Beta Test Wireless E-Mail Software
Centercode is seeking beta testers for a software application that allows real-time mail and scheduling through the Outlook client to a handheld device. Applicants must own a Treo, Pocket PC or Windows Smartphone handset and use Microsoft Exchange Server along with Outlook.
Testers do not need to have much IT experience, Centercode says, although they must have an active data plan with their wireless carrier. To apply for the beta program, handheld users can visit Centercode Call Out and complete the registration process.
Motorola Debuts a RAZR with Keyboard
E-mail addicts will no longer be forced to carry around clunky devices thanks to a new smartphone introduced on Monday by Motorola dubbed "Q." The Moto Q builds upon the company's sleek RAZR phone design, adding a full QWERTY keyboard and Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system.
Q is 50 percent lighter than its closet competitor, according to Motorola, which has found immense success and rebuilt its fading image with the launch of the RAZR last year. The phone boasts electro-luminescent keys, a 1.3-megapixel camera with flash, and standard features such as Bluetooth and a built-in audio player.
Windows Vista Beta Set for Wednesday
Sources are reporting that Microsoft will beat its August 3 deadline for delivering Beta 1 of Longhorn, now known as Windows Vista, with a release to testers on Wednesday. Beta 1 is not expected to include the operating system's new name, which will likely be added for a beta refresh due in September for Microsoft's PDC 2005 conference.
Windows Vista Beta 1 will initially be available to a small group of testers via Microsoft's new Connect beta portal. MSDN subscribers will receive access to the first beta bits on August 3. Build 5112 will carry the official Beta 1 label, according to Windows Enthusiast site WinBeta.
Microsoft Explains Windows Vista Name
With the announcement of Longhorn's official name, Microsoft has left many users asking: Why Windows Vista? Company representatives told BetaNews that Microsoft felt the new version of Windows "deserved a name that was more representative of what it specifically brings to customers."
"Today, we live in a world of 'more' -- more information, more ways to communicate, more things to do, more opportunities -- and at the same time, more responsibilities. Increasingly, we all turn to our PCs to help us with that," a Microsoft spokesperson said. "At the end of the day, what you're after is a way to break through all the clutter to focus on what you want to focus on, what you need to do. What you're trying to get to is your own personal Vista -- whether that is trying to organize photos, or trying to find a file or trying to connect and collaborate with a number of people electronically."
Microsoft: No 'Vista' for Windows Server
Microsoft on Friday told BetaNews it had no plans to use the "Vista" moniker for its next generation Windows Server product line, despite choosing the name for its Longhorn client. For now, Microsoft will continue using Longhorn Server for a Beta 1 release, which is due in the coming weeks.
"While we are not announcing the name for Longhorn Server at this time, we can tell you that the current plan is to follow the existing naming convention of Windows Server 2003," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews. Windows Vista was announced Friday, alongside a video promoting the name.
Trend Micro to Test PC-Cillin 2006
Antivirus firm Trend Micro is slated to begin beta testing PC-Cillin 2006 from September 6 to September 29. The software provides virus and phishing protection, an anti-spyware solution, and rollback system to prevent trouble. Users can apply to join the beta program by registering with Trend.
"PC-Cillin is an up-to-date, all-in-one solution for both experienced and less experienced users who wish to have worry-free solutions. It provides a quality and effective easy-to-install and easy-to-use protection for your PC," the company says. Those who register will be sent information on the beta download locations closer to the start date.
Windows OneCare Beta Program Starts
Microsoft has sent notices to testers announcing that the first beta release of Windows OneCare is now available to download. Windows OneCare builds on Microsoft's security acquisitions to offer customers a PC protection and maintenance package.
Initially OneCare will include antivirus and firewall protection, an automated PC tune-up, and backup and restore functionality. Anti-spyware protection is not included in the initial beta, but will be added at a later date, Microsoft says.
MSN Begins Testing Messenger 7.5
Microsoft's MSN division has begun beta testing the next release of MSN Messenger, version 7.5. The update brings a number of minor feature enhancements such as voice clips and animated conversation window backgrounds, along with interface tweaks including a redesigned sign-on screen and renamed buttons.
Voice clips enable users to record short messages that can last up to 15 seconds and are then played on a contact's computer. Clips do not playback automatically; a user must select the Play button to listen. Both users must be running MSN Messenger 7.5 for the feature to work.
Google Maps the Surface of the Moon
Commemorating the first manned moon landing that took place 36 years ago today, Google has launched a variant of Google Maps thats lets users find out if the moon is realy made of cheese. While browsing the lunar surface, Google Moon also points out the locations of the six Apollo moon landings.
"Google Moon only has as much data as NASA was able to give us, so there are limitations (for now) on how close to the surface we can zoom," Google says. The company also announced that by 2069, it expects to integrate Google Local into Google Moon to help lunar visitors find businesses, phone numbers and other important information.
AOL Launches Alternative IE Browser
America Online has released the final version of AOL Explorer, an alternative Internet Explorer based Web browser that the company has been beta testing since last October.
The browser is a standalone application that features tabbed browsing, Web thumbnails and a built-in RSS feed aggregator. A customizable side panel enables users to load third-party add-ons into the browser, such as a calendar or panel that displays incoming mail. AOL has also included its desktop search product as an optional download.
MS Makes AntiSpyware More Informative
While it still hasn't progressed to Beta 2, Microsoft has once again quietly refreshed its Windows AntiSpyware utility. The update brings fixes for the loading of new signatures that are used to detect malware, along with changing the way users are informed about spyware processes running on a PC.
A previous update to Windows AntiSpyware added longer descriptions of the way spyware is categorized. Microsoft is encouraging all users to upgrade to version 1.0.615, which will be distributed to existing users through the software's built-in update feature. The new release is available for download via FileForum.
Winamp Updated to Fix Security Hole
AOL's Nullsoft division released a minor update to its Winamp digital audio player on Monday to correct a security vulnerability that could lead to buffer overflow and the potential execution of arbitrary code. Winamp 5.094 fixes the problem, along with a number of minor bugs.
The vulnerability lies in the way Winamp processes ID3 tags contained in MP3 files. If a malformed MP3 file is loaded into a playlist with an artist or title that is too long, it is possible to create overflow code that is later executed. The issue was reported to Nullsoft in late June, and an advisory was issued by LSS Security last week.
Microsoft Rushes to Fix Critical XP Flaw
Microsoft is rushing to patch a critical flaw in the Windows Remote Desktop Service, which affects fully updated Windows XP machines. The problem could be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service attack that crashes the PC with a Windows "blue screen of death."
Microsoft was informed of the flaw on May 4, and plans to issue a patch in its August security bulletin. The problem was discovered by Security Protocols, which posted a screenshot of a system being crashed.
Flawed Release Forces Firefox Update
Just days after the release of Firefox 1.0.5, Mozilla engineers were busy working to complete version 1.0.6 after API changes were found to have broken third-party extensions. Localized versions of the browser were also put on hold due to the impending update, which angered translators.
Firefox and Mozilla's Thunderbird e-mail client will move to 1.0.6, and the Mozilla Suite will be updated to 1.7.10.
Microsoft Tests New MSN Shopping Site
Microsoft has begun beta testing a new MSN Shopping portal, which serves as a price comparison engine for different online shops. The revamped site boasts 60 times the number of stores and five times the number of items, along with millions of new featured offers.
Although Microsoft is utilizing PriceGrabber.com for most of its shopping results, the company has increased the number of merchants it works with directly. The decision to work with a third party revolved around merchant ratings and reviews, Microsoft says, as the company did not want to start with a clean slate.
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