FCC Strikes Down Net-Over-TV Device
The FCC has struck down a proposal brought forth by several technology companies that utilizes unused portions of TV spectrum for high-speed Internet.
Supported by companies such as Microsoft, Dell, and Google, the device uses what is called "white space" to deliver Internet, especially in rural areas. However, the FCC said the products shown did not reliably find unused spectrum, and would cause interference.
Microsoft Makes Vista Fix Packs Public
In a move that will likely only further confuse the situation surrounding Windows Vista Service Pack 1, Microsoft has posted for public download two updates that were released to beta testers last month. The patches improve Vista performance and reliability, along with the operating system's compatibility with drivers and hardware.
Some of the changes include better file copy performance, faster boot times, improved compatibility with newer graphics cards, and better performance in games with advanced visuals. The fixes are expected to be included in SP1, which is slated for public release next year. However, Microsoft has seemingly made them available early in response to criticism from customers surrounding Vista performance and reliability problems. Download the Vista Performance Update and Reliability Update from FileForum.
Schwarzenegger Vows to Fight Repeal of Violent Video Game Law
A controversial California state law banning the sale of so-called "violent video games" to citizens under the age of 18, was struck down Monday in US District Court as unconstitutional. Judge Ronald Whyte made this ruling two years after putting a stay on its enactment pending review. Now, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger -- who signed the bill into law -- is vowing to appeal the ruling.
The governor's appeal, with all its embedded ironies of a former action movie star speaking out forcefully against wanton depictions of violence, will no doubt launch a new wave of speeches and photo opportunities, followed by excerpts of the alleged violent acts depicted on television and Internet news, giving those games public exposure - including to children - that advertising couldn't possibly purchase.
Tech-Heavy Airline Virgin America Takes Flight
Apple Upgrades Mac Mini Desktops
Without much fanfare, Apple silently upgraded its Mac Mini line on Tuesday, adding faster processors and more memory and storage.
Apple enthusiast sites have begun debating the future of the Mac Mini, pointing to slow sales and the scant number of updates the device has had since its January debut. However, Apple still seems to have faith in its entry-level Mac.
Dell Expands Linux PCs to Europe, China
In a sign that its experiment with offering Linux as an installed operating system on certain notebook and desktop PCs may be working, Dell is expanding the option to the United Kingdom, France, Germany and China. The company includes Ubuntu Linux (Novell's SUSE in China) as opposed to Windows, saving customers some money.
For now, Dell says the majority of its Linux computer sales have come from open source enthusiasts, not general consumers. But because the manufacturer's systems are typically custom-tailored to a customer's preferences, it's not difficult to switch out the operating system. Dell likely won't see any additional revenue from the move, but it will score points with open source fans. And those individuals are frequently the ones making the buying decisions for companies' technology infrastructures - which could lead to additional enterprise sales for Dell.
HTC Advantage Debuts in US for $899
HTC said Tuesday that the Advantage, its newest laptop-like smart device, is now available in the US market. The Advantage runs on Windows Mobile 6 Professional and includes a five-inch VGA display and attachable keyboard. The device isn't exactly small: it weighs in at almost 13 ounces and measures 5.25 inches long by 3.86 inches wide, and a little over three-quarters of an inch wide when measured with the keyboard.
An impressive list of features follow the device, including an 8GB hard drive, built in GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, TV out, and a 3-megapixel camera. The Avantage has been available as the "Ameo" across T-Mobile's European markets; in the US, it is being sold at CompUSA and Amazon.com as an unlocked device for $899 USD.
Canadians See $100 Xbox Price Drop
Alongside Tuesday's $50 price cut in the United States, Canadian gamers are seeing cheaper Xbox 360 as well, finally bringing the console down to a reasonable price tag. Microsoft has lowered the cost by $100 CDN for all Xbox 360 versions. The Premium console will now cost $399.99 CDN, with the Core system priced at $299.99 CDN.
Products sold in Canada are traditionally more expensive -- the Xbox 360 debuted with a price tag of $499.99 CDN -- due to exchange rates, but a falling U.S. dollar has put the Canadian dollar on nearly equal ground in recent months. The Xbox 360 Elite will now cost $499.99 CDN, while the Halo 3 Special Edition is slated to debut at $449.99 CDN in September.
Lenovo in Talks to Acquire Packard Bell
Packard Bell may be on the selling block yet again. Lenovo said Tuesday that it is in talks to acquire all or a portion of the computer maker to give it a foothold in the European market.
Neither side has talked about how big of a stake in Packard Bell that Lenovo is looking to purchase, nor a possible price.
Judge: Qualcomm Guilty of 'Litigation Misconduct and Concealment'
In a blistering rebuke of Qualcomm during its pursuit of patent infringement claims against rival Broadcom - whose counterclaims led to an import ban on some Qualcomm chips, signed into law by President Bush yesterday - US District Judge Rudi Brewster yesterday issued a finding which contained this quote: "The Court finds by clear and convincing evidence that Qualcomm counsel participated in an organized program of litigation misconduct and concealment throughout discovery, trial, and post-trial [prior to] April 27, 2007."
As a result of this finding, Qualcomm is now prohibited from being able to enforce two of its patents for video compression techniques, the existence of which the company failed to disclose before a key meeting of the Joint Video Task Force (JVT).
AMD Boosts Dual-Core Opteron Past 3.0 GHz: Will It Be Enough?
Yesterday's launch by AMD of dual-core Opteron processors at the 3.0 GHz and 3.2 GHz clock speeds substantiates what company officials had been saying at an analyst day meeting the week before: Maybe clock speed no longer matters in the consumer desktop space, but it's still a factor in the IT department.
Last year at this time, AMD processors were taking a pounding from newly introduced Intel Core 2 Duos. Since then, there have been two successive upgrade generations to Intel's new Core Microarchitecture, and it's already well on its way to replacing it with a design that eliminates its dependence upon an external memory controller...like AMD's had for a few years already.
Apple Debuts New Aluminum and Glass iMacs
As expected, Apple on Tuesday unveiled its latest version of its iMac computer line, with new aluminum and glass enclosures at a cheaper price than their predecessors.
The 17-inch iMac has been discontinued in favor of two 20-inch models and a high-end 24-inch version. In all cases, both the keyboard and the computer itself are thinner than previous versions.
Apple Debuts iLife '08, New iWork
Further solidifying its move into the applications business, Apple on Tuesday debuted iLife '08 and iWork '08, which now includes a spreadsheet application like many had predicted.
The entire iWork '08 suite received updates, including better support for images as backgrounds and more themes to Keynote, its presentation program. Pages also got new templates. However the big news was Numbers.
FCC Pushing Sprint to End Interference
The FCC is stepping up pressure on Sprint Nextel to clear out from certain cellular frequencies to reduce interference to public safety transmissions.
Interference is being caused by Nextel's walkie-talkie feature, which sits on frequencies close to the one used by first responders. In some cases, it is cutting off communications completely between officers and dispatchers.
Sharp Sues Samsung Over LCD Technology
Sharp sued Samsung in Texas District Court on Monday, accusing it of infringing on patents related to liquid crystal display technologies.
Five different patents are included in the suit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Patent suits are frequently filed in this district as it is seen as a favorable court for patent holders. Sharp is asking for a jury trial.
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