Dell's new low-end strategy for emerging markets includes Linux
Although the international Vostros Dell unveiled this week are similar in many respects to its existing Vostros, they are also reportedly designed in line with the needs expressed by customers in emerging markets.
This week, Dell is launching a new series of Vostro laptop and desktop PCs for emerging markets. They're not all that different from the PCs at the lower end of company's existing North American Vostro line-up, except for one critical feature: The international PCs, which are geared to simple set-up and maintenance, will ship with a choice or either Ubuntu Linux or Windows Vista Home Basic Edition.
Comcast to deploy 250 GB/month usage caps in October
11:43 am EDT August 29, 2008 - In an ongoing discussion with Twitter users, Comcast representative Frank Eliason has said that his company's policy to cap monthly broadband usage (incoming plus outgoing) at 250 GB per month, is actually not new. Rather, he says, the US' largest CATV broadband provider had been warning excessive users before, though it had not explicitly written in its Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) just what level of bandwidth consumption triggered that warning.
"This is not a change," Eliason wrote one user. "It just makes the current policy more understandable. Currently policy is top 1/10 of 1% of users." Later, he advised another user to "search the net for bandwidth meter" if that user was concerned about possible excessive usage.
Where does Barack Obama stand on technology issues?
In the second of our four-part series examining the positions of the presidential and vice presidential candidates on technology policy, BetaNews' Ed Oswald takes a look at the Illinois Democrat.
With respect to the growing middle ground between technology and politics, it could be viably argued that no one has embraced technology as part of his or her campaign -- at least as an ideal -- more than Sen. Barack Obama.
Microsoft and Nikon ink deal around digital, perhaps wireless, cameras
After teaming up on Windows Vista, HD Photo, codecs, and wireless technologies over the past few years, Microsoft and Nikon last night unveiled a cross-licensing deal involving digital cameras and still unnamed additional products.
Although neither vendor is spilling exact specifics, a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews today that the agreement "covers digital cameras made by Nikon as well as a [range] of other consumer products each company manufactures and sells."
WB network returns as Web site
Deceased television network The WB has been resurrected, at least on line, emerging from beta as an ad-supported streaming TV show repository.
Launched in beta last May, The WB.com features full episodes of programs such as Babylon 5, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, Everwood, Friends, and The O.C.
Paid Google ad appears to state McCain picked Lieberman
A Google AdWords ad first spotted by BetaNews contributor Sharon Fisher, along with ads for the McCain campaign that have appeared today on BetaNews and elsewhere through Google, appear on first glance to have spoiled McCain's VP pick.
Groups of politically-minded bloggers, including the DaniWeb IT community, have been noting today a peculiar jump today in the number of online ads, appearing in BetaNews and elsewhere, showing presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain alongside former Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Lieberman.
Blogger arrested for leaking Guns N' Roses MP3s
A blogger going by the name of Skwerl on music site Antiquiet was arrested by the FBI at 7:00 am PDT on Wednesday for making nine demo tracks from Guns N' Roses' upcoming album "Chinese Democracy" available to the public for download.
Skwerl, nee Kevin Cogill, admitted to authorities that he had posted the songs on Antiquiet, and was charged with violating federal copyright laws.
Competitors look to take on MobileMe for iPhone
In light of problems that plagued Apple's new e-mail synchronization service since its launch, it may soon have to fight third-party providers that are setting their sights on providing their own "push" services for iPhone.
The first of two potentially major MobileMe alternatives actually comes from one of Apple's partners for the iPhone, Yahoo. Its subsidiary Zimbra said Thursday that it had released a version of its application for the iPhone 2.0.
Russia to get iPhone 3G through VimpelCom
The nation's second largest mobile carrier is the first to confirm that it would indeed be carrying the popular device, though other carriers are expected to follow.
"VimpelCom announced today it has signed an agreement with Apple to bring iPhone 3G to Russia, expected later this year," the company said in a very brief statement.
Deeper inside IE8 Beta 2
Download Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 for Windows Vista from FileForum now.
It's increasingly looking like a whole new browser war is forming, as Microsoft is showing evidence of having re-entered the race to add innovative features to the rapidly aging tool.
Orange France admits to capping iPhone 3G speeds
Hit with a petition from thousands of irate French customers, wireless operator Orange has reportedly admitted to throttling download speeds for the iPhone 3G, and is promising some relief by September 15.
According to France Info -- the online service of Radio France -- iPhone carrier Orange has now admitted to a policy of restricting download speeds to only 200 to 300 Kbps.
Judge grants Veoh DMCA safe harbor in copyright suit
Yesterday, Federal Judge Howard R. Lloyd dismissed a copyright infringement lawsuit against video sharing site Veoh, granting it "safe harbor" under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
In June 2006, adult entertainment company IO Group preemptively sued Veoh for hosting ten of its videos that averaged 20 minutes in length. Due to the unique conditions surrounding the suit, IO may have inadvertently set a legal precedent for future DMCA safe harbor cases.
Have Microsoft's online ads for Live Search really worked?
It's hard to tell, for sure. But during the month of June, when Microsoft ran an aggressive campaign for Windows Live Cash Back and games, the number of searches on Microsoft's sites leaped 15 percent, according to comScore.
While continuing to place third in the search engine industry market rankings, Microsoft took first place in June for display ad views, according to a new report from analyst firm ComScore. What that means is, ads for Microsoft were seen by more Web users than for ads for anyone else.
Where does Joe Biden stand on technology issues?
As the Democrats' presumptive vice presidential nominee prepares to take the stage to accept the nomination of his party this evening in Denver, BetaNews' Ed Oswald takes a look at his long record.
Hailing from the state of Delaware, Senator Joe Biden has spent 36 years in the Senate. Along the way, he's gained a reputation for his direct, often outspoken, sometimes confrontational personality. His positions on technology, which reflect that personality, are sure to please some and enrage others.
RIAA defendant sanctioned for destroying evidence
Defendant Jeffrey Howell was scolded by an Arizona court earlier this week in a move that could potentially give the recording industry a decisive victory.
Originally, the Howell case was the flash point for discussions surrounding whether simply making available songs for download through a shared folder constitutes piracy, or if actual downloading by a third-party needs to occur. For now, however, it's about destruction of evidence, as a case that had been been going the defendants' way -- in one turn of events already -- turned south once again.
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