Nine Patches Due for Patch Tuesday
Microsoft plans to release nine patches as part of its August Patch Tuesday release, including six critical fixes for a host of code execution issues in several of its products. The patches will plug holes in XML Core Services, Windows, Internet Explorer, Office for both Windows and Mac, and Visual Basic.
In addition, three patches rated "important" will be released for two less severe code execution issues, and an elevation of privilege risk. The former patches are for Windows and Windows Vista, while the latter affects Virtual PC and Virtual Server. Microsoft said it planned to hold a webcast next Wednesday at 11:00am PT to discuss the releases.
Windows Live Folders Now 'SkyDrive'
Microsoft has renamed its online storage service from Windows Live Folders to Windows Live SkyDrive, concurrently adding support for those in the United Kingdom and India. The "SkyDrive" name is designed to indicate that stored files exist in the "cloud" of the Internet.
Alongside the name change, Microsoft has updated the Web-based service with a new user interface, thumbnail images, drag and drop support, and the ability to embed files and folders in other pages with some HTML code. Due to the URL change, previous links will need to be updated. Microsoft is accepting beta signups from the Windows Live SkyDrive Web site.
Perfect 10 Sues Microsoft for Infringement
Nude photography publisher Perfect 10 set its sights on Microsoft Thursday, saying it had filed suit against the company for reproducing its images in MSN Search without permission, as well as linking to other sites through its search engine that also commit copyright infringement and provide passwords to its Web site.
This lawsuit isn't a first for Perfect 10; the company has also sued both Google and Amazon for similar reasons, however both Internet companies have been successful in defeating the site's case on appeal. Neither Perfect 10 nor Microsoft were immediately available for comment.
Microsoft Applauds Strong Piracy Conviction
Microsoft applauded a federal court's decision Thursday to jail a man convicted of hawking faked certificates of authenticity for the company's software. Judge Orinda D. Evans of the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia sentenced Justin Harrison to 46 months in prison for his participation in the crime ring. Harrison ran Sales International, which participated in the trafficking of the certificates.
"The sentence recognizes the value of intellectual property and the threat that software piracy presents to the global economy and consumers throughout the world," Microsoft said in a statement. The case, which was investigated by the FBI, found that Sales International was distributing Microsoft software with the faked certificates.
'Halo 3' Sells 1 Million Copies Before Release
Microsoft said Thursday that "Halo 3" has become the fastest selling pre-ordered game in history, with over 1 million copies already paid for by customers. Microsoft hopes to further that number by launching a number of Halo ad campaigns with Mountain Dew, 7-Eleven, Pontiac, Comcast and Burger King.
"Halo 3" officially goes on sale September 25, and retailers expect to be fully sold out by the time the game arrives at stores. Microsoft says this is the first time a game has created as much buzz as a blockbuster movie, and Mountain Dew is even creating a new drink -- called "Game Fuel" -- that is Halo-themed. The game will also be featured in television commercials from Pepsi and Pontiac.
Apple Updates Boot Camp Software
Apple on Wednesday released a new beta of its Boot Camp software, which enables Intel-based Macs to dual-boot Windows and Mac OS X. Version 1.4 Beta introduces a number of new features, including support for Apple's backlit keyboards, and the Apple Remote.
The company is further polishing the software before it arrives as a built-in option for Mac OS X "Leopard," due to be released in October. Other minor updates in Boot Camp 1.4 Beta include updated graphics drivers, a new driver installer, localization fixes, improved international keyboard support, and better help.
Xbox 360 Premium Gets HDMI Port
Microsoft has quietly updated its mid-range Xbox 360 Premium model with an HDMI output, making the game console compatible with high-definition televisions and receivers. The HDMI port had been a major selling point of the high-end Xbox 360 Elite, which costs $100 more and features a larger hard drive.
Customers began noticing the HDMI port on the latest shipments of Xbox 360 units to retail stores, and Microsoft has confirmed it is phasing in the updated model. The Redmond company has not said whether the new Xbox 360 Premium features the rumored 65-nanometer chips that run cooler or quieter DVD drive, but it is likely. Xbox 360 Premium buyers can look for an HDMI logo on the box to ensure they receive the updated version.
Microsoft Makes Vista Fix Packs Public
In a move that will likely only further confuse the situation surrounding Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Microsoft has posted for public download two updates that were released to beta testers last month. The patches improve Vista performance and reliability, along with the operating system's compatibility with drivers and hardware.
Some of the changes include better file copy performance, faster boot times, improved compatibility with newer graphics cards, and better performance in games with advanced visuals. The fixes are expected to be included in SP1, which is slated for public release next year. However, Microsoft has seemingly made them available early in response to criticism from customers surrounding Vista performance and reliability problems. Download the Vista Performance Update and Reliability Update from FileForum.
Dell Expands Linux PCs to Europe, China
In a sign that its experiment with offering Linux as an installed operating system on certain notebook and desktop PCs may be working, Dell is expanding the option to the United Kingdom, France, Germany and China. The company includes Ubuntu Linux (Novell's SUSE in China) as opposed to Windows, saving customers some money.
For now, Dell says the majority of its Linux computer sales have come from open source enthusiasts, not general consumers. But because the manufacturer's systems are typically custom-tailored to a customer's preferences, it's not difficult to switch out the operating system. Dell likely won't see any additional revenue from the move, but it will score points with open source fans. And those individuals are frequently the ones making the buying decisions for companies' technology infrastructures - which could lead to additional enterprise sales for Dell.
HTC Advantage Debuts in US for $899
HTC said Tuesday that the Advantage, its newest laptop-like smart device, is now available in the US market. The Advantage runs on Windows Mobile 6 Professional and includes a five-inch VGA display and attachable keyboard. The device isn't exactly small: it weighs in at almost 13 ounces and measures 5.25 inches long by 3.86 inches wide, and a little over three-quarters of an inch wide when measured with the keyboard.
An impressive list of features follow the device, including an 8GB hard drive, built in GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, TV out, and a 3-megapixel camera. The Avantage has been available as the "Ameo" across T-Mobile's European markets; in the US, it is being sold at CompUSA and Amazon.com as an unlocked device for $899 USD.
Canadians See $100 Xbox Price Drop
Alongside Tuesday's $50 price cut in the United States, Canadian gamers are seeing cheaper Xbox 360 as well, finally bringing the console down to a reasonable price tag. Microsoft has lowered the cost by $100 CDN for all Xbox 360 versions. The Premium console will now cost $399.99 CDN, with the Core system priced at $299.99 CDN.
Products sold in Canada are traditionally more expensive -- the Xbox 360 debuted with a price tag of $499.99 CDN -- due to exchange rates, but a falling U.S. dollar has put the Canadian dollar on nearly equal ground in recent months. The Xbox 360 Elite will now cost $499.99 CDN, while the Halo 3 Special Edition is slated to debut at $449.99 CDN in September.
'300' Sets Hi-Def Disc Sales Records
Warner Home Video said Tuesday that sales of "300" have reached 250,000, making it the fastest and highest-selling high-definition disc ever. All told, the studio has six of the 10 highest selling discs, and the highest grossing title in the BBC's "Planet Earth" series. The company also talked up the benefits at this juncture of supporting both HD formats, as opposed to the single format strategy that many studios have settled on.
30 percent of HD discs sold are from Warner, more than any other studio. However, the studio seemed to push both Blu-ray and HD DVD to keep lowering prices if they wish to continue expanding the market. "This phenomenal response to '300' is the latest proof that our approach makes the most sense in today's market and has enabled Warner Home Video to continue to lead the market in high definition sales," Warner Home Video president Ron Sanders said.
Fortune: Gates No Longer Richest Man
An era has come to an end, says Fortune, as Bill Gates is no longer the world's richest man, according to the magazine's latest tally. Mexican telecom billionaire Carlos Slim has surpassed the Microsoft founder with an estimated worth of $59 billion compared to Gates' $58 billion.
Of course, the passing of the torch won't officially come until Forbes publishes its annual list next year. The change is largely the result of Slim's public holdings gaining more than $12 billion this year; Slim owns America Movil, the largest cell phone company in Latin America, along with a number of banks and restaurant chains. Gates has also been giving away more of his money to charitable causes, while Slim says he helps best by creating wealth and jobs through his own companies.
Nokia Shines Light on 'Prism' Phones
Nokia on Tuesday introduced two new style-oriented handsets that will only be available in Europe initially. The phones fall under what the company is calling its "Prism Collection," featuring triangle-shaped buttons and light-refracting colors.
The Nokia 7900 is the top-of-the-line Prism model, and includes an anodized aluminium backcover and an Organic LED display on the front. Users can choose from 49 different illumination colors that come from under the keys and around the display.
Google Joins OIN, Agrees Not to Sue Linux Developers
Google said Tuesday it has joined the Open Invention Network (OIN), and in the process pledged not to assert its patents against other Linux developers in the organization. OIN essentially serves as a clearing house for cross-licensing patents, and counts IBM, Oracle and Sony as members.
Since its inception, Google has utilized Linux to build the largest search engine in the world. Now, the company says it feels "a strong responsibility to the Linux community, and we’re always looking for creative ways to put our resources in the hands of Linux developers." Hundreds of Google employees have submitted patches to the Linux operating system, and the company has open-sourced over a million lines of its own code.
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