Want a Windows Live Messenger Invite?
UPDATE: This thread is now closed. After receiving hundreds of comments on older articles from people begging to be invited into the Windows Live Messenger beta test, we've listened to the demand and have 35 invitations to give to you, our readers. Want to be one of the selected few?
It's easy; all you need to do is leave a comment on this article with a short explanation of a feature you'd like to see added in Windows Vista (we will obtain your e-mail internally to avoid spam concerns). Over the weekend, we will select the most creative and interesting feature ideas, and send those users invitations to join Microsoft's newest Messenger beta.
MS Offering Security Updates on CD
Microsoft is offering a new option for businesses looking to deploy multiple patches at once without using Windows Update or SUS: CD images. The company will issue a CD download once a month containing all security and high-priority non-security updates for Windows.
"This isn't intended for end users. It doesn't have any automated version detection or any comprehensive installation mechanism," explained Craig Gehre from the Microsoft Security Response Center. "Instead, it's really intended to make life easier for folks who download and manage multiple updates. For example, MS06-002 has 125 separate packages for all languages and versions."
The Buzz: Apple Satisfies, Disappoints
Reaction to Steve Jobs' much-hyped keynote at Macworld 2006 was mixed, with some disappointed that rumors of an Intel-based iBook or Mac Mini didn't materialize. Others said the announcements should have been anticipated -- after all, Jobs has been promising faster PowerBooks for years. Here's a selection of what's being said around the Web.
"Well, the transition is happening. These are mostly evolutionary products, not revolutionary but they point the way to the future. Look for more coming the rest of the year as Apple drives the line forward...The iMac is a great transitional machine and the performance is excellent, making it a real first class choice as an iLife platform. The MacBook delivers to Apple's audience a mobile machine that's finally worthy of the platform."
-- Michael Garternberg, Jupiter Research
AOL Buys Video Search Firm Truveo
Augmenting its existing video search technology, AOL on Tuesday announced it has acquired Truveo, which indexes video on the Web using a method called "Visual Crawling." AOL says it was interested in the way Truveo discovers a wider range of new videos and related information from dynamic Web pages.
Truveo joins AOL's purchase of SingingFish and the launch of AOL Video Search last June. "Truveo is a hidden gem in the video marketplace, offering AOL members and users of AOL.com a vast, new array of tools and an extensive collection of updated, hard-to-find video assets," said AOL CEO Jonathan Miller. "The Truveo acquisition takes AOL even farther down the path of being the premier destination on the internet for video and search."
UMG, MobITV Ink Music Video Deal
Universal Music Group announced Tuesday that it would make more than 1,100 music videos available to subscribers of the MobiTV mobile video service. Four channels of music videos will be made available from 375 artists, including 50 Cent, Beck, No Doubt, U2 and others. The videos would be included in the standard monthly fee for MobiTV.
The label said that MobiTV was an ideal way to reach "hundreds of thousands" of music fans with mobile phones. Musical genres to initially be represented in the service include hip hop, pop, alternative, rap, rock and heavy metal. "Universal is an ideal music partner for us, allowing MobiTV customers access to a roster of incredible music talent," MobiTV CEO Phillip Alvelda said.
Nokia, Kyocera Resolve Patent Dispute
Kyocera said on Tuesday that it had resolved a patent dispute with Nokia relating to CDMA mobile phone technology. Under the agreement, both companies have agreed to pay each other licenses fees for their respective mobile patents.
Kyocera has also agreed to pay royalties to Nokia for use of CDMA technology within the mobile phones it produces. The agreement would prevent any further litigation and would end a nearly two year dispute between the companies. Other details of the settlement were not disclosed.
Creative Zen Vision:M Takes Best of CES
Creative's iPod clone took top honors at CES this year, winning Best of CES in the MP3 and Portable Video category, and the overall Best in Show award. It marked the fourth consecutive year that one of the company's products won an award. The Zen Vision:M boasts a 30GB capacity and retails for $329 USD.
"This is the most powerful endorsement one can have in our industry and it is a reaffirmation of our strategy to provide the coolest-looking, most feature-rich portable media players," Creative CEO Sim Wong Hoo said. The award was given by technology Web site CNET.
MS Opens Live Messenger Beta to More
Microsoft began sending out additional invitations for its Windows Live Messenger client on Thursday, BetaNews has learned. The company had previously closed the test to a few thousand users, who have received only a limited number of additional invites over the past several weeks for friends and family.
"We'd like you to be among the first to try a new beta version of Messenger," the invite reads. "We need your feedback if there's anything that doesn't seem to working right, or that you would like to see done differently." No information has been released as to how many invitations will be sent out during this second phase of the beta test.
ThinkPads to Embed Cingular HSDPA
Lenovo announced on Wednesday plans to integrate Cingular's high-speed UMTS/HSDPA service into upcoming ThinkPad laptops. The feature would enable users to access Cingular's BroadbandConnect without purchasing an additional wireless PC card. The service offers speeds of 400-700Kbps without requiring a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The first notebooks with the technology will launch in the second quarter of 2006. "Our new Access Connections 4.1 software works with Cingular BroadbandConnect, enabling users to move seamlessly from one available network connection to the next without downtime or costly help desk calls," said Marc Godin, vice president of notebook marketing for Lenovo.
Sony Announces First Blu-ray Movies
Sony Home Entertainment on Wednesday announced the first 20 movie titles that will launch on the high-definition Blu-ray disc format, preempting a scheduled press conference by HD DVD slated for Wednesday evening. The titles will be available with BD-compatible players starting this spring.
Released first will be The Fifth Element, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Desperado, For a Few Dollars More, The Guns of Navarone, Hitch, House of Flying Daggers, A Knight's Tale, Kung Fu Hustle, The Last Waltz, Legends of the Fall, Resident Evil Apocalypse, Robocop, Sense and Sensibility, Stealth, Species, SWAT and XXX. Four Blu-ray titles will be released each month starting this summer, ramping up to 10 per month by the end of 2006.
Disney to Expand iTunes TV Offerings
Starting with condensed versions of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and Nokia Sugar Bowl, Disney on Tuesday said it would expand its iTunes offerings to include content from ESPN, ABC News, Touchstone Television, the Disney Channel, as well as the company's animation department. While most of the content will follow the $1.99 pricing model, the ABC News content would be offered for free.
Later this month, Disney will add content from ESPN's "SportsCentury" program, shorts from ABC's "America's Funniest Home Videos," and skits from the popular 1970's Saturday morning program, "School House Rocks." The announcement of new programming on iTunes follows a deal in December that brought NBC Universal content to the service, including the popular "Law and Order" series and Sci-Fi's cable hit "Battlestar Galactica."
Samsung Debuts iPod Nano Competitor
Samsung debuted on Tuesday its largest flash based music player with subscription capabilities. The YP-Z5 features a capacity of up to 4GB, a 1.8-inch color screen with photo support, a 24-hour advertised battery life, and weighs about two ounces. Microsoft has also certified the devices as PlaysForSure compatible.
The YP-Z5 will be available in February for a price of $199 USD for the 2GB model, and $249 USD for the 4GB version. "Consumers are choosing digital music subscription services and Samsung supports this trend with the first 4GB flash player to offer subscription capabilities," Samsung's Mark Farish said.
Man Pleads Guilty to eBay DoS Attacks
A 21 year-old Oregon man has pled guilty to charges that he was behind attacks targeted at eBay and other online sites in 2003. Anthony Clark infected 20,000 computers with a worm and then used them to launch denial of service attacks. Clark could face up to ten years in prison with three years probation, along with fines of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced.
The worm allowed Clark and several accomplices to control infected machines from an IRC channel, where the group could send commands. Over a two-month period in July and August of 2003, Clark's group launched attacks on several Web sites. Denial of service attacks, while not aimed directly at shutting down a Web server, attempt to prevent legitimate users from accessing sites by clogging up available bandwidth. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 3.
Guess the Windows Vista Launch Date
Think you can guess the date Windows Vista will officially debut next year? If so, you can win an all-expenses-paid trip to the launch event, or one of nine Xbox 360 consoles. The contest is being held as part of Microsoft Europe's new Beta Experience program, which is designed to keep users up to date with Vista and Office 12 news.
"As a member of the Beta Experience, you are one of the first to be informed of the new product features, long before the final version is released to the market," Microsoft says. Those 18 years of age and residing in Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom may enter.
Google, Opera Partner on Mobile Search
Google has been selected as the default search for Opera Mobile and Opera Mini, the browser's developer said Thursday. The search giant and Opera Software have entered into a one-year agreement, which would make Google a "major part of the browsers home screen," Opera said in a statement.
The Norwegian company has so far failed to create significant buzz surrounding its now-free Opera Web Browser, although it has kept a consistent and loyal following. Recent browser share surveys place Opera around a half-percent, far behind market leaders Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. But Opera has been making inroads in the mobile space, establishing itself as the de-facto browser on cell phones and portable devices.
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