AOL Reaches 'Tahiti' with Client Upgrade
After a long journey, America Online has landed at "Tahiti." Code-name for an updated version of the AOL 9 Optimized client software, Tahiti is being distributed to customers through AOL's worldwide network of marketing channels.
With Tahiti, AOL continues with its strategy of releasing more frequent client updates to stave off subscriber exodus by adding premium features and improving the service's broadband experience. In this release, AOL places a premium on security, personalization, and overall service enhancements.
Google Groups 2 Beta Brings Personalization Features
A beta version of an overhauled Google Groups has made its debut among the company's plethora of online services. Since purchasing Deja.com and bringing order to a Usenet archive of over 500 million posts, Google has compiled a list of customer submitted feature requests, with a premium on personalization and notification services.
Google Groups 2 sports a redesigned user interface that enables users to track, sort and mark up favorite topics and conversations.
Microsoft Delays Virtual PC 7 for Mac
Microsoft has decided to amend Virtual PC 7's beta test period. Citing a more rigorous testing schedule and delays in Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft will now ship Virtual PC 7 in the second half of 2004. As a result, the release date of one edition of Office 2004 for Mac will also slip into the future.
The development cycle of VPC7 was initially rooted in the Office timeline; however the demands of quality assurance and the product team's desire to bundle the most current version of Windows with VCP led Microsoft toward a more realistic appraisal.
Sony Unveils Hard Drive Based VAIO for Music, Video
Sony Japan is taking aim at the iPod with a new extension to its VAIO product line. The VAIO Pocket VGF-AP1 sports a 20GB hard drive, competitive with the market's invoked set of high-end music players. Sony's adoption of large capacity storage marks a sea change from its heavy reliance on Walkman minidisc recorders.
The player is capable of displaying digital photos through its 2.2 inch 320x256 color LCD display, making a competitive play towards rival Microsoft's upcoming Portable Media Center class of devices that also support digital imagery. Digital cameras may connect via USB to the player's cradle to transfer images.
Halo 2 Prepped for Holiday Xbox Launch
The countdown to Halo 2 has begun. The long waited sequel to Bungie Studios' smash hit Halo will hit the shelves November 9, just in time for the holiday season.
In Halo 2, the Covenant -- an alien race bent on the absolute destruction of mankind -- has targeted Earth. All that stands between the citizens of the blue orb and annihilation is a genetically altered "super solider" named Master Chief.
Google Unveils Refreshed Blogger
Coasting on the high of its multi-billion dollar initial public offering, Google has introduced a new iteration of its Blogger Web service. Blogger is a self-publishing tool that dates back to 1999, intended to allow users to share a bubbling mass of opinions, thoughts, fears and desires with a worldwide audience.
The redesigned Blogger touts a cleaned up user interface, author profiles, shared comments, and allows authors to post by e-mail. Other improvements are template designs and the Blogger Dashboard - a "command center" to oversee every blog an author has editorial access to.
Lucid Improves Intrusion Prevention with ipANGEL Beta
Lucid Security is presently seeking testers to beta test ipANGEL, its "adaptive intelligence" intrusion prevention (IPS) and vulnerability assessment system. ipANGEL is designed to augment existing security gateways and prevent un-patched vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Once installed, ipANGEL automatically discovers hosts and applications, acquires firewall policy data, then runs checks for vulnerabilities. A company spokesperson claims that ipANGEL is currently the only self-tuning IPS.
Microsoft: SP2 Will Not Install on Pirated Copies of XP
Contrary to the remarks it made to the ComputerTimes, Microsoft now claims that it will not permit users who have obtained Windows XP illegally to upgrade to its latest service release. Instead, the software giant will continue to enforce compliance with its licensing.
In a nutshell, Microsoft group product manager Barry Goffe told ComputerTimes that Windows XP Service Pack 2 would not exclude pirated copies from upgrading, and that it was more important to keep user safe than to be "concerned about the revenue issue."
SnapStream Goes Wireless with 'Firefly' Remote
With the PC transforming into a veritable hub for home entertainment, SnapStream Media has cooked up a new take on the maturing concept of the universal remote.
SnapStream's Firefly PC Remote integrates with more than 80 popular digital media applications including media players, photo slides shows, as well as TV and DVD applications. To provide enlarged across-the-room viewing control, Firefly offers up what SnapStream has dubbed a "10-foot user interface."
Microsoft Testers Tapped for 'Vienna' Communications Server
Microsoft is publicizing the opening of a beta program for Office Live Communications Server 2005 (LCS 2005). Formerly known by the code-name "Vienna," Live Communications Server 2005 steps up Redmond's support for real-time communications in the fiercely competitive market for those services.
With the 2005 release of LCS, presence awareness is federated between organizations, and presence and instant messaging capabilities are extended outside of the corporate network. According to Microsoft, outside access does not require the establishment of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and is more secure than traditional secured socket access due to advanced user authentication.
'Stinger' Beta Improves DB2 Database Management
IBM is fleshing out its autonomic computing strategy in the realm of database management. The company has announced Stinger, a beta release of IBM's DB2 Universal Database, which boasts over 200 new features and tackles the tasks of simplifying database administration.
The new autonomic features ramp up the ability of customers to automatically deploy, configure and maintain DB2. With Stinger, IBM is claiming that complex jobs can be completed up to 6.5 times faster than if performed manually; freeing up resources to focus on data analysis, Web Services, integration, information lifecycle management, and other business processes.
Microsoft Officially Unveils Revamped Windows Media DRM
As first reported by BetaNews in March, Microsoft has developed a new version of its digital rights management (DRM) software code-named "Janus."
Microsoft on Monday formally announced Janus, as well as a sampling of the industry support that the technology has already received from backers such as America Online and Disney.
IBM 'Virtualization Engine' Maximizes Computing Power
In an effort to simplify virtual computing, IBM has glued together tools previously scattered across its eServer lineup and developed a preview of its Virtualization Engine. The software reclaims and consolidates unused processing power and storage systems with the end result being purely economic - customers acquire more "bang for the buck."
Big Blue's Virtualization Engine could be considered a jack of all trades. The technology partitions a single CPU into up to ten independent servers, harnesses the power of grid computing, manages mixed environments, and provides customers with storage virtualization.
iTunes 4.5 Brings Music Store Refresh, Free Songs
Apple is celebrating the one year anniversary of its iTunes Music Store by announcing that music downloads have surpassed 70 million songs, and issuing software updates for the iPod and iTunes.
The new wares extend iPod's functionality to support the third generation of iTunes, which Apple is banking on to maintain its market dominance. With 70 million downloads, Apple has secured its place as the world's most popular online music store despite the emergence of fierce competition.
Sony Preps EverQuest II Beta Test
Sony is following up the stunning commercial success of EverQuest -- a massively multiplayer fantasy roleplaying game played online -- with a much-anticipated sequel. Come May 3, 2004 at 10 AM PDT, Sony will throw open the gates around a world of dwarves, ogres, trolls, rangers, wizards, and rogues to a select group of beta testers.
EverQuest spawned the spin off Lords of EverQuest, and even found its way from being a title found exclusively on the Microsoft Windows platform to a Mac OS X port. In anticipation of EverQuest II, thousands of enthusiasts have flocked to the Web to catch a sneak peak at several teaser trailers that have made their way online.
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