Napster, Circuit City Launch Co-Branded Store
Napster has partnered with Circuit City to offer its music service to the retailer's customers in a co-branded environment starting next week. The service would essentially be the same as the Napster service, save the 'Circuit City+Napster' branding. New customers receive the first month free, and will be billed $14.95 per month thereafter, which includes five free song downloads.
"Increasingly, consumers are turning to the digital environment for entertainment and this new service will give our customers easy access to the content they want, when and how they choose to enjoy it," Circuit City's entertainment chief Irynne MacKay said.
Apple Plugs 25 Mac OS Security Holes
Apple on Thursday released its fourth security update of the year, patching 25 security holes in its operating system, 24 specifically affecting the latest version of Mac OS X version 10.4. Among the extensive list of fixes is a wireless network patch for older systems.
Three fixes were made to Mac's Kerberos authentication daemon, along with three for the system's Login Window application. A slew of patches affect Unix services such as ftpd, GNU Tar, fetchmail, WebDAV and SMB. Two fixes to Libinfo stop malicious Web sites from potentially running arbitrary code. Apple also updated services used in its iChat and System Configuration applications due to security flaws.
Microsoft: Try Exchange 2007 Free
In an effort to entice new corporate customers into upgrading or migrating to Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft is offering a free "trial service" managed by Unisys. The idea is that businesses will like the new features so much, they will decide to make the switch.
Customers will be able to try the new unified messaging capabilities in Exchange 2007, along with the software's improved security and performance. Mobility is a central focus of the new release, enabling users to access their e-mail, calendaring, faxes and even voicemail on a PC, over the Web, as well as with a mobile phone.
New Beta of Windows Home Server Arrives
Microsoft on Wednesday released a new Community Technology Preview of Windows Home Server, the company's new version of Windows that is designed to enable families with multiple PCs connect their home computers, digital devices and printers. The beta test is currently closed, but Microsoft is still accepting applications to join.
The interim update follows February's Beta 2 release and includes a number of fixes, UI improvements and enhancements. Microsoft says it has improved the "out of box" experience with a 7-step setup process to easily configure the Home Server. Remote access and network health notifications have also been added, along with improved password settings and support for System Add-ins, which can be developed using the recently released Windows Home Server SDK.
Froogle Now 'Google Product Search'
Google said Thursday it is going "back to basics" with its Froogle shopping search engine, in both name and function. Now known as Google Product Search, the interface has been cleaned up, and a new feature lets users display only merchants that accept Google Checkout.
Although it may seem like a lackluster rebranding more akin to Microsoft, Google said the Froogle name "caused confusion for some because it doesn't clearly describe what the product does." Added Google vice president Marissa Mayer: "One thing we didn't change is the wide variety of items you can find with Product Search."
'Glitch' Keeps Some AIM Users Offline
AOL told BetaNews Wednesday afternoon it is in the process of resolving a "technical glitch" that is affecting a limited number of AIM users. The problem surfaced early in the day, and resulted in some users being knocked off the service repeatedly.
The company did not say what caused the problem, which seemed to hit users in various regions of the United States. "All affected AIM users will have their service issue resolved by very early morning, though for many AIM users, the problem has already been fixed," an AOL spokesperson told BetaNews.
Apply to Test the Next Windows Media Center
Microsoft is now accepting beta test applications for the next version of Windows Media Center, code-named "Fiji." The update will likely contain bug fixes and some new digital media features, arriving alongside Windows Vista Service Pack 1, say sources.
Microsoft program manager Jessica Zahn announced the beta test on The Green Button forum. "We only have so many spots, and we need a diverse group of testers from across the US and from supported countries," Zahn said. "You'll only be contacted if you're chosen, and we will choose people by May 31."
Sony to Cut Jobs in Gaming Division
Citing changes in the gaming industry, Sony announced that it would likely be cutting hundreds of jobs in its gaming division across Europe, Japan, and The United States. The exact number is unknown, but a spokesperson for its European division said a little over 8 percent of its 1,900 employees would be laid off. A final decision on cuts would likely come by next month.
Sony is under increasing pressure to turn its business around, and it has taken heavy losses in its gaming division to ensure a good launch for the PlayStation 3. For the final calendar quarter of last year, Sony reported losses of $1.05 billion. While job cuts are only one possible solution to the problem, it does appear one of the most likely.
Nokia to Ship WiMax Phone in Early 2008
NEWS IN BRIEF Nokia will move forward with WiMax in 2008, as it begins to rollout handsets compatible with the technology. However, the market for these devices will likely be quite small initially. Only Sprint has committed to use the technology in the US so far, and the company would be competing with Motorola for this small market, as they also committed to ship a WiMax phone next year.
The technology is promising to those carriers looking to deploy high-speed data networks in a much cheaper fashion. Studies show that WiMax services could be offered at 10 percent the cost of standard wireless data technologies.
Adobe Betas After Effects, Premiere CS3
Although Adobe today began shipping the Design and Premium SKUs of its Creative Suite 3, Production Premium and Master Collection are awaiting the final new versions of After Effects and Premiere. Both of those products were released publicly in beta form Monday.
Interested video producers can download Adobe After Effects Pro CS3 and Premiere Pro CS3 from the Adobe Labs Web site. Windows and Mac versions are available for both products, but users must have previous versions of the software to activate the beta. Adobe offered a similar preview of Photoshop CS3 in December, enabling Mac users to try out the new Intel-compatible release.
Joost Signs Independent Studios
Internet TV startup Joost is slowly expanding its library of content, which has become a major complaint from beta testers of the service. The company on Monday announced it has signed deals with four independent television and film producers, along with two indie distributors.
ALL3MEDIA International, Alliance Atlantis, September Films and Wall to Wall have joined Joost in addition to IndieFlix and Shorts International. "Joost empowers independent content owners to reach new audiences and generate additional revenue in a community-driven environment, while ensuring that all programmes are fully protected from piracy and copyright infringement," remarked Joost executive vice president Yvette Alberdingk Thijm.
Comcast Joins News Corp-NBC Partnership
News Corp. and NBC Universal's answer to YouTube gained momentum Monday after Comcast said that it will join the partnership by becoming a distributor and content provider. The addition of Comcast adds one of the nation's biggest distributors of television entertainment to a list of supporters that include Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL.
Comcast owns several networks, including E!, Style, G4, The Golf Channel, and Versus. Content from these networks will be distributed through the site, however the joint venture will not have exclusive rights to the content.
Adobe CS3 Hits Store Shelves
Adobe's highly-anticipated new Creative Suite release hit store shelves Monday morning, although two of the four editions won't arrive until the third quarter. Both Premium and Standard iterations of CS3 Design and CS3 Web are available for both Windows and Mac OS X.
Prices range from $999 USD to $1799 USD. CS3 Production Premium and CS3 Master Collection will follow. Available for individual purchase are Photoshop CS3, Photoshop CS3 Extended, InDesign CS3, Illustrator CS3, Flash CS3 Professional, Dreamweaver CS3, Fireworks CS3 and Contribute CS3. The releases coincide with the start of NAB 2007 in Las Vegas.
Verizon Wireless Adds Unlimited Messaging
With "texting" becoming ever more popular, wireless carriers are beginning to offer unlimited messaging, some with the feature built into the voice plans themselves. Verizon Wireless is the latest to do so, saying Monday it would offer the feature in America's Choice Select and Family Share Select plans, which would allow customers to send unlimited text, photo, video, and instant messaging to any carrier within the US.
As opposed to the traditional America's Choice plan, the new options would be $20 more expensive per month. All other features, including minutes, would stay the same, said the company. Verizon Wireless customers are among the most prolific messagers in the industry, sending a record 17.7 billion text and 353 million picture and video messages during the fourth quarter of 2006.
Cisco Addresses Wi-Fi Security Issues
A host of wireless vulnerabilities have been patched in several Cisco devices, the company revealed Thursday in two separate advisories. The first exists within its Wireless Control System, and works in conjunction with Cisco Aironet Lightweight Access Points, Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers, and the Cisco Wireless Location Appliance, it said in an advisory. Among the risks are information disclosure, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access, it said in the advisory.
The second fix addresses multiple problems in Cisco's Wireless LAN Controllers and Lightweight Access Points. There an attacker could cause a denial-of-service, disclose private information, change access control lists, or gain full control of the network. Those owning either product are urged to apply the patches immediately, Cisco says.
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