Intuit Set to Announce Quicken 2002
UPDATED Quicken 2002, formerly known by the code-name "Kayak" for the PC and "K2" for Macs, will be officially announced early Wednesday morning. The launch of Quicken 2002 comes on the heels of Microsoft's Money 2002, which was publicly revealed yesterday.
Intuit has added a host of new features in an effort to deflect the software gaint's push to gain ground as the two companies duke it out for market share.
Available in Deluxe, Suite, Home and Business varieties, Quicken seeks to maintain its position as market leader. New features include an easier setup, tax and investment impact insights, a portfolio analyzer, automatic bank reconciliations, and automatic categorizations for transactions. Intuit has improved the variety of investment types that it can track, has more accurate tax forecasts, tracks reoccurring payments such as mortgages, and allows users to update all online accounts in a single step.
Apple Patches QuickTime, Solves Browser Woes
Adapting to Microsoft's discontinued use of browser "plug-ins" -- a technology originally devised by Netscape -- in favor of ActiveX controls, Apple has released a fix that will allow playback of its QuickTime video within the latest versions of Internet Explorer.
Back in June, BetaNews reported that installing the IE 6.0 Public Preview effectively broke QuickTime's ability to function. It quickly became apparent that Redmond made alterations to its browser when customers installing Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 experienced the same problem.
Hotmail Flaw Raises Questions Over XP Security
UPDATED As Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer touted Windows XP's rapid progression toward manufacturing, news reports began to surface indicating that a proof of concept "hack" had compromised the integrity of the company’s Hotmail e-mail services. Throughout its lifespan, Hotmail has been plagued by outages and occasionally some highly embarrassing security oversights. Now that integral components of Windows are tightly integrated with Microsoft's Passport authentication system and Web based services, even seemingly minor incidents are examined under the lens of a microscope.
Late Sunday night, Root Core, a group of computer security experts, published information exposing vulnerabilities in Microsoft's popular service. While it is not known how many e-mail accounts were accessed, the methods employed in order to successfully follow the exploit prohibit widespread abuse. The hack requires specific knowledge of a target's username as well as a Message ID –- comprised of a string of 10-11 unique digits.
Microsoft Gears Up Windows 2000 SP3 Beta
Screening has begun for testers who wish to participate in the developmental phase of the latest service pack for Windows 2000. As per the usual, key areas being focused on by the sustained development team are setup, application compatibility, operating system reliability, and numerous security issues. There are no plans to incorporate new features into Windows, as this is solely a maintenance release. The soon to be released update marks the third installment of a service pack since Windows 2000 went gold in December of 1999.
A temporary guest account has been established at Microsoft's Beta Place, allowing access to a short survey that will be used in the nomination process. The test includes all versions of Windows 2000. According to Microsoft, "SP3 is slated for release the first half of 2002."
MandrakeSoft Opens 'Raklet' Beta
MandrakeSoft has announced the availability of "Raklet," or version 8.1 Beta 1, the latest incarnation of its Linux operating system for testing. Raklet introduces a host of new features including revised networking and server tools, an updated installer and hard disk partitioner, support for three different journalized filesystems, the latest Linux Kernel 2.4.8, KDE 2.2, a reworked MIME type manager, revamped printer and configuration tools, and finally, support for the Euro.
Testers will be able to evaluate a completely re-written version of Draknet, the operating systems network configuration tool. Other enhancements include the latest versions of popular server components. Installation has also been streamlined by URPMI, a reworked package installer, and software manager.
Microsoft Stay Denied
While Microsoft's request for a Supreme Court hearing is pending review, the Federal Appeals Court that upheld eight antitrust violations has denied the company's request for a stay. The ruling cited Microsoft's failure to demonstrate that any substantial harm that would result from the reactivation proceedings in the district court. A new judge will be assigned at random to begin deliberation on a remedy for the company's anti-competitive practices. Microsoft continues to press for judicial review, and seeks to hammer out a settlement in lieu of a court mandated penalty.
Siding with the Department of Justice, the ruling stated, "It appears that Microsoft has misconstrued our opinion, particularly with respect to what would have been required to justify vacating the district court's findings of fact and conclusions of law." Subsequently, the court decided to move onto the next phase of litigation against the company, calling for proceedings to resume in seven days. Microsoft still holds firm that the appearance of bias mandates that the decision be vacated entirely.
SnapStream Brings TV to the Pocket PC
Call it a portable TiVo. SnapStream Media has made it possible to watch your favorite TV shows anywhere, at any time with the release of PVS and PocketPVS 1.5. In conjunction with Windows Media Player, PVS 1.5 will also allow users to tap into live Internet broadcasts, recording them with ease. Content can be easily copied and converted into the SnapStream's PVR/DVR format enabling it to be viewed over a plethora of devices ranging from handhelds to Internet appliances, to any networked device.
Additionally, the personal television software now sports a newly overhauled interface for PocketPVS.
Web Beacons: Cookie Monster or Market Savior?
Anonymity and privacy serve as the primary foundations of Internet usage, frantically guarded by individuals and privacy advocates alike. Companies have walked a tight rope in order to maximize their ability to collect market research while simultaneously respecting the rights of their customers. In an effort to hone in on user behavior and demographic information, tools such as "Web bugs" -- transparent gifs that monitor Web site usage -- have been developed. The use of these Web bugs has become so commonplace among leading Internet destinations and personal Web sites, that Cyveillance estimates roughly a 500 percent increase in their prevalence throughout the past three years.
A leading provider of the so-called Web bugs, Be Free Inc. refutes claims that its services violate any of the principles surrounding the right to privacy. The company prefers to identify their information gathering tools as being "Web beacons," and claims to be an industry leader in maintaining tight controls over all information that passes through its hands. Over 250 customers use the technology to track the performance of marketing promotions.
Creative Introduces 'Audigy'
Continuing its drive toward domination of the computer audio market, Creative has developed what will serve to be the heart of its next generation sound cards. The newly dubbed Audigy processor combined with EAX Advanced HD software will provide enhanced audio playback while securing digital copyrights. Products will be marketed toward different interest groups – such as gamers and music aficionados.
With four times the processing power of its predecessor, Audigy is set to replace the EMU10K1 chip, the company's former headlining technology that powers current Sound Blaster Live! cards. It will feature a 32-bit Multi-Effects Engine with support for Microsoft's Direct Sound API, Dolby Digital 5.1, OpenAL, and EAGLE 3.0; a graphical librarian editor.
Freedom Games Announces GI Combat Beta
Freedom Games has unveiled GI Combat, a real time strategy game which features three dimensional game play, realistic terrains, and convincing weapons fire. Immerse yourself in the battlefields of World War II and become the ultimate revisionist, outlining strategies that contain the potential for changing the course of history. The weapons that appear in the game are modeled after their historical counterparts that actually made up era's war time arsenals.
Soldiers experience a variety of moods that range from extreme heroism to all out panic. In the real world, soldiers can elect to disobey orders as the morale of their unit wavers. GI Combat simulates this experience as well. Soldiers may seek cover without the presence of a commander or when they are under heavy fire, and conversely rally around an officer when field conditions change. The game replicates all of the hazards of actual combat -- even snipers were not left out.
Microsoft Waters Down Activation
This week, Microsoft published an informative paper intended to provide clear answers to customers who are concerned about, or feel reservations toward, product activation in Windows XP. The paper introduces another concession that the software giant has granted power users ever since a whirlwind of confusion and misinformation swept the tide of public opinion against the technology. After clarification by the paper's primary author, Allen Nieman, it appeared as if the company was prepared to be even more flexible than was previously thought.
The document located at the Microsoft Anti-Piracy Web site, states that four Internet activations will be allowed before a user must telephone Microsoft. It was originally accepted that up to three changes would be allowed, as long as none consisted of a complete system hardware swap. However, a more lenient policy is being exercised. According to Nieman, the company has plans to offer a "time-based clean slate."
Government Asks Appeals Court to Proceed
In response to Microsoft's request for a stay until the Supreme Court decides to hear its case, the Justice Department and 18 states have filed a brief with the Appeals Court. The government is setting its sights on Windows XP, claiming that any further delay in a court ordered remedy for antitrust violations will increase the company's prospects of dominating the software industry. This filing contrasts sharply with Microsoft, who favors judicial review of the case, and a quick settlement.
In its brief, the government provided a harsh synopsis of the software giant's chances for obtaining a Supreme Court hearing. Writing, "Under the circumstances, Microsoft has little prospect of obtaining (Supreme Court) review, let alone winning a reversal," the government urged the Appeals Court to continue with its proceedings. According to the filing, Microsoft failed to demonstrate how a reinstatement of the proceedings would injure it in any conceivable way.
Companies Eager to Review McAfee Patent
Software companies have scrambled to analyze the possible legal repercussions of a recent
patent issued to McAfee by the U.S. Patent Office. The patent is unusually broad, potentially giving Sunnyvale, California, based McAfee the rights to key technologies used by both competitors and partners alike. Some areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the patent include auto-updating, subscription services, and certain software that initiates downloads without prompting users. The company has taken a stand to protect its newfound ownership, telling the media that parties can either work with them or engineer around them.
When McAfee first applied for the patent in 1998, existing services such as Microsoft's Windows Update - launched June of that year - utilized technology to which McAfee now seemingly owns the rights. Makers of alternative operating systems such as Red Hat's Linux also provide similar update services. Furthermore, Web browsers such as Internet Explorer have included a behavior that allows customers to optionally open downloads without user intervention for years.
Microsoft Requests Supreme Court Oversight
Microsoft Today called on the U.S Supreme Court, asking for a review of its antitrust appeal. Concurrently, the software giant has asked the Federal Court of Appeals to hold off from any further action until it is known whether or not the high court will accept the case. Microsoft's legal maneuvering comes at a time when a coalition consisting of the Justice Department and 18 state attorney generals are pushing for an injunction against Windows XP, which remains set to launch in October.
Microsoft has unsuccessfully petitioned the Supreme Court in the past. However, it maintains the apparent judicial bias warrants that the eight antitrust violations upheld by a Federal Appeals Court in late June should be vacated as well. While the Supreme Court's consideration is pending, the company has filed a stay with the Appeals Court asking it to take no further action such as recalling the case to a lower court for review. If the high court accepts the case, Microsoft has asked that the stay be extended until those proceedings are completed - a date that could be far in the future.
Red Hat Previews 'Roswell'
Maintaining plausible deniability, Red Hat has yet to confirm or deny the existence of Roswell, the latest beta, version 7.1.93, of its popular Linux operating system. Available for both x86 and ia64 architectures, this latest release includes several new features and optimizations.
Red Hat has provided an overview of the additions to its flagship OS, which include support the 2.4.6 Linux kernel, XFree86 4.1.0, KDE 2.2pre, GNOME 1.4, and support for the ext3 journaling file system. A more detailed listing can be found in the beta's release notes, and a mailing list has been set up to keep the public aware of development updates. It should be noted that users upgrading systems from Red Hat 6.x through 7.1 may encounter difficulty upgrading if Ximian GNOME is installed.
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