active

Fitness-friendly headphones come in a variety of shapes and styles--from earclip to behind-the-neck--and finding a pair that stays put on your head while you're active can take some trial and error. Once you get past fit issues, you may find yourself wanting some more advanced features, and built-in Bluetooth technology often tops that list, as it eliminates the need for cumbersome wires tethering you to your MP3 player.

The latest pair of active-style earphones to hit the market is Sony's DR-BT160 Wireless Stereo Headset, which comes in two models: the $130 BT160AS, which includes just the headphones, and … Read more

No matter the promises, not every piece of software can operate with every system configuration. ID Computer Spy is one such application. Our testers had difficulty getting this monitoring software to work. Installation is promising, although the program doesn't allow users to direct it to a less obvious folder than Program Files. The configuration interface is clean and easy to comprehend. It just isn't an application made to install and forget until needed.

Testers complained that installation options to set Quick Launch and Start Menu items weren't followed. Neither did the application always load after install. That … Read more

Microsoft announced Thursday it expanded its Exchange ActiveSync IP licensing program and posted technical documents to spur development of prototype applications that link to its Exchange Server and Exchange ActiveSync-enabled mobile phones.

The Exchange ActiveSync software is designed to allow mobile phones to receive wireless push e-mail, as well as synchronize calendar, contacts and tasks. It also aims to allow companies to manage wireless devices and enact security policies.

The software giant also posted the protocols on the Microsoft Developer Network and expanded the licensing program to establish greater clarity on the steps and licensing terms that are needed when … Read more

AT&T is now selling the Apple iPhone 3G through their online store.

Currently the offer includes free overnight shipping. The phones are offered in 8GB black $199.99, 16GB black or white $299.99 for new customers and require a two year agreement. Only one handset per household can be purchased online, and we suspect this is another effort to prevent a gray market from developing. If you want additional iPhone 3Gs or if you are an upgrader, you have to visit an Apple or AT&T store.

Interestingly, activation can be done at home--something both Apple … Read more

When the iPhone 3G went on sale exactly five months ago, AT&T and Apple ended the in-home activation process that customers enjoyed with the original version. Though AT&T and Apple may have thwarted some iPhone unlockers, rule-abiding customers weren't happy about being forced to visit an Apple or AT&T store to buy the phone.

On Thursday, however, AT&T had a change of heart. You now can buy the iPhone 3G on AT&T's site (Apple will still make you come into the store) and have it delivered right to … Read more

Microsoft, long the bastion of proprietary thought, is increasingly adding open-source DNA to the fold. And it's adding to its roster of open-source veterans: Dick Hardt, founder and CEO of Sxip Identity and ActiveState, announced on his blog earlier this week that he will be joining Microsoft:

I will have the title Partner Architect and will be working on consumer, enterprise and government identity problems. My open source, open web and digital community experience will continue to guide my thinking. For me, this is an opportunity to work on the identity problems I have been toiling over for the … Read more

Microsoft and EMC's RSA on Thursday announced an expanded technology partnership around digital rights management in the enterprise.

There are two parts to the announcement, said Douglas Leland, general manager of the Identity and Security Business Group at Microsoft. One, Microsoft will build RSA's Data Loss Prevention (DLP) prevention classification into the Microsoft IT platform and future information protection products.

The other part of the announcement, said Leland, is that RSA will in turn integrate Microsoft's Active Directory Right Management System (RMS) into its DLP product. "This makes RSA's DLP solution identity-aware."

Microsoft and … Read more

San Francisco is not well known for its pizza. It's sad, but true. And while there is a smattering of decent pizza available, the options are few and far between. As a result, I did what any rational pizza-starved adult would do: I formed a pizza club.

So far this 'club' consists of just me and a fellow pizza-hungry buddy searching about for delicious area pizza. There's not much to it; basically, we find a promising spot and go eat there. No pictures. No arguing over thick or thin crust, to fold or not to fold; just a … Read more

Citysearch, the online business directory owned by Barry Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp, has gotten a full makeover. It's available now at beta.citysearch.com--there's a more streamlined and Ajax-y interface, but a few important features have been tweaked as well. According to company representatives, this is about a year and a half in the making.

First of all, instead of focusing on a select number of metro areas, Citysearch has expanded to a whopping 75,000 towns and neighborhoods, meaning that you can narrow down your focus to New York's East Village or Los Angeles' Culver … Read more