Trillian Issues Security Update
Trillian developer Cerulean released an update Monday to address issues within the instant messaging product, including a buffer overflow vulnerability that could give an attacker control of a user's computer. iDefense said in an advisory that the issue lies in how the client handles UTF-8 messages, and the flaw could be exploited when an unusually long UTF-8 string is sent.
iDefense detected the issue through use of the MSN protocol, although it warned that other protocols may be at risk. Trillian also supports, AIM, Yahoo, ICQ, and IRC. The flaw was detected in version 3.1.5.1 of the product, and previous versions may also be at risk. All users are urged to upgrade to the latest version.
AT&T Launches Mobile Live Video
AT&T said Tuesday that it had launched a service in three markets that allows its subscribers to share video during a voice call, and plans to expand it across its 3G footprint in July.
Video Share allows the user to send video during a voice call between two compatible handsets. While users are able to access the service on a pay-as-you-go basis for 35 cents per minutes, plans with 25 minutes of usage for $4.99 and 60 minutes of usage for $9.99 are also in place.
Microsoft to Add Terrain Data to 3D Maps
Microsoft has teamed up with Intermap to give its 3-D maps in Great Britain a more realistic look through the use of the company's elevation data. Maps are also in the works for Western Europe and the continental US.
Data for the remainder of Western Europe is scheduled for completion by the end of this year, with data for the US coming by the end of 2008. It will help Microsoft to better align and place objects "without distortion or undulation," it says.
Touch-Feedback Creator Immersion Sued by Microsoft Over Sony Settlement
Did Immersion - the patent holder for tactile feedback devices used in game controllers - settle its lawsuit against Sony for building "rumble" into its PlayStation 2 joysticks without a license? BetaNews reported in March the sides did settle, but now Immersion may be trying to characterize the pact with Sony as a licensing agreement instead.
The difference is very, very material, because it makes all the difference as to whether Immersion owes Microsoft as much as $20.8 million. This morning, Microsoft sued Immersion in US District Court in Washington State, claiming that as part of the terms of settlement of Immersion's lawsuit against Microsoft -- which came at the same time as the one against Sony -- Microsoft only agreed to pay Immersion $26 million if it would agree in turn to repay Microsoft a portion of any settlement payments it received from Sony.
ThinkFree Takes Office Suite Offline
While Google is busy building a Web-based productivity suite and Microsoft dips its toes into the online waters, ThinkFree is moving in the opposite direction, releasing a beta version of its online office suite that works offline as well.
ThinkFree was one of the first developers of Web-based office tools, but its offerings have largely failed to catch on among businesses. In turn, the new "Premium" version of the software will enable editing Microsoft Office documents from Word, Excel or PowerPoint both online and offline. The suite utilizes AJAX and Java to accomplish this task, and will be sold as a monthly subscription for $7 USD, or $75 annually.
Kutaragi Steps Down at Sony
The end of an era has arrived at Sony as the father of the PlayStation, Ken Kutaragi, stepped down on Tuesday.
His resignation was announced in April, although last year he was stripped of control of the daily operations of the gaming unit he helped create. He was also said to be at odds with CEO Howard Stringer over the direction of the unit.
Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard Goes Wireless
Next month, Microsoft will introduce a wireless version of its popular Ergonomic 4000 keyboard as part of a new Ergonomic Desktop set that includes an upgraded version of its ergonomic wireless mouse as well. The pair will run on a 2.4GHz frequency, which means less interference and better range.
Microsoft touts the ergonomic design of both the keyboard and mouse as being "healthier" due to the shape that puts less stress on the wrist and arms. The Natural Mouse shape was inspired by a baseball, the company says, and keeps the hand in a relaxed state. The Ergonomic Desktop 7000 will go on sale in July for $149.95 USD.
EA Reorganizes to Cut Development Costs
In an effort to cut costs, game developer EA said late Monday that it is reorganizing the company into four divisions.
Each unit will focus on a specific group of games. One is tasked with running its extremely successful Sims franchise, its equally successful sports games titles, casual games, and other titles that do not fit into the first three categories.
Multi-Middleman 'Mpack' Attacks Use Google AdWords to Lure Victims
One of Russia's fastest growing markets, and quite possibly a contributor to stabilizing that country's fickle economy, is cut-rate, self-deploying Trojan horse packages.
As malware writers there have discovered, rather than baiting and waiting for victims to fall into their traps at random, so that they carry out DoS and identity theft attacks without knowing they're doing so, would-be victims worldwide will gladly pay for the privilege of knowingly carrying out those same attacks.
Google Takes YouTube Global
YouTube launched nine localized versions of its popular social video site on Tuesday, which will at first only place navigation and functionality in the country's native language.
Eventually, the site plans to offer localized content as well, with the featured pages targeted towards the individual tastes of consumers in each market. This would include ratings specific to that country in addition to localized comments.
Opera Mini 4 Released in Beta
Opera Software has released a beta of version 4 of its popular Opera Mini browser for mobile phones, which integrates features the company designed for its Nintendo Wii browser. Now, users can see an entire Web page in "overview mode" and zoom in to specific parts.
When zooming, Opera Mini snaps to content so scrolling is smooth. A virtual mouse cursor aids users in moving down a page and selecting links, although the software resizes text and images to reduce the amount of scrolling required.
Yahoo's Semel Steps Down as CEO; Yang Assumes Top Post
After what may have been the weakest show of support for the company's executive team in last week's shareholders' meeting, Terry Semel has resigned the post of CEO of Yahoo this afternoon, as has accepted the post of non-executive chairman of the company's board of directors. The company's co-founder and "co-chief Yahoo," Jerry Yang will take Semel's place, in a move apparently intended to return the company to its roots as a pioneer of Internet technologies.
Semel's departure marks another failure for former media executives at the helm of Internet companies, having spent nearly a quarter-century prior to Yahoo at Warner Bros., most recently as co-CEO.
Four Years Later, Alereon's Wireless Device Chipset Tries to Be 'Universal'
It has been a very long road for the development of a wireless device connectivity standard that could go global - that would let, for instance, a Bluetooth device in one continent pair with the same computer over the same frequency, when it travels to another continent.
Four years ago, the electronics industry standards body IEEE first convened a task group to develop a worldwide standard for ultra wideband (UWB) wireless devices. A year and a half ago, the group literally gave up trying, and its various members went three separate ways.
No Microsoft-Ubuntu Deal in the Works
Don't expect a patent deal between Microsoft and Ubuntu Linux distributor Canonical anytime soon.
The company's CEO said in a post on his personal Web log over the weekend that despite the rumors, there are no negotiations with the Redmond company. Furthermore, he took issue with Microsoft's threats of patent lawsuits for unspecified patents.
Apple Improves the iPhone Ahead of Release
Apple said Monday that the estimated battery life of the iPhone will be about two hours longer than initially anticipated, along with its plastic face being upgraded to optical-quality glass.
Battery life is a common complaint when it comes to smartphones, and often heavy users of the devices need to carry a second battery to make it through a complete day's work. With the upgrade, its phone supports eight hours of talk time, and six hours worth of data, Apple said.
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