Physician Tapped to Head Google.org
Google has selected Larry Brilliant, former CEO of wireless firm Cometra Networks and renowned physician, to head up its Google.org philanthropic arm. Dr. Brilliant will become Executive Director of the organization, which has been promised 1% of Google's annual profit and 1% of its stock, currently valued at $1 billion.
Brilliant has spent much of his career in the public health sector, battling smallpox and blindness in the 1970s and 80s. Cometra, a joint venture between Intel, IBM and AT&T, closed in 2003. It is expected that Brilliant will focus on health issues, which he says are critical to conquering poverty.
Apple to Hold Event February 28
Apple sent out invites to selected journalists on Tuesday, asking them to "come see some fun, new products from Apple" at an event scheduled for February 28. While past invitations gave some kind of clue as to what Apple may have been planning to introduce, this one does not.
The announcement has analysts and enthusiasts alike guessing as to what Apple may have up its sleeve. AppleInsider speculated that the announcement would likely focus on new music-related products. Apple rumor site ThinkSecret surmised that it may deal with new Intel Macs or a video-based iPod device. "Let the speculation begin," said Jupiter Research vice president Michael Gartenberg.
MSN Head Steps Down from Online Post
The executive heading up Microsoft's MSN online division is taking some time off after 20 years with the company. Senior Vice President David Cole wrote in a memo on Friday that he was leaving on his own accord and will remain in "a leadership role" upon his return. After a reorganization last year, Cole's MSN unit was moved under the Windows division.
"While our progress in the market doesn't completely show it yet, I feel strongly that our strategy, our investments, and our leadership is on track to get us to a winning market position," Cole wrote in the memo, according to The Wall Street Journal. He reiterated that his leave of absence should not be seen as a loss of confidence in MSN.
EarthLink to Offer DirecTV and Dish
EarthLink has struck a partnership with DirecTV and Dish Network in order to bundle the satellite services with its own Internet product. The program would offer a discount if a customer also signs up for TV. The companies hope to eventually allow subscribers to pay for both services on a single bill, although such an option would not be available initially.
DirecTV already offers Internet access through satellite, however its pricey initial install and monthly rate has slowed adoption. "By partnering with DirecTV...EarthLink is taking another step in becoming a total communications provider by delivering an integrated package of data, voice, and now video services," said EarthLink consumer products vice president Gary Sonnier.
MS Issues Commerce Server 2006 Beta
Microsoft has released Beta 1 of Commerce Server 2006, a solution for creating full e-commerce Web sites. The server also integrates into BizTalk 2006 for linking up with SAP and Oracle products. New in 2006 is a "starter site" that provides a blueprint for browsing, searching and a shopping cart.
"By providing tighter integration with BizTalk Server 2006, SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005, Commerce Server 2006 enables customers to reduce costs and accelerate revenue growth through automated delivery of online services and products," said Steven Martin, director of Microsoft's Connected Systems Division. A download of Beta 1 is available now, with a final release slated for July.
Find a Critical Windows Flaw, Win $10k
VeriSign subsidiary iDefense has launched what it calls a "Quarterly Hacking Challenge" that offers monetary rewards for those discovering security vulnerabilities. For this quarter, iDefense is offering up $10,000 to anyone who finds a critical vulnerability that leads to the publication of a Microsoft Security Bulletin.
"In order to qualify, the submission must be sent during the current quarter and be received by midnight EST on March 31, 2006," the company said in a news posting. "The $10,000 prizes will be paid out following the publication of the Microsoft Security Bulletin and will be paid in addition to any amount paid for the vulnerability when it is initially accepted."
Problems Installing Windows Defender?
Microsoft has offered up a fix for users who are encountering "Error 1609" when trying to install Windows Defender Beta 2, attributing the problem to the lack of a local group named "Users." This group often has a different name in international versions of Windows, the company says.
A knowledge base article has been added to Microsoft's Support site to instruct users on how to correct the issue so that Windows Defender installs properly. A new version of the software that does not require a workaround will be released shortly for those who wish to wait, Microsoft said.
Cell Provider to Offer 'MySpace Phone'
Helio, a joint venture between Earthlink and SK Telecom, said on Thursday that it had reached a deal with popular social networking site MySpace to bring the service to two phones being offered by the carrier. Users would be able to read and post to the site at no charge, the company said. The phones, "Hero" and "Kickflip" would be feature large screens and cameras.
No launch date has been set for the service, and prices for the phones or plans were not announced. An "MVNO," or mobile virtual network operator, Helio would lease access from Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless networks in order to offer service. Logging more traffic than Google, MySpace has nearly 54 million users, and was purchased by media giant News Corp. for nearly $580 million.
Microsoft Replaces Xbox Head in Japan
While not directly attributing his departure to the Xbox 360's lackluster debut in Japan, Microsoft announced Thursday that Xbox general manager Yoshihiro Maruyama is being succeeded by Takashi Sensui. Sensui previously worked as director of marketing for the division, building relationships with game publishers.
"We acknowledge that achieving success in Japan will not come easily or quickly for Xbox," Sensui said in a statement. "But we are confident that because Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best content for Japanese gamers, enabled by the online capability of Xbox Live, we will earn more of their business moving forward."
Microsoft Readies Windows Live 'Vegas'
Microsoft is inviting testers to take part in a new Windows Live beta program called Family Safety Settings. Appropriately code-named "Vegas," Family Safety Settings extends the parental controls in Windows through a downloadable program. Parents can define specifically what content they wish to block.
"It's an a easy-to-use, flexible way to help keep the kind of content you deem inappropriate from reaching your children--like alcohol, pornography, gambling, tobacco, etc. Windows Live Family Safety Settings Beta also lets you create individual accounts for each child, and see activity reports on the Web sites your kids have visited," Microsoft said in an e-mail. The service can be turned off when parents wish to browse the Web.
Google Acquires Blog Stats Company
Still not out of private beta testing, Measure Map announced Tuesday it had been acquired by Google. Measure Map's software offers detailed visitor statistics to blog owners, and Google is expected to integrate the technology into its Blogger service. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"Today, as the Measure Map team joins Google, our mission remains the same: to build the best possible user experience so people can understand and appreciate the effect their blogs - their words and ideas - can have," said Measure Map developer Jeffrey Veen. "By opening up the app to more bloggers through Google, we hope to help even more people become passionate about their blogs."
Symantec Seeking Beta Testers
Security software vendor Symantec is recruiting beta testers for its entire 2007 line of consumer products. The company is interested in experienced users around the globe, and says anyone can join the program. Participants will be expected to remain active throughout a product's entire testing lifecycle.
"The Symantec Enhanced Testing Program consists of talented and committed people from our global communities with a wide range of skills. From novice computer users to network administrators, they help Symantec produce the best security and performance solutions in the world," the company said. Individuals can apply to become a Symantec beta tester by visiting et.symantec.com.
US Gov't Speaks Out on Net Censorship
Facing increasing pressure from the tech industry, the U.S. government has announced plans for the State Department to launch a campaign to fight Internet censorship. The agency's trade expert Josette Shiner said the effort is a top priority of the government, and has formed a task force to consider issues relating to Internet freedoms.
A U.S. delegation is on its way to China, which has been criticized for bullying technology companies into censoring Internet search results, and using information obtained to arrest at least one Chinese nationalist who spoke out against human rights abuses in the country. Shiner said the government has "very serious concerns" over the protection of privacy in light of recent events.
Apple Serves Up Faster MacBook Pros
Apple said Tuesday it would begin shipping the MacBook Pro notebook this week, while also announcing it will include faster processors than originally announced. Instead of the 1.67 and 1.83 GHz Intel chips that were originally planned for the systems, all shipped notebooks will feature a 1.83 or 2.0 GHz processor, with an option to upgrade to 2.16 GHz.
Even with the notebooks now shipping, the Apple Store on Tuesday showed wait times of three to four weeks, and the company had warned at Macworld that supplies would be limited early on. "If you want one I suggest you get your order in early," Apple CEO Steve Jobs quipped at the event.
Nvidia Builds 3D Chip for Cell Phones
Nvidia unveiled a new graphics processor Monday, adding to its GoForce lineup of GPUs. But the GoForce 5500 is not targeted at larger handheld gaming devices; instead, it has been designed as the first true 3D chip for mobile phones. It promises to support digital TV, surround sound and console-class graphics.
The GoForce 5500 enables viewing of H.264, WMV9 and MPEG-4 videos at a full 30 frames per second. It is also compatible with mobile TV standards including DVB-H, ISDB-T, and DMB. The chip additionally supports taking photos with up to a 10-megapixel resolution. The first phones with the 5500 GPU are expected to ship in time for the 2006 holiday season.
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