CNET News Daily Podcast

The second public beta of Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 is out, and according to CNET's Robert Vamosi, it just might give other mainstream browsers a run for their money.

The iPhone OS 2.0.2 software: To upgrade or not to upgrade? Two stories this week might give iPhone owners pause. First, RoughlyDrafted Magazine writes that a source inside AT&T suspects reception problems plaguing many iPhone 3G users are based on faulty power-control software inside the phone. The 2.0.2 update was intended to fix this problem, according to the source, and the more people who upgrade, the better reception will get.

But upgraders, beware: another report says the iPhone 2.0.2 software has a hole that can open up users' mail, text messages, voice messages, and browser to anyone who gets hold of the phone. So if you do upgrade your device, just be sure not to lose it.

Also in today's podcast: Google has announced details on its Android Market, an online resource for Android-based apps and services; and a handheld sensor that detects cancer in patients' breath could be on the horizon.

Today's stories:

Security hole opens up password protected iPhones

Power-control software blamed for iPhone 3G reception issues

Google announces Android Market for phone apps

IE 8 beta gives other browsers a run for their money

Bloomberg mistakenly publishes Steve Jobs obit

British man to face hacking charges in U.S.

After flight delays, FAA may add backup system

Psystar responds to Apple suit, will countersue

Handheld breath sensor could help detect cancer

The 2008 Summer Olympics can be watched online more than any Olympics past, which is no surprise. But how smoothly is all the streaming going, and how many people are tuning in to watch the Games on their computers? CNET News reporter and sports enthusiast Ina Fried breaks it down.

Plus, Business Week is calling Infineon's chip inside the iPhone 3G the root cause of the reception problems that numerous iPhone 3G owners have reported. The good news, according to the publication, is that Apple believes it can fix the problems with a software upgrade; the company is said to be testing an update that could be released as early as the end of this month.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Today's stories:

Beijing 2008: Tech gets in on the Games

Report: Software fix in the works for iPhone 3G

HSBC could order 200,000 iPhones

Apple market cap tops Google

Intel USB 3.0 update resolves dispute with Nvidia, AMD

Intel readies new remote PC access function

Netflix users suffering service's longest outage ever

Logitech snaps up Ultimate Ears for $34 million

Facebook declares support for new nonprofit ServiceNation

Hunters claim to have nabbed Bigfoot, Internet goes nuts

One analyst thinks the connectivity trouble some users are having with the iPhone 3G might be caused by the phone's chipset. If he's right, the problem could be a big hassle for Apple and customers.

If a current trend continues, electronic invitations might supplant traditional paper invites for formal occasions. Would you consider sending electronic wedding invitations? Take our poll and let us know.

A caravan of 11 vehicles kicked off the Hydrogen Road Tour in Portland, Maine, on Monday to educate U.S. consumers and policy makers about hydrogen and fuel-cell vehicles. Reporter Martin LaMonica checks in to explain how hydrogen-powered cars work and what organizers hope will come of the cross-country tour.

Those stories and more in today's podcast.

Today's stories:

Alleged NASA hacker gets temporary reprieve

Analyst: Infineon chipset possible cause of iPhone 3G issues

States may tax iTunes, other digital downloads

Allman Brothers sue UMG for 'digital exploitation'

CNET, CEA back Consumer Sentiment Indexes

Hydrogen Road Tour rolls across America

Yahoo reportedly settled on Icahn directors

Digital invites suit up for black-tie affairs

Internet pioneer Vint Cerf acknowledges that Internet service providers need to figure out how to manage network traffic. But, he says, they're doing it all wrong. He's posted a blog calling for online speed limits, as opposed to data volume caps, but will ISPs follow his suggestion?

The last week has brought a flurry of news of tech companies jumping into the cloud computing game. CNET's Charles Cooper and Dan Farber talk about what led up to this trend.

Get those stories and more in today's podcast.

Today's stories:

Vint Cerf calls for Internet speed limits

Black Hat 2008 promises to be big

Apple nixes second Black Hat talk

Microsoft taking a sip of Midori

Microsoft's heads-up on security vulnerabilities

Apple releases update to iPhone 2.0 software

Apple's Jobs says oops on MobileMe launch

Hearwho crunches text into MP3s for your amusement

Tech goes back to school

Back-to-school gift guide

World ready for Flash for dummies? You bet

Sony picks up Web series Rocketboom

Friendster gets $20 million, ex-Googler as CEO

Reporter Caroline McCarthy gives us a rundown of two YouTube partnerships announced Thursday--one with TiVo and one with film studio Lionsgate, which Caroline expects won't be as big a deal as many people hope.

Also in this podcast: Google Apps gets hundreds of new templates for making specific types of content; Gmail and Google Calendar could be available offline as soon as six weeks from now; Amazon tries its hand at movie and TV downloads; and the man going after the tech vote in November.
Listen now: Download today's podcast

Today's stories:

Offline access soon for Gmail, Google Calendar?

Google Docs gets a profusion of templates

Report: Amazon to open new video store

Bob Barr: The privacy candidate for president

Report: Lionsgate cranks open for YouTube

YouTube on TiVo: It's about time

iPhone 3G shortage hits AT&T stores

EU confirms more antitrust charges against Intel

NPR looks to developers for help distributing shows

It's official: Audiophiles are over CDs

iPhone 3G launch day has the gadget world all abuzz. CNET News reporters Greg Sandoval and Erica Ogg talk about what they witnessed Friday morning at iPhone 3G sale points in San Francisco, and some of the glitches that have cropped up for those trying to get their next-generation smartphones up and running.

Plus, CNET News intern Holly Jackson talks to reporter Martin LaMonica about IBM's latest green move--a concerted smart-grid effort.

Today's stories:

Full iPhone coverage

Server crashes slow lines, frustrate iPhone buyers

Verizon Wireless settles early-termination suit

FCC chief plans to recommend sanctions against Comcast

Rambus sues Nvidia for patent infringement

IBM to prime pump for smart-grid start-ups

Vista Compatibility Center up and running

Location, location: YouTube tests geo video search

Report: No charges in Apple backdating probe

Intel's in-home health device gets FDA nod

Texting champ wins $50,000

Three lucky tech writers got their hands on early copies of the iPhone 3G. We weren't among them, but we did summarize what they had to say about the new smartphone.

Twitter traffic has skyrocketed since last year, despite chronic site meltdowns and anecdotes of people switching over to alternative services. And Google has hopped on the online social train with its introduction of Lively. Unlike the popular Second Life, the program doesn't require downloading extra software--and is designed to be included in the user's real life. CNET News reporter Stephen Shankland tested it out, and in this podcast, he tells intern Holly Jackson about his first impressions.

Today's stories:

iPhone 3G reviews: It's fast, hungry, and still pretty

Steady growth for Twitter, despite hiccups

With Lively, Google tries its own 'Second Life'

Google advertisers get view into keyword search popularity

Senate questions privacy impact of Web monitoring for ads

Is Yahoo eyeing Demand Media?

Got a lead foot? Try 'Kiwi' device to save gas

Hans Reiser likely to get reduced sentence

Select Flickr photos to sell via Getty license

Since filing a $1 billion lawsuit against YouTube, Viacom has battled its image as a corporate bully, denying consumers the ability to watch its shows where and how they want. Their struggle could be a lesson to other companies fighting over copyright protections. Meanwhile, Microsoft is still having trouble getting its Vista message out to the public. A new tool that tests compatibility with Vista faltered on launch day, a year and a half after Vista's release.

Those stories, and the rest of the day's headlines, in today's daily podcast.
Listen now: Download today's podcast

Today's stories:

Gmail now blocking fake eBay, PayPal e-mails

Google powers up users' Gmail security arsenal

Viacom won't soon shed image as corporate bully

Apple's MobileMe service set to debut

Only U.S. Apple retail stores getting iPhone 3G

Microsoft still pushing Vista compatibility story

Microsoft readies pay-as-you-go business apps

Xbox 360 price cut coming July 13

Wii-habbing your way back to health

Supercomputing at Oak Ridge

Reiser reportedly leads police to wife's body