flash

America's first "4G" Windows phone is right around the corner. AT&T recently announced pricing and availability for the Samsung Focus S, which will run on AT&T's HSPA+ network (not AT&T's 4G LTE).

Starting November 6, you'll be able to pick up the higher-end Focus S for $199.99, along with the budget and Samsung Focus Flash for just $49.99. Both require a new two-year contract and a minimum $15-per-month data plan. … Read more

Chipmaker LSI said today it has signed a deal to acquire privately held flash storage processor provider SandForce for $322 million in cash.

The acquisition will give the Milpitas, Calif.-based-semiconductor maker--previously known as LSI Logic--an expanded presence in the fast-growing market for solid-state drives made with NAND flash memory chips, like those typically found in smartphones and tablet computers. As flash prices decline, demand for flash SSDs is expected to overshadow traditional hard drives.

"Adding SandForce's technology to LSI's broad storage portfolio is consistent with our mission to accelerate storage and networking," LSI Chief Executive … Read more

In the past, Apple had always been seen as a company selling niche, high-quality products at high prices. In recent years, however, it's captured business by keeping costs more competitive.

The company's lower price strategy applies not just to its iPhone and iPad products, but also to the MacBook Air--all have been able to meet or beat the prices offered by some of its rivals, according to an analysis in yesterday's New York Times. But Apple also keeps its own internal costs down by locking in prices on huge amounts of hardware components through multi-year deals with … Read more

So far the Samsung Focus S and Focus Flash have remained shy, but now they've gotten over a little of their stage fright.

Microsoft offered a good, clear view of the two Windows Phone 7.5 Mango smartphones at D Asia today. There's no pricing or availability yet, but we did want to pass along Microsoft's photos from the show. Enjoy!

Adobe Systems is working on a fix for a Flash-related vulnerability that could be used by Web sites to surreptitiously turn on a visitor's microphone or Webcam.

The problem is in the Flash Player Settings Manager on Adobe's servers and not with software on customer computers, Adobe spokeswoman Wiebke Lips told CNET today.

"Engineering is currently working on a fix," she said in an e-mail. "Note that this issue does not involve/require a product update and/or customer action. (In other words, there will not be a security bulletin.) It's a fix we … Read more

Here's something you don't see, well, ever.

While supplies last, Wal-Mart has the PNY Mini Attache 16GB USB flash drive for $10.84, plus sales tax in most states. Shipping adds another $1.97, though you can skip that by picking one up in-store. (I'd call first to make sure they have them in stock.)

Update: Looks like the sale is over, folks. The price is back up to around $29. (Or perhaps it was a price mistake?)

Even with shipping, that's the lowest nonrebate price I've seen on a 16GB drive. It's still … Read more

A few weeks ago Intego discovered a new Trojan horse for OS X that poses as an installer for Adobe Flash. The Trojan attempts a somewhat complex attack that involves disabling security features and inserting into existing applications code that attempts to send personal information to remote servers.

This Trojan, called OSX/flashback.A, is one of a few new malware attempts on the Mac platform that have surfaced in the past few months (others being a PDF-based malware attack and another fake Flash installer).

As with any malware attempt, we expect there will be future revisions as the criminals … Read more

Research In Motion has pushed out an update for its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with the latest version of Flash but still no native e-mail or instant messaging, at least not yet.

Described yesterday in the official BlackBerry blog, the new BlackBerry Tablet OS version 1.07.3312 offers a security fix to the Flash Player that Adobe rolled out on September 21. Available now for all PlayBook users, the new BlackBerry update can be downloaded over the air.

As usual, PlayBook owners will receive a message notifying them of the new update, or they can manually check for it under Software Updates in the settings menu. Customers who buy a PlayBook as of yesterday will automatically receive the latest Adobe Flash Player already installed.… Read more

commentary For all the folks out there who love to bash Adobe Systems for its Flash Player software, it's time to take a fresh look at the company.

Because today's Adobe is very different than the one that long promoted Flash as the way to a rich, interactive Web. Adobe is being reborn as a Web technology company that is advancing Web standards, not promoting its own in-house technology alternative at the expense of those standards.

It's not just Web standards making an appearance, either. Adobe also is moving beyond the personal-computer era with serious apps for … Read more