Slightly Delayed, Zune 1.3 Update Arrives
Microsoft on Wednesday will release version 1.3 of the Zune firmware, which resolves a number of minor issues customers have been experiencing with the Redmond company's first portable music player and iPod rival. The patch was originally scheduled for March 20.
Included in version 1.3 is a fix for skipping issues some were experiencing with content purchased from the Zune marketplace; improved device and software reliability, which Microsoft says would offer better device detection and improved syncing; and changes to the FM tuner to prevent it from draining the battery during sleep mode.
Microsoft Fixes iPod Issues in Vista
Microsoft is working hard to ensure users of Apple's iPod music player do not experience difficulty when trying to use the device with Windows Vista. Among several patches released for the new operating system was one designed to address iPod issues that have appeared. Users had complained that their iPods were becoming corrupted after using the "Safely Remove Hardware" option to eject the player.
While Apple itself had addressed several of the problems with Vista in the iTunes 7.1 release earlier this month, it warned that the hardware removal issue was a Microsoft problem and advised users not to access the option. Even with the fix, however, 64-bit versions of Windows XP and Vista still remain incompatible with iTunes.
EMI, Bertelsmann Settle Napster Suit
British music label EMI and Bertelsmann, the German media company that invested in the original Napster music sharing service, have settled a long-standing copyright infringement lawsuit. EMI joined Universal and a group of music publishers suing Bertelsmann in 2003, saying it should be held liable for music piracy committed by Napster users.
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, although Bertelsmann previously settled with Universal for $61.22 million. Bertelsmann did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the agreement. "We can now put this matter behind us and continue to pursue the development of new legitimate digital-music business models," said EMI CEO Eric Nicoli in a statement.
Netflix CEO Joins Microsoft Board
Microsoft on Monday added another member to its board of directors, bringing on Netflix CEO and founder Reed Hastings. Hastings becomes the 10th member of the company's board, and will join its finance committee.
"Reed's track record for delivering innovative and disruptive technologies to market is very impressive," Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said in a statement. "I look forward to working with Microsoft’s esteemed group of board members to help shape the direction of the company as it continues to tackle the biggest industry challenges and opportunities," said Hastings.
AT&T: One Million Interested in Apple's iPhone
AT&T's Chief Operating Officer Randall Stephenson told attendees of CTIA Wireless Tuesday that the company had received some 1 million requests to be notified when the iPhone becomes available. While the company is not taking advance orders for the phone, expected to retail for $499 and $599 USD for the 4GB and 8GB models, respectively, it has an option on the site to leave an e-mail address to be contacted when it becomes available.
"One million people have asked us to call when this phone is available," he said. The company plans to begin selling the iPhone in June, and has signed a multi-year exclusive deal with Apple that could bring several additional models to the carrier over the next few years.
AT&T to Offer Customers Free Napster
AT&T said Monday that it had come to an agreement with Napster to bring the music service's offerings to both its broadband and wireless subscribers. Customers would receive one year of free service to Napster to Go, which would also allow them to transfer songs to compatible portable devices. Service would be made available beginning April 1 to wireless customers with qualifying plans, as well as customers with qualifying 'triple pack' bundles of wireless, home phone and broadband services.
"Merging communications with entertainment -- in this case, linking Napster To Go's rich library of music to our wireless and broadband services -- again shows that we are committed to delivering enhanced content across key screens both at home and on the go," AT&T Consumer chief marketing officer Rick Welday said in prepared remarks.
RIAA: 25% of Students Give Into Threats
The Recording Industry Association of America says that over a quarter of the 400 students threatened with a lawsuit for illegally sharing music online have agreed to settle, as part of the organization's crackdown of illicit file swapping on college campuses.
The standard settlement offer is around $3,000, which is far less than what the RIAA informs students they will owe if taken to court, which could amount to $750 per song distributed. The first wave of letters was sent in February to 13 universities, asking the institutions to pass them on to students suspected of piracy. A second round of letters went out last week to 23 universities.
EU Extends Deadline for Microsoft Response
Microsoft has been given 20 more days to respond to new charges by the European Union that it is not meeting the requirements of the rulings against it, honoring a request by Microsoft lawyers. Instead of the original April 3 deadline, the Redmond company now has until April 23 to respond.
European Commission competition officer Neelie Kroes told the EU Parliament Thursday that she was unhappy with Microsoft's rates it was charging for interoperability information with its servers. Additionally, she said that third-party products were still not running smoothly with the company's products, a major requirement of an earlier judgment against it.
Gates to Speak at Harvard Commencement
Harvard University has announced that it has selected Microsoft chairman Bill Gates to be its keynote speaker during the commencement ceremony scheduled for June 7. The selection is an interesting choice considering Gates dropped out of Harvard in his junior year to focus on co-founding Microsoft with Paul Allen. Regardless, the college still considers Gates part of the Class of 1977.
Microsoft also counts CEO Steve Ballmer among those executives who attended Harvard. Ballmer and Gates' paths actually crossed while they were both in school, however Ballmer finished his degree at the storied Ivy League University. ""His contributions to the world of business and technology, and the great example he has set through his far-reaching philanthropy, will rightfully put him on center stage in Harvard Yard," Harvard Alumni Association president Paul Finnegan said.
Microsoft, Fuji Xerox Agree on Patents
Fuji Xerox and Microsoft said Thursday that they had agreed to allow access to each other's patents, which includes monetary and non-monetary compensation for their patents. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although Fuji Xerox will gain access to relevant patents for its current and future product lines, while Microsoft will gain similar access to benefit its own offerings, including Microsoft Office.
"Both Fuji Xerox and Microsoft have a strong commitment to innovation, and the broad patent agreement will give us both the freedom to continue developing and building technologies that will ultimately work better together," Microsoft senior vice president and general counsel Brad Smith said.
EU: Microsoft Exhibiting 'Abusive Behavior'
The European Commission seems to still feel Microsoft is acting in an anticompetitive manner as its competition chief Neelie Kroes told the EU parliament that the company was still gaining market share through what she called "abusive behavior." She pointed to the fact that the company's server products still continue to work far more smoothly with Microsoft products than those of competitors.
Since the EU began its investigation in 1999, Microsoft's share of workgroup servers has ballooned from 35 percent to about 75 percent of the market. While the Redmond company is making steps towards interoperability, the EC contends that Microsoft is charging too much for it.
Microsoft Investigating Xbox Live Hackings
Microsoft is investigating claims made on several Internet forums that hackers are breaking into customer's Xbox Live accounts and using their accounts to purchase premium content and steal personal information, the company confirmed in a statement to the press on Wednesday. Saying "security is a top priority," it will look into any report of hacking it receives.
Gamers had been complaining that the Redmond company has not taken their complaints of break-ins seriously, either telling them to complain to their credit card companies or claiming they could not do anything about the problem. It is currently unclear as to how hackers are gaining access to the accounts, however some are speculating users are being tricked into giving enough of their personal information to facilitate a break-in.
Gears of War to Become a Movie
Microsoft's hit video game Gears of War is likely to become a movie after New Line Cinema acquired the movie rights to the title this week. The company said that the movie would be based on the title's plot, though made in a way that both fans of the game as well as the average moviegoer could enjoy. The idea came after a New Line executive played the game, the company says.
Lead game designer Cliff Bleszinki collaborated with screenwriter Stuart Beattie to produce the script. Gears of War is set on the fictional planet Sera, and the players is tasked with protecting the planet's inhabitants from creatures known as Locust Horde, which come from the center of the planet.
Apple TV Begins Shipping
Apple said Wednesday that it had begun shipments of its Apple TV product, aimed at solidifying its hold on the digital entertainment industry, and expanding its presence into the living room. The device was originally scheduled for release last month, but the company said development had taken longer than expected and pushed the release back in late February.
The device acts as a link between iTunes on the computer and a user's big-screen television by using a preexisting Wi-Fi network. For faster transfer, the device would use 802.11n technology. It includes a 40GB hard drive to store the information locally to the device, negating the need to download it before each viewing.
Blockbuster's Antioco Out by End of Year
Blockbuster CEO John Antioco, who oversaw the company's transition into the online rental business, will leave the company by the end of this year after 10 years with the company. The announcement came at the same time as a settlement was reached on his end of year bonus, which was far less than Antioco sought. He would also receive, as part of his severance package, less than is stated in his contract.
Antioco led the push into online rentals after Netflix's success began to cut into the company's bottom line. The result has been a sweeping restructuring of the company, which has cut into profits. While it isn't exactly clear if the company's financial health had anything to do with the changes, billionaire investor Carl Icahn was said to have led the charge to reduce the bonus and his severance package.
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