Apple Releases Safari 3.0.2
Apple continues to patch holes in its Safari for Windows, releasing version 3.0.2 of the browser. Again, several security holes are the focus of the release, including the patching of an issue that allows an attacker to spoof the address bar to trick a user into visiting malicious sites.
On Apple's website, the description of the update doesn't list the vulnerabilities remedied, saying only that it includes the "latest security updates." Stability issues as well as text display and start-up time adjustments, and additional fixes for non-English systems are also included. Since its release at WWDC two weeks ago, several security researches have discovered critical security flaws in the product.
Sun: We Can Build a Faster Supercomputer Than IBM
Sun Microsystems announced this morning it has developed an architecture for supercomputing which, as soon as the fourth quarter of this year, will drive a data cluster capable of a sustained processing rate of 1.7 petaflops. That's six times faster than the machine perched atop the most recent Top 500 supercomputers list today...and IBM has already reacted.
IBM doesn't like to be beaten in the race to a milestone, by Sun, Intel, or anyone else. When Intel announced it had discovered the long-sought-after formula for high-k-plus-metal-gate semiconductors, IBM made pretty much the same announcement just a few hours later, claiming it had actually reached that goal a few hours before.
TorrentSpy, ISOHunt to Begin Search Filtering
Two major torrent sites have announced plans to start filtering their search results in an effort to block copyrighted content. Both would use technology from FileRights, a company that produces software that helps content owners automatically remove their content from torrent sites around the world. Participating sites include ISOHunt and TorrentSpy.
By using the system, TorrentSpy will likely be able to show that it is making efforts to end illicit use of its site. A judge has ordered the site to start tracking users, although it has appealed and indicated it will shut down first, before identifying users. That decision is under appeal. FileRights uses a hash-based system in order to identify any copyrighted material, the company says on its website.
Antitrust Judge to Google: Let the DOJ Decide If Consumers Are Harmed
Reuters reported this afternoon that US District Judge Kathleen Kollar-Kotelly - who nearly five years ago was at the center of the spotlight as the second district judge in the Microsoft antitrust trial - stated Google is not a party to that case. In response to an amicus brief Google filed yesterday, pleading with the judge to extend the term of Microsoft's antitrust provision decree by two years, she reportedly advised Google to deal directly with the Justice Dept.
It's the DOJ, not the district court, Reuters quotes Judge Kollar-Kotelly as saying, which represents the consumers in this case. As BetaNews reported yesterday, a memo to the public written on the day of her 2002 ruling explained that the Justice Dept. would be commissioned to monitor and enforce Microsoft's behavior, especially since the two parties at that time were willing to reach a settlement. Since the court doesn't monitor Microsoft's behavior, the judge said today, it's the wrong party to complain to.
Microsoft Updates Suite for Students
Microsoft next month will make available Student 2008, its suite of utilities designed for education. The package includes the company's Encarta Premium 2008 encyclopedia, as well as Learning Essentials 2.0 and foreign language help.
Also included is Math 3.0, which offers a number of calculators, equation editors and other tools. Targeted at middle and high school students in addition to entry-level college students, Student 2008 will be priced at $49.99 USD, with Math 3.0 available on its own for $19.95 USD. Both products can be purchased over the Web and downloaded.
EarthLink Gives Free Wi-Fi to Nokia Tablet Users
Nokia said Tuesday it had reached a deal with Internet service provider EarthLink to allow users of the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet to connect to any EarthLink Wi-Fi municipal wireless network at no charge. Currently the ISP offers service in the Philadelphia, New Orleans, Milpitas and Anaheim, CA and Corpus Christi, TX, among others.
Connection to the municipal network is provided through a link within the connections menu on the device. "Nokia's participation in EarthLink's municipal Wi-Fi initiative is an important step in making the Internet truly mobile," remarked Nokia multimedia sales and channel management chief Bill Plummer.
Real Launches New Video Player Beta
RealNetworks on Tuesday released a new beta version of its RealPlayer software, which takes a completely new approach from previous versions. Instead of focusing on desktop audio and video playback, RealPlayer 11 lets users download video off the Web.
After installing the software, a "Download this Video" button will appear on Web sites such as YouTube, and Real has changed gears by supporting Flash, Windows Media and QuickTime formats in addition to RealVideo. Users can then burn the videos to CDs, or DVDs with the $29.99 "Plus" version of RealPlayer 11. A future update will enabling transferring video directly to an iPod. For now, only Windows is supported, although a Mac release will follow later this year.
Two Convicted of eBay Software Piracy
Two individuals have plead guilty for their involvement in selling almost $6 million worth of software through the eBay auction site, the Justice Department said Monday.
In separate cases, Robert Koster of Jonesboro, Ark., and Yutaka Yamamoto of Pico Rivera, Calif. both plead guilty to selling counterfeit software produced by Rockwell Automation.
Seagate Ushers In the Terabyte Era with Barracuda ES.2
It's one of those inevitable events that still sounds incredible when you finally hear it for real: Seagate announced yesterday it's preparing to deliver 1 terabyte (TB) consumer-grade internal hard drives during the third quarter of this year.
But at a $400 price point, the introduction may not actually have that big an impact on the hard drive market, where prices were said to have bottomed out last year, though they've been melting down steadily ever since. Today, 500 GB models average around the $100 mark, and Seagate's existing highest-capacity 750 GB Barracudas are selling at about $225. A suggested retail price of $400 will mean you'll probably see terabyte drives at $350 on the street before the end of the year.
Dell Moves to Regain Lost Ground
Dell announced a host of changes to its device lineup and introduced several new products in an effort to retake some of the ground it has lost in the consumer market, as well as make itself more attractive at retail.
Key to this is the introduction of new laptops in an array of colors akin to the first iMacs - complete with flashy names such as flamingo pink, ruby red, midnight blue, jet black, sunshine yellow, alpine white, expresso, and the standard grey.
Toshiba to Bundle Vongo with Laptops
Computer manufacturer Toshiba said Tuesday that it will begin bundling a free 30-day trial of Starz Vongo movie service with its Satellite or Qosmio laptop computers in the US beginning in July. The company will place an icon on the desktop of its computers as part of the agreement to allow consumers to register for their trials of the service. Starz typically charges $9.99 USD per month for access to Vongo.
In total, Vongo hosts about 2,500 videos and provides access to a live stream of one of the network's movie channels. In addition, it offers several pay-per-view selections. Content is viewable on any Windows Media-based device or Windows PC. Starz already has a prior standing relationship with Toshiba to bundle the service with other products.
AT&T Announces iPhone Plans
AT&T said Tuesday that calling plans for the iPhone will start at $59.99 USD per month and include unlimited data, 200 text messages, rollover, mobile-to-mobile, and Apple's "visual voicemail."
The basic plan will give the user 450 minutes, while the $79.99 USD plan includes 900 minutes and the $99.99 USD monthly plans 1,350 minutes. Family plans will also be available, and all lines will include a $36 activation fee.
Webcasting 'Day of Silence' Heard Worldwide
In protest of royalties fees which take effect next month, the amount of which has been recently estimated to surmount their revenues by nearly four times, America's largest and best-known streaming music sites, plus others worldwide, have gone silent for the day.
The sound of silence could grow familiar, some streamers are saying, if the US Copyright Royalty Board's recently imposed rate structure fails to be stayed by bills that are still before Congress.
UN Broadcast Treaty Negotiations Fail, Parties Agree to Disagree
In the field of international diplomacy, many measures appear designed to fail from the outset, and yet the parties involved with it go through the motions of trying to implement those measures, either in the interest of courtesy to fellow diplomats, or perhaps just to keep themselves busy.
To that end, talks toward the formation an international treaty on the intellectual property rights of broadcasters over the signals they transmit, broke down today as almost everyone involved predicted.
Warez Chief Gets 51 Months in Prison
An extradited British national that was living in Australia has been sentenced to 51 months in prison for leading one of the oldest Internet software piracy groups.
Raymond Griffiths had been living in Bateau Bay, Australia before he was extradited to the US to face piracy charges in February 2007. Prior to being sent to the US, he was held in Australian prison for three years while fighting the extradition.
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