Microsoft to Release Five Patches Tuesday
As part of its regular monthly update cycle, Microsoft plans to release five security fixes next Tuesday, of which at least two would be rated "critical." Four patches would be aimed at Microsoft Windows, while the remaining fix would be a critical patch for Microsoft Content Management Server. Still unpatched is a code-execution hole in Microsoft Word that the Redmond company has known about since mid-February.
That bug, along with a PowerPoint bug reported to Microsoft in July 2005 still remain unpatched, according to security firm FrSIRT. Aside from the security patches, two non-security updates would be issued through Windows Update, and four through Microsoft Update.
Microsoft Issues New Longhorn Server CTP
Although Beta 3 of Windows Server "Longhorn" was expected sometime this month, Microsoft has instead issued a new Community Technology Preview.
The update is available to beta testers, and the build number remains in the 6001 series, according to the Windows Connected weblog.
Yahoo Patches Instant Messaging Flaw
Yahoo this week disclosed a security vulnerability in its Messenger software, issuing a patch for those running versions dated before March 13. Yahoo has since released two updates to Messenger, and will begin prompting users to upgrade at sign-in.
The flaw involves Messenger's audio conferencing feature, which makes use of an ActiveX control that contains a buffer overflow. A user must be tricked into viewing malicious HTML, which could come from a Web site or e-mail, Yahoo said. "Some impacts of a buffer overflow might include being involuntarily logged out of a Chat and/or Instant Messaging session, the crash of an application such as Internet Explorer, and in some instances, the introduction of executable code," the company explained.
YouTube Clip Lambasting Thai King Removed
A YouTube user responsible for creating a 44-second clip mocking Thailand's king Bhumibol Adulyadej removed the clip sometime Thursday, however a ban on the site within the country still remains. According to the Thai government, two offensive images were still on the popular social video site, and until those are removed the ban would stay in place.
Adulyadej is revered as near-divine in Thailand and criticizing or offending royalty is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. However, the country has also been criticized for its shaky commitment to democracy, and has seen 18 separate coups in just the past 75 years. In responding to the Thais, YouTube said it would look into the matter, although it aims to provide a community where users are free to express themselves.
GameTap Network Needs Beta Testers
AOL is seeking beta testers for TimeWarner's GameTap network, which provides on-demand access to games of old such as Asteroids and Zork. The service frequently adds new features such as customizable controller mappings, and needs a team of testers to provide feedback.
To apply, visit GameTap's beta site and use the password: CoralSea. Fill out GameTap's beta application with as much detail as possible. Not everyone who applies will be accepted, and your answers will be used to determine your qualifications for beta testing.
Google Desktop Now for Macs
Google Desktop 1.0 is now available for Macs, the search giant announced Wednesday. The software is more basic than its Windows counterpart, focusing strictly on searching for files, e-mails and Web pages. A "Quick Search Box" resides on the desktop and displays results to queries in a dropdown menu.
Like Spotlight, which is built into Mac OS X, Google Desktop indexes the entire computer in the background. It can also pull up Gmail and Web history, in addition to integrating with Google's Web search by adding a "Desktop" link. Unlike Google Desktop for Windows, the Mac version does not currently include the Google Sidebar or e-mail client integration.
Apple Debuts Eight-Core Mac Pro
Apple on Wednesday refreshed its Mac Pro line, adding a new 8-core behemoth using Intel's new "Clovertown" quad-core Xeon processors. Also, a new quad-core model was introduced. The base configuration for the 8-core Mac Pro includes two 3.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors, with 1GB DDR2 RAM expandable to 16GB. A 250GB hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT graphics card, and a 16x SuperDrive are also included.
The base price for that model will be $3,997 USD, although better configurations could push that figure several thousand higher. The new 3.0GHz quad-core model, using two Intel Xeon "Woodcrest" processors, will retail for $3,298 USD. The new models are the first refresh to the Mac Pro since Apple introduced the Intel-based lineup in August of last year.
Earlier DST Has Had Minimal Energy Effect
Having Daylight Saving Time start a month earlier than normal was supposed to help conserve energy, but early indications are that the change did not make much of a difference. However, the writing may have already been on the wall as a study by the Energy Department last year indicated that the energy savings would be minimal. A survey of major utilities recently seemed to confirm that original belief.
The reason why could be the colder spring in much of the country; as we awaken earlier, we use more energy due to the need to light and warm the house. On average, heating and cooling of one's house uses far more energy than lighting. Congress plans to evaluate the effect of the earlier switch as more data becomes available. For now, the biggest effect appears to be on the electronics that needed to be updated to reflect the change.
MSDN Subscribers Get Expression Tools
Microsoft said Tuesday it has decided to make available Expression Web and Blend to all MSDN Premium subscribers, responding to complaints from customers. The Redmond company originally decided against the move due to the distinction between developers and designers, but has since changed its mind.
"Although Expression Studio is targeted largely at creative professionals, because Expression Blend and Expression Web are both instrumental in helping creative professionals and developers work together, Microsoft wants to make these products readily accessible to the developer community," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews.
Sony Cuts PSP Price to $169
NEWS IN BRIEF Sony said Tuesday that it had cut the price of its PlayStation Portable gaming device to $169 USD, aiming to attract more consumers to its platform, after having sold some 25 million units by the end of 2006. The price cut would bring it closer in price to Nintendo's wildly popular DS, although it still would be $40 more expensive.
This is the first formal price cut for the PSP, although in March 2006 it began offering a Core system for $199 USD. Previously, the system retailed for $249 USD, but came with other accessories such as a 32MB memory stick duo and soft case.
iTunes Gets Baseball Games, Highlights
Apple has signed a deal with Major League Baseball to bring sports highlights to its iTunes Store for $1.99 USD. The content includes a "MLB.com Daily Rewind" highlight show, as well as two weekly "Game of the Week" full-length games.
To help promote its new downloads, MLB is offering a free "2007 Season Preview Show" to all iTunes users. An iTunes "Season Pass" for the highlight show will cost $7.99 USD, and run $19.99 USD for all full games. Apple TV owners will also be able to stream the highlights and games directly to the television for viewing in the living room.
Philips Develops AAA Battery-Powered Cell Phone
Philips and Energizer have collaborated to produce a cellular phone that would run off a standard 'AAA' battery once the phone's traditional battery runs low. Called the Xenium NRG, the phone also takes advantage of special battery management technology produced by Israeli company Techtium. The battery can be of any brand or type, the company says.
If the battery inserted is rechargeable, when the phone is plugged in to charge both the standard battery and the AAA battery would both be charged. Approximately three extra hours of talk to would be available, the company says. The NRG includes technology that is also used in Energizer's Energi To Go product, a portable cell phone charger introduced last year.
Sony Preparing 80GB PlayStation 3
Regulatory filings indicate that Sony is planning to release a model of the PlayStation 3 that would include and 80GB hard drive in the near future. Due to changes within the Bluetooth module, the company was required to file an application to request permission to release it within the US with the FCC, which controls products that transmit or receive radio frequencies.
Sony is not commenting on the existence of the updated PS3, or whether the new model would replace one of the currently available consoles that come in 20GB and 60GB versions. Speculation is rife that the decision may have something to do with the current market conditions for HDDs, where smaller drives are becoming more expensive and mid-sized capacity drives continue to get cheaper.
SlingPlayer for Palm OS Reaches Beta
Sling Media, the company behind the popular Slingbox device that allows you to view what's playing on your home TV or DVR remotely, has released a beta version of its software for Palm OS based devices - namely the Treo 700p. Owners of the smartphone can now watch and control their TV over the 3G networks of Sprint and Verizon.
The beta will be free of charge until a final release, upon which time the software will cost $29.99 USD. Sling Media says it is currently evaluating supporting other mobile platforms, including RIM's Blackberry, J2ME, and BREW. SlingPlayer is already available for Windows Mobile based devices.
Yahoo! Mail Drops Storage Limits
UPDATED Starting in May, Yahoo! Mail will offer all users unlimited storage, becoming the second major webmail provider to do so for non-paying customers behind AOL. The company currently offers 1GB of storage for free, and 2GB in its premium service. In comparison, Microsoft offers 2GB and Google 2.5GB.
Yahoo! Mail users will begin seeing the upgrade in May, with the full rollout expected to take a month. Only customers in China and Japan will not see the storage increases. Web-based e-mail is becoming an increasingly competitive market, with AOL and Google recently integrating instant messaging, and Microsoft preparing an overhauled webmail client called Windows Live Hotmail.
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