News


Microsoft: Toshiba to Build iPod Rival

Microsoft Corp.'s answer to Apple's iPod will be built by Toshiba Corp., the software company confirmed Friday.

Man Gets 6 Years in Software Piracy Case

A Florida man who made millions of dollars selling illegal copies of computer programs was sentenced Friday to six years in prison in one of the nation's largest software piracy cases.

Sun Buys Hewlett and Packard Painting

Wall Street values Hewlett-Packard Co. at $98 billion. Its rival, Sun Microsystems Inc., values Hewlett and Packard at a mere $6,000.

Apple Recalls 1.8 Million Sony Batteries

Apple Computer Inc. on Thursday recalled 1.8 million Sony-built laptop batteries that could overheat and catch fire.

Microsoft Ships Internet Explorer 7 for XP 'Release Candidate'

Microsoft has begun shipping the first release candidate of Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP, putting the first major update of the company's browser in years on track for final release on schedule.

ANALYSIS: Impact of Microsoft's TestKing.com Lawsuit Unclear

When Microsoft filed a federal copyright infringement lawsuit against braindump site Testking.com, many hailed the action. But the suit explores uncharted legal waters, with unpredictable results.

New Equipment Improves Emergency Communications Post-Katrina

Some boats searching the flood waters left by Hurricane Katrina were crowded with survivors. Others had plenty of room. And whenever a packed boat came upon a rooftop with more stranded people, there was no way to radio one of the empty boats to come help.

Citrix and Microsoft To Collaborate on 'Branch Office Appliance'

Microsoft and Citrix Systems announced this week they are collaborating to jointly produce and market a so-called "appliance" aimed at serving branch offices.

Japan Orders Sony, Dell To Investigate Battery Problems

Japan's trade ministry ordered Sony and Dell to investigate trouble involving Sony-manufactured laptop batteries.

IDC: 2Q Sales Growth Up for Volume Servers

The good news for hardware vendors is that growth in revenues for so-called "volume servers" -- servers that cost $25,000 or less -- continued to grow in the second quarter.

Microsoft Sues 'Cybersquatters'

Microsoft has filed three lawsuits against "cybersquatters" who hope to profit from typo-misdirection-based pay-per-click advertising.

S. Korea to Get New Versions of Windows

Microsoft to release four versions of Windows in South Korea that comply with antitrust ruling.

Microsoft Considers Vista Discounts

Microsoft considers discounts or other promotions during holidays to entice consumers to upgrade PCs to Vista, months before it may hit stores.

CrossTec Ships Activeworx 3.5

CrossTec Corp. announced it is shipping an updated version of its Activeworx security event management software.

IBM To Buy ISS for $1.3 Billion

IBM Corp. said Wednesday it will spend $1.3 billion in cash to acquire Internet Security Systems Inc., which performs network monitoring and analysis services for companies.

Windows Controls 97 Percent of PCs

Despite Microsoft's failure to release a new desktop operating system in the past five years, Windows' previous versions still give the company control of nearly 97 percent of all PCs worldwide, according to a leading Web analytics firm.

Microsoft Offers to Help Firefox Devs Port Code to Vista

Microsoft executives may have a hard time talking about open source software without getting their blood up, but the company appears to be taking a pragmatic approach when it comes to Windows Vista and the growing popularity of the Firefox browser.

Salesforce.com Acquires Google-Focused Startup

Salesforce.com has acquired a four-person startup specializing in paid search technology that will be tailored to work with the online business applications of Salesforce.

UPDATE: Microsoft Disputes PowerPoint Flaw Claim

Microsoft is disputing claims of a zero-day flaw in its PowerPoint application that could allow remote code execution.

Future of Wireless Communications: Blimps?

Bob Jones has a lofty idea for improving communications around the world: Strategically float robotic airships above the Earth as an alternative to unsightly telecom towers on the ground and expensive satellites in space.