In a bit of a Thanksgiving appetizer, many companies were beefing up their structures by--as one of my colleagues put it--gobbling up other companies.
The biggest deal was announced by Hewlett-Packard, which plans to acquire 3Com, maker of network switching and routing products. The deal is valued at $2.7 billion, or $7.90 per share. HP says the purchase is intended to boost its networking business, particularly in China, where most of 3Com's business is focused.
The 3Com deal is the most recent in a string of enterprise-related acquisitions HP has made in the past year, including most recently file serving software maker Ibrix. HP wants to be a leader in providing customers with an integrated stack of computing technology ranging from servers and storage at the foundation all the way up to services.
Other deals
EA picks up Playfish for social gaming push
Electronic Arts makes some serious waves in the social gaming by acquiring Playfish for $275 million in cash and $25 million in equity.• A new set of rules for social games
Google to acquire AdMob for $750 million
Mobile advertising is AdMob's specialty, and the deal gives Google a technology inroad into a fast-growing segment of online advertising.• With AdMob, Google seeks mobile-ad advantage
Logitech buys video-conferencing firm LifeSize
Acquisition puts the maker of Webcams and other peripherals into the video-conferencing market.
More headlines
Intel to pay AMD $1.25 billion in antitrust settlement
AMD drops its litigation while Intel agrees to "abide by" a long list of prohibitions. And renewed patent cross-license agreement frees AMD to spin off chip manufacturing.• What Intel just bought for $1.25 billion: Less risk
• AMD-Intel deal: No big change for consumers
• AMD: Our claims about Intel have been 'ratified'
Windows 7 use continues to climb
It now makes up 4 percent of Web-accessing computers, a mark that took Windows Vista nearly seven months to reach.• Microsoft pulls Windows 7 download tool
• Microsoft probing Windows 7 zero-day hole
Microsoft bans 1 million Xbox Live players
Players who were caught modifying their consoles to play pirated games have been booted from the popular service.• Craigslist brimming with banned, 'modded' Xboxes
Google hopes to remake programming with Go
A Unix co-creator is among those behind a language Google hopes will speed computers and programming. Today, Go becomes open-source software.• Google hopes Go will give a browser boost
Research: Twitter has yet to grow into valuation
Company is worth significantly less than $1 billion, one company surmises. That's in part because the effectiveness of its possible business plan is still up in the air.• Judge bans Twitter from court
• Twitter issues mulligan on new 'retweet' feature
• Mint makes Twitter an investor hub
Microsoft denies Windows 7 is based on Mac OS
Following comments from a U.K. Microsoft executive that Windows 7 was designed to create "a Mac Look," a company blog post distances itself from his words.• Microsoft exec: Mac OS inspired Windows 7
Verizon tests sending RIAA copyright notices
The No. 2 phone company, known for its reluctance to intervene in antipiracy cases, has struck an agreement to forward copyright notices on behalf of the music industry.• Even in media mecca, plenty are willing to pirate
• Former RIAA chief tries to save Qtrax image
Expert says Adobe Flash policy is risky
Adobe Flash Player allows arbitrary content to access applications without permission, says researcher at Foreground Security.
As alternative energy grows, NIMBY turns green
With more renewable energy projects trying to come online, the country grapples with the balance between local land use and a national push for clean energy.• Students pitch green businesses for greenbacks
Also of note
• Bill Gates' home tour on charity auction block
• U.S. Army orders bridges made of recycled plastic
• Facebook status update saves man from jail
Microsoft on Monday released a software development kit for Facebook that allows developers to create Facebook applications for Silverlight and Windows Presentation Foundation. This should expand the reach of Facebook in third-party applications as well as make Silverlight and WPF more viable platforms for developers looking to build social applications.
The SDK comes complete with samples and tools to develop Facebook applications in ASP.NET, Silverlight, WPF, and WinForms. It also features the source code for the API, components, controls, and samples.
There are currently other libraries available that allow Facebook developers to develop with other technologies, such as JavaScript, PHP, ActionScript, and the iPhone. There are a variety of others as well, which can be seen here, but these are the ones that Facebook officially provides support for.
Microsoft, as you may remember, invested $240 million in Facebook back in October 2007. Many called this move more of a strategic play to keep Google and Yahoo from getting a stake in the company. The release of this SDK is a part of Facebook and Microsoft's ongoing partnership.
If you're interested in taking a look, you can download the SDK here.
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It looks as though Microsoft may have a winner in Windows 7, at least in comparison to Vista.
The software giant saw relatively strong early adoption of Windows 7 in the 10 days since its official launch. According to Net Applications, more than 3 percent of PCs accessing the Web in the past two days have been doing so using the new operating system. Usage of the operating system has been growing strong in recent days, though Windows 7 already accounted for 2 percent of global Web traffic in the days ahead of its formal launch.
Judging by its initial sales, Windows 7 is certainly proving more popular than Vista. Microsoft sold 234 percent more boxed editions of Windows 7 than it did Vista in the initial releases of both products, according to research released by NPD Group.
In actual dollars, Windows 7 has also been more successful than Vista. However, early discounts on pre-sales copies and a lack of a promotional boost behind Windows 7 Ultimate led to revenues only 82 percent greater than those of Vista.
• Windows 7 upgrade version: The dos and don'ts
• FAQ: Buying the right Windows 7 upgrade
• Microsoft Windows 7 vs. Apple Snow Leopard
More headlines
New York antitrust suit accuses Intel of bribery
Intel used payments to keep computer makers from selling systems with AMD chips, according to New York's attorney general. It's a new front in an old Intel war.• N.Y. lawsuit details Intel's 'largesse' toward Dell
T-Mobile experiencing widespread outage
The cellular carrier acknowledges problems affecting both its voice and data networks.• T-Mobile users still reeling from outage
• T-Mobile says software error behind outage
AT&T vs. Verizon: There's a lawyer for that
AT&T is suing Verizon Wireless over its "There's a Map for That" ad campaign, stating that it misleads consumers about AT&T's network coverage.
Corporate bank accounts targeted in online fraud
Small and medium-size businesses, governments, and school districts are targets of online bank fraud involving malicious e-mails, key loggers, and money mules, FBI says.• Phishing, worms spike this year, say Microsoft and McAfee
• New Trojan encrypts files but leaves no ransom note
• Hacker breaks into jailbroken iPhones, asks for $7
Barnes & Noble hit with suit over Nook
A Cupertino, Calif.-based start-up claims the bookseller misappropriated its trade secrets in its design of a similar e-reader.• Spring Design seeks injunction barring Nook sales
Microsoft gives the MSN butterfly a makeover
It's given a new look to both its home page and the MSN butterfly logo. The main page now has just half as many links, with more videos and photos.• Microsoft to fix holes in Windows, Office
Mozilla: Firefox 3.6 won't be late
The first beta of Firefox 3.6 may have crossed the finish line weeks late, but Mozilla says the final version should still be done this year.• Firefox gets a quick fix
• Firefox gains Windows 7 features
Lack of global climate deal won't crush green tech
No matter what happens in Copenhagen next month, green-tech companies say industry and national governments will drive investment in the near term, an analysis shows.• Waste Management squeezes fuel from landfills
• LA changing its glow for more efficiency
• PetroAlgae signs deal with Indian Oil
Mac game: Art project or malware?
Is the Lose/Lose game a legitimate art project, or should it be flagged as malware because it deletes files?
Virtual goods: Duping the masses?
When is ad not an ad? When it's an offer for something other than what you think you are signing up for.• After onstage spat, Offerpal replaces CEO
• Offerpal Media mess gets stickier
Beatles copyright case down a legal rabbit hole
BlueBeat is streaming Beatles recordings for free and selling them for 25 cents apiece, claiming that they aren't the original recordings and therefore aren't copyright-protected.• Beatles catalog comes to USB
• No Doubt says 'no' to Band Hero depiction
Also of note
• An unofficial way to 'dislike' things on Facebook
• Best Buy to launch branded movie download service
• Wi-Fi-free iPhone officially lands in China
Verizon Wireless customers will soon be able to get their hands on the much-anticipated Google Android phone called the Droid.
Verizon and Motorola officially unveiled the device, which, like most smartphones of its class, will cost $199 with a two-year contract. And it will be available to consumers starting November 6.
The device offers voice-activated search that allows users to speak a query, and the Google-powered search engine delivers Web results or device-native results such as stored contacts, music, and photos. The voice search also works with the new turn-by-turn directions for Google Maps. It allows users to view geographic information, such as My Maps, Wikipedia entries, and transit lines on the map.
• Can the Droid save Motorola?
• MLB uses World Series to warm up Android app
• Is the Motorola Droid ugly?
• Google Android resource guide
More headlines
Microsoft puts its 'signature' on PCs
In its online and retail stores, Microsoft is selling computers loaded with all of its online software, including its Windows Live, Zune, and Security Essentials products.• Students find problems with Windows 7 upgrade
• Windows 7 is an all-ages show
• Results of the Windows 7 upgrade poll
Yahoo, Microsoft need more time to ink pact
Yahoo says in a regulatory filing that the companies have agreed to extend the deadline by which they will have a definitive agreement.
Former AMD chief linked to Galleon case
Hector Ruiz, the former CEO and chairman of Advanced Micro Devices, has been linked to the insider-trading case.• Contradictions stalk former AMD chief
Cisco to buy cloud security firm for $183 million
Cisco Systems plans to buy a Web-based security software company called ScanSafe, marking the third announced acquisition this month.• Cisco revs its acquisition engine
Facebook spells out updated privacy policy
After continued scrutiny from privacy advocates, Facebook has explained the difference between deleting and deactivating accounts.• Facebook woos developers with a road map
• Pandora now shares with Facebook, Twitter
• Facebook's 'share' buttons: Now with numbers
• Bank Trojan botnet targets Facebook users
• Fake Facebook e-mail contains Trojan
Twitter investor: 'We didn't need the money'
Although the company hasn't put a long-term revenue strategy in place, one of its backers says Twitter didn't raise $100 million last month out of a need for cash.• Why Hollywood needs to hear more about Twitter
• Twitter users warned about new phishing attack
• Kaspersky tool detects malware in Twitter links
Analyst: Chip recovery under way
Revenue from chip sales is expected to rise in the fourth quarter. Still, iSuppli adds a good dose of caution to its report.• Netbooks boost graphics chip shipments
Google Voice now (kinda) works with your number
Google is giving users of its Voice service a way to forward missed cell phone calls to its free voice mail service while retaining their usual cell phone number.• Hands-on: Google Voice's new voice mail service
White House Web site makes open-source move
The open-source Drupal package now is used to power WhiteHouse.gov. But please don't conflate open source and open governance.
Bill Gates casts self as 'impatient optimist'
In a speech on global health, Bill and Melinda Gates tout some successes but also call for more action to nearly halve the number of childhood deaths worldwide within 15 years.
Also of note
• Apple delivers Apple TV 3.0 software
• Yahoo planning Santa Clara campus
• Microsoft pulls plug on 'Family Guy' special
Two of the Web's biggest search giants are making friends with social networks.
Microsoft is bringing real-time search results from Facebook and Twitter to its Bing search engine thanks to two partnerships. The Twitter partnership, which will bring all real-time public tweets to Bing, went live in beta on Wednesday at Bing.com/twitter.
The Facebook deal, which will access all information shared publicly on the social network, will arrive "at a later date," Microsoft said. It's all part of Bing's strategy to harness "the emerging hot area of real-time information."
In a deal announced just hours after Microsoft debuted integration of "tweets" into Bing, Google said it would also be indexing real-time Twitter messages in search results. Google has "reached an agreement," but the search results have not gone live like Microsoft's have on Bing. Reports started to surface earlier this month that Twitter was in separate talks with both Google and Microsoft.
Uncharacteristically for Microsoft, the new Twitter search feature on Bing went live shortly after the announcement. Here's how Twitterized Bing works for users so far.
• Study: Twitter users young, wireless, on other social sites
• Twitter hits 5 billion tweets
• Eight billion minutes spent on Facebook daily
• Web 2.0 Summit: Where tech worlds collide
More headlines
Windows 7: Microsoft's touchy-feely launch
A subdued launch left enthusiasts with plenty of time to get hands-on with all the new PCs--well, all but that Dell Adamo that everyone wanted to get their hands on.• Windows 7 born from Vista's frustrations
• Windows 7 default user account control worries experts
• Windows 7 security in pictures
• Microsoft's Windows 7 launch: Deals, deals, deals
• HP, Best Buy team on Windows 7 'home makeover'
• CNET's Windows 7 coverage
Apple unveils redesigned MacBooks, new iMacs
Apple revamped its desktop and laptop lines, dramatically redesigning the iMac all-in-one and MacBook laptop, and also adding a few updates to its Mac Mini line of small-scale desktops.• Apple: Best Mac, iPhone quarterly sales ever
Barnes & Noble debuts its Nook
The bookseller launches its Kindle rival at an event at the Chelsea Piers. As expected, the e-reader has a dual-screen display and will sell for $259.• Is Barnes & Noble's Nook a Kindle killer?
• Internet Archive's BookServer could 'dominate' Amazon
FCC sets Internet regulation in motion
Federal Communications Commission votes unanimously to gather data that will be used to determine regulations to keep the Net open.• Telco lobbyists don't mind some Net neutrality regs
• AT&T enlists employees to oppose Net neutrality
• Verizon CEO slams Net neutrality
• Google, Verizon Wireless find common ground on Net neutrality
• Net neutrality still faces political, legal hurdles
Another Facebook redesign: Birthdays are important
Leaked document shows some of Facebook's plan for a minor home page redesign that addresses some of the concerns members raised the last time the company did a big design overhaul.• Facebook COO: No PayPal killer, ad network--yet
• Facebook's Gift Shop gets down to business
News Corp. digital chief: MySpace 'kind of stopped'
As the social site attempts a turnaround, the parent company's chief digital officer talked about how it lost its way. Whether it'll be able to get back on top is less clear.• MySpace blasts out new music features
• MySpace takes one small step in the right direction
Utilities vow to prep infrastructure for plug-in cars
Utilities say they need to invest in infrastructure to ease the transition of plug-in electric vehicles with incentives for off-peak charging and charging stations in public places.• Investor: Green tech vital to U.S. competitiveness
• Toyota looks to electric car business
Also of note
• Nokia sues Apple over wireless patents
• France adopts antipiracy three-strikes law
• Judge: Craigslist not liable for prostitution ads
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T-Mobile Sidekick LX
(Credit: CNET)A massive data outage for Sidekick handheld users has become a massive PR headache for Microsoft and carrier T-Mobile.
A massive data outage in Microsoft's Danger unit left many T-Mobile Sidekick users without access to their calendar, address book, and other key data. However, things got even worse as Microsoft said in a statement that data not recovered thus far may be permanently lost. Microsoft and T-Mobile have not said how many of the roughly 800,000 Sidekick customers have lost data.
T-Mobile USA has, at least temporarily, stopped selling all models of the device as the company continues to investigate the recent problems.
T-Mobile later said that it may yet be able to recover Sidekick users' information. Those who do suffer permanent data loss will get a $100 "customer appreciation card" good toward T-Mobile service or products.
Not surprisingly, a number of lawsuits have been filed, including two in federal court in Northern California that allege both negligence and false claims on the part of Microsoft and T-Mobile.
• Sidekick's lesson: We learn by failing
• Unanswered questions loom large in Sidekick fiasco
• Sidekick users share their horror stories
• Deaf users sound off on Sidekick outage
• Microsoft: We've recovered most Sidekick data
• With outage, Sidekick service loses its footing
Microsoft wasn't alone in suffering high-profile data headaches:
Facebook database outage cut off about 150,000
A downed Facebook database left a small but vocal percentage of its userbase without access to the social network for as long as 10 days.• Growth of Facebook leaves MySpace in dust
Apple acknowledges Snow Leopard data loss issue
The company says it is aware of a problem related to guest account log-ins that "occurs only in extremely rare cases," and it does not yet have a fix for it.
Google's Postini suffers prolonged e-mail delays
Service was disrupted for a better portion of a day on some of Google's Postini e-mail security service, with customers reporting significant delays in e-mail delivery.
More headlines
Google revenue, profits increase
The search giant isn't growing as strongly as it was a year ago, but it beats revenue expectations amid signs the ad economy is getting stronger, and CEO Eric Schmidt says he believes the worst is over.• Levinson quits Google's board
• Business as usual in search market share
Intel earnings beat Wall Street predictions
The chipmaker's third-quarter revenue comes in at $9.4 billion, beating analysts' expectations, which hovered at just more than $9 billion.• Intel CEO remarks on Netbooks, Windows 7
• Intel, AMD feud over evidence in antitrust case
Critical Windows 7 holes fixed in record Patch Tuesday
Microsoft stitches up a pair of Windows 7 holes, along with fixing up zero-day flaws in SMB and IIS offerings.• Adobe fixes 28 holes in Reader and Acrobat
• Internet breaks in Sweden after DNS maintenance error
Microsoft wants multicore boost from Windows 7
The new operating system should be able to make better use of modern multicore chips--in part through changes to adapt Windows to big servers.• Using Windows 7 to 'Elevate Miami'
• Microsoft taps the 'Family Guy' to sell Windows 7
Financier Soros to invest $1 billion in clean tech
George Soros will invest $1 billion on clean-energy technology, and he plans to provide $10 million a year over the next 10 years for the newly created Climate Policy Initiative.• Where the clean-tech jobs are
Amazon offers same-day delivery to select cities
Online retailer upgrades its shipping options in time for the holiday season, also expanding its Saturday delivery options. Pricing may benefit Prime subscribers most.• Samsung delivers Blockbuster, Amazon on-demand video
Also of note
• New Wi-Fi spec challenges Bluetooth
• Cisco to buy mobile specialist Starent for $2.9 billion
• Steve Jobs bests Zuckerberg on teens' fave list
Two years after Google announced Android, phone manufacturers are launching devices with the mobile operating system, and carriers are lining up to sell them.
In the past couple of months, nine devices using Google's mobile operating system have been announced. The pipeline is full of more Android devices, some that are confirmed and some that are still rumored to be in development.
U.S. wireless operators are also jumping on the Google Android bandwagon. Up to now, T-Mobile USA, the smallest of the four nationwide carriers, had been the only U.S. wireless operator to offer Android devices. But T-Mobile won't be alone for much longer. Starting next week, Sprint Nextel will introduce the HTC Hero, its first Android phone. Verizon Wireless will get two Google Android phones in the coming weeks. Even AT&T is expected to have a Google Android phone soon.
More headlines
Adobe pushes Flash video on mobile devices
Adobe garners the support of Google, Palm, and Motorola for its new Flash software for smartphones, smartbooks, Netbooks, and other mobile devices.• Adobe tries keeping Flash in Web vanguard
• Adobe Flash apps come to iPhone--sort of
• Adobe spells out iPhone apps limitations
AT&T to allow VoIP iPhone apps on 3G network
AT&T and Apple clear the way for iPhone users to begin using VoIP apps on its wireless network.• Vonage app available for iPhone, BlackBerry
• Telus, Bell to get the iPhone in Canada
Microsoft introduces 'Starter' version of Office
Ad-supported, limited-feature version of Office will come preloaded on certain new PCs to take the place of Microsoft Works.Google: Computer memory flakier than expected
After studying most of its servers for more than two years, Google finds that computer memory failures are much more common than expected and debunks some other myths.
Amazon goes global with new Kindle
The new edition of the e-book reader that can wirelessly download books in more than 100 countries. Also: a price cut for U.S. consumers.• B&N e-book reader reportedly in the works
Did Viacom find smoking gun in YouTube case?
YouTube's internal e-mails indicate employees and managers knew about copyright content, sources say, but chose to leave the material on the site. What are the DMCA ramifications?• Schmidt: We paid $1 billion premium for YouTube
IBM Research jumps into genetic sequencing
Big Blue hopes its electronic automation technology will give people and their doctors individual genetic records for less than $1,000.
FTC to bloggers: Fess up or pay up
A fine of up to $11,000 awaits bloggers who don't reveal paid reviews or free products, in the first revision to the FTC's disclosure guidelines in three decades.• Yes, new FTC guidelines extend to Facebook fan pages
Facebook's mounting customer service crisis
It's unclear how many members still can't access their accounts after Facebook acknowledged a database issue, but one thing's for sure: the ones locked out are steaming mad.• Something is clogging the Twitter stream!
At Ceatec 2009, a starring role for 3D
The long-awaited 3D technology may finally be on its way to the living room--and it could also be headed to the operating room.• Full coverage of Ceatec
Also of note
• Phished or not, leaked passwords show lazy habits
• RealNetworks set to file appeal in RealDVD case
• Lego devotees flock to Seattle
A new type of banking Trojan horse actually steals money from your account while you are logged in and displays a fake balance.
The bank Trojan, dubbed URLZone, has features designed to thwart fraud detection systems that are triggered by unusual transactions. For instance, the software is programmed to calculate on-the-fly how much money to steal from an account based on how much money is available.
The Trojan, which exploits a hole in Firefox, Internet Explorer 6, IE7, IE8, and Opera, was responsible of the theft of nearly $438,000 during a 22-day span in August.
This is reportedly the first Trojan that hijacks a victim's browser session, steals the money while the victim is doing online banking, and then covers its tracks by modifying information displayed to the victim, all in real time.
Meanwhile, Payroll processor PayChoice said it is investigating a breach in which customers received targeted e-mails purporting to be from the company but were designed to trick people into downloading malware. Workers received e-mails last week that directed them to download a browser plug-in or visit a Web site so they could continue accessing the Onlineemployer.com PayChoice portal.
The e-mails were targeted to individuals and included their user names, log-in IDs and partial passwords, thus increasing the chance that recipients would be likely to fall for the ruse.
• Malware worldwide grows 15 percent in September
• Security Essentials graduates to v1.0
More headlines
Google, bank resolve issue over misfired e-mail
Google and Rocky Mountain Bank ask court to dismiss a case that stemmed from the bank inadvertently e-mailing customer data to a random Gmail address.• Misfired e-mail was never viewed by Gmail user
Facebook shuts down malicious fake profiles
AVG researcher suspects malicious profiles were created automatically by bypassing the Captcha function, but a Facebook spokesman disagrees.• Facebook Connect branches out
• Facebook movie to start filming next month
Apple brings back Newton developer
In another clue that Apple may be working on a tablet PC, one of the original developers of the Newton personal digital assistant is reportedly returning to Apple.• How will an Apple tablet stack up?
Google Wave ready for wider testing
Google's Internet communications concept project is ready for wider use, which will test the stability and scalability of one of the company's most important projects.• Google Wave meets conference calls, with Ribbit
Apple buys map service to compete with Google?
The apparent purchase of PlaceBase may explain why Apple required Google Latitude to be a Web-based app and not a native iPhone app.• AT&T buys application developer
• Cisco to buy video firm Tandberg for $3 billion
Microsoft finalizes Windows 7 'XP Mode'
The software maker says it has wrapped up work on an add-on to Windows 7 that lets users run a virtualized copy of the older operating system.• Microsoft says automated 'Fix it' is working
• Microsoft gets big patent verdict overturned
Verizon CTO advocates for metered broadband pricing
The day when consumers pay for every megabyte they use while downloading video, streaming music, or updating their Facebook statuses may be closer than you think.
Secret Service: Obama poll maker is juvenile
Secret Service decides that the creator of the "Should Obama be Killed?" poll is no threat to the president. But how many death threats targeting other souls also reside on Facebook?• Facebook removes 'Should Obama be killed?' poll
• Obama Facebook poll developer comes forward
Also of note
• GM ends car sales pilot with eBay
• Supercomputer to use new Nvidia 'Fermi' chip
• More colleges than ever offering gaming degrees
The Federal Communications Commission's chief has a plan to ensure that people have unfettered access to Internet content and services.
Chairman Julius Genachowski proposed this week that the FCC officially turn its four principles of network openness into regulation and suggested that the FCC add two more "principles" as part of these new rules. The existing principles can be summarized like this: network operators cannot prevent people from accessing lawful Internet content, applications, and services of their choice and cannot prohibit people from attaching nonharmful devices to a network.
The first new, proposed principle would prevent Internet access providers from discriminating against particular Internet content or applications, while allowing for reasonable network management. The second would ensure that Internet access providers are transparent about the network management practices they implement.
The nation's two biggest phone companies, AT&T and Verizon Communications, have accepted the principles outlined by the FCC when it comes to their wired broadband networks. But the regulation that Genachowski is proposing will not apply to just wireline broadband networks, such as DSL and cable modem service. It will also apply to wireless services.
This is where the major phone companies will likely focus their opposition to the FCC's plans for new regulation. Verizon and AT&T, which operate the nation's largest and second-largest cell phone networks, respectively, say the rules should not apply to wireless Internet access. Among the arguments against the rules is that they would be difficult to implement because of capacity constraints on wireless networks.
• Video: Federal CTO Aneesh Chopra talks Net neutrality
More headlines
Courier tablet one of many Microsoft prototypes
The dual-screen prototype is indeed legit, but is just one of many prototypes cooked up as part of a skunkworks project being headed by J. Allard, sources say.• Microsoft's 'Pink' emerges from Danger's shadow
Facebook confirms site instability
Log-in and content-posting problems on the social-networking site have been confirmed by the company, but no explanation or cause has yet been provided.• Employers grappling with social network use
• The software that points 'gaydar' at Facebook
California to set TV energy efficiency standards
There are no national energy efficiency standards for power-hungry consumer electronics but California plans to set TV efficiency standards starting in 2011.• FAQ: Can flat-screen TVs make the efficiency grade?
Another $100 million for Twitter?
Private equity firm T. Rowe Price and VC group Insight Venture Partners are leading the round, which will value the company at around $1 billion, the WSJ reports.• Digsby unveils new Twitter features
• Twitter phishing scam spreads via direct messages
USB group says iTunes can block Pre
USB Implementers Forum cautions Palm against using an Apple hardware ID to let its Pre smartphone trick iTunes into granting access.• Apple OKs first porn star apps for iPhone
• Future of mobile commerce, in a skinny vanilla latte?
• Official Gmail push comes to iPhone, Windows Mobile
• Short video messaging arrives on iPhone
• South Korea welcomes the iPhone
Intel unveils system-on-a-chip for TVs
The CE4100 is designed to bring Internet content and services to digital TVs, DVD players, and advanced set-top boxes.• Intel's Maloney: Our business is do or die
• Intel shows off Larrabee graphics chip for first time
• Intel to introduce first mobile 'Nehalem' chip
• Intel brings Nehalem to notebooks, makes light of cables
Google plug-in builds Chrome browser into IE
Google Chrome Frame lets Microsoft's IE display pages with Chrome technology. But haven't most disgruntled Web surfers already installed a new browser?• Microsoft bashes Google's Chrome-in-IE plan
Nintendo drops Wii price to $199
Nintendo officially announces that the game console is getting a $50 price cut as of Sunday.• Drug cops caught playing Wii during raid
AT&T takes the phone out of iPhone
Unreliable iPhone service prompts CNET's Elinor Mills to make fewer and shorter calls, when she even has service--and apparently she isn't alone.• AT&T-iPhone calling woes on redial
Also of note
• MySpace, Hulu working on new video service
• Microsoft to open Windows cafe in Paris
• Whitman makes Calif. gubernatorial bid official
Microsoft took another swipe at the iPod this week with the launch of the latest version of the Zune media player. After three years and untold millions spent on the line, Microsoft's hopes of cutting into the iPod's big lead are now on the Zune HD, with its 3.3-inch multitouch screen, streaming-music feature, and the ability to play back video, with the help of an HDTV, in 720p. A 16GB Zune HD is available at retailers for $219.99, and a 32GB version will cost $289.99.
But at this point in Zune's evolution there's plenty of skepticism about whether Microsoft and its media player can close the gap on Apple. A Zune-iPod comparison has for too long resembled a late-round prize fight, the kind where the challenger is cut, swollen-eyed and wobbly legged but refuses to go to the canvas. Zune sales are falling, a top manager has moved on, and what's perhaps most worrisome is that the category is becoming passe.
• Microsoft Zune HD: Under the hood
• Surprises about the Zune HD
• Windows 7 works fine with Zune HD, iTunes 9
• Zune HD: You call that a browser?
• Spec to spec: Zune HD versus iPod Touch
More headlines
Google: Apple rejected Google Voice
Google goes public with its side of the story, telling the FCC that Apple rejected the voice app it said it was still reviewing.
Intel shakeup gives EMC a longtime chip exec
The two tech titans reshuffle their top ranks, with chip bigwig Pat Gelsinger headed from Intel to storage specialist EMC.• Apple hires new general counsel from Intel
• Intel contests EU on $1.45 billion fine
Browser-based Office shows its face
Microsoft launches a "technology preview" for the online versions of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, but users still can't edit their Word docs.
State AGs on Google Books settlement: We object
Five states join opposition to the settlement on the grounds that states, rather than the Books Rights Registry, should be entitled to unclaimed proceeds.• Report: Google considering book settlement tweaks
• Google acquires ReCaptcha as book-scanning aid
• Near-instant book printer adds Google Books titles
Rogue ad hits New York Times site
Unauthorized ad warns readers that their computer may be infected with a virus and redirects them to a site that purports to offer antivirus software.• Ads--the new malware delivery format
• Microsoft sues over malicious online ads
Voice chat coming to Facebook
A new service from Vivox will make it possible for any Facebook user to have a voice conversation with anyone else on the social network.• Phone calling coming to Twitter
• Skype founders file copyright suit against Skype
Facebook: We've got 300 million users...and we're making money
The company achieved a cash flow-positive status for the first time last quarter, a post by CEO Mark Zuckerberg read.• Facebook fights Virginia's demand for user data, photos
• Oops! Facebook jumps the gun on 'Prototypes'
Researchers push for new cell phone safety standards
Scientists testifying at a Senate subcommittee and attending a conference on cell phones and health this week say the FCC needs to change safety guidelines for cell phones.
Microsoft launches Bing 'Visual Search'
At TechCrunch50, Microsoft shows off a new way to skin a search. It uses thumbnail images that match queries. Not bad.• Bing grabs 10 percent of search market
At TechCrunch50, sexy yields to sensible
There weren't a lot of companies launching at the annual conference that promised something never-before-seen new. But this should be taken as a sign of industry maturation, not a dearth of ideas.• Best of show: Our top five
• TechCrunch50 2009 in pictures
• Full TechCrunch50 coverage
Also of note
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