coast was no exception.
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