CNET Newscom

IBM tools aim lighten the (energy) load at data centers

2008-04-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

Big Blue is ramping up its efforts to business of selling power-saving technologies with new tools designed to track and cap data-center energy consumption.

Adobe toys with standardizing DNG raw photo format

2008-04-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

Adobe's Digital Negative format hasn't caught on widely. Standardizing might help, and Adobe has given DNG to a major standards group to evaluate.

Buzz Bissinger is an angry man (and he has a potty mouth)

2008-04-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

In a debate on HBO, the celebrated sports author rants, raves, and shows he has serious issues with sports blogs.

White House loses e-mail during 'upgrade,' gets sued

2008-04-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

After e-mail upgrade results in two lawsuits and a high-level resignation, a judge says he wants more answers from White House in lost e-mail fiasco.

Personal, 'green' airplanes propel forward

2008-04-30T15:22:00.000-07:00

As orders are taken for the world's first two-seater electric aircraft, advocates of personal air travel envision an era of clean skies and zippy commutes by air.

Report: Microsoft board fails to decide on Yahoo

2008-04-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

The Wall Street Journal reports late Wednesday that Microsoft's board wrapped up its meeting without deciding on the fate of its Yahoo bid.

Schmidt: Google couldn't keep up with new hires

2008-04-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

Google is slowing down its pace of hiring so employees don't get lost in the cracks. But it's not slowing down its cushy benefits.

Microsoft still moving in slo-mo on Yahoo

2008-04-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

The software maker's board is said to be meeting Wednesday, but so far no word on what they've decided.

Schmidt says Google still scratching head over YouTube profits

2008-04-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

CEO confirms that YouTube hasn't figured out yet how to make money. Promises new advertising methods.

Why is Estonia a tech hub? Answer partly in documentary

2008-04-30T12:51:00.001-07:00

The Singing Revolution documents how Estonia achieved independence relatively quietly. And it's prosperous today. Hmmmm.

Pioneer's HTS-LX70 home theater system is stylish, but costs a lot

2008-04-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

Pioneer has released the HTS-LX70 home theater system, which features stylish looks and a sky-high price.

From Net access to flowers: United Media buys FTD

2008-04-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

In what appears to be an odd pairing, United Media, which owns dial-up Internet provider NetZero, is buying florist FTD for $456 million.

Microsoft hopes new photo tool will boost Windows

2008-04-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

A free new utility, Pro Photo Tools, is designed to help photographers add location data to their photos--and to help Microsoft tout Windows.

Podcast: HP's memory breakthrough

2008-04-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

A discovery could lead to commercialization of denser, more energy-efficient memory chips.

If Ballmer bolts, who will lead Microsoft?

2008-04-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

As Microhoo madness heats up, veteran Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley asks: Where are the company's next leaders coming from?

Report: Microsoft board met Wednesday

2008-04-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

Microsoft's board is meeting Wednesday to evaluate its options for taking over Yahoo, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Politicos ponder new action against e-waste

2008-04-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

As old TVs, monitors, and gadgets pile up in landfills, Congress is again questioning what new laws are needed to encourage more efficient recycling and reuse.

Adobe guru to improve Windows interface

2008-04-30T09:58:00.001-07:00

Adobe guru Mark Hamburg apparently will work on Windows' user experience. His recent Adobe work gives a clue about his design goals: 'elegance,' 'personality'

Microsoft serves law enforcement free COFEE

2008-04-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

USB drive pulls together existing Windows forensic tools for on-the-fly data capture by law enforcement agents.

Schmidt on CNBC: We're concerned about Microhoo

2008-04-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

In a taped appearance on the cable news outlet, Google's CEO makes it clear he isn't keen on Microsoft acquiring Microsoft

Yahoo, Microsoft and Google share up in late trading

2008-04-30T09:54:00.000-07:00

Shares of Yahoo, Microsoft and Google were on the rise in late morning trading, as the software giant moves closer to revealing its plans to push Yahoo to the negotiating table.

Psystar's Open Computer arrives at CNET

2008-04-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

The Open Computer, a Mac OS X Leopard desktop not made by Apple, has arrived at the offices of CNET Reviews in New York.

Study: Our friends are the best product reviewers

2008-04-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

More people put stock in the product opinions of those they know than in published reviews.

First Solar aiming at $1 billion in revenue this year

2008-04-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

Despite experts saying a fall is imminent, First Solar continues to climb.

Photos: UAVs land in the Smithsonian

2008-04-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

The National Air and Space Museum pays tribute to unmanned military aircraft like the Predator and the tech advances behind them.

Microsoft's Blue Hat talks start Thursday

2008-04-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

Thursday will be for executives, but Friday's general sessions will feature cutting-edge security researchers on token kidnapping and phishing attacks.

Obscure Microsoft product halts Windows releases

2008-04-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

A compatibility glitch with the latest versions of Windows has cast the spotlight on Dynamics Retail Management System, a tool to help mid-size retailers manage their stores.

Wikimedia Foundation restructures its board

2008-04-30T09:01:00.000-07:00

Under the terms of the changes, the board will add two "chapter-selected" seats and will formalize Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales' spot with a "community founder" seat.

Radiohead won't repeat 'In Rainbows' giveaway

2008-04-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

Thom Yorke tells Hollywood Reporter that the promotion was a "one off."

Blu-ray player sales down despite end of format war

2008-04-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

Standalone player sales not benefiting from HD DVD's exit from the market.

McKinsey: servers need a MPG-like energy rating

2008-04-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

A study on data center energy consumption paints an ugly picture of runaway costs and hefty carbon footprint. It calls for measuring both facility efficiency and IT utilization

HP makes memory from a once theoretical circuit

2008-04-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Over three decades ago, a Berkeley professor theorized that there should be a circuit that can remember what's happened to it. Now, HP is demonstrating it actually exists.

3Com's new chief to be based in China

2008-04-30T07:51:00.000-07:00

CEO Bob Mao, who speaks fluent English and Mandarin, will be based in China, signifying the company's commitment to the Chinese market.

Proposed new piracy penalties advance in House

2008-04-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

House panel unanimously backs bill that would appoint new intellectual property enforcers and allow the feds to seize equipment used to commit infringement.

Robots to swarm English village in military contest

2008-04-30T07:09:00.001-07:00

Featured links from the CNET Blog Network

Robots to swarm English village in military contest--U.K. Ministry of Defense is sponsoring its version of the DARPA Challenge this summer, with robot teams scouting out potential dangers.

Latest quad-cores creep into consumer desktops--Latest chips from Intel and AMD are finding a home in consumer desktops from HP and Gateway.

Microsoft opens up to Linux for System Center, but on a very short leash--Company is supporting Linux as a target OS in its System Center product, but only Linux that it controls.

dBpoweramp for music file format conversion--I had a problem: a library of WMA files that my new iPod Shuffle couldn't play. dBpoweramp is the solution.

Robots to swarm English village in military contest

2008-04-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

Featured links from the CNET Blog Network

Robots to swarm English village in military contest--U.K. Ministry of Defense is sponsoring its version of the DARPA Challenge this summer, with robot teams scouting out potential dangers.

Latest quad-cores creep into consumer desktops--Latest chips from Intel and AMD are finding a home in consumer desktops from HP and Gateway.

Microsoft opens up to Linux for System Center, but on a very short leash--Company is supporting Linux as a target OS in its System Center product, but only Linux that it controls.

dBpoweramp for music file format conversion--I had a problem: a library of WMA files that my new iPod Shuffle couldn't play. dBpoweramp is the solution.

iPod survey is back open

2008-04-30T07:06:00.000-07:00

Please take our iPod survey in preparation for a story next week examining the future of the device that revived Apple.

Seagate: 1 billion hard drives and counting

2008-04-30T07:03:00.001-07:00

The storage device maker hits a milestone.

Switching, virtualization, and more at Interop

2008-04-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

Attendance is down at Interop Las Vegas 2008, but the networking industry is making the best out of it.

Quick appellate review of patent claim constructions: Is the door opening for interlocutory appeals?

2008-04-30T06:47:00.000-07:00

In his remarks at the 23rd Annual Intellectual Property Law Conference of the American Bar Association, Judge Michel - the Chief Judge of the Federal Circuit - cautioned that lawyers should not automatically assume that the Federal Circuit will refuse to

OMG! The Webby Awards are coming!

2008-04-30T06:10:00.000-07:00

The annual digital-media awards will be held in June in New York. Until then, there's a whole lot else going on to distract us.

SAP's Business ByDesign taking the slow road

2008-04-30T05:10:00.000-07:00

SAP announced that the phased roll out for its on-demand enterprise suite, Business ByDesign, is moving much slower than previously expected.

Another team joins race to advance chip software

2008-04-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

Stanford is partnering with six PC and chip makers to create software that will allow chips to more efficiently process many tasks at the same time, according to a report in the New York Times.

Report: Microsoft earmarks $1.5 billion to keep Yahoo employees

2008-04-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

Microsoft expects to spend upward of $1.5 billion to retain Yahoo employees, should it be successful in its unsolicited takeover attempt of the Internet search pioneer, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

Court rejects RIAA's 'making available' piracy argument

2008-04-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

Judge denies labels' motion for summary judgment against couple accused of making song files available for download, clearing the way for the suit to go to trial.

Yahoo president's salary up, overall pay down

2008-04-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

Sue Decker gets a raise, but stock and option compensation declines in 2007. CEO Jerry Yang still got $1.

Reports of 'GTA IV' freezing-up problems

2008-04-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

Users of the hit new game are flooding forums with complaints that it is freezing their consoles.

Chipmakers team up for home-networking standard

2008-04-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Intel, Texas Instruments, and others say powerline networking is the future of the connected home.

Blabatocracy's new mantra: All Jeremiah Wright, All the Time

2008-04-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the spectacular vapidity of corporate media, I feel a rant coming on. But Chris Tolles' experience at Topix.com suggests there's a viable alternative.

Lenovo takes a page from the Steve Jobs playbook

2008-04-29T14:46:00.000-07:00

Company's parody of the Macbook Air commercial promoting the X300 ultramobile PC gives Apple a taste of its own advertising medicine.

Nvidia to make all your PC games 3D (if you so choose)

2008-04-29T14:24:00.000-07:00

Beginning this summer, any PC with an Nvidia graphics processor will be able to make any game 3D--with the help of those dorky glasses, anyway.

The largest and smallest Mac clones around

2008-04-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

One Psystar customer has reported receiving an Open Computer, while a customer of Oqo's handheld computer has figured out a way to get Leopard running.

iPhone as electronic airplane boarding pass

2008-04-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

Blogger gets on American Airlines plane after scanning PDF of electronic ticket on iPhone.

Sony BMG in talks with Project Playlist, bucks other labels

2008-04-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

Music company negotiates with start-up accused in a copyright lawsuit filed by other major labels of helping people find unauthorized music files.

Yahoo exec: Peek into your ad profile

2008-04-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

Yahoo's Jeff Weiner talks at a social-media confab about an open system that lets people see why the company targets a specific advertisement to them.

Report: AT&T to sell 3G iPhone at $200 discount

2008-04-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

Is Apple about to have a two-tiered pricing structure for the 3G iPhone, with AT&T offering iPhones for $200 less than Apple?

FWIW: sum 1 wuz mugd : (

2008-04-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

New service, TipSoft SMS, offers anonymity for reporting crime tips via text message.

Madonna, live on your cell phone

2008-04-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

Verizon Wireless and Vodafone will be offering a live simulcast of Madonna's launch concert for her new album on Wednesday.

SEC suit recommended against Google director

2008-04-29T12:43:00.000-07:00

The regulator's staff recommends a civil lawsuit against Google board member Ann Mather regarding stock option transactions made while she was Pixar's CFO.

'EA Land' closing just weeks after debut

2008-04-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

After re-branding "The Sims Online," Electronic Arts decides to pull the plug on the struggling game's successor.

Will PG&E give rebates for old air conditioners?

2008-04-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

PG&E CEO Pete Darbee speaks out on energy efficiency, solar power and nuclear. He likes them all.

'GTA IV' poised to break entertainment sales record

2008-04-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

Though first-day sales numbers may not be known until next month, early reports indicate that the latest game in the hit series could topple the record set last year by Halo 3.

Podcast: Advice for America's amateur inventors

2008-04-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Electronic Frontier Foundation says Microsoft has betrayed its customers; and disappearing ink is back again, this time with real-world uses.

Rumor: Social bookmarking site Mister Wong acquires Lifestream.fm?

2008-04-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

There's no indication of why Mister Wong, a European site that resembles a blend between Delicious and StumbleUpon, would want the FriendFeed-like Lifestream.fm.

Microsoft cuts Xbox 360 prices in Asia

2008-04-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

Costs are reduced from 5 percent to nearly 20 percent.

The future of the iPod

2008-04-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

The device most responsible for Apple's 21st century renaissance gets short shrift these days next to the Mac and the iPhone. What lies in store for the iPod?

Report: Microsoft leaning toward proxy fight

2008-04-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

Redmond may announce its plans and its opposition slate of directors on Wednesday, according to CNBC.

Hard evidence presented in New Jersey e-voting discrepancies

2008-04-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

Printed voting audits may help to detected fraud--unless the vendor offers a good excuse.

Media execs size up video's future on the Web

2008-04-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

Media executives from YouTube, FastCompany.TV, and Revision3 talk about the economics of selling video to users and advertisers. The future is fuzzy.

Microsoft's dissident-directors slate taking shape

2008-04-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

TechCrunch rolls out a few more names for folks to chew on should the software giant enter into a proxy fight with Yahoo.

Vista SP1 auto updates also halted

2008-04-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

Microsoft says it has stopped automatically updating machines to Vista Service Pack 1 after discovering a bug that can cause problems between the OS and another of the company's products.

Google issues warning about phishing e-mails

2008-04-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

Official Google Blog posting, which is one in a series on online security, also offers ways to avoid such attacks.

Google map directions get Street View

2008-04-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

When checking driving directions online, clicking a camera icon will show a photo of the area where drivers need to turn.

Sunrgi's 'extreme' solar concentrators to match grid power

2008-04-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

A start-up shows off a prototype of a solar concentrator that packs some serious heat--but that also boosts the efficiency of solar cells significantly.

Salesforce.com + Google Apps (Verdict: Good, but occasionally frustrating)

2008-04-29T09:15:00.001-07:00

Featured links from the CNET Blog Network

Salesforce.com + Google Apps (Verdict: Good, but occasionally frustrating)--People are more addicted to Gmail than Outlook. This signifies a big change in the way business users consume e-mail applications.

AMD quad-core chip hits compatibility snag--High-end Phenom chips face compatibility issues with some system boards as the chipmaker struggles to churn out chips competitive with Intel.

Prince covers Radiohead @ Coachella--Radiohead wasn't able to play Coachella this year, so Prince did his own version of their first single, "Creep."

Tudou, after facing death by Chinese regulator, pulls in $57 million--Video-sharing Web site, which had been scolded for insufficient censorship (namely, of porn) and faced either threats or rumors of a government shutdown as recently as last month, is looking a little healthier this week.

Salesforce.com + Google Apps (Verdict: Good, but occasionally frustrating)

2008-04-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

Featured links from the CNET Blog Network

AMD quad-core chip hits compatibility snag--High-end Phenom chips face compatibility issues with some system boards as the chipmaker struggles to churn out chips competitive with Intel.

Prince covers Radiohead @ Coachella--Radiohead wasn't able to play Coachella this year, so Prince did his own version of their first single, "Creep."

Symantec's Norton user forum in beta

2008-04-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

For the first time, Norton users can talk amongst themselves about product issues or solicit responses from the Symantec staff without paying extra.

Site created to share Live Mesh invites

2008-04-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Blogger Long Zheng creates a site where those with Live Mesh invites can share them with others eager to try out the Microsoft service.

Rogue trader/hacker Kerviel lands a job ... in computer security

2008-04-29T09:02:00.000-07:00

Jailed high-risk financial trader Jerome Kerviel takes a job in Paris for a computer security company.

To green the Capitol, lawmakers follow tech titans

2008-04-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

Members of Congress aiming to green the U.S. Capitol are following the lead of Silicon Valley.

Steve Ballmer's to-do list for the 'day after'

2008-04-29T08:51:00.000-07:00

When he looks down his bench, Microsoft's CEO doesn't have a no-brainer choice to put in charge of Yahoo. This occasion may call for a Solomonic decision.

iPhone now supported by Check Point VPN-1

2008-04-29T08:33:00.000-07:00

With Check Point VPN software tool, existing gateway users can now securely access an enterprise via the iPhone.

Senators, states beat up on Real ID plans

2008-04-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

Homeland Security has postponed rollout of the new driver's license standards, but some politicians worried about cost and privacy still favor killing the controversial law.

XP update delayed over glitch

2008-04-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

Microsoft says just-found problem prevents Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 from working properly with its own retail management product.

Is it time to talk about 'peak water'?

2008-04-29T08:12:00.000-07:00

Worsened by growing demand, fresh water supplies are being stressed just like oil. Water tech can play a part.

Mac Messenger still trying to find its voice

2008-04-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

Latest version of Microsoft's instant-messaging program for Macs enables corporate users to exchange video and audio messages, but consumers will have to wait awhile.

EFF: Microsoft betrayed MSN Music customers

2008-04-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

Advocacy group sends letter to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer advising him to issue refunds after doing away with DRM-licensing servers.

Updated SlingPlayer Mobile software now available

2008-04-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sling Media is rolling out improved versions of its mobile software for watching live TV on compatible Windows Mobile, Windows Smartphone, and Symbian S60 devices.

AOL opens AIM voice-call interface

2008-04-29T06:19:00.000-07:00

AOL begins sharing its programming interface for Internet phone call abilities, part of an effort to profit more from its instant-messaging service.

Images: 'Grand Theft Auto IV' hits the streets

2008-04-29T05:48:00.000-07:00

Rockstar Games puts more larceny, murder, and mayhem on the streets of Liberty City in the latest and best, according to GameSpot, version of Grand Theft Auto.

Oracle closes BEA Systems merger

2008-04-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

Enterprise software applications giant Oracle announces it closed its $6.7 billion merger with BEA Systems, ending its contentious effort to acquire its former rival.

iPhone coming to Canada later this year

2008-04-29T04:21:00.000-07:00

Rogers Communications announces it will offer the iPhone in Canada later this year

Terrorist threat rewrites the book on biowar

2008-04-29T04:09:00.000-07:00

Institute updates treatise on biological warfare.

Start-up hopes to outdo eBay with online market

2008-04-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

Wigix believes its Nasdaq-style, community-boosted trading system is better than eBay's auctions for selling most things. But the company faces formidable challenges.

Insiders debate social media's influence on Election '08

2008-04-29T03:30:00.000-07:00

Online media execs consider blogs, podcasts, and sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter the "wild card" in this fall's presidential election.

Yelp to businesses: Deal with our users yourselves!

2008-04-29T03:26:00.000-07:00

Reviews site launches Yelp for Business Owners, which encourages companies to monitor activity on their pages and communicate with users who've reviewed them.

Software monitors the weather in your data center

2008-04-29T03:02:00.000-07:00

There's an awful lot of humidity over by the hard drives. Start-up SynapSense says its software will give a more accurate view of the environment inside server rooms.

Yahoo Messenger will power premium voice service with Jajah

2008-04-29T02:55:00.000-07:00

Beginning later this year, the telephony start-up will take over customer service, payment processing, and network infrastructure for Yahoo's VOIP service.

Critics slam 'GTA IV' without test drive

2008-04-29T02:00:00.001-07:00

Politicians and organizations seek to cut off Grand Theft Auto IV even before its midnight Tuesday release.

New way to save energy: Disappearing ink

2008-04-29T02:00:00.000-07:00

Xerox has paper you can use again and again, which could cut down on energy and the cost of recycling.