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.
Microsoft's Mediaroom Tests the Grounds Beyond IPTV's 'Walled Garden'
Video over the Internet is one more major market where Microsoft finds itself a major player but not the only player, and certainly where the entrenched players are very wary about its capability to muscle in and potentially control key segments. But Microsoft's recent successes in the IPTV field have thus far failed to guarantee its seat in that market, especially in Europe where digital video is far more widely deployed.
So this morning's announcement of Microsoft's new brand for IPTV services - now called Mediaroom, its fourth sixth brand to date after "WebTV," "UltimateTV", "Microsoft TV," "TV2," and "Microsoft IPTV" - is undoubtedly being dissected in Europe, with every sentence being re-examined to glean any hint of the company's long-term plans.
Sprint Debuts the HTC Mogul
Sprint on Monday introduced the Mogul, the company's first Windows Mobile 6 device that will support its enhanced EV-DO Revision A network.
Out of the box, the phone will support the current network, although Sprint said it would enable the faster Revision A through a software upgrade. The Mogul -- built by manufacturer HTC -- replaces the PPC-6700, its bulkier predecessor.
New Version of MSN Mobile Rolls Out
Microsoft launched its redesigned mobile portal on Monday, which adds some new functionality in an effort to get ahead of its competitors in a growing market. The new portal automatically shows the best version of the site based on the type of browser and device accessing it, and includes links to sports, news, and entertainment features as well as links to Windows Live services such as e-mail, search, maps, and IM.
While the initial version of MSN Mobile does not include advertising, consumers can expect to see text and banner ads in the future, the company said. In addition, the new version of MSN Mobile also includes technology that automatically renders standard pages in formats suitable for mobile phones.
Yahoo Japan to Feature iTunes
Yahoo's Japanese arm said Monday that it had entered into an agreement with Apple to direct searchers for music at the search company's Japanese portal to tracks on iTunes Japan. In addition, the two companies are working on bringing exclusive content from artists featured on Apple's music store to Yahoo's web properties.
While Yahoo does operate its own music service in the US, Y! Music Unlimited, it is not available in Japan. By tapping into the popular iTunes music service, Yahoo is aiming to draw more users to its service. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Report: Sony Shuttering Connect
Sony has decided to give up on the music and video download business, choosing to focus on its struggling PlayStation group instead. The closing of Connect would also mean the loss of at least 20 jobs, paidcontent.org reported over the weekend.
Only the eBooks division of the service will remain, with any employees left over from the transition being reassigned to work on the PlayStation. The change also reflects the climate of the digital music industry, where Apple has a near stranglehold on the market.
Blockbuster to Expand Blu-ray Retail Titles First, HD DVD May Wait
For over a year now, the retail high-definition market has been looking for a signal from places on high of any tipping of the scales, any crack in the dam that will help consumers make the ultimate choice in high-definition movie format investment: Should they invest in Blu-ray or HD DVD? This morning, such a signal may have finally come: US movie rental giant Blockbuster announced that 18% of its retail outlets will expand their offerings to include Blu-ray titles only, at least for now.
For retailers like Blockbuster, the problem has been one of real estate. Blockbuster and its online competitor Netflix can continue to expand their virtual storefront to include as many Blu-ray and HD DVD titles as studios decide to produce.
Is Apple Developing In-Car Systems?
Apple's next moves may be into the on-board automobile computer segment, German magazine Focus reported on Sunday. The system combines communications, maintenance, and navagation functionality into a single unit and will initially be offered in select Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The first of these Apple-equipped vehicles will likely come in 2009, and Mercedes will have a six-month period of exclusivity. Although firm details on exactly what the system includes were not divulged, the article says the mapping functionality will likely be powered by Google Maps.
Dueling Spyware Bills Weigh Down an Indecisive Congress
Certainly no one likes spyware -- perhaps not even its creators, if they also happen to be its victims -- so since mid-May, a trio of bills have been introduced. All three will face the Senate next week, including two competing versions passed by the House, and an entirely new Senate bill whose ink isn't even dry enough for its prototype language to enter the Congressional Record.
With Americans' approval levels of Congress' job performance at 23% and plummeting, according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released earlier this week, both houses are looking to assume a leadership role on smaller, easier to swallow issues than funding the war in Iraq and heading off inflation at home.
Microsoft Discontinues Digital Image Product
Saying the functionality within the application is now available through other programs and within Windows Vista, Microsoft has decided to discontinue its Digital Image Suite Product, a notice on its Web site reads. Remaining products will be sold through retail outlets while supplies last, and the company will support users of the applications for up to three years from date of purchase or April 30, 2010, whichever is first.
Microsoft's application was a competitor of Adobe Photoshop Elements, a much-trimmed down version of its flagship Photoshop product. The company also recently has launched Expression Studio, which includes Expression Design, a professional illustration and graphic design tool. Windows Vista offers similar functionality to Digital Image, however with far fewer options.
Ballmer: Google Antitrust Accusations 'Baseless'
Microsoft fired back at Google's attempts to have antitrust regulators take a second look at Vista's search capabilities, calling the search giant's claims "baseless." Google has issues with a feature in the next generation operating system that allows users to search their hard drives. The company claims it does not allow for competition from other search providers.
In a speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer stressed that the company continues to comply with all restrictions handed down by the US government regarding Windows. "We think all claims to the contrary are baseless," he was reported by Reuters in response to a question on the matter.
Microsoft's Interop Chief: People Should Choose Their Own Standards
In an interview with BetaNews earlier this week, Microsoft General Manager for Interoperability and Standards Tom Robertson volunteered to present his company's present stance on the perennially controversial topic of interoperability, and the degree to which it can be reasonably achieved without giving away trade secrets.
While discussion continues among members of the International Standards Organization over whether to ratify ECMA's recommendation that Microsoft's Office Open XML format be adopted as an international standard, Robertson told us in response to a question about who truly determines standards, that Microsoft believes people make the final decision - not companies, not countries, and perhaps not really agencies.
MySpace Data Used To Catch Seven Sex Offenders
It did not take very long for data released by MySpace on sex offenders to be used in the apprehension of those who are using the site in violation of their parole or probation rules.
The state of Texas announced on Thursday seven arrests which took place over a period of two weeks. The men apprehended had been convicted of the sexual assault of girls as young as four years of age.
Sony's Stringer Admits PS3 Price Too High
Sony CEO Howard Stringer admitted in an interview that the price of the PlayStation 3 needs to come down, but provided no estimate as to how much of a price drop consumers can expect.
"That is what we are studying at the moment. That's what we are trying to refine," he told the Financial Times on Thursday. He also admitted that the Nintendo Wii had broad appeal to consumers, and acknowledged his success.
TripAdvisor Mixes Social Nets with Travel
Expedia subsidiary TripAdvisor rolled out social networking functionality on its site Friday that allows users to filter out reviews from people they may not know, giving reviews from friends priority.
The company says that in real world situations, consumers typically rely on travel advice from their friends anyway, so TripAdvisor is taking that concept and applying it to its business. Additionally, you can invite others outside your friend's networks, such as those who have similar tastes.
Most Commented Stories
BetaNews, your source for breaking tech news, reviews, and in-depth reporting since 1998.
Regional iGaming Content
© 1998-2025 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. About Us - Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy - Sitemap.