AirPort Express Takes iTunes Wireless
iTunes has taken to the airwaves. Apple's new AirPort Express -- an 802.11g mobile base station -- provides the usual wireless Internet and printing that
customers have come to expect from the AirPort, but with a twist: it
broadcasts music.
AirPort Express performs in harmony with Apple's new AirTunes software to let users stream music throughout their homes within a working range of 150 feet. For whatever reason, if that distance does not satisfy consumer needs, multiple AirPorts can be daisy chained together to extend the reach of AirTunes.
RSA Joins Microsoft to Secure Windows Passwords
Microsoft and RSA Security are cooperatively developing a replacement for
traditional Windows passwords, which generates passwords by using a SecureID token. SecureID tokens are essentially PIN numbers that are refreshed at frequent intervals to add another layer of protection to network security.
Microsoft faced criticism over its Windows password implementation when Swiss researchers published a paper citing a weakness in Windows encryption that allowed passwords to be revealed in an average time of 13.6 seconds.
'Europa' Beta Remodels Visual FoxPro
Microsoft has breathed some life into its Visual FoxPro development suite. A public beta of "Europa," the next incarnation of FoxPro, is available
for downloads as part of a public beta program. Thousands of existing FoxPro users will be able to upgrade and reap the benefits of a remodeled user interface, as well as IntelliSense support and other improvements. Europa is due out by the end of the year.
Media Center Edition 2005 Beta 2 Ships
Enthusiast site Neowin is reporting that a second beta of Windows XP
Media Center Edition 2005, code-named Symphony, has been
made available to testers. MCE 2005 will incorporate the enhancements of
Windows XP Service Pack 2, as well as Windows Media Player 10 technology. Symphony is expected to debut new digital media
experiences for customers, and places a premium on television.
Windows Media Player 10 Beta Debuts
Two and a half years after previewing the previous "Corona" generation of its media platform, Microsoft has let loose a technical beta of Windows Media Player 10.
Windows Media Player 10 includes additional access to online music stores, as well as increased support for digital media devices. On the outside, the beta features an improved user interface and an enhanced jukebox mode.
Trend Micro Tests Updated 'VirusWall' for Linux
Trend Micro is ratcheting up its support for Linux with the upcoming release of InterScan VirusWall 5.0 (ISVW), currently entering beta testing. InterScan VirusWall is an all-in-one antivirus, anti-spam and content security solution geared toward small- and medium-sized businesses.
Along with numerous enhancements to its portfolio of features, the product touts a simplified configuration manager intended to reduce day-to-day maintenance for organizations with scarce IT resources.
Mac OS X Panther Updated to 10.3.4
Apple this week released a minor update to Mac OS X Panther. The upgrade brings OS X up to 10.3.4, and is a recommended update for all Panther users. 10.3.4 offers improved reliability and enhanced functionality.
Areas of that see changes include: printing and faxing, Finder, iPod and peripheral devices, networking and .Mac, Mail and Address Book, as well as security. Apple has also included new graphics drivers.
Microsoft Unveils Visual Studio Team System
At the Tech Ed conference in San Diego, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced Visual Studio Team System. Visual Studio Team System expands the Visual Studio line of products into the lifecycle tools market and is part of the company's new Microsoft Solutions System.
Visual Studio Team System, formerly know as "Burton," helps IT decision makers and project heads work better with developers to build "enterprise grade" applications. In order to facilitate better coordination between groups, Burton enables real time data gathering; resulting in Microsoft's claim that organizations will require fewer status meetings and roles.
RIAA Targets Over 500 Additional Music Swappers
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is mounting a new offensive against illegal file sharers. This time around, the RIAA is suing 493 "John Doe" defendants, along with 24 named defendants who had previously been included on earlier John Doe lists and failed to settle out of court.
In its ongoing campaign against copyright infringement, the RIAA has sued over 3,000 individuals since September 2003 - including a 12 year-old girl. It has settled out of court with over 400 of those defendants, with payouts averaging roughly $3,000 USD.
Windows Update Refreshed as XP SP2 Nears
A second release candidate of Windows XP Service Pack 2 may be inching closer. BetaNews has received word that Windows Update V5 has reached RC2.
Windows Update V5 presents users with a less cluttered interface, resumes interrupted downloads, toggles between custom and express installations, customized downloads that utilize improved patching technology, only the latest updates, and drastically improved automatic updating.
MSN Testers Receive New 'Butterfly'
MSN testers will soon find out whether it's better with the butterfly. "Butterfly," code-name for the MSN 9.1 beta program, is now available for download at BetaPlace.
Some of the perks MSN is offering testers are four free months of MSN and free dial-up access as needed. Testers are asked to fill out a short pre-installation survey prior to downloading the software.
Microsoft Ships Office 2004 for Mac
Office 2004 for Mac OS X has arrived. This week, copies of the productivity suite began hitting store shelves. Microsoft has promised users new tools to manage information, as well as the ability to create "stunning" documents.
To deliver on its promises, Microsoft's Macintosh Business Unit has included charting improvements for Excel, new 'smart' buttons in Word and Excel, more than 100 new design templates, new animation and transitions in PowerPoint, and a save as picture function.
AOL Goes Light with 'Strauss' Client
As the competition heats up between America Online and Microsoft, the frequency of client updates has the potential to leave some users behind. To avoid squeezing out paying customers, AOL is preparing a slimmed-down client code-named "Strauss," which is optimized for PCs with limited RAM.
Customers who were previously unable to upgrade due to outdated hardware will be able to experience features that were unavailable with the full-fledged client.
Apple to Slow Mac OS X Updates
Apple will halt its steady succession of upgrades to Mac OS X and take up a slower, more sustainable pace. According to reports, Apple Chief Software Technology Officer Avie Tevanian made such remarks during his talk at the SIIA Enterprise Software Summit 2004.
Since its inception, three major revisions have been issued for OS X with yet another on the way code-named "Tiger." Apple has announced that CEO Steve Jobs will kick off the Worldwide Developers Conference with a keynote address on June 28 at 10:00 AM PST. In his keynote, Jobs will reveal Tiger's stripes with a preview of the operating system.
AOL Composes 'Fanfare' for Broadband
America Online has begun preliminary testing for a new product code-named "Fanfare," which will provide broadband subscribers with a next generation alternative to the classic AOL client software.
While Fanfare will initially emerge as an evolutionary improvement to AOL Communicator, the software is poised to become the vehicle that will deliver AOL's Open Client Platform initiative known as "Copland."
© 1998-2025 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy.