Hackers unlock newest iPhone software, but 3G model still tied to AT&T
The group of hackers known as the "iPhone Dev Team" has struck once again, providing an update to its iPhone unlocking tool that works with Apple's new 2.0 software release.
Jailbreaking (making it possible to install un-sanctioned apps) and SIM-unlocking is supported for the first generation iPhone, while iPod touches can also be jailbroken. While the iPhone 3G is also supported in the new release, at this time it is only to jailbreak the device. No SIM-unlock is available, which means it must still be used on AT&T or whatever network Apple has partnered with internationally.
Will Google and Symbian ever work hand-in-hand?
Is there any real chance now that Symbian and Google will start working more closely together, given the planned development of a new Symbian software platform that will compete with Google's Android?
Although Symbian now uses Google applications on its existing mobile OS, any future collaboration at the platform level will need to be addressed by the Nokia-led Symbian Foundation, say Symbian officials.
Has Google's relentless growth finally stopped?
The fuel that brought Google from a laboratory experiment to one of the world's industrial giants, may at last be burning itself out. That leaves Google one player among many, in a questionable economic environment. What now?
When a cartel of oil-producing nations wants to tweak demand for its product upwards, along with its per-barrel prices, one tool it has at its disposal is tightening its pipelines and reducing supply. In the online advertising space, in terms of reach and supply, you don't actually need a cartel to approach the power of Google.
IBM software sales help spur 'powerful' $26.8 B quarter
Even with the current slowdown in spending on information technology, IBM's net income grew 13 percent to $26.8 billion for the second quarter of this year, driven largely by booming sales in software and services.
"I've got to say that this is one of the best quarters I've ever seen -- and remember, we delivered an outstanding second quarter a year ago. So these are truly powerful results," contended Mark Loughridge, IBM's CFO and senior VP, during a conference call with analysts.
Zumobi widgets slide on over to BlackBerry
BlackBerry owners will now be able to use Zumobi to have instant access to widgets that provide a wide variety of miniature applications previously available only for Windows Mobile devices.
Zumobi now offers support for the BlackBerry Pearl (series 81xx), Curve (series 83xx), and Series 88xx using OS 4.2 or newer. The service is free for phone owners to download and install.
One admin's missing password leaves San Francisco in a lockdown state
A former San Francisco city computer network administrator remains in a Bay Area jail after pleading not guilty to four charges of computer tampering. Meanwhile, the city's computer network is in limbo.
Prior to his arrest, Terry Childs, 43, of Pittsburg, California, managed to manipulate the city's computer system, creating a password that has effectively locked out all other city network administrators. As an employee in the San Francisco Department of Technology Information Services, he helped create a new network used for the San Francisco FiberWAN (wide-area network), his former defender said.
Nokia readies touch smartphones for release this year
Could Nokia be joining the pack of cell phone makers chasing after Apple's iPhone? The Finnish-based manufacturer's first touch smartphone, slated for the second half of this year, will be followed by a whole family of such devices.
Although Nokia is launching its own music service, known as Comes with Music, it looks as though the manufacturer will be competing against more from Apple than just iTunes.
Another rocky quarter for AMD: More losses, executive shuffle
Posting a second quarter net loss of $1.19 billion, its seventh money losing quarter in a row, AMD's Hector Ruiz will hand the CEO position over to President and COO Dirk Meyer.
As BetaNews reported last April, AMD's return to dominance is predicated upon its image as a performance leader. Though the company says the transition had been in the works for two years, yesterday's announcement that Ruiz would be stepping down as CEO of AMD and into "Executive Chairman of the Board" position, may play into its efforts to renew its image.
Slowing PC market, another online reinvestment ahead for Microsoft
With half of 2008 having already gone by, Microsoft's online services situation today is pretty much the same: Without a Yahoo partnership, the division is still bleeding. It's a good thing Microsoft's also a software company.
If the recent economic downturn can be characterized as a "storm" for those industries in which America has a major stake, the PC industry is certainly weathering this storm very well. Analysts had expected shipment growth to rise to only 12% annually; but from Microsoft's perspective, the number is more like 15%.
Rural wireless carriers seek the return of spectrum caps
Tired of watching major players such as AT&T and Verizon encroach on their territory, a group of smaller providers are petitioning the FCC to bring back limits on the amount of spectrum a carrier can hold.
The complaint was brought by the Rural Telecommunications Group, which represents the interest of regional wireless operators with less than 100,000 subscribers. Its members include carriers serving so-called secondary and tertiary markets -- representing both independent carriers and those associated with rural telephone companies.
Sony to offer 'Graphic Splash' for select Vaio FW notebooks
Sony's upcoming Graphic Splash notebooks will be based on the Vaio FW multimedia PC introduced this week, and they'll be available for sale online for a limited time this fall, BetaNews has learned.
In announcing a "new line-up" of Graphic Splash notebooks on Wednesday -- plus a related contest -- Sony didn't specify whether the decoratively cased PCs will use any of the four Vaio models unveiled on Wednesday as its underpinnings, or whether they'll constitute a separate model. Photos accompanying the announcement appeared to show the new designs on the company's existing FZ series notebooks.
What console war? Latest NPD numbers claim everyone wins
Whenever video game consoles' sales data is released, we often depict the comparison as some kind of war. But with E3 having ended and the holiday season approaching, NPD suggests the battle may be entirely in our minds.
June's total video game sales for the US were $680 million dollars higher than last year, with revenues from consoles and portables combined rising 54% over last year, and revenue from game software 61% higher. One NPD analyst expects total industry sales to be $22 billion this year, making video gaming the single highest-grossing form of entertainment today.
Vista users greeted with an unexpected surprise: MobileMe
While they may have no intention of ever signing up for the service, Windows users are finding an unexpected addition to their Control Panels.
A link for "MobileMe Preferences" has begun appearing at the bottom of the Control Panel screens of those who have installed the latest Apple iTunes software -- according to one user, without any notification at all.
Japanese, Korean researchers may extend the lifespan of NAND flash
Scientists from the University of Tokyo and Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) claim they have successfully created a new flash NAND memory that can operate for hundreds of years.
In an e-mail correspondence with BetaNews, AIST confirmed it had created the new NAND memory, and said it hopes to have it out the door soon.
Major Yahoo shareholder backs Yang in anti-Icahn campaign
12:03 pm EDT July 18, 2008 - Apparently after having read and assessed the text of Yahoo's new anti-Icahn Web site, as well as its latest filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (detailed below), Yahoo's third largest shareholder, capital management firm Legg Mason, announced this morning that it would be backing Yahoo's current management in its efforts to retain its existing board structure and management.
"After consideration of the relevant facts and circumstances and our fiduciary duty to our clients, it is our intention to vote in favor of the slate of directors proposed by the current Board," reads this morning's statement from Legg Mason's chief investment officer, Bill Miller. "We have met with representatives of the current Board and management, including founder Jerry Yang, several times. We believe the current Board acted with care and diligence when evaluating Microsoft's offers. We believe the Board is independent and focused on value creation for long-term shareholders."
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