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A sinking ship: Microsoft Vista's comeback campaign
Microsoft has just spent $300 million in a new ad strategy to remind people that Vista isn't as rubbish as everyone thinks.
The ad is planned to herald Vista's new and apparently patched-up package.
I'm liking the old clunking, listing galleon image ... Microsoft has just spent $300 million in a new ad strategy to remind people that Vista isn't as rubbish as everyone thinks. ... more -
CIA-funded university program trains the next generation of spies
When classes at the University of Washington resume this fall, some students at the school will be under the watchful eye of a Central Intelligence Agency spook. In fact, some of them will even be learning from him.
This fall, Dr. Tim Thomas, a CIA agent specializing in "open source" data mining, will begin a two-year stint as an officer-in-residence at the UW's Institute for National Security Education and Research (INSER), which is financed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. That office is an umbrella organization for groups such as the U.S. Marine Corps Intelligence Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and the CIA—which will provide the university with $2.5 million in grant money over the next five years.
It's not unusual for political or military organizations to recruit on campuses, but it seems strange for the UW to align itself with an agency most recently in the news for overseas kidnappings and harsh interrogation tactics such as waterboarding.
When classes at the University of Washington resume this fall, some students at the school will be under the watchful eye of a Central... more -
Apple getting ready for 'product transition'
Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer's decision to warn financial analysts Monday that Apple's fourth-quarter gross margins will be negatively impacted by a "product transition" should be enough to get the rumor wheels turning: of course, it doesn't take all that much. The remark came within yet another Apple's earnings report that produced stellar numbers for the previous quarter but an outlook below what Wall Street had been expecting.
Oppenheimer deftly avoided several questions from analysts who tried to get a little more information on just what that "product transition" might involve. He used the exact same phrase last year in July during an earnings call to warn analysts of pretty much the exact same situation: that the transition would cause lower profits for the upcoming quarter. The result, new iMacs in August, and the iPod Touch in September.
There are two obvious scenarios that would cause a CFO to warn shareholders that his profit margins might be a little light heading into the upcoming quarter: lower prices, or more expensive production costs.
We already have a pretty strong suspicion that Apple is planning to introduce new notebooks during the quarter. It's been quite some time since the design of the MacBook has received an update, and with Apple's other notebooks sporting an aluminum enclosure these days, it's not hard to envision a similar design in the works for the MacBook based on Intel's new Centrino 2 technology.
But how would that change the margins on the MacBook? The MacBook seems to be the most popular segment of Apple's notebook lineup and perhaps switching to the aluminum enclosure for such a high-volume product would increase Apple's production costs for the MacBook.
Could Apple be considering overall pricing changes in the Mac lineup? One financial analyst seemed to suggest that with a line of questioning that Oppenheimer parried. Apple offers a smaller degree of customized options for Macs on its Web site than other PC vendors do on theirs, and the markup on some of the extra components is pretty steep.
The trouble with that theory is that there doesn't seem to be any real reason for Apple to change the pricing of the Mac at this point: the company just sold the highest number of Macs in a quarter in its history. Price doesn't seem to be an object to sales, so why take the margin hit?
Likewise, the iPhone pricing isn't likely to go anywhere in the quarter with the iPhone 3G just making its way out to the public. The subsidized pricing courtesy of AT&T isn't going to change that quickly: Apple COO Tim Cook admitted that the company's internal surveys revealed that a lot of people who liked the iPhone weren't going to pay $399 for it. Apple and AT&T are likely to give the $199/$299 pricing scheme at least the remainder of the year before revisiting things.
The most likely bet for a price cut is the iPod Touch, which sticks out like a sore thumb at $499 for the high-end model compared to the new pricing for the iPhone. Apple wants the iPod Touch to be the future of its iPod lineup, but it's a pretty pricey option compared with the rest of the iPod lineup right now.
Consumers responded very well last quarter to the February price cut for the iPod Shuffle, Oppenheimer said. Obviously, those people buying the Shuffle and those buying the Touch are looking for two very different things in a portable music player. But still, in a economically tepid year, every dollar matters more than usual.
An iPod Touch price cut makes perfect sense: drop the 8GB model, move the 16GB down to $299, and the 32GB down to $399.
Both of those products could take some time to ramp up to volumes that could make the margins more palatable, although it's important to remember that Apple's margins will still be 30 percent after the decline. That's still pretty healthy for a company in its category. Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer's decision to warn financial analysts Monday that Apple's fourth-quarter gross margins... more -
Asprox computer virus infects key government and consumer websites
Cyber-criminals have attacked key government and consumer websites, allowing them to steal the personal details of anyone browsing the sites, The Times has learnt.
Eastern European hackers are suspected of placing the Asprox virus on more than a thousand British websites, including those run by the NHS and a local council, in the past two weeks.
Experts described the Asprox virus as an alarming departure from commonplace viruses, which tend to be spread through rogue e-mails and unregulated websites.
Unlike other viruses, Asprox sits undetected on mainstream sites, with any visitor at risk of being infected. The virus automatically installs itself on a visitor's computer, allowing a hacker to access financial information.
It is not known how many people are affected by the virus, but security experts estimate that it has spread to at least two million computers worldwide.
Detective Constable Bob Burls, of the Metropolitan Police computer crime unit, said that there had been a sudden rise in infection rates. “The virus got into the job pages of a local council’s internet page,” he said. “It’s a new thing that people who visit mainstream websites are clobbered.”
Such incidents have only come to light after people have found money removed from their bank accounts or other personal data frauds.
“We’ve dealt with two major websites in as many weeks,” he said.
Ben Taylor, an engineer from South London, had £560 fraudulently taken from his bank account this month. After reporting the theft he installed an anti-virus system, which identified “SQL malware” embedded on his computer — technology associated with Asprox. “I only use the internet a few times a week and didn’t look at anything dodgy,” he said. “It’s scary to think that a criminal was controlling my computer. I’ve got rid of it now.”
Last week, Asprox infected the Norfolk NHS website, used by thousands of people a day. Hackney Council’s website was one of 12 local council websites also compromised, meaning that anyone logging on to pay a parking ticket or council tax was at risk over a three day period.
And visitors to Nigella Lawson’s website last week were in danger of picking up something less palatable than a recipe for goose-fat potatoes. A spokesman for Ms Lawson said that the virus, which was installed on the website last Monday, was dealt with “instantly” and that nobody was infected.
Yuval Ben-Itzhak, chief technical officer of Finjan, an online security company who exposed the rapid growth of Asprox around the world, said: “This is very serious threat.
“Five years ago when your computer got infected by a virus, you noticed immediately that your PC was broken. These days, you don’t notice anything. This is exactly what the hacker wants. It gives him complete control over the infected machine.”
Once installed on a personal computer, the Asprox virus allows a hacker to steal files, e-mails and passwords. It can also be used to infect other computers and even make attacks against companies and foreign governments.
Any computer without up-to-date anti-virus software is vulnerable. But only around half of current anti-virus programmes can detect Asprox, Mr Ben-Itzhak said.
In the US, the virus has successfully penetrated mainstream sites belonging to Sony’s Playstation, the city of San Francisco and Snapple.
A spokeswoman for Apacs, the payments organisation, said: “There is a responsibility on website owners to ensure that they have sufficient security software installed so that criminals are not able to easily compromise their sites. Cyber-criminals have attacked key government and consumer websites, allowing them to steal the personal details of anyone browsing the... more -
Pen-enabled Mac Modbook
The one and only pen-enabled tablet Mac, the Modbook, allows users to draw and write directly on the 13.3-in. diagonal LCD screen. The unit’s condensed form factor and integrated pen-based user experience is a real joy in terms of flexibility and control. And it’s fast!
This product seamlessly integrates an Apple MacBook computer, an advanced Wacom Penabled digitizer display, and Axiotron’s own hardware and software technology. It’s the only tablet Mac on the market. Since it runs on the Mac OS X Leopard platform, any application that runs on OS X like Corel Painter and Adobe Photoshop will run on this unit.
All the features of an Apple MacBook are in the Modbook. Although it does not come with a keyboard or mouse for inputs, these can be connected via a pair of USB ports or Bluetooth. Text can also be entered through Axiotron’s Quickclicks software keyboard.
With a weight of 5.5 lbs, this product is a bit heavy, but when you try out all its features and capabilities, you’ll soon forget about the heft. It has the same features as an Apple MacBook, Leopard’s built-in Inkwell handwriting recognition, the same processing-power and memory-storage capability, a built-in iSight camera, a 24x DVD Combo drive or an 8x DVD Superdrive, depending on the model, and built-in GPS capability.
The most recent configurations include 2.1-GHz or 2.4-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors and 120-Gbytes or 160-Gbytes of hard-disk memory, respectively, which makes this product twice as fast and powerful as any slate-type tablet PC on the market. This tablet Mac is super sensitive with its unparalleled 512 levels of pen pressure sensitivity.
And its price is competitive. It is available in the U.S. and Canada exclusively through Axion authorized resellers, at a price of $2290 and $2499 (Canadian dollars), respectively.
http://axiotron.com/index.php?id=modbook The one and only pen-enabled tablet Mac, the Modbook, allows users to draw and write directly on the 13.3-in. diagonal LCD screen. The... more -
It's taking time to 'grow' green PCs
PC manufacturers are working hard to sound PC, and some are taking it seriously, saying they’re doing everything they can to minimize the negative effects their practices and products have on the environment.
“We consider it our ethical responsibility to implement best practices that preserve resources and minimize our impact on the environment,” said Rachelle Arcebito, environmental communications manager of Sony Electronics, a leader in green practices.
PC manufacturers are working hard to sound PC, and some are taking it seriously, saying they’re doing everything they can to minimize ... more -
Apple Now Third Largest PC Vendor in the US
Apple is moving up the charts, toppling Acer to become the third largest PC vendor in the U.S., according to a survey from Gartner.
Apple defied a weakening economy to record a 38.1 percent growth rate in U.S. PC shipments, according to Gartner. Overall PC shipments in the U.S. grew just 4.2 percent to 16.5 million units during the quarter.
The company shipped 1.4 million units compared to Acer's 1.33 million, according to Gartner's survey. Dell held the top spot, shipping 5.25 million units and growing 11.9 percent year-over-year, followed by HP. Apple is moving up the charts, toppling Acer to become the third largest PC vendor in the U.S., according to a survey from Gartner. ... more -
Computer learns dogspeak
Study shows computer programs can classify dog barks better than humans
Computer programs may be the most accurate tool for studying acoustic communications amongst animals, according to Csaba Molnár from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary and his research team. Study shows computer programs can classify dog barks better than humans ... more -
How the Internet Has Changed the World
The Internet has dramatically changed politics, business, how we socialize and our very culture.
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Complex Passwords: Don't Go Online Without Them
The invention of the Internet has caused all of us to create personal passwords for our online accounts. But regular passwords leave our personal information vulnerable to hackers and criminals. The best safeguard for our valuable online accounts is using complex passwords. Your personal information can be instantly more secure online if you follow these simple guidelines. Don't become another victim of a hacker. The invention of the Internet has caused all of us to create personal passwords for our online accounts. But regular passwords leave o... more
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MobileMe: Apple chiede scusa un'altra volta
Il lancio di MobileMe sembra essere il più travagliato nella storia dei prodotti Apple. Dopo l’e-mail di scuse per i disservizi iniziali e l’estensione gratuita di 30 giorni, gli utenti si sono visti recapitare una seconda lettera di scuse.
Questa volta Apple chiede venia per la decurtazione di 121€ dalla carta di credito degli iscritti al nuovo servizio. Secondo la società di Cupertino l’importo di controllo della carta doveva essere di solo 1€: il fastidioso problema è stato causato da un errore nei sistemi informatici.
Oltre a restituire i soldi ingiustamente decurtati, Apple ha regalato agli utenti altri 30 giorni di prova. Facendo due calcoli, se sommiamo questi 30 giorni ai 60 giorni di prova gratuita e ai 30 elargiti in precedenza arriviamo a un totale di 120 giorni gratuiti.
Il lancio di MobileMe sembra essere il più travagliato nella storia dei prodotti Apple. Dopo l’e-mail di scuse per i disservizi inizia... more -
Computer casings
A million miles and a thousand welding machines away from your 1990s beige box personal computer: these computer shells are inspired by underwater groves, medieval churches, and ... some kind of weird stick skeleton thing which looks like a prawn.
Check it out.
PS What is that prawn thing? A million miles and a thousand welding machines away from your 1990s beige box personal computer: these computer shells are inspired ... more -
Four Useful and Free Cellphone Resources
Want free text-reminders? Perhaps you are ready to enhance your cellphone's capabilities or maybe just send free text messages to all of your friends? These invaluable resources are free, however check with your service provider to make sure you do not pay extra for data usage. Want free text-reminders? Perhaps you are ready to enhance your cellphone's capabilities or maybe just send free text messages to all ... more
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The future - powered by Intel imaginations
The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network on Thursday launched the World Mural Project, which hosts an online mural encouraging children around the world to digitally illustrate their predictions of "what computers will empower us to do" in 40 years. Over 500 children in 21 countries and 14 U.S. states participated in the project.
Their contributions are endearing, if not hilarious: Wearable computers; health care improving our brain power; teleportation; and the best one -- flying cars that cure cancer (what?) The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network on Thursday launched the World Mural Project, which hosts an online mural encouraging children ar... more -
City's Computer Network Hijacked
Terry Childs is accused of tampering with San Francisco's new computer network to give himself exclusive access, and is allegedly refusing to hand over the passwords which would allow officials into the system.
Mr Childs worked as a network administrator for five years for the San Francisco city government.
The network on which he worked stores 60% of city data, including employee e-mail, payroll files and law enforcement records.
Documents in the system can currently be accessed, but if there is a problem with the network there is no way to repair it quickly.
Experts from Cisco have been brought in to try and rectify the problem, but without the passwords it could take weeks and cost millions of dollars.
It is not yet clear what Mr Childs' motive might have been for his alleged actions.
San Francisco's mayor Gary Newsom described him as "rogue employee that got a bit maniacal".
While it can be hard for companies to stop the actions of a rogue employee, one computer security expert said that systems are in place to try and anticipate when problems are likely to arise.
The Huntsmann system from Tier-3 monitors behaviour on computer systems and alerts security administrators when non-typical behaviour - such as changing passwords - takes place.
Chief technology officer Geoff Sweeney told Sky News Online: "This is an extreme case but they do occur.
"The worst possible scenario is an administrator who goes bad.
"At some point you need to establish a monitoring process that will identify behaviour that is suspicious."
Mr Childs has pleaded not guilty to four charges of computer tampering, and his lawyer said there is no danger to the city's computer networks as a result of his alleged actions. Terry Childs is accused of tampering with San Francisco's new computer network to give himself exclusive access, and is allegedly refu... more -
EU vs. Intel in anti-trust charges
They went after Microsoft and won, and now they're after Intel, the US microchip giant.
The EU is filing charges claiming Intel pays distributors to use/sell their product, stash/hide a competitor's product, and offers discounts to PC makers.
The EU cost Microsoft almost $1.5 billion the last time it filed a charge. Intel says no-fair. Competitor AMD is just being a bad sport. Intel makes and controls 80% of the worldwide computer chip market.
We'll see. They went after Microsoft and won, and now they're after Intel, the US microchip giant. ... more -
EU hits Intel with fresh charges
European regulators have filed fresh charges against the world's biggest computer chip maker Intel over alleged abuse of its dominant market position.
The European Commission accused the firm of paying a leading European retailer not to stock products containing chips made by rival AMD.
It is also accused of giving incentives to PC makers to switch to Intel chips.
Intel, which has eight weeks to respond to the allegations, said it was disappointed with the EC's claims.
The Commission has also accused Intel of paying the PC maker to delay the planned launch of a product containing AMD chips.
European regulators have filed fresh charges against the world's biggest computer chip maker Intel over alleged abuse of its dominant ... more -
MobileMe: Apple vuole farsi perdonare
Il debutto di MobileMe, la nuova suite di servizi che sostituisce .Mac, è stato più travagliato di quanto chiunque potesse immaginare, Apple compresa.
I disservizi sono stati talmente prolungati, estesi e clamorosi che Apple non poteva certo non assumere una posizione ufficiale sulla questione; e Cupertino l’ha fatto, riuscendo pure a usicre in modo elegante da una situazione davvero spinosa.
Il Team di MobileMe (ex-DotMac) ha infatti inviato una email di scuse a tutti i sottoscrittori del servizio:
“Vogliamo scusarci con tutti i nostri clienti e, per esprimere il nostro apprezzamento per la pazienza dimostrata, tutti i sottoscrittori attuali del servizio avranno l’estensione automatica di 30 giorni, gratuita, dell’abbonamento a MobileMe“.
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a me comunque non è che funzioni tutto alla perfezione e sopratutto non mi hanno ancora dato questo mese in più...
Tra le cose che (a me) non vanno segnalo:
- funzione "share" di iDisk tanto pubblicizzata, inesistente
- Gli amici che cercano di uplodare qualcosa nella mia cartella pubblica si ritrovano con una rotellina che gira e la scritta "Loading" che va avanti all'infinito anche se il documento viene uplodato non c'è modo di sapere quando e se finisce...
- iDisk particolarmente lento se usato dal Finder del Mac (più lento del vecchio servizio .mac ed è tutto dire...)
- i Calendari sottoscritti si aggiornano tra un dispositivo e l'altro ma non vengono segnalati su Mobile Me (tramite browser web)
- Gli eventi dei calendari si aggiornano tra un dispositivo e l'altro ma sul web fanno un po come gli pare (alcuni si, alcuni no) inoltre se cerco di creare un nuovo evento (dal web) questo viene creato ma poi la pagina si aggiorna e l'evento scompare... inutile dire che su gli altri dispositivi non compare nemmeno...
- le caselle mail vengono aggiornate tra i vari dispositivi ma non vengono visualizzate su Mobile Me (sempre tramite browser web)
e svariate altre cosette... sinceramente da apple mi aspetto qualcosa in più in termini di affidabilità e negli ultimi due anni la qualità generale dei prodotti è scesa parecchio (secondo me), sarebbe ora di sforzarsi un po per far uscire un modello di iPod e iPhone in meno all'anno e ridare qualità e affidabilità (sopratutto affidabilità) a tutto il resto... altrimenti tanto vale farmi fare un assemblatino e metterci su Ubuntu, tanto smanettare per smanettare... meglio farlo quasi gratis (l'hardware comunque lo si paga)
Il debutto di MobileMe, la nuova suite di servizi che sostituisce .Mac, è stato più travagliato di quanto chiunque potesse immaginare,... more -
American Poverty Includes Internet Access!
"Ten years ago, MySpace didn’t exist. Neither did Facebook. Just one site, called SixDegrees.com, dominated the online social networking market. But soon a bunch of sites sprouted up: LiveJournal, Friendster, LinkedIn, MySpace, and in 2004, Facebook. Back then, Facebook was just for Harvard kids.
But a new study from the University of Minnesota says these days even the least privileged kids have profiles on MySpace and Facebook. And they’re on the internet all the time. That finding goes against past studies that have found a ‘digital divide’ between rich and poor kids.
The researchers surveyed 600 urban teens from families making less than $25,000 a year. Nearly all the kids said they go online, usually from home. And more than three quarters of them have pages on MySpace or Facebook. The students say they’ve learned valuable technology skills in the process: they edit and upload photos, videos and music, and some of them even mess with html to personalize their pages. The researchers say teachers might want to build on that experience. Slipping a little MySpace between reading and ‘rithmetic could be really rewarding."
"Ten years ago, MySpace didn’t exist. Neither did Facebook. Just one site, called SixDegrees.com, dominated the online social networki... more
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