Microsoft exec touts Windows 7's strength | Beyond Binary - CNET News: "Updated 3:45 p.m. PDT to note that while IDC figures have Apple losing share in the PC market last quarter, Gartner's preliminary figures have the Mac maker gaining share.
Windows 7 has been relatively well-received since its launch, but one of the key questions has been whether it will help Microsoft gain share against Apple, particularly in the U.S. consumer market. Microsoft says that last quarter's results show that is starting to happen.
'It was a key goal and a key accomplishment for the quarter...to gain share against Apple,' Reller said. 'Clearly we made some inroads with those key audiences.' \
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Microsoft exec touts Windows 7's strength | Beyond Binary - CNET News
Friday, April 30, 2010
Twitter: More a News Medium Than Social Network - PCWorld
Twitter: More a News Medium Than Social Network - PCWorld:
While Twitter tends to get lumped in with other social-networking sites, a group of Korean researchers has analyzed how people use the service and found that it more closely resembles a traditional news media outlet.
In other words, think of Twitter not as a truncated Facebook, but as a speedy news site where anyone can be a reporter but the dispatches must be no more than 140 characters long.
Haewoon Kwak, one of the researchers, presented the work Friday at the WWW2010 conference in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Researcher: Social Networks Shouldn't Reuse Private Info
Researcher: Social Networks Shouldn't Reuse Private Info: "A Microsoft researcher argues that user data should not be reused by social networks<
Friday Poll: What's your stance in the Flash fight?
Friday Poll: What's your stance in the Flash fight?: "This week, Steve Jobs outlined Apple's specific points of contention over using Flash in mobile devices. To what extent do you agree with his points? Vote in our poll."
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Apple Releases Aperture 3.0.3
Apple Releases Aperture 3.0.3: "Apple has released another update to its photo-management software, Aperture 3. Version 3.0.3 claims to improve the overall stability of the program and also..
Apple vs. Flash: Adobe CEO Responds to Jobs' Attack - PCWorld
Apple vs. Flash: Adobe CEO Responds to Jobs' Attack - PCWorld: "Grab your ringside seats, gang: Apple and Adobe are at it again -- and this time, the fighting's turning fierce.
In one corner, you have Steve Jobs, decorated CEO of what may be both the most loved and most hated company in technology. In the other corner, you have Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, who can't understand why Jobs won't allow his Flash software onto the iPhone, iPod, or iPad."
Can Blockbuster be saved?
Can Blockbuster be saved?: "In 2005, Greg Meyer wrote a letter to the management of Blockbuster. He wanted to warn the movie rental company of a looming revolution: DVD vending machines that were showing up at supermarkets and fast-food joints all over the country. At the time, Meyer was the CEO of DVDXpress, which operated DVD kiosks in New York and the United Kingdom. He was offering Blockbuster a chance to get in on what looked to be the next great transformation of the home-video rental business.
[more ...]
(Via Slate Magazine.)
BBC News - Apple boss Steve Jobs explains ban on Flash
BBC News - Apple boss Steve Jobs explains ban on Flash: "Steve Jobs has used an open letter to defend Apple's decision not to allow Flash on many of the firm's products.
Neither the iPod, iPhone nor iPad can run the software despite the widespread use of Flash technology on websites for video and animations.
Mr Jobs said Flash was made for an era of 'PCs and mice' and performed poorly when translated to run on touchscreen smartphones and handheld devices."
PDF Exploits Explode, Continue Climb in 2010 - PCWorld
PDF Exploits Explode, Continue Climb in 2010 - PCWorld
Exploits of Adobe's PDF format jumped dramatically last year, and continue to climb during 2010, a McAfee security researcher said Wednesday.
Microsoft , meanwhile, recently said that more than 46% of the browser -based exploits during the second half of 2009 were aimed at vulnerabilities in Adobe's free Reader PDF viewer.
According to Toralv Dirro, a security strategist with McAfee Labs, the percentage of exploitative malware targeting PDF vulnerabilities has skyrocketed. In 2007 and 2008, only 2% of all malware that included a vulnerability exploit leveraged an Adobe Reader or Acrobat bug. The number jumped to 17% in 2009, and to 28% during the first quarter of 2010.
HP Buys Palm: What Could It Mean for Apple?
HP Buys Palm: What Could It Mean for Apple?: "
Wednesday’s announcement that HP is acquiring the struggling Palm for $1.2 billion lit up the Internet -- but what could it mean for smartphone competitors like Apple?
In an announcement Wednesday that immediately set Twitter and the tech world on fire, computer Goliath HP announced that they were acquiring smartphone legend Palm for $1.2 billion, which equates to $5.70 in cash to shareholders for each share of Palm common stock. The deal is expected to save the struggling Palm and at the same time, give HP accelerated growth in the mobile device market where they’ve fallen behind new heirs to the throne such as Apple, RIM and devices based on Google’s Android.
‘We’re thrilled by HP’s vote of confidence in Palm’s technological leadership, which delivered Palm webOS and iconic products such as the Palm Pre,’ said Palm CEO (and former Apple executive) Jon Rubinstein, who is expected to remain with the company he’s helped rescue over the last two years. ‘HP’s longstanding culture of innovation, scale and global operating resources make it the perfect partner to rapidly accelerate the growth of webOS. We look forward to working with HP to continue to deliver industry-leading mobile experiences to our customers and business partners.’
Nearly on its deathbed, all eyes were once again on Palm a year and a half ago when they previewed their new Palm Pre handset, which debuted the slick new webOS software specifically designed for mobile devices. The handset launched to great fanfare last June, but was quickly overshadowed a week or so later with the announcement of the latest iPhone 3GS from Apple.
Despite a strong start, the Palm Pre started to flail in the market, blamed largely on its exclusive carrier deal with Sprint. By the time the device was finally launched with upgraded hardware & software as the Palm Pre Plus on Verizon Wireless (alongside its lower-priced sibling, the Pixi Plus), the damage was done -- Palm was bleeding cash and whatever early momentum they had was largely gone.
Palm’s webOS has been widely hailed as a solid competitor to Apple’s iPhone OS -- which continues an uphill climb to the top of the smartphone heap -- as well as Google’s Android, while RIM’s Blackberry and Nokia’s Symbian continue to hold their own as Microsoft prepares to reboot its own Windows Mobile OS later this year. HP’s acquisition of Palm will likely not come as good news to the competition, since it’s expected that HP will put a lot of money and resources into accelerating the growth of webOS even beyond mobile handsets -- presumably including tablets and other Internet-connected devices.
Apple will have to work harder to maintain its early lead in this race: Android is already nipping at their heels, thanks to a wide variety of handsets from multiple manufacturers and carriers. All of the mobile companies are working hard to ape the iPhone as quickly as possible, while Apple seems to be slowing its pace of innovation and concentrating more on catching up to the competition and shoring up its feature set with more profit-generating ‘features’ like iAds. For example, iPhone OS 4.0 has finally addressed multitasking, but so far it appears to do it in a less-elegant way than webOS or even Android.
Apple may also face another dilemma with the timing of its new handsets -- can it afford to introduce only one new device each year? Certainly, newer siblings to the iPhone such as the iPod touch and now the iPad contribute to closing that gap with its rivals, but even competitors such as RIM have multiple Blackberry models available at any given time, versus one current iPhone model.
We’ll certainly be watching HP’s acquisition of Palm and how it will affect Apple, so stay tuned for more developments as they happen.
(Via Mac|Life all.)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Next iPhone Going On Sale During WWDC, Not After?
Next iPhone Going On Sale During WWDC, Not After?: "
Now, if this holds true, the iPhone could possibly go on sale as early as June 7th, which is supposedly about when Apple will hold the WWDC 2010 keynote.
This change of pace would actually align the iPhone with the iPod, which for several years now has had various new models both announced and launched at the same time. Of course what would have to be addressed is why Apple could be moving up the iPhone shipping times, but speculation runs rampant that it could have to do with the leaked prototype.
Image courtesy of hardwareinsight.com
"
(Via Mac|Life all.)
Dropbox - Home - Online backup, file sync and sharing made easy.
Dropbox - Home - Online backup, file sync and sharing made easy.: ""
Microsoft's Dropbox gives you the ability to share files on two comes. as an example home and work. You can also give friend or coworkers access to files through an emailed link. This is a great free service.
John H. Armwood
Windows 7’s Worst Features - PCWorld
Windows 7’s Worst Features - PCWorld: "There’s a lot to love about the Windows 7 operating system: it’s fast, it looks great, and it has some cool features--like Jump Lists for quickly opening recently used files, Homegroup for sharing files between computers, and Aero Snap to help you quickly organize your open desktop windows.
Windows 7 is addresses some of the problems that plagued its predecessor, Windows Vista, such as the Universal Access Control security system, the constant stream of notifications, and the lack of device drivers for printers and other peripherals.
Microsoft hasn’t solved all of those issues--in fact, getting Windows 7 drivers for some printers continues to be a struggle--but so far Windows 7 is a vast improvement over Vista, despite their underlying similarities.
That said, Windows 7 has downsides of its own. Some of the problems involve minor inefficiencies that grow annoying over time; others truly degrade the user experience through lack of functionality, poor organization, or an overabundance of choice. Here are the problem children of Windows 7--the faulty features I found in the Home Premium version of Microsoft’s latest OS.... (for more click on link above)
Don't prosecute Gizmodo for the lost 4G iPhone.
Don't prosecute Gizmodo for the lost 4G iPhone.: "In 1971, the New York Times got a hold of a secret Defense Department report on the Vietnam War and began to publish excerpts. The Nixon administration promptly prosecuted the Times for treason and obtained court orders stopping publication. The leaker, Daniel Ellsberg, was subject to a CIA-aided effort to gain his medical files and was also prosecuted for treason, theft, and other crimes.
[more ...]
(Via Slate Magazine.)
Kaspersky: iPhone's long-term future bleak | Phones | iPhone Central | Macworld
Kaspersky: iPhone's long-term future bleak | Phones | iPhone Central | Macworld: "
Kaspersky: iPhone's long-term future bleak
Posted on Apr 28, 2010 2:00 pm by Rosemary Hattersley, PC Advisor
Editor’s Note: The following article is excerpted from PC Advisor.
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The death of the iPhone is being foretold and the outlook for the PC and laptop aren’t much better. Influential security company CEO Eugene Kaspersky told PC Advisor at InfoSec Tuesday that both are set to be consigned t"
Solid PDF to Word converter debuts for Mac | Office | MacUser | Macworld
Solid PDF to Word converter debuts for Mac | Office | MacUser | Macworld: "
Posted on Apr 28, 2010 2:04 pm by David Chartier, Macworld.com
Solid Documents, makers of PDF and document tools for Windows, has released one of its most popular products for the Mac: Solid PDF to Word.
Solid PDF to Word for Mac
Complete Coverage »
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Solid PDF to Word for Mac is a document conversion tool, able to transmogrify PDF documents into Microsoft"
Five ways Facebook should improve user privacy
Five ways Facebook should improve user privacy: "Whenever Facebook introduces new services, especially those that expand into other parts of the Web, it doesn't take long before privacy advocates and users...
(Via Macworld.)
Broadband access in the United States is even worse than you think.
Broadband access in the United States is even worse than you think.: "Given the dismal state of broadband connections in America, it was illuminating recently to hear a major telecom executive paint a rosy picture of where the country stands. When Wall Street Journal Deputy Managing Editor Alan Murray asked how the United States ranks in broadband, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg didn't hesitate: 'One. Not even close.'- Alan Murray - Wall Street Journal"
(Via Slate Magazine.)
NASA's Final Shuttle Flight Pushed Back to November
NASA's Final Shuttle Flight Pushed Back to November: "NASA has delayed the launch date of its last space shuttle flight, pushing back the final mission from September to November.
Lesson in e-mail's staying power
Lesson in e-mail's staying power: "Words of Goldman Sachs executives may come back to haunt them.
(Via POLITICO Top Stories.)
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Lost iPhone prototype spurs legal action (roundup)
Lost iPhone prototype spurs legal action (roundup): "First, it was all about details of a purported 'iPhone 4G.' Then the saga of how Gizmodo got that device exploded into a criminal investigation and questioning of the role of journalists."
Facebook seeks to meet with Schumer on privacy issues
Facebook seeks to meet with Schumer on privacy issues: "Sen. Charles Schumer today continued his call for Facebook to better protect user privacy, but has yet to respond to the social networking firm's request for a meeting.
(Via Macworld.)
China Moves to Tighten Data Controls
China Moves to Tighten Data Controls: "China is on the verge of requiring telecommunications and Internet companies to detect, stop and report leaks of state secrets by their customers."
(Via NYT > Home Page.)
South Korea’s Culture Minister Causes a Stir with iPad
South Korea’s Culture Minister Causes a Stir with iPad: "It was supposed to be a routine photo opportunity -- until the South Korean culture minister pulled out his iPad, which communications regulators in that country haven’t yet approved for wireless use.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting on the minor international incident involving South Korea’s culture minister, Yu In-chon, on Monday. The event started innocently enough, with Mr. Yu stepping on stage to announce a $50 million program ‘to help develop the country’s budding electronic books industry.’
Mr. Yu then produced an iPad, holding it up and remarking ‘how nicely it displays electronic books.’ The seemingly innocent act sparked a flood of criticism from tech industry bloggers there, who took the culture minister to task for displaying a device that not only isn’t available in the country yet, but has also not been approved by South Korea’s communications regulators -- making it illegal to use on wireless networks there for the time being.
The culture ministry quickly issued a statement to deflect the criticism, saying that the minister chose the iPad to ‘maximize his presentation’ because of the device’s large screen. The device was actually on loan from a book distributor who had purchased the device in the U.S. for its research in developing e-book software."
(Via Mac|Life all.)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Apple MacBook Pro Spring 2010 (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 13-inch)
Apple MacBook Pro Spring 2010 (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 13-inch): "The new 13-inch MacBook Pro uses a faster version of last year's processor, but a graphics chip upgrade and better battery life give it more value for the same price."
Review - Bento 3 Review | MacNN
Review - Bento 3 Review | MacNN: "While most database programs tout how powerful they are, Bento focuses on how easy it is to use. The minute you open the program, you can get down to business.
Bento by FileMaker is designed to be a database for the organizer buried within us all. This means that the complexity of database design and creation has been eliminated, so as not to intimidate novices. "
Gizmodo's Jason Chen Has His Home Raided By Police
Gizmodo's Jason Chen Has His Home Raided By Police: "
The next chapter of the drama surrounding Apple's 4G iPhone unfolded last night, when California's Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team raided the home of Jason Chen, Gizmodo's editor-in-chief.
According to a posting on Gizmodo earlier today, Chen and his wife returned home after an evening out to discover that a large number of police officers and detectives had decended on their home. It was explained to Chen that a search warrant had been issued for his home and any vehicles that may have been parked on the property.
Before leaving Chen's property, law enforcement officals removed a total of four computers and two servers, taking them into police custody as evidence. In a release posted on Gizmodo, Chen states that the police working the warrant issued him and his wife with a catalogue of all of their possessions taken into custody, and suggested he file a reimbursment claim with the police department for damages done to his home when the police entered the premises.
For those unfamiliar with the events leading up to last night's raid on Chen's home, Gizmodo has posted a comprehensive list. If you're an Apple enthusiast, or have even a passing interest in media law, it's worth a read.
(Via Mac|Life all.)
Seven Amazing Uses for Hazel | Mac|Life
Seven Amazing Uses for Hazel | Mac|Life: "Hazel is like a housekeeper for your Mac, and it's time to put her to work."
Hazel is like a housekeeper for your Mac, and it's time to put her to work.
Mac Power Users
Mac Power Users: "In this episode, David and Katie talk about how to keep your Mac clean and organized using Noodlesoft’s Hazel. Hazel watches folders and runs actions based on specific criteria to take action on the folder items. Hazel also keeps your Mac tidy by throwing away left-over bits of deleted programs and helping you to manage your trash."
(Via .)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
This is a great little program that automates how files are handled on your Mac. Combine Hazel and the free online service "Dropbox" provides you with a powerful, automated, online file backup system.
John H. Armwood
(Via .)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
This is a great little program that automates how files are handled on your Mac. Combine Hazel and the free online service "Dropbox" provides you with a powerful, automated, online file backup system.
John H. Armwood
Dropbox (2010)
DropboxThis service remains our favorite way to share files with friends and sync files across multiple computers
Wozniak on Apple Secrets and Leaks - PCWorld
Wozniak on Apple Secrets and Leaks - PCWorld: "Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak wrote a guest post for Gizmodo recently claiming that Apple engineer Gray Powell was not fired for losing an iPhone prototype in March. Wozniak's brief post also tells the tale of how another Apple engineer lost his job for showing off an iPad to Apple's cofounder just hours ahead of the device's April 3 launch. Wozniak's post offers an interesting, albeit brief, look behind the scenes at Apple, and reinforces the stereotype of Apple's deeply paranoid and overly secretive corporate culture."
Samsung Is Jealous Of Apple
Samsung Is Jealous Of Apple: "I4U News
Jealousy can erupt between even the closest corporate friends. Samsung and Apple have as good a relationship as two gargantuan corps can have. But that isn't going to stop them from clashing over territory. Apple is starting to make a big impact on South Korea, much to Sammy's dismay.
Korea Times reports that 500,000 iPhones have sold through March. That comes out to around 4,000 units/day. We're likely looking at 600,000 sales by the time April's numbers are counted. Samsung's Omnia II, which was marketed as an ‘iPhone killer’, isn't doing nearly as well. They've sold ‘only’ 470,000. That sounds impressive, until you realize that the Omnia II has been out longer than the iPhone.
Samsung started acting sullen to KT, the South Korean carrier that holds the iPhone. For the last f"
Supreme Court to Hear California Violent Video Game Case
Supreme Court to Hear California Violent Video Game Case: "The Supreme Court will hear a case that involves a challenge to California's ban on the sale of violent video games to minors
IBM Bomb Attack Foiled By Swiss Police
IBM Bomb Attack Foiled By Swiss Police: "
GENEVA — Police have arrested two men and a woman suspected of planning to bomb an IBM Corp. research facility near Zurich, Swiss media reported Monday.
Prosecutors said two Italians and a Swiss national suspected of planning a bomb attack against an international company had been arrested, but declined to confirm the target. They said the arrests occured April 15 near Rueschlikon about 6 miles (10 kilometers) south of Zurich.
Police discovered 'explosive and further items in their car' as well as a note 'indicating a planned attack on the branch of an international company,' said Jeannette Balmer, a spokeswoman for the Federal Prosecutors Office.
All of those arrested remain in detention, she said.
The SonntagsBlick newspaper reported the suspects intended to attack a nanotechnology research facility that IBM Corp. is building in Rueschlikon.
'IBM has been notified by Swiss police authorities about an investigation and is cooperating accordingly,' spokesman Chris Sciacca told The Associated Press. He declined to answer further questions, citing the police investigation.
"Book on Samsung Divides Korea - NYTimes.com
Book on Samsung Divides Korea - NYTimes.com: ""
By CHOE SANG-HUN
SEOUL — Life has been a roller coaster for Kim Yong-chul since he began talking about Samsung Electronics two and a half years ago. He has been celebrated by some as a whistle-blower, but in a culture that emphasizes workers’ loyalty to their employers, he has also been vilified as a traitor driven by personal grudges.
That was before Mr. Kim’s 474-page exposé, “Think Samsung,” hit stores in February.
The book makes sensational allegations of extensive corruption by Lee Kun-hee, the richest man in South Korea and the chairman of Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest technology company by revenue.
Samsung is the most sacrosanct — and yet often mistrusted — company in South Korea. Since the book’s release, the country’s major newspapers and Web sites have refused to carry advertisements for it, and few South Korean publications have reviewed it. One newspaper reported on its popularity — it became a best seller, thanks to strong word of mouth on blogs and Twitter — but did not print its title or detail its allegations.
16 Productivity-Enhancing Websites - PCWorld
16 Productivity-Enhancing Websites - PCWorld
Need some assistance in taming your various to-do lists?
In this story, we've vetted 16 incredibly useful Web services and sites that can keep your tasks and notes in order, help you with your personal finances, streamline your Web surfing, track lost gadgets, and more.
We looked at a total of 52 incredibly useful sites.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The 10 Best Notebooks
by LAPTOP Staff on Thursday, April 22, 2010
The editors of LAPTOP Magazine are frequently tapped for notebook buying advice, which comes with the inevitable challenge of naming the best systems currently on the market. Instead of tackling each question individually, we’ve decided to gallantly grab the bull by the horns and create a Top 10 list—a list that will be updated weekly as new notebooks come into our offices. And if you're looking for the best mini-notebooks on the market, browse through our list of the Top 5 Netbooks. Happy hunting.
Microsoft Exec: We and Users Win With Cloud - PCWorld
Microsoft Exec: We and Users Win With Cloud - PCWorld: "Microsoft is firmly on the cloud-computing bandwagon and with good reason -- it can make more money by doing so, even as it helps customers cut costs, business division head Stephen Elop said at the Convergence conference in Atlanta on Sunday.
The company has spent billions so far to build out its cloud infrastructure for massive economies of scale, Elop said during a meeting with press and analysts. 'What we're doing is taking cost savings and taking them back to the customer.'
"
Israel Ends Ban On IPad
Israel Ends Ban On IPad: "Israel on Sunday lifted a ban on Apple Inc.'s popular iPad tablet computer, ending restrictions that had been imposed over concerns the gadget's wireless signal could disrupt other devices."
(Via CBSAtlanta.com - Money RSS.)
Editorial - Why Should Developing Countries Believe G-8 Pledges? - NYTimes.com
Editorial - Why Should Developing Countries Believe G-8 Pledges? - NYTimes.com: ""
Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada, the host of this June’s Group of 8 summit meeting, said last week that “if the G-8 is to remain credible, accountability is absolutely necessary.” He is right. Leaders of the world’s wealthiest nations can start bolstering their credibility by explaining how they plan to fill the $20 billion gap between the foreign aid they promised to send to developing countries and what they are actually giving.
This is not just an issue of morality. It is also one of strategic leverage. Rich industrial nations have promised even more aid to developing countries to try to persuade them to curb carbon emissions — stop chopping down their forests and switch from dirty coal to cleaner fuels — and tackle climate change. Given the G-8’s track record, poorer nations are right to be skeptical.
It's Official: We're Over Vista - PCWorld
It's Official: We're Over Vista - PCWorld: "t this point it appears Microsoft has put Vista behind it,' said Allan Krans
, an analyst with Technology Business Research. 'People may not have been happy with it, but there were limited choices. For consumers, Vista was the default, and for businesses, they may have delayed buying new machines, but they will still pay Microsoft at some point.' "
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