Microsoft Releases MapPoint 2006
Microsoft on Monday announced the latest release of its MapPoint software-based mapping solution, with an optional GPS hardware kit. With consumers turning to new online mapping services, MapPoint 2006 is being targeted at businesses and focuses on mobile information workers.
New features in the release include GPS support that provides real-time driving directions, Wi-Fi positioning and better offline geographic data. MapPoint 2006 is priced at $299 USD for the software only, and $349 USD with a GPS locater.
Netgear's Skype Wi-Fi Phone Launched
Netgear said Monday that it would begin accepting pre-orders for its Skype Wi-Fi phone. At a price of $249.99 USD, the candy bar-shaped phone would allow for free Skype calling, as well as calls to landline and mobile phones, over both secured and open Wi-Fi networks.
The phone is the first mobile unit to receive Skype certification, Netgear said in a statement. The device will come preloaded with Skype software and a color display. Calls to landline and mobile phone numbers would require a plan and additional fee. Those interested can pre-order the phone through Netgear's partners and the Skype online store itself.
ABC Primetime Shows Now Online
As expected, ABC on Monday placed the first four episodes of its primetime shows online for viewing. The offering is part of a two-month trial announced by the broadcaster last month. New episodes will appear the day after they air, and are encoded in Flash 8, meaning both Mac and PC users are able to use the service.
Initial shows include a "Desperate Housewives" episode from April 30; new episodes from "Lost" and "Alias" from April 26; and a "Commander in Chief" episode from April 27. The standard viewing size would be 500x282 pixels, however a higher bandwidth version would be available at 700x394 pixels. Despite the free offering, ABC will continue to sell its shows without ads through the iTunes Music Store for $1.99 USD, the company has said.
Microsoft: European Fine 'Excessive'
Microsoft told the European Court of First Instance Friday that the 497 million euro fine it had been ordered to pay by the European Commission should either be reduced or thrown out. Lawyers for the Redmond company called it "excessive" as they argued Microsoft did not knowingly engage in monopolistic practices.
Ian Forrester, a Microsoft attorney, said the fine was imposed more out of creating media interest, saying "the largest fine in history would make for large headlines." The Commission denied that charge. A ruling is not expected for several months, but if the court rules in the EU's favor it would fundamentally change the way Microsoft operates in Europe, as well as endorse the Commission's regulatory power.
Windows Live Shopping Debuts
Microsoft on Friday debuted Windows Live Shopping, intended to complement its MSN Shopping portal. For the time being however, MSN Shopping would remain the company's main shopping site, a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews. Like other Live services, the focus with Windows Live Shopping remains "customization."
Additional features include the capability to create "shopping lists," user-created shopping guides, "tagging" of products, improved ratings and reviews, and Microsoft Gadget capability. Windows Live Shopping would also sport the same minimalist design that has become prevalent across most of the Windows Live sites. At this time, the service only supports Internet Explorer, but Microsoft said it was working toward providing a Firefox-compatible version as well.
Skype Surpasses 100 Million Users
Skype said Friday that it had hit 100 million registered users worldwide in its first two and a half years, which it claims is the fastest growth of any Internet program ever. According to the company, the 100 millionth name came at 1:12PM GMT Thursday. This compares with some 54 million in September 2005, when Skype was acquired by auction site eBay for $2.6 billion.
With 100 million users, Skype said a phonebook containing all the names would be some 57,000 pages long. However, the number of people using Skype on a regular basis may be far less than that 100 million number. A check by BetaNews Friday afternoon indicated 5.5 million individuals were logged into the Skype network.
IE7 Beta 2 Receives Mixed Reviews
With promises of security, stability and tabbed browsing, Web users have been eagerly anticipating Internet Explorer 7. Microsoft released Beta 2 this week with great fanfare and a new Web site, but does IE7 deliver a next-generation browsing experience?
Read on for a selection of reviews from BetaNews readers and tell us what you think.
AT&T, Starz Sign Distribution Deal
AT&T on Wednesday signed an agreement with Starz to offer the movie channel's Vongo movie download service to its broadband customers. A 14-day free trial would be offered through a co-branded Web site, and AT&T would market the service through its Worldnet portal. The telecommunications company said it believed offering Vongo would help attract new customers.
Vongo charges $9.99 USD per month for access to 1,500 movie and video selections, as well as a live stream of the Starz cable channel. With the subscription comes the capability to download videos onto three compatible devices or computers. Additionally, Starz is offering select pay-per-view titles for $3.99 USD per movie. The deal with AT&T marks the first distribution partner for the Vongo service.
Skype to Sell $1.50 Ringtones
Skype joined the burgeoning ringtone business Tuesday, announcing a deals with record labels EMI, Sony and Warner Music to sell song clips to customers for $1.50 each. The Internet telephone company owned by eBay will begin offering Madonna ringtones on Wednesday, with more artists slated to follow.
The ringtone business continues to flourish, raking in over $4.4 billion in 2005 alone. Skype hopes it can capitalize on the market by selling the clips to its more than 100 million users. However, unlike on their cell phones, Skype users can already import audio clips directly from their hard drives.
Vonage to Offer Mobile Service in UK
Vonage said Wednesday that it was partnering with British Wi-Fi provider The Cloud to offer its customers free service at any hotspot operated by the company. Owners of Vonage's mobile Wi-Fi phone would be able to use the service, the company said. The size of a large mobile phone, the $140 handset allows a Vonage subscriber to make calls anywhere with a wireless Internet connection.
The Wi-Fi service would be free to those who already pay Vonage a $14.25 per month fee to place calls to U.K and Ireland phone numbers. The Cloud has nine hotspots around the UK, with satellite service points in airports, transit stations, coffee shops, hotels, and college campuses.
Google Adds Detail to European Maps
Google silently added street-level mapping capabilities to a number of countries in Europe Tuesday, bringing its local search service across the Atlantic. Users can search for specific street names and addresses, as well as pull up reviews of hotels and even find metro and train stations.
Directions are also possible, and Google Maps has integrated ferry information to plot trips across a body of water. The changes come as Europe gears up for World Cup 2006 in Germany, and detailed data is primarily available for Western Europe. Users have found a number of inaccuracies, but Google will likely roll out improvements over time.
Viacom Buying Game Company Xfire
MTV Networks and Nickelodeon parent Viacom announced Tuesday plans to acquire Xfire, an online game technology company, for $102 million. Xfire has a largely youth-oriented audience that use its instant messaging and social networking platform alongside their games.
Although Xfire does not create games itself, it provides the platform for connecting players together. MTV plans to utilize the technology for its online properties, including features for sharing music videos. The network will push the service on its television programming and Web site in an attempt to expand Xfire's 4 million plus user base.
Windows Vista Build 5365 Released
Microsoft has released build 5365 of Windows Vista, asking testers to focus on the 64-bit installations of the operating system. The pre-Beta 2 build has been released to members of its TAP, Beta, and Partner programs in x86 and x64 versions of the Ultimate Edition.
Microsoft is recommending a clean install, noting several issues when upgrading from Windows XP, and build-to-build upgrades are not supported. "This build is another snapshot of our progress on our way to the Beta 2 milestone and will allow you to verify fixed bugs as well as check for new regressions that may have been introduced," the company said in an e-mail to testers.
Sun CEO Scott McNealy Steps Down
Following a flurry of rumors, Sun Microsystems on Monday disclosed that Scott McNealy, the company's founder and CEO for the past 22 years, will step down from his chief executive position. Sun COO Jonathan Schwartz will replace McNealy effective immediately.
McNealy's departure comes as Sun reported a quarterly net loss of $217 million as it struggles to increase revenue and market share amidst growing competition from rivals such as IBM. McNealy will remain on as company Chairman and will devote his time to "expanding market opportunities," Sun said in a statement in which it called the change part of an "on-going succession planning process."
VMware Forms Virtualization Alliance
Banding together with companies such as IBM, HP, Hitachi and Sun, VMware announced Monday the creation of the Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Alliance. The group will help VMware promote its virtualization solutions, and the company will work with each partner to build joint offerings.
VMware's Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is designed to enable businesses to deploy thin-clients instead of full desktop workstations, which would use remote desktop capabilities linked to virtual machines. "Just as the Web has transformed many applications into a hosted service, virtualization is transforming the entire desktop into a server hosted environment that is always on, dynamically scalable and centrally secured and managed," said Brian Byun, VMware's vice president of products and alliances.
© 1998-2026 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy.