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| | | March 16, 2003
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Sunday, March 16, 2003 |
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Mobile frenzy
The world's largest chip maker Intel unveiled its long-awaited Centrino package for mobile computing, seeking to accelerate growth in the wireless networking market. The company's Centrino kit features the brand new Pentium-M processor, a chipset and built-in Wi-Fi technology capabilities, set to offer Internet communications over radio waves. The energy-efficient Pentium-M microprocessor produces less heat and is said to consume significantly less power, extending laptop batteries' productivity.
Coinciding with Intel's launching event, a multitude of computer manufacturers announced plans to embrace Centrino technology in their notebook computers. In addition, the chip maker also noted deals with hotels, telecom operators, and the biggest restaurant chain McDonald's to establish "hot spots" -- sites with available wireless high speed Internet access.
Meanwhile, Intel's rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) introduced twelve new Athlon XP-M processors, all aiming mobile computing systems in need of lower energy consumption.
More from: CNET News.com | CRN | InternetNews.com | Reuters | The Register | VNUNET.com
Microsoft offers a glimpse of Office 2003
On Monday, Microsoft released the second test version of its Office package and marked a shift in its strategy towards the suite, now called "system." Despite the extensive work on all previously included applications, the basic change in the upcoming Office 2003, scheduled to debut this summer, is its transformation into an integrated system of applications and services, full with tools to organize working environments, manage tasks and control human resources.
On top of the widespread use of the eXtensible Markup Language (XML), Microsoft has developed two additional applications -- InfoPath, a program for creation of XML-based forms, and OneNote, a useful note-taking tool.
Microsoft Office 2003 is expected to run only on Microsoft's latest operating systems -- Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
More from: AP (via CNN.com) | CNET.com Software Reviews | InternetNews.com | Reuters | ZDNet
Backlash on online pornography
Years after file-sharing revolutionized the Internet, triggering large-scale illicit distribution of software, music, movies and pornography, two U.S. government reports presented at a hearing of the United States House Government Reform Committee cited urgent legislative measures against online child pornography might be needed.
The reports underscored two main problems facing peer-to-peer networks -- rapid proliferation of illegal pornographic materials and readily available content legal for adults, but inappropriate for minors. The hearing also featured graphic explanations from two secondary-school students depicting their encounters with online pornography and testimony from Grokster CEO Daniel Rung.
Despite the seemingly united stance against obscene child pornography expressed by the U.S. Congressmen during the meeting, on several occasions legislation banning such materials had spurred spirited debate over basic definitions underlying the law.
More from: CNET News.com | CTV | Geek.com | InternetNews.com | Washington Post | Washington Times
CeBit's enchantment
News from Germany's premium Information Technology fair:
 PalmSource, the software division of handheld computer maker Palm, announced South Korean consumer-electronics company Samsung will be offering the first mobile phone using the new Palm operating system.
PeopleSoft, a leading maker of enterprise applications, unveiled plans to integrate instant messaging solutions from IBM, Microsoft and Yahoo! into its corporate software.
Microsoft reinforced its wireless solutions strength expanding language support for its Tablet PCs and Smart Displays. In addition, the software maker announced a deal with Packard Bell to manufacture Smart Displays employing Microsoft's technologies.
Creative Technologies will team up with Microsoft in developing the software giant's Media2Go portable devices. Creative will join a pool of other manufacturers, including Samsung, Sanyo, ViewSonic and more.
In Other News...
Macromedia's recent complete overhaul of its web site drew stark criticism from the company's customers. The initial "beta 1" version was entirely Flash-driven, aiming to project the technology's utility in creating more usable and attractive web sites. But users' complaints that the web site was inaccessible with Apple's Safari and the Opera browser, plus strong irritation from visitors over dramatically increased load times, triggered the launch of "beta 2" -- a much lightened version of Macromedia.com.
Christopher Andrew Phillips, a 20-year-old computer science student at the University of Texas at Austin, surrendered to the authorities and admitted stealing personal information about more than 55,000 former and current students and faculty from a university computer system. Federal prosecutors filed charges against Phillips, who faces up to five years in prison and a $500,000 fine.
Internet search giant Google has picked Dublin, Ireland as the site of its European headquarters. Google's European expansion is expected to create more than 200 jobs in the Irish capital.
Amid growing demand for both news and streaming video content over the Internet, ABC News will launch a 24-hour web news service called "ABC News Live." The online channel will be providing coverage of breaking news, live news briefings by prominent figures and policy makers, replays of popular ABC News shows, and more.
Meanwhile, Yahoo!, one of Internet's most popular destinations, will reportedly launch a paid online video service on Monday. The new service called Yahoo! Platinum will be offering multifold content, from news coverage to live entertainment and sporting events. The move is expected to create a strong competitor to RealNetworks' RealOne SuperPass subscription program, which also provides similar services.
Microsoft will reportedly sell its stake in Canadian software maker Corel, losing more than $100 million, in comparison to the shares' purchase in October 2000.
Software maker Adobe Systems Inc. reported growth for the first fiscal quarter from a year earlier. Revenue grew to $296.9 million.
At a hearing of a U.S. House Judiciary subcommittee, Microsoft and the Motion Picture Association of America, a group representing major Hollywood movie studios, pleaded for governmental action and support in the fight against major organized crime gangs, illegally distributing copyrighted intellectual property in countries from Eastern Europe to East Asia.
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