Internet Radio Plays On, For Now
Sunday's deadline for netcasters to begin paying royalties has come and gone without much fanfare, with many still broadcasting on Monday.
In early May, July 15 was set as the date when Internet radio stations were to pay for 2006 royalties and also agree to a new royalty structure that is much like that of satellite radio. The change was universally opposed by the industry that said it would effectively put the format out of business.
Sony BMG Joins Dada to Build Mobile Social Network
Just in case the world needs yet another Web site for sharing photos, videos and other assorted content, Sony BMG has joined up with Italian mobile-oriented social networking site Dada to build an entertainment service that works with both PCs and cell phones.
The two companies will form a joint venture in the United States with equal ownership; Sony BMG will provide its music and video content, while Dada offers the Web-based infrastructure. Both companies will provide support services, and revenues will be generated from subscription and per-download sales of audio, video and ringtones, as well as advertising.
Nokia Looks to Spur Mobile App Development
Nokia said Monday that it would sponsor a competition for development of mobile applications using its Open C plug-in for S60-capable smartphones. The winner will receive $20,000 in cash, as well as distribution and marketing support. UK wireless carrier Orange is also participating in the contest, offering the winner a spot in its application store that subscribers access to download applications to their phones.
The Finnish cell phone maker recently introduced the plug-in in order to make it easier for developers to produce applications for the S60, or Series 60, platform. Nokia and Symbian hope that offering an easier way of developing applications will grow the number of programs available to Symbian users. Winners would be selected at the Symbian Smartphone Show in October.
Microsoft Finishes Windows Home Server
Microsoft on Monday announced that Windows Home Server has been released to manufacturing, with systems using the new operating system expected to go on sale this fall. Home Server, code-named "Quattro," is designed for easily linking together multiple computers in a home network and sharing media.
Hewlett-Packard will be the first OEM partner to ship Home Server systems, with Fujitsu-Siemens, Gateway, Iomega, Lacie and Medion also on board. The OS likely won't be available to buy on its own, but a 120-day evaluation version will be posted for download. Microsoft is also encouraging developers to build Windows Home Server add-ins, and has launched a contest to further that effort.
London Gets Free Wi-Fi
Residents and visitors to London will now be able to access the Internet from parts of the city for free thanks to a new Wi-Fi network now live along a 13.6-mile stretch of the River Thames.
MeshHopper began offering a pay version of the network last year, and the free version is available through a partnership with free-hotspot.com. Service is available from Millbank southeastward through the city to Greenwich.
Sony Dumps Grouper for Crackle
With YouTube dominating social video, Sony has decided to exit the sector and refocus its efforts on helping online video creators develop their content.
Grouper, which Sony purchased for $65 million last year, will be renamed Crackle, and will become a streaming entertainment network with connections to traditional methods of media distribution. Essentially, it would move from a distribution model to one that focuses on the creation of content.
Windows Media DRM Cracked, Again
The cat-and-mouse game continues between Microsoft and a group of hackers intent on breaking the copy protection technology on its Windows Media files. This time, an individual has cracked the latest DRM scheme employed by Microsoft.
The back and forth began last August when a Doom9 forum user by the name of "viodentia" released a program called FairUse4WM. The application was able to strip the copyright protection from both audio and video files, removing restrictions of where and when they could be played. Windows Media files could also then be converted into other formats as well.
Apple to Fix iPhone Charging Glitch
A little over two weeks after the launch of its iPhone, a number of minor issues have begun to crop up among early adopters. However, the most prevalent problem appears to be the device not fully charging when plugged in. According to Apple, this is merely an interface glitch that will be resolved shortly.
Apple said it is preparing the first software upgrade for the iPhone -- something typical mobile phone owners rarely see, even with known bugs -- although did not specify when it would be released. The comments were made to WirelessInfo.com, which has been tracking the charging bug. Apple explained that the phone is actually charged fully, but the interface is not reflecting it.
IBM Opens Beta for AIX 6 Operating System
IBM said Thursday that it had launched an open beta for AIX 6, its in-house UNIX-based operating system. The latest version will be able to take advantage of the Power6 processor, as well as several other enhancements.
The beta program will be open to all users, with the OS packaged into CD-ROM and DVD images for burning by beta participants. More information on the program could be found on the AIX Web site.
Google: Viacom's Built to Sue
Google's CEO Eric Schmidt took a swipe at Viacom Friday, saying the company was "built from lawsuits" and pointed to its litigious history. Schmidt's comments were made to reporters at a hotel bar at the annual Allen & Co. meeting of media moguls.
Viacom is currently suing Google subsidiary YouTube for $1 billion, claiming "massive copyright infringement." Both sides have failed to reach an agreement.
NTT DoCoMo Tests Super-Fast Wireless Data
Over the next month, NTT DoCoMo plans to test a Super 3G, or LTE (long-term evolution) cellular system capable of sending data at 300Mbps.
The test will take place indoors and initially send data using one antenna for the receiver and one antenna for the transmitter. Eventually the researchers will utilize up to four MIMO antennas for data transmission.
Macs Affected by Office Flaws, Too
Microsoft on Thursday updated a security bulletin issued Tuesday to include the Mac version of its ubiquitous Office suite. Three Excel vulnerabilities that affect Windows also pose a risk to Office 2004 for Mac, and the company has issued a downloadable patch.
The flaws on Mac have an aggregate security rating of "Important" and involve one calculation error and two memory corruption problems that could lead to a malicious file executing arbitrary code. Users can download Office 2004 for Mac 11.3.6 to plug the security holes. Microsoft notes that version 11.3.5 must be installed first.
Apple Patches Eight QuickTime Flaws
Apple released an update to its QuickTime media player on Friday, patching eight security flaws in the application including code execution and information disclosure risks. Both Mac OS X and Windows are affected.
The first four flaws involve specially crafted H.264, movie, .m4v, or SMIL files that could lead to an unexpected application termination and/or arbitary code execution. The first two involve a memory corruption issue, while the latter two are caused by integer overflow vulnerabilities.
Apple Buys Open Source Printing Software
In a move that should help the company improve the printing capabilities in Mac OS X Leopard, due this October, Apple has acquired the source code to the UNIX printing software CUPS in addition to hiring the program's author. CUPS will continue to be available under its existing GPL2/LGPL2 license.
An acronym for Common Unix Printing System, CUPS enables computers to function as print servers by accepting print jobs from networked computers. CUPS has been used in Mac OS X -- which is built upon a UNIX core -- since 10.2 Jaguar after Apple abandoned plans to build its own printing software.
SQL Server 2008 to be Released Months After Launch
Microsoft is taking a new approach to product launches it seems, announcing it would release SQL Server 2008 to manufacturing in the second quarter of 2008, months after the product is supposed to officially "launch" alongside Windows Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 on February 27.
Microsoft announced the seemingly innovative strategy of not finishing a product until after its launch at its Worldwide Partner Conference in Denver this week. Customers who are being told to prepare to capitalize on the new tools coming in February may be surprised to find out Microsoft itself won't be prepared. However, the company has always left an opened ended 2008 date for the release of the new SQL Server, code-named "Katmai."
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