Alles over Rhapsody Opens Fire Against ITunes With DRM-free MP3s | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-07-01 09:46:41
Rhapsody will sell MP3s in a new digital download store launched Monday for U.S. consumers, an offering that will pose fresh competition to Apple's highly successful iTunes Music Store. The songs will not have DRM (Digital Rights Management) technology, which puts restrictions on how music can be transferred between devices and PCs, and will be compatible with Apple's iPod line.Music will come from most of the major record labels, which have increasingly moved to offer tracks without DRM in order to boost the attractiveness of buying music online. Rhapsody, which is owned by RealNetworks, will match Apple's pricing: US$.99 per song, or $9.99 per album. View: The full story @ PCWorld Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/323220075/rhapsody-opens-fire-against-itunes-with-drm-free-mp3s
Alles over Tech giants team for online ID cards | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-07-01 09:46:41
A group of software and online payment companies are teaming up to find a better way than passwords to protect, and prove, your identity online. Problems with passwords are well known - people require ever more passwords which means they either get forgotten, or people use the same word for several different services which is a security risk. The new group will seek to find open standards to make it easier to prove your identity online without using dozens of passwords and usernames.Equifax, Google, Microsoft, Novell, Oracle and PayPal will work together to create "Information Cards" - online cards like those in your wallet. Different cards can contain different levels of information and can be used to log in to different websites instead of using a username and password. Some may contain just a user name and password, others address information. View: The full story @ The Reg Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/323220074/tech-giants-team-for-online-id-cards
Alles over BBC unveils next-gen iPlayer | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-07-01 09:46:41
The BBC has taken the wraps off the second version of its hugely popular iPlayer, integrating radio with on-demand TV. The new version is still in beta and will run alongside the original while the finishing touches are added over the next few weeks. "The next-generation BBC iPlayer allows UK licence fee payers to catch up on their favourite BBC TV and radio programmes in one place, a completely unique on-demand service," said Erik Huggers, group controller for future media and technology at the BBC."Audiences are now able to experience the full range of BBC content - some 250 TV programmes available each week as well as all the BBC radio networks - in a new and more accessible way, and all for free." The iPlayer has been a huge success, garnering a reported 100 million downloads in the six months since its launch. View: The full story @ vnunet Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/323227752/bbc-unveils-next-gen-iplayer
Alles over French Court Fines eBay Over Fake Goods | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-07-01 09:46:40
A French court has ordered eBay to pay a 40m euro fine (£36.1m; $63m) to luxury goods group LVMH for allowing fake copies of its goods to be auctioned on the site.The case was brought against eBay by six brands belonging to LVMH - Lois Vuitton Malletier, Christian Dior Couture, Dior perfume, Guerlain perfume, Kenzo perfume and Givenchy perfume. The company alleged that even legitimate auctions of their products were illegal due to only specialist dealers being permitted to sell them. eBay will no longer be allowed to sell the four perfumes in the future. A spokesman for LVMH said that it "protected brands by considering them an important part of French heritage".eBay have dedicated themselves to fighting back against this ruling, saying "Today’s ruling is about an attempt by LVMH to protect uncompetitive commercial practices at the expense of consumer choice and the livelihood of law-abiding sellers that eBay empowers everyday". The case goes some way to protecting eBayers from the sale of counterfeits, but is it really justified that they should be barred from listing legitimate goods in an open market?Credit to SniperX for also submitting this. View: BBC News Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/323381865/french-court-fines-ebay-over-fake-goods
Alles over Rogers Announces iPhone Plans in Canada | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-29 07:02:51
Rogers announced service plans for the iPhone 3G in Canada today. iPhone 3G combined voice and data plans start at $60 and will be available starting July 11th. "As the wireless provider voted number one in wireless satisfaction(x), Fido is thrilled to offer a variety of well-priced voice and data plans making iPhone 3G accessible to as many of our customers as possible," said Sylvain Roy, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Fido. "These pricing plans will allow our urban customer base easy enjoyment of all that iPhone 3G has to offer."The data plans, however, are not unlimited as had been rumored. The new rate plans are detailed below:- $60/month. 150 minutes + unlimited evenings/weekends, 400 MB Data, 75 SMS sent, unlimited incoming SMS- $75/month. 300 minutes + unlimited evenings/weekends, 750 MB Data, 100 SMS sent, unlimited incoming SMS- $100/month. 600 minutes + unlimited evenings/weekends, 1 GB Data, 200 SMS sent, unlimited incoming SMS- $115/month. 800 minutes + unlimited evenings/weekends, 2 GB Data, 300 SMS sent, unlimited incoming SMS How about it Canadians ? Will you buy into the IPhone madness? Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/321919839/rogers-announces-iphone-plans-in-canada
Alles over Virgin Mobile to Buy Helio | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-29 07:02:51
Virgin Mobile USA has announced it will be buying Helio, a struggling cell phone carrier that was founded to bring the advanced features of South Korean phones to the U.S. market, for $39 million in stock. At the same time, British billionaire Richard Branson's Virgin Group and SK Telecom, the South Korean carrier that is the majority owner of Helio, will each invest $25 million in Virgin Mobile, giving SK Telecom a 17 percent stake in Virgin Mobile.Although Virgin Mobile has no contracts or data plans, the company has indicated that it will keep operating Helio's services as before the purchase. Both Virgin Mobile and Helio use Sprint Nextel's network, which makes the integration of the two businesses possible. View: Full Story at SiliconValley Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/321926775/virgin-mobile-to-buy-helio
Alles over Microsoft Buys MobiComp | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-29 07:02:50
On Thursday, in a move which further expands its mobile portfolio, Microsoft acquired MobiComp, an open-source cloud computing company that specializes in storage, backup and restoration of mobile data. Financial terms were not released, nor did MS provide details on MobiComp's role at Microsoft, although Reuters reported Redmond plans to use the company as a research and development unit.Based in Braga, Portugal, MobiComp targets mobile operators and service providers with products such focused on social networking access from mobile phones. "People expect their phones to deliver the best experiences from PCs and the Web right to their pockets," Todd Peters, corporate vice president in the Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft, said in a statement. Peters believes that the addition of MobiComp will "extend the capabilities of WindowsMobile and WindowsLive to help us provide the most innovative and seamless way to stay connected." View: Full Story at eWeek Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/321926774/microsoft-buys-mobicomp
Alles over Most of us may Google it; But Russians 'Yandex' it ! | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-29 07:02:49
In most parts of the world you might "Google" for the answer, a Chinese may"Baidu" it;. But a Russian would more likely "Yandex" it ! Yandex ( Russian: /=45:A ) is a Russian search engine and one of the largest Russian Web portals. Yandex was launched in 1997. Its name can be explained as "Yet Another iNDEXer" ( yandex ) or "/7K:>2>9 (language) Index". The Russian word "/" corresponds to English "I" (as the singular first-person pronoun), making "/ndex" a bilingual pun on "Index". Few outside of Russia have heard of the Yandex search engine, but that may soon change. Yandex has 44% of the Russian market—10 points ahead of Google—and is now the No. 2 search outfit in Europe, according to researcher comScore. Yandex is expected to list its shares on Nasdaq this fall, fetching as much as $2 billion. That would be Russia's largest-ever initial public offering in tech, valuing the company at around $5 billion. Although Yandex declined to comment about the listing, analysts and investors are expecting a blockbuster. "This IPO should be very popular," especially among investors eager to tap into Russia's Internet market, says Konstantin Belov, an analyst at Uralsib, a Moscow bank. Link: BusinessWeek Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/321978676/most-of-us-may-google-it-but-russians-39yandex39-it-33
Alles over Microsoft Launches New Website : WindowsAndMe | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-29 07:02:48
WindowsAndMe is a new website launched by Microsoft. It will be the place where the Windows community at large will come together to share their experiences, explore the magical world of Windows and learn to make the most of their digital experience. Share your experiences, voice your opinion & learn from other Windows users to get more out of your PC experience. We have a panel of “Windows Gurus” who can help you with your questions or concerns. As a member of Windows and Me, you will be informed about the trendiest new features and innovations in the world of Windows. Also, we have some great partnerships in place to give you exclusive offers. We encourage you to visit the site regularly to enjoy these benefits.Editorial Note: The authenticity of this site has not been verified and has been questioned by many of our members. Please use caution when entering any personal information into this website. Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/322056216/microsoft-launches-new-website--windowsandme
Alles over Survey: 8 in 10 businesses now using Macs | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-28 05:13:44
Nearly 80 percent of businesses have Macs in-house, nearly double the number that said they had users running Mac OS X two years ago, a research firm said Thursday. "Then we were talking about onesies and twosies," said Laura DiDio, a Yankee Group research fellow who conducted a survey of over 700 senior IT administrators and C-level executives. "Now the number of actual users is very significant. A number of the businesses said that they had 50 or 100 or even several thousand Macs deployed." In early 2006, when DiDio last polled corporate IT professionals on Mac deployment, 47 percent said that they had Applehardware in their environments. DiDio was impressed with the growth of Macs in business considering that Apple Inc. itself has put little to no official effort into that part of the market. "This isn't a tidal wave, but it's certainly a sustained trend," she said. "Apple has a beachhead in business. Where it once had just 1-2 percent market share in corporate, now they're up to 8-10 percent," DiDio added. View: The full story @ InfoWorld Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/321247335/survey-8-in-10-businesses-now-using-macs
Alles over Asus pledges end to Eee PC 900 battery swap 'delay' | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-28 05:13:42
What is Asus UK doing with its Eee 900 battery replacement programme? Punters who've tried to get a new power pack out of the company claim the scheme has been quietly shelved. No so, says Asus. Asus announced the programme earlier this month. It offered to swap the 900's 4400mAh battery for a 5800mAh one to any owner of the Small, Cheap Computer willing to stump up £11.75 in admin and postage charges.At the time, Asus said the scheme would commence on 10 June, but a single Register Hardware told us when he checked on the date, he was informed the cost would be £15 and the batteries weren't available yet. We checked with Asus and were told that this was not the case, so we thought nothing more about it. Until this week, when we started hearing from Eee 900 owners who claimed they'd been told by Asus that the battery programme had been "postponed until further notice". View: The full story @ The Reg Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/321247327/asus-pledges-end-to-eee-pc-900-battery-swap-delay
Alles over World of Web Names Now Wide Open | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-28 05:13:41 Internet regulators voted to loosen restrictions on internet names, a move that could allow thousands of variations of suffixes beyond the basic .com or .ca. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) overwhelmingly approved the new guidelines on Thursday in Paris after weeklong meetings. The guidelines represent one of the biggest changes to the internet in its 25-year history.New names won't begin appearing for several months and ICANN won't be deciding on specific ones. The organization must decide how much the new domain names will cost. The names are expected to cost over $100,000 apiece to help ICANN cover up to $20 million in costs. The new guidelines could allow for domain names that have been requested, and denied by ICANN, for years, such as .xxx for adult websites and .post for postal service websites. Companies with well-known names like eBay, Apple or Google could also end up requesting domain names if the new rules are approved, snatching up names like .ebay, .mac and .goog. View: Full Story at CBC.ca Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/321545292/world-of-web-names-now-wide-open
Alles over IE8 and Trustworthy Browsing | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-27 02:58:45
This blog post frames our approach in IE8 for delivering trustworthy browsing. The topic is complicated enough that some context and even history (before we go into any particular feature) is important, and so some readers may find this post a bit basic as it’s written for a wide audience. In previous posts here, we’ve written about IE8 for developers: the work in standards support, developer tools, script performance, and more. In future posts, we’ll write about IE8 for end-users (beyond the benefits of improved performance, activities, and Web Slices). This post starts a series about trustworthy browsing, a topic important for developers and end-users and everyone on the web. By setting the context and motivation with this post, the next posts that dive into the details of IE8 will build on this foundation.Trustworthy refers to one of our overall goals: provide the most secure and most reliable browser that respects user choice and keeps users in control of their machine and their information. For reference, Microsoft’s framework for Trustworthy Computing in general spans four areas: security, privacy, reliability, and business practices. View: Full Article @ MSDN Blogs Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/320405703/ie8-and-trustworthy-browsing
Alles over Full text: An epic Bill Gates e-mail rant | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-27 02:58:44
Sometimes, software isn't so magical. Even for Bill Gates.For the opening piece in our series on Gates leaving daily life at Microsoft, one goal was to give a clear picture of the Microsoft co-founder's role inside the company, as a gauge of the impact his departure will have. As part of that, I went back through the internal e-mails turned over in the antitrust suits against the company, looking for new insights into his personality.Read on past the jump for one of the gems that turned up, showing Gates in the role of chief rabble-rouser. (Original document: PDF, 5 pages.) It shows that even the Microsoft co-founder -- who champions the "magic of software" -- isn't immune to the frustrations of everyday computer users. Keep in mind that this was more than five years ago, so it doesn't necessarily reflect the specific state of things now. At the bottom, see what Gates said when I asked him about the message last week. View: Full Article @ SeattlePi Blogs Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/320405702/full-text-an-epic-bill-gates-e-mail-rant
Alles over Windows XP Support Extended until 2014 | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-27 02:58:44 Microsoft has finally given in to public demand. The company has decided to offer technical support for Windows XP with updates and security patches for an extended period until April 2014. However, it will not go back on its decision to discontinue Windows XP sales after June 30.This means that after June 30, Microsoft will stop distributing Windows XP as a stand-alone product, as well as stop licensing it to PC manufacturers like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others. However, it doesn't mean that XP will disappear overnight. Consumers may still find copies of the software or computers pre-loaded with it for months, as stores and PC makers typically work through their inventories.Also, as per an announcement made at Computex earlier this month, the software giant said that 'nettops' better defined as PCs with limited hardware or ultra-low cost PCs will be available with Windows XP until January 2009. View: Full Article @ TechTree Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/320414787/windows-xp-support-extended-until-2014
Alles over Yahoo Fixes Critical Mail Flaw | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-27 02:58:43
Yahoo fixed a critical vulnerability in its Messenger desktop and Mail applications that could allow hackers to steal identities to gain access to users' private information. In a worst case scenario, the flaw enabled hackers to hijack users' sessions and infiltrate their private accounts, as well as overtake operations in Yahoo Mail, if it was exploited. The cross site scripting vulnerability, which occurs between the interaction of the Yahoo Messenger desktop application and the Yahoo Messenger instant messaging client, was first detected May 23 by security researchers at Cenzic, a Santa Clara, Calif.-based security company. View: The full story @ CRN Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/320486562/yahoo-fixes-critical-mail-flaw
Alles over Intel optimistic about future nettop performance | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-27 02:58:43
Although Intel is optimistic about the sales performance of Atom-based nettops, some PC vendors doubt nettops will be as successful as netbooks. According to Intel forecasts, between 2008-2011 netbook and nettop shipments will together see annual double digital growth. Netbooks are expected to see shipments of 47 million units over the three years, while nettops are expected to ship 60 million units.However, some PC vendors think that although Asustek Computer's Eee PC has sparked the netbook trend, it will be difficult to pass the same experience onto nettops View: The full story @ DigiTimes Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/320491148/intel-optimistic-about-future-nettop-performance
Alles over Dell launches rainbow of Studio laptops | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-27 02:58:43
Dell on Thursday is launching new Studio laptops with cases that add color to a laptop lineup that previously sported a predominantly industrial look. The desktop-replacement Studio 15 and Studio 17 laptops will be available in seven colors, said John New, a senior manager of global consumer marketing at Dell. With prices starting at $799, the laptop line is sandwiched between the budget Inspiron line and the high-end XPS line. Studio 15 comes with a 15.4-inch screen, with prices starting at $799. Studio 17 comes with a 17-inch screen, with prices starting at $999. The laptops include dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo processors, support for up to 4GB of memory and up to 320GB of hard-drive storage. The Studio 15 laptop will also be available with Advanced Micro Devices chips, but only at retail stores for now, New said. View: The full story @ InfoWorld Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/320491147/dell-launches-rainbow-of-studio-laptops
Alles over Sony Puts Network at Center of Mid-term Strategy | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-27 02:58:42 Sony is getting ready to directly link its consumer electronics products and considerable movie and TV content libraries. Later this year the company will begin providing video content to PlayStation 3 users via the recently-launched PlayStation Network, and will start a streaming video service for owners of Bravia TVs with a network connection."This continues to be one of the clearest opportunities for Sony to leverage its entertainment assets to differentiate its electronics products," said Howard Stringer, chairman and CEO of Sony at a Tokyo news conference. As part of the push the company will increasingly build Internet connectivity into its products. By March 2011, it plans to have network-enabled and wireless capable products available in 90 percent of its product categories, and aims to roll out the video services to key devices by the same date. View: The full story @ PCWorld Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/320491146/sony-puts-network-at-center-of-mid-term-strategy
Alles over Flashy sites annoy users | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-27 02:58:41
Web content management firm SDL Tridion has released the results of its research into what elements of web site design most turn off internet users, coming in top is pop up advertising. Seventy-eight percents of respondents said that this type of advertising was the most frustrating web experience, complaining that ads appeared at inappropriate times and were difficult to get rid off. SDL said that this kind of annoyance was indicative of what it called "bimbo web design", saying that sites were often "attractive, but with no substance." “First impressions count and no company wants bimbo characteristics on its website,” said Erik Aeyelts Averink, President SDL Tridion. “All ‘fluff’ and no content drives website users mad. Don’t push customers away and annoy them for no reason.” View: The full story @ vnunet Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/320496958/flashy-sites-annoy-users
Alles over Suddenly Jerry Yang needs Microsoft | rss feed | toevoegen | e-mail nieuwsalarm | | 2008-06-27 02:58:40
If you haven't been following the latest on the Yahoo front, the company's stock price has plummeted (it's at $21.61 right now, way down from its $29 share price back in February); executives are getting out of town as quickly as possible as a reorganization gets underway; Carl Icahn is exerting unbelievable pressure on Yang; and shareholder confidence in Yahoo is dropping by the minute. In order to save Yahoo and maybe walk away with some cash himself, Yang has no other choice but to strike a deal with Microsoft and walk away from this albatross. To make matters worse, Microsoft will never offer $33 per share like it once did. And why would it? Yahoo needs Microsoft more than Microsoft needs Yahoo, and with a stock price that can't even hit $22, why should we expect an offer that's much higher. Link: CNet Read full story...
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/neowin-main/~3/320845813/suddenly-jerry-yang-needs-microsoft
