MS, Doritos Team on Arcade Game Contest
While it had previously called on developers to produce a game for Xbox Live Arcade, Microsoft is now turning to consumers for the next big game idea. Through a partnership with Doritos, five finalists will be selected among Doritos-theme game concept submissions, and given an opportunity to work side by side with developers to bring their concept to reality.
The winner will be announced in November after a month-long voting period. The game would then be available as a free download in Summer 2008. In addition to the grand prize of their winning game on Xbox Live, each of the five finalists will receive a prize pack worth $6,000. Entries will be accepted between now and July 29 at the promotion's Web site.
Slingbox Now Supports Windows Mobile 6
While the launch of Windows Mobile 6 has thus far largely failed to reach anyone but T-Mobile customers, developers are slowly porting their handset applications to Microsoft's new operating system. Sling Media on Thursday made available an updated version of its SlingPlayer software.
Used in conjunction with the company's popular Slingbox device, SlingPlayer enables users to view and control their television remotely over a cell phone or laptop. The application is not free, however, and pricing is set at $29.99 USD. While SlingPlayer works over EDGE, performance is much better over 3G networks from AT&T, Sprint and Verizon, which have yet to release Windows Mobile 6 devices or upgrades.
Creative Soups Up Zen Stone
Creative updated its Zen Stone player on Thursday, adding a "Plus" model which doubles the capacity to 2GB for 69.99 USD, and includes a color screen and FM radio and voice recording functionality. Working much like the iPod Shuffle, it includes play and random features, and holds about 500 songs encoded at 128kbps. Its release follows the original stone last month, which went on sale for 39.99 USD.
Silicone skins allow the consumer to change the color of the player to any one of five options, and an armband and wristband option is also available. Accessories also include a portable speaker system that retails for 39.99 USD. The player will be available beginning in July from several online retailers.
Verizon Signs 1 Millionth FiOS Customer
In less than three years since the high-speed Internet, phone and TV service made its debut in limited regions across the United States, Verizon has signed its one millionth customer to FiOS. Nearly 500,000 of those customers also have FiOS TV, which debuted less than two years ago.
FiOS was an incredible undertaking for Verizon, which had to lay fiber optic cables to buildings and residences (a fact that largely has restricted its adoption in cities), in addition to gaining licenses to operate local television franchises. FiOS is currently available to 1,700 communities in 16 states, Verizon says, and the company has garnered many converts due to poor service from cable and DSL companies.
Windows Vista SP1 Beta Due This Year
Within its recent response to the United States Department of Justice that stated it would modify Windows Vista to enable end users and OEMs to change the default desktop search it uses, Microsoft for the first time discussed Service Pack 1 for the OS, saying a beta will come this year.
Microsoft has remained unusually silent about its SP1 plans for Vista, encouraging users and businesses not to wait for the first major upgrade. With a beta slated for the end of 2008 2007, Vista users could see the final version of SP1 by the middle of next year. For the update, Windows Desktop Search will continue to run in the background, but other programs such as Google Desktop Search can replace Microsoft's results - if the user chooses to do so via a link. Few other details are known about Vista SP1 at this time.
MySpace Officially Launches IM Client
MySpace said Tuesday that it has officially launched the beta of its instant messaging client to the public, about a year after it had first released it in a limited beta test. Since then, 17 million users worldwide have installed the client. While it enters into a very crowded market, MySpace hopes that its IM service will be able to take advantage of the tight integration with the popular social network site to grow quickly.
Functionality included within the client includes video chat and image sharing. It would also alert users when they receive new mail, comments, or friend requests through their MySpace profiles. The software only works on Windows, and no decision has been made to port the IM service to Mac or Linux, MySpace says.
Trillian Issues Security Update
Trillian developer Cerulean released an update Monday to address issues within the instant messaging product, including a buffer overflow vulnerability that could give an attacker control of a user's computer. iDefense said in an advisory that the issue lies in how the client handles UTF-8 messages, and the flaw could be exploited when an unusually long UTF-8 string is sent.
iDefense detected the issue through use of the MSN protocol, although it warned that other protocols may be at risk. Trillian also supports, AIM, Yahoo, ICQ, and IRC. The flaw was detected in version 3.1.5.1 of the product, and previous versions may also be at risk. All users are urged to upgrade to the latest version.
Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard Goes Wireless
Next month, Microsoft will introduce a wireless version of its popular Ergonomic 4000 keyboard as part of a new Ergonomic Desktop set that includes an upgraded version of its ergonomic wireless mouse as well. The pair will run on a 2.4GHz frequency, which means less interference and better range.
Microsoft touts the ergonomic design of both the keyboard and mouse as being "healthier" due to the shape that puts less stress on the wrist and arms. The Natural Mouse shape was inspired by a baseball, the company says, and keeps the hand in a relaxed state. The Ergonomic Desktop 7000 will go on sale in July for $149.95 USD.
New Version of MSN Mobile Rolls Out
Microsoft launched its redesigned mobile portal on Monday, which adds some new functionality in an effort to get ahead of its competitors in a growing market. The new portal automatically shows the best version of the site based on the type of browser and device accessing it, and includes links to sports, news, and entertainment features as well as links to Windows Live services such as e-mail, search, maps, and IM.
While the initial version of MSN Mobile does not include advertising, consumers can expect to see text and banner ads in the future, the company said. In addition, the new version of MSN Mobile also includes technology that automatically renders standard pages in formats suitable for mobile phones.
Yahoo Japan to Feature iTunes
Yahoo's Japanese arm said Monday that it had entered into an agreement with Apple to direct searchers for music at the search company's Japanese portal to tracks on iTunes Japan. In addition, the two companies are working on bringing exclusive content from artists featured on Apple's music store to Yahoo's web properties.
While Yahoo does operate its own music service in the US, Y! Music Unlimited, it is not available in Japan. By tapping into the popular iTunes music service, Yahoo is aiming to draw more users to its service. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Is Apple Developing In-Car Systems?
Apple's next moves may be into the on-board automobile computer segment, German magazine Focus reported on Sunday. The system combines communications, maintenance, and navagation functionality into a single unit and will initially be offered in select Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
The first of these Apple-equipped vehicles will likely come in 2009, and Mercedes will have a six-month period of exclusivity. Although firm details on exactly what the system includes were not divulged, the article says the mapping functionality will likely be powered by Google Maps.
Microsoft Discontinues Digital Image Product
Saying the functionality within the application is now available through other programs and within Windows Vista, Microsoft has decided to discontinue its Digital Image Suite Product, a notice on its Web site reads. Remaining products will be sold through retail outlets while supplies last, and the company will support users of the applications for up to three years from date of purchase or April 30, 2010, whichever is first.
Microsoft's application was a competitor of Adobe Photoshop Elements, a much-trimmed down version of its flagship Photoshop product. The company also recently has launched Expression Studio, which includes Expression Design, a professional illustration and graphic design tool. Windows Vista offers similar functionality to Digital Image, however with far fewer options.
Ballmer: Google Antitrust Accusations 'Baseless'
Microsoft fired back at Google's attempts to have antitrust regulators take a second look at Vista's search capabilities, calling the search giant's claims "baseless." Google has issues with a feature in the next generation operating system that allows users to search their hard drives. The company claims it does not allow for competition from other search providers.
In a speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer stressed that the company continues to comply with all restrictions handed down by the US government regarding Windows. "We think all claims to the contrary are baseless," he was reported by Reuters in response to a question on the matter.
Safari for Windows Tops 1 Million Downloads
Despite security concerns and Microsoft pundits like Paul Thurrott wondering "who would ever use" it, Safari 3 Beta for Windows was downloaded over 1 million times in the first 48 hours, Apple announced. The company continues to tout the speed and standards support of its browser, which was previously Mac-only.
Even with 1 million downloads, however, Apple has its work cut out for it in order to retain those users. The initial Safari 3 beta was noticeably buggy on Windows, and many reported slower performance than both IE7 and Firefox 2. In addition, Apple is now facing the same security issues that have long plagued its rivals on Windows, with upwards of 10 vulnerabilities already discovered in the beta. Some analysts speculate that Safari for Windows exists primarily to aid development of applications for Apple's upcoming iPhone, not to compete with IE or Firefox.
FTC Will Investigate All Ad Deals
While much has been made of the Federal Trade Commission’s plans to investigate the Google-DoubleClick merger, the Wall Street Journal said late Thursday that it also plans to look into Microsoft’s acquistion of Aquantive and Yahoo’s proposed buyout of Right Media. A Microsoft representative confirmed it had been notified of the investigation, and Yahoo acknowledged its deal needed “regulatory clearance.”
The FTC is not the only group with concerns about the acquisitions. Both the American Association of Advertising Agencies and the Association of National Advertisers have asked regulators to carefully consider both deals, as they may be harmful to competition.
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