Microsoft Uncages Zoo Tycoon 2
Zoo Tycoon 2 is on the loose. Microsoft Game Studios has uncaged the sequel to its successful 3-D zookeeper simulator, granting players -- who fill in as visitors and zoo keepers -- unprecedented access to the inner workings of a modern zoo. Player can get up close and personal with 30 of their favorite animals and learn more about them in the game's "Zoopedia." New building controls let players construct their own fantasy animal kingdoms with more depth, by including such things as: moats, foliage, animal shelters and other scenery. For more information, visit the Zoo Tycoon Web site.
Office 12 Spawns New Servers
According to Microsoft Watch, Microsoft's upcoming Office 12 productivity suite is expected to ship with an array of new server products riding on its coattails. These include an Excel Server, Visio Server and a potential server version of the InfoPath electronic forms application. This development has left the rumor mill whirling about potential Web services. Office 12 belongs to the Longhorn wave of products and is expected to ship after the wave crests in 2006 or later.
Google Enters Desktop Search Fight
Just as the lines are being drawn in the impending search wars, Google has fired the first shot and today launched a bold assault on the competition. Google has unveiled a long awaited beta of its desktop search engine technology.
Called Google Desktop Search, the software enables users to find files that are stored on their own computers in the same way they would retrieve data from the Web. The beta release comes just one day after BetaNews first reported that America Online had assembled its own desktop search.
Company Touts x86 Mac Emulator
Maui-X-Stream, a small Hawaiian company that develops streaming media technologies, has developed a low-cost emulator that they claim allows Apple's Mac OS X operating system to run on the x86 system architecture. The company announced the software, dubbed CherryOS, earlier this week and proclaimed it to be a breakthrough for home users, software developers and Web designers who operate Windows based PCs.
CherryOS runs as a virtual machine to mimic Mac G4 hardware on Windows PCs. The virtual machine has complete access to a system's hardware resources and networking capabilities. New hardware connections are automatically detected. For a genuine experience, the software's processor emulation includes support for the G4's "Velocity Engine" multimedia instruction set.
Microsoft Announces Media Center 2005
Microsoft has taken the wraps off of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Formerly known by its code-name "Symphony," the update centers around high-definition satellite and cable television. A well placed industry source told BetaNews that Microsoft may be setting its sights on TiVo by including enhanced digital video recording (DVR) capabilities that support two different TV tuners. Other added improvements are DVD burning, expanded support for portable devices and new user interface elements.
AOL Launches AIM Video Ads
Users of America Online's Instant Messenger (AIM) may have noticed that the software's advertising units have taken a creative leap to a more memorable message concept. Specifically, 30-second live action video shorts called AIM Buddy List Super Video. While it tests the concept, AOL has integrated controls which give users means to silence videos in an attempt to strike a balance between promotions and the quality of the AIM user experience.
Whether the ads pull well or not, the manner and expression of video advertisements consistently grabs the attention and interest of consumers better than other styles of advertising. But there is risk in this approach, namely, when the strategy overpowers the creative idea and crowds out the ad's message.
AOL Develops Desktop Search
According to sources familiar with testing, America Online is developing its own desktop search technology that will initially be added to the AOL Browser beta as early as the end of this week.
AOL's entry into the space pits it directly against rival Microsoft, which has designs for a desktop search engine of its own.
Microsoft Readies New Help and Support Site
Help is on the way - from Microsoft. The software giant is readying a new help and support Web site -- scheduled for the fall -- that has promised benefits such as product-specific troubleshooting and assisted support, centralized options, personalized views, and improved search functions. Microsoft has also simplified its incident submission process, providing easier access to outstanding support requests.
AOL Beta Tests IE Based Browser
As first reported by eWeek's Craig Newell, America Online is currently beta testing a dramatically modified Internet Explorer based Web browser it calls "AOL Browser."
AOL Browser is independent from the AOL client software and can be run as a standalone application. Although the browser is built on top of the Microsoft's IE core, many features that are found in AOL's Netscape have been included in the release.
MSN TV 2 Debuts
Microsoft's MSN business unit has announced the MSN TV 2 Internet and Media Player (formerly WebTV). Aside from being crammed full of new features, MSN TV 2 plays an important role as part of Microsoft's three-pronged approach to gaining a foothold in the living room.
MSN TV 2 provides users with a broadband Internet experience, premium MSN content, and the option to share files from networked PCs such as files, music and videos.
SnapStream Media Releases Beyond TV 3.5
Friday, SnapStream Media is scheduled to formally announce the release of Beyond TV 3.5. Beyond TV is personal video recording (PVR) software that is capable of recording as many shows at the same time as customers' PCs can handle -- without subscription fees. SnapStream users can watch, record and playback television programming from a variety of sources in a multitude of formats.
New features that have been added to Beyond TV since the software's January 2004 unveiling at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas include a home networking component, support for Microsoft Portable Media Center (PMC) devices, a smarter recording scheduler and improved navigation throughout the media library.
Google: Sending Out an SMS
Google has taken the wraps off of a beta release of Google SMS, a preliminary mock up of a service offering that extends Google's reach to cell phones and other handheld devices.
Participants can write and send specialized queries to Google's 5-digit U.S. shortcode to find out what they are looking for within a specified zip code. Google SMS returns names, addresses and the phone numbers of local businesses and residences; provides a dictionary lookup, and compares product prices between local retail stores.
Mandrakesoft Linux is on the Move
Mandrakesoft is on the Move. "Move" is geared specifically toward beginners to eschew the perception that Linux is too complex to be viable on the desktop. Move does not even require installation nor does it make any changes to the host system; in fact, the entire operating system runs from a single compact disc. Users simply boot from the CD on any compatible PC.
Move, formerly MandrakeMove, draws on the portability of USB keys to allow users to carry around up to 1.5 GB of files and settings wherever they may go. USB keys also store hardware profiles for shorter startup times on subsequent boots.
Microsoft Relaunches Search Engine Demo
Microsoft is once again allowing beta testers to jump the velvet ropes surrounding its MSN search engine. Microsoft's Internet search division has opened up a second preview, offering a glimpse into the sweeping changes changes that have been made since phase one of the test was suspended in August.
As first reported by eWeek, Microsoft has retooled the engine's advanced algorithms and thickened its hips with a Web index that is roughly five times stouter than before. The search engine was released in the United States on Monday, and according to reports, will gradually go live in 29 other markets by Thursday.
Halo 2 Released for Certification
Bungie Studios has commenced the final countdown to Halo 2. Halo 2, a wildly popular Xbox title, has been turned over for release to certification (RTC). Barring any last minute showstoppers, the game is scheduled to hit the shelves November 9 -- just in time for the holidays. In Halo 2, the Covenant -- an invasive alien race bent on the destruction of mankind -- has set its sights on Earth. All that stands between the citizens of Earth and total annihilation is a genetically altered "super solider" named Master Chief. Halo 2 is available via preorder from most retail outlets.
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