Archive for April, 2008
Psystar is not only pushing cheap Mac clones, it’s defending its right to do so by accusing Apple of running an operating-system monopoly. Will Apple get a taste of Microsoft 
’s Windows woes? Or will Psystar wind up out of business?The Miami-based company claims to be “reinventing the wheel” with its Open Computer, formerly called OpenMac — for $399.99. Psystar tapped into efforts known as the OSx86 Project, and its goal of running OS X on a PC have been realized. Even the latest releases of OS X can run on PC hardware, Psystar said, but compatibility can be an issue.
“Why spend $1999 to get the least expensive Apple computer with a decent video card when you can pay less than a fourth of that for an equivalent sleek and small form-factor desktop with the same hardware,” the company’s Web site says.
Click here to read the rest of this story on NewsFactor.
April 17th, 2008
As of Tuesday, more than 111,500 people had joined an online crusade to save Windows XP. Microsoft has said that after June 30, Windows Vista will be the only option for all but ultra-low-cost PCs.InfoWorld Executive Editor Galen Gruman started the brouhaha with his now-infamous “Save Windows XP” online petition. Gruman wants Microsoft to mimic its Windows Millennium Edition move — keep selling Windows XP until a version of the Windows operating system debuts that the petitioners want.
“Millions of us have grown comfortable with XP and don’t see a need to change to Vista. It’s like having a comfortable apartment that you’ve enjoyed coming home to for years, only to get an eviction notice,” the petition reads.
Click here to read the rest of this story on NewsFactor.
April 16th, 2008
The Federal Trade Commission is getting an earful about Internet privacy. The opinions on the FTC’s proposed self-regulatory principles to govern online advertising vary widely, with Microsoft taking bold steps to suggest an approach it deems “comprehensive.”On Friday, Microsoft proposed a five-tiered system to protect consumers’ privacy. Its recommendations call for standards in five key circumstances: when site visitors’ data is collected for online advertising, when ads are delivered on unrelated sites, when sites engage in behavioral advertising, when personally identifiable information is used, and when sensitive personal data is used.
“We welcome the opportunity to work with the FTC to ensure that online consumers benefit from meaningful privacy protections,” said Brad Smith, senior vice president and general counsel for Microsoft. “Online advertising should put consumers in the driver’s seat, not only with the information they want to see, but also with the tools to protect their privacy.”
Click here to read the rest of this story on Newsfactor.
April 14th, 2008
Amazon is following in the footsteps of brick-and-mortar retailers with an offer customers aren’t likely to refuse — a $50 credit to individuals who purchased HD-DVD players. Best Buy and Wal-Mart have already implemented similar policies.Sony’s Blu-ray recently achieved a permanent victory over rival high-definition format HD DVD. With Blu-ray backed by almost every major Hollywood studio, Toshiba raised the white flag on HD DVD. That left thousands of consumers with a device that will soon become obsolete as the industry distributes movies on Blu-ray discs.
Amazon is offering consumers who purchased an HD-DVD player before Feb. 23 a little consolation, a $50 coupon good for anything Amazon sells. Feb. 23 is when Toshiba announced it would stop making HD-DVD players.
“New technologies don’t always work out as planned. We at Amazon.com value our customer relationships more than anything and would like to support customers who purchased these players by offering a credit good for $50 off any products sold by Amazon.com,” the company said in an e-mail to customers who purchased the HD-DVD machines.
Click here to read the rest of this story on CIOToday.
April 11th, 2008
Another month, another Patch Tuesday. For April, Microsoft has issued eight security bulletins that address 10 vulnerabilities, five of them rated critical.All the bulletins address client-side vulnerabilities, continuing a trend reported this week in Symantec’s Internet Security Threat Report. The report found that in the second half of 2007, more than half of patched operating-system vulnerabilities were browser and client-side vulnerabilities.
Click here to read the rest of this story on Newsfactor.
April 9th, 2008
Nokia is working on what some observers are calling an iPhone killer. Code-named “Tube,” Nokia discussed the device at the Evans Data Developer Relations Conference this week. The new touchscreen handset could debut by the end of the year.According to Avi Greengart, a wireless analyst at Current Analysis, Nokia has been hinting at this device for months. He watched a video about a Nokia touchscreen phone at a December conference.
“Nokia is quick to tell you it is already well versed in using touchscreens and creating touchscreen devices,” Greengart said. “In fact, its Internet tablet even has a full Internet browser with Flash support.”
Click here to read the rest of this story on Newsfactor.
April 9th, 2008
What would it be like if you could combine the best of an Xbox 360 and the best of the Nintendo Wii? Gamers may soon find out if the latest rumors are true.Citing anonymous sources, MTV News reported Microsoft will soon launch a Wii controller clone for the Xbox 360. It’s part of a reported strategy to cash in on Nintendo’s market differentiation.
“[Microsoft] marketing just want it so they can match the Wii point for point,” MTV’s source said. “The biggest parts of their marketing materials outline how easy it would be for third parties to port their Wii games to the 360.”
Click here to read the rest of this story on Newsfactor.
April 9th, 2008
Previous Posts
