Microsoft Dev Tools Near Completion
Microsoft has confirmed it will issue a release candidate of Visual Studio 2005 and a community technology preview of SQL Server 2005 at its Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles on September 12. Formerly known by their code-names Whidbey and Yukon, both products will officially launch November 7.
An August CTP of Visual Studio 2005 is slated for release this week, while a third beta of the server component of Visual Studio Team System is due in September. The releases will be a welcome arrival for developers, which have put up with numerous delays that pushed the final products back over a year.
Fujitsu Unleashes 160GB Laptop Drive
Fujitsu has matched Seagate's recent feat of a 160GB hard drive for notebook computers, but has skipped the perpendicular recording technology and instead focused on the drive's Serial ATA interface. The 4,200 RPM drive boasts transfer rates of 150MB per second, which Fujitsu is aiming at high-end audio and video.
The MHV2160BT features a hardware accelerator to improve performance by simultaneously queuing and reordering up to 32 instructions. The drive also includes low power consumption and a high shock tolerance. No estimated pricing was given, but Fujitsu says the MHV2160BT should be available before the end of the year.
Google Desktop Search Gets Sidebar
While Microsoft may be undecided about a sidebar in Windows Vista, Google has scooped up the idea for its latest Desktop Search release. Google Desktop 2.0 introduces a new vertical window that sits on the side of a user's desktop and features personalized information and search functionality.
Google's new addition, aptly called the Sidebar, can be custom tailored with news, weather, stocks and more. Users can add their own content via RSS feeds and create a photo slideshow using local images or those from a Web site. An e-mail panel even checks for new messages based on a user-defined filter.
Yahoo Music Joins iTunes in Japan
Fresh off launching the final version of Yahoo! Music Unlimited in the United States last week, Yahoo on Monday announced it was opening its music service for consumers in Japan. Yahoo will make available 100,000 tracks and allow customers to listen to full songs before buying - the first music store to offer such capability.
Apple's iTunes, meanwhile, has proven a hit in Japan where it sold over 1 million songs in the first four days. Yahoo's quick move to join Apple in the number-two music market could put pressure on the market leader, but iTunes still touts a music library ten times the size of Yahoo's. Napster has also announced intentions to launch a Japanese music store, but not until next spring.
New Suite Binds Next-Gen AOL Software
America Online's "Copland" initiative to bring together the company's applications into a single package has been given a name: AOL Suite. Integrating AOL Explorer, Mail and AIM Triton, AOL Suite will serve as the company's next-generation software for subscribers, and could eventually replace AOL's aging client.
Copland was the code-name for AOL's Open Client Platform, which was designed to create a unified code base for AOL applications. The idea was to build software that is more in tune with current consumer behavior -- from broadband to multi-tasking -- while moving away from an all-in-one client experience.
Yahoo Music Service Officially Launches
Yahoo! Music Unlimited, the company's subscription music service, has left beta and Yahoo is preparing a massive marketing blitz to promote its new offering. Powered by the Yahoo! Music Engine, the service brings to the table over 1 million songs at 192kbps with a cost 60 percent less than rivals Napster and Real.
Despite claims that Yahoo's low beta pricing wouldn't last, the company has kept the subscription service priced at just $4.99 USD per month when paid annually or $6.99 USD monthly. Customers can stream or download an unlimited number of songs to their computer, as well as transfer tracks to portable devices.
Apple Recalls, Fixes Security Update
Following a monster security update issued earlier this week, some users of Mac OS X 10.4 discovered that Apple's patches also brought unforeseen consequences: 64-bit applications such as Mathematica no longer worked. To rectify the situation, Apple has issued a new release of the update.
News of the problems surfaced after Wolfram Research received reports that its Mathematica 5.2 software was rendered unusable following installation of the 18MB update.
Microsoft Issues Zotob Worm Remover
In the wake of wide media exposure surrounding Zotob infections at CNN and other organizations, Microsoft has updated its Malicious Software Removal Tool to detect and remove the worm and its more-harmful variants. But the company is standing its ground, calling the threat only "moderate."
Version 1.7.1 of Microsoft's malware tool now removes: Zotob.A, Zotob.B, Zotob.C, Zotob.D, Zotob.E, Bobax.O, Esbot.A, Rbot.MA, Rbot.MB and Rbot.MC. The worms take advantage of a critical security vulnerability in Windows 2000, which was patched as part of last week's monthly security update. Although Zotob is not outright destructive, it can cause system reboots and opens a backdoor to intruders.
AOL Spammer Sentenced to 15 Months
A former engineer for America Online who stole the usernames and over 92 million e-mail addresses of AOL members was sentenced Wednesday to 15 months in prison. Jason Smathers used the stolen data to send over 7 billion spam e-mails before selling the list to another spammer for $28,000.
The 25 year-old Smathers struck a plea bargain with the government to help track down fellow spammers and, in return, received a reduced sentence. As one of the first people to be prosecuted under a new federal antispam law, Smathers had faced up to 10 years in federal prison for his actions.
Sony Touts 8X Dual Layer DVD Burner
Sony has launched the industry's fastest dual layer DVD burner, capable of recording 8.5GB in 15 minutes. The 8X speed works only with DVD+R dual layer discs, while burning DVD-R at 4X. The DRU-810A drive is expected to hit retail shelves next month for about $100 USD, with an external version available for $150 USD.
In addition to dual layer DVD burning Sony's new drive features: 16X DVD+/-R, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW, 48X CD-R and 32X CD-RW recording. The retail package bundles DVD authoring software from Nero, along with a black replacement bezel for those with black-colored PC cases. The external DRX-810UL model supports both FireWire and USB 2.0 connections.
Zotob Worm Slams News Networks
Despite overall global infection rates remain low compared to viruses such as Sober, Windows 2000 systems at several news networks were hit hard by the Zotob worm on Tuesday, prompting CNN to break into regular programming to announce its computers were under attack and constantly rebooting.
Machines at the New York Times, ABC and a number of other organizations were also infected by Zotob, which copies itself into the Windows System folder and modifies a user's "hosts" file to prevent access to antivirus Web sites. The worm initiates an FTP server on port 3333 and scans IP addresses using port 445 for other vulnerable systems.
Xbox 360 Pricing, Models Announced
Microsoft has finally put to rest months of speculation, announcing official pricing and models for its upcoming Xbox 360 home entertainment console. The basic version of the Xbox 360 will run $299.99 USD, will a premium edition priced at $399.99 USD.
The core Xbox 360 model includes only the console without hard drive, wired controller and standard AV cable. For an extra $100, gamers receive a special console with metallic detailing, 20GB hard drive, wireless controller, remote control, headset, high-definition AV cable and an Xbox Live Silver membership.
Game Boy Micro to Ship September 19
Nintendo is set to launch its new miniaturized Game Boy Micro on September 19 for a retail price of $99.99 USD. The sleek reincarnation of Nintendo's popular portable game system made its first appearance at E3 this year, and measures a measly 4 inches wide, 2 inches long and 0.7 inches thin.
Game Boy Micro will come in silver and black variants, each with three removable faceplates. "The incredibly small size of Game Boy Micro belies the powerful technology shrunk into a hip new casing with an intensely bright screen; and at under $100, it's a must-have," said George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing.
MS to Showcase Vista, Office 12 at PDC
Microsoft on Tuesday announced that its 2005 Professional Developers Conference, which begins September 13 in Los Angeles, has completely sold out. The four day event will give developers a long-awaited taste of Windows Vista and a look at the next release of Microsoft Office, code-named Office 12.
Bill Gates will kick off PDC05 with a keynote address, and other Microsoft executives will also speak at the event. The last PDC was held in 2003 and focused on the fundamentals of Longhorn. However, much has changed in the operating system since that time and PDC05 will be crucial for any developers looking to prepare for Vista's late 2006 debut.
iBook Giveaway Sparks Stampede in VA
A sale of old Apple iBooks in Virginia turned chaotic Tuesday, as hoards of eager buyers stampeded through the gates of the Richmond International Raceway. People were pushed to the ground, hit with folding chairs, and one person even attempted to drive his car through the crowd.
Virginia's Henrico County school system was holding the sale to get rid of 1,000 antiquated iBooks, which were being offered at $50 a pop. However, an estimated 5,500 people showed up, with some camping out since 1am waiting for the 7am sale to begin.
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