Toshiba Develops World's Smallest Hard Drive
Toshiba has announced what could very well be the world's tiniest hard disk drive with a form factor of a mere .85 inches and weight less than a third of one ounce.
The drive is expected to boost the storage capacity of consumer products such as mobile phones and PDAs, portable music players, digital cameras, as well as external storage devices.
New iLife, Xserve G5 and Mini iPods Grace Macworld
Apple has started the new year off with a bang - unveiling products ranging from a miniaturized iPod, to newly shrink wrapped software, to a G5 based server. CEO Steve Jobs delivered the bevy of offerings to Mac enthusiasts and business partners during his Macworld keynote address this week.
A new 4GB, 3.6 ounce iPod "mini" will come in an assortment of five colors and sell for $249 USD. Like its brethren, the iPod mini gives 25 minute skip protection with a battery life said to last up to 8 hours. Apple's latest portable music device comes in a scratch resistant casing with redesigned "Click Wheel." The mini comes ready with its own family of accessories.
OmniWeb 5.0 Previewed at Macworld
Omni Group, maker of the OmniWeb Web browser for Mac OS X is previewing version 5.0 of its wares at the Macworld Conference in San Francisco this week.
Changes in store for Mac users include: upgraded bookmarks, history, search shortcuts, AutoFill, revamped browser preferences, and an entirely new system of tabs. A public beta is due out February 2.
Macromedia Unveils Director MX 2004
Macromedia has updated its Director multimedia authoring tool with support for a variety of new features. Director MX 2004 seeks to bridge the Windows and Mac platforms.
According to Macromedia, the release is primarily geared toward making projects more interactive, and aims to make developers more efficient and productive.
Court: ISPs Not Required to Comply With RIAA
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia struck down a lower court's ruling requiring Internet providers to comply with copyright subpoenas served on behalf of the recording industry.
As a result, the Recording Industry Association of America's anti-piracy campaign waged against individuals downloading music now faces a major setback. Privacy advocates hail the decision as a blow against the RIAA's controversial solution to stem piracy.
Testers Receive Second ISA Server 2004 Beta
A second beta of Microsoft's ISA Server 2004, code-named "Stringray," has made its way into the hands of a select group of testers.
Stringray represents a major update of the server's architecture and is designed to ward off the latest worms and Internet attacks. The software augments existing security infrastructure and includes an enterprise firewall, overhauled virtual private networking and a Web cache solution.
Long Awaited Linux 2.6 Kernel Unleashed
After months of grueling testing, Linus Torvalds and Andrew Morton released the production version of the Linux 2.6 kernel, which rests at the heart of the Linux operating system.
The kernel carries a tide of change, including features such as support for new hardware and processors, better security and improved support for laptops. On top of the new features, performance has been tweaked so that users will see a more responsive system - even with a multitude of processes open.
New iTunes Brings AOL Content, Screen Names
Host Integration Server Set for 2004 Refresh
Earlier this week, Microsoft announced the beta availability of its Host Integration Server (HIS) 2004. The server is the latest member to join the Windows Server System, and includes support for XML Web services, Visual Studio .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework.
One of the product's main goals is to link mid-range systems to IBM mainframes in a cost effective manner. To achieve this objective, HIS includes features to secure cross-platform access, and improve application and data integration capabilities.
Sun Frees Solaris for x86 Platforms
Sun Microsystems took a global perspective when re-evaluating its download strategy for Solaris, the company's flagship operating system. Rather than continue collecting a fee for each download of Solaris x86 edition, Sun has opted to eliminate the charge entirely.
The decision was due in part to feedback from Asian and European customers who were unable to place orders using US dollars. Sun hopes the move will increase demand for its wares on the PC platform, and follows the company's recent announcement of a newly forged alliance with AMD.
IE Security Flaw Upsets Microsoft Patch Schedule
A new, potentially critical flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser has been disclosed throughout public forums, while Redmond has yet to issue a single security bulletin for the month of December.
In the absence of direct action by Microsoft, the Demark based security firm Secunia issued its own advisory detailing the exploit earlier this week. Soon after, the author followed up with a demonstrative URL posted to the BugTraq security mailing list.
AOL Tests Low Cost Netscape Dial-Up Service
Earlier this year, industry watchers projected America Online's desire to enter into the discount Internet service arena using the name recognition of its Netscape brand to procure instant recognition among cost-conscious consumers.
Now that the implementation plan is complete, AOL is ready for a full-scale roll out. The Netscape Internet service is presently seeking testers to join its extended family of subscribers.
AOL Primes AIM With Video, Multiple Logins
America Online today unleashed a new beta build of its instant messaging client, delivering on the company's promise of rich media with the addition of live video. AIM 5.5.3501 brings AOL's IM offering up to par with rivals MSN and Yahoo!.
In addition to video messaging, AIM now permits screen name linking, which allows users to log in under multiple accounts concurrently within a single session.
IBM Enhances Nanotech with 'Self Assembly'
IBM has announced a major breakthrough in nanotechnology that promises to simplify semiconductor processing, improve performance and enable continued miniaturization of chips.
Big Blue has coined the phrase "molecular self assembly" to clarify the technique that its researchers used to leverage the natural inclination of certain polymer molecules to cluster themselves into precise and organized patterns.
Sun Brings Java Desktop to Wal-Mart Shelves
Sun Microsystems is wagering that Wal-Mart's "always low prices" will catapult its Java Desktop System off storeroom shelves into the home market.
eWeek is reporting that Sun is negotiating with the retail giant and office supply powerhouse Office Depot to sell value-priced PCs and laptops powered by its desktop software. Sources indicate that an agreement could be reached sometime next year.
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