Palm Releases First Update to webOS

While it boasts no new apps, Version 1.0.3 of Palm Pre's Web OS features a myriad of little updates, including enhanced e-mail support and faster Google synching. Palm touts "synergy" as one of Web OS's important elements, so it's not surprising that many of the updates focus on quicker and easier synchronization with Google.

Google calendar events with symbols or accents in the name can now synchronize ("Lunch@1:30 w/Marie-Élise" is no longer a problem), and the sync interval for both events and contacts has been decreased from every few hours to every 15 minutes. Palm also promises better e-mail performance in areas where wireless coverage has been spotty, as well as support for Non-SSL Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) mail servers.

As far as the little tweaks go, Palm has fixed an alarm clock glitch, which caused alarms to go off on weekends, even if they were set for "weekday only." Version 1.0.3 also includes various other updates to e-mail, phone, and other apps.

So, Pre-owner: Download 1.0.3 now, and make some late-afternoon weekend plans with foreign friends.

T-Mobile Launches Dash 3G

T-Mobile today introduced the T-Mobile Dash 3G, a long-awaited refresh of its predecessor, which we first reviewed more than two years ago. The Dash 3G joins this summer's hot parade of new cell phones, which began earlier this month with the launch of the Palm Pre and continues this week with the launch of the Apple iPhone 3G S and next week's launch of the second T-Mobile phone with Android. The Dash 3G will go on sale in stores in July.

The new Dash 3G is similar to the HTC Snap (available on Sprint and Verizon). It is the first 3G phone from T-Mobile to use the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard Edition operating system. The handset has evolved from its previous iteration to look sleeker and more smoothly designed. It replaces the previous model's five-way nav button and cluster of small nav keys beneath the display with a trackball and clearly defined, round nav buttons. The QWERTY keyboard appears roomy as well.

More details, including price, to come when available. What is known is that the Dash 3G has a QVGA (320 by 240 pixel resolution) display, integrated GPS, Exchange server support, microSDHC card slot, Bluetooth 2.0, and a 2-megapixel camera. These features are a boost over the previous version, but fall short of some of the beefier specs of phones like the Palm Pre or the iPhone 3G.

Verizon, AT&T: Buy a Texting Plan and We Won’t Rip You Off

Artwork: Chip Taylor

If you're not buying a monthly text-message plan from your wireless carrier, you're getting ripped off. This isn't news, I know, but testimony before Congress this week from the nation's top wireless carriers makes this clear to occasional texters like me who don't want a message bundle.

Representatives from Verizon Wireless and AT&T appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee in Washington on Tuesday to address allegations that U.S. wireless carriers are colluding to set prices for text messaging.

The collusion claims have been brewing for months now, and for good reason. The nation's top four cellular providers -- AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless -- each charge 20 cents per text message, a rate that's doubled from 10 cents in 2006. However, only users with a pay-per-use (PPU) plan for texting face those steep rates.

Highway robbery? You bet. But apparently the PPU deal is for suckers only. Um, like me.

I did a quick comparison of the lowest-priced text message plans from the four major carriers. They are:

* AT&T: 200 messages for $5 a month (2.5 cents per message)
* Sprint: 300 messages for $5 a month (1.67 cents)
* T-Mobile: 300 messages for $5 a month (1.67 cents)
* Verizon: 250 messages for $5 a month (2 cents)

These estimates assume you're texting up to the monthly limit, of course, which probably isn't the case all the time. But even if you use half your allotted texts, you're still paying a small fraction of the PPU rate.

Am I cheap? Probably. But more importantly, I hate being forced to pay for services I don't want or need, such as 200 to 300 text messages a month. I send and receive maybe 10 to 15 texts a month. So is it fair that my carrier AT&T charges me eight times the bundled rate?

Yes, I know we're talking a few bucks here. So call me cheap. I'm arguing on principle.

According to a prepared statement by AT&T general counsel Wayne Watts, "less than 1% of AT&T's postpaid text messaging volume is handled on a PPU basis. Instead, the vast majority of our customers take advantage of AT&T's multiple messaging pricing plans, including those that provide a package of messages for a flat monthly rate."

So not only am I a sucker, I may be the only one.

Watts also points out that U.S. wireless carriers are "competing fiercely on many levels," and offer consumers a variety of voice and messaging plans. When it comes to texting fees, there's no collusion at all, he claims.

Damn. I just got a text message. Another 20 cents down the drain.
True? It's hard to say. The universal adoption of the 20-cent-per-message fee by the Big Four does look suspicious. Then again, when you've got numerous vendors duking it out in a highly competitive wireless market, collusion seems a lot less likely

Asus and Disney Join Forces on Kid-Friendly Netbooks

Add this to the list of unexpected business partnerships: Asus and Disney have combined their expertise in computers and cartoons to produce a Disney-themed netbook called the Netpal. Available in "Princess Pink" or "Magic Blue," the Netpal will be available in late July.

The Netpal should be perfect for the Disney fans who need a laptop that packs a little more punch than the $30 Vtech Disney Princess Carriage "Laptop" and just aren't feeling the Snow White look of the older Lenovo IdeaPad Y330 Disney Limited Edition.

The Netpal will be sold by Toys ‘R' Us, DisneyStore.com, and Amazon.com for $350, which will get you a 2.6-pound laptop with 1GB of RAM, Windows XP Home, an 8.9-inch display (1024-by-600 resolution), and a 1.6GHz Intel N270 processor.

There will be two models available: one with a 160GB HDD, and one with a 16GB SSD (the latter will be about half a pound lighter), and both will come with SD/MMC card readers, a 3-megapixel camera, a VGA port, and three USB ports.

The Netpal also comes with a handful of preinstalled themes inspired by Disney and Disney/Pixar movies, including Cars and Vintage Mickey Mouse (as well as Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers themes for the more-mature Disney fan). There's also plenty of Disney-specific software that comes with the Netpal, so if you're having a hard time finding Hannah Montana on Pandora, you might have better luck with Disney Radio.

For parents who balk at buying a $350 PC for children on a toy-breaking streak, the Netpal's design may give them some peace of mind: it packs a spill-proof keyboard and is protected against data loss from impact by Asus ShockShield technology.

It also has plenty of parental control options; parents can restrict their children's access to particular sites or programs, limit e-mail correspondence to certain addresses, set different permissions corresponding to different scheduled times (sorry, Junior -- no Internet after 8 p.m.), and even provide statistics on what users are doing online. You can also figure out how much time the kids are spending playing Flash games when they're supposed to be studying.

Intel and Nokia to Rattle Mobile Landscape

Plenty of questions linger regarding Intel and Nokia's partnership, but one thing we can count on is the two powerful tech players will rattle the mobile landscape. The Intel and Nokia partnership, announced yesterday, was slim on specifics but brimming with potential as both announced they would collaborate on a mobile-computing partnership.

The duo has the very real potential to shower consumers with dozens of shiny new Nokia and Intel products from super-smart smartphones that transmit voice and data at lightning speed and efficiency or something like a hybrid netbook/notebook that fits in your shirt pocket.

We will have to wait and see what becomes of the partnership because both executives from Intel and Nokia were mum on what type of gizmos we will be seeing and when. While the brunt of the announcement focused on explaining how both would deliver a new mobile platform, such as Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), it's what was not said that may generate the most interest and should have Apple, AMD, and other mobile players interested.

Intel Partners Scratch Heads

While Intel and Nokia skimped on specifics, left dangling in the wind are questions about how this announcement will impact Intel's relationships with other companies it has longstanding relationships with. For example, Intel has made significant inroads with Apple, where many of its Macintosh computers are based upon Intel CPUs - will an Intel powered Nokia iPhone competitor strain Apple's relationship with Intel? Concerns should also surround Intel's relationship with Microsoft - will an Intel powered Nokia MID running Android or Linux impact Microsoft's sales of Windows Mobile?

Nokia, Intel Marriage: Jealous?

One thing is certain: Intel may be taking a big risk with its dive into the mobile wireless device market with Nokia. Intel has to be careful not to upset its current partners, yet still work with Nokia to deliver new and impressive devices to consumers. Perhaps, the biggest winner here will be AMD, which has already made inroads with Gateway into the netbook market and is poised to challenge Intel in the low cost computing arena.

If They Were Smart . . .

Still more questions remain about WiMax and alternative operating systems (Android and Linux). The smart move for both companies would be to quickly introduce a MID that shouts innovation. That innovation could come in the form of integrating WiMax into an Android based tablet, which can switch between various wireless modes, while providing the features of a Kindle and iPhone combined, add Bluetooth for a headset and viola, the companies would have something that could compete against netbooks, Kindles and iPods.

Together Intel and Nokia have the technology to make this happen. Nokia has already unsuccessfully dabbled with tablets and Intel already has experimented with cellular phone technology, so both companies have the background to make something happen quickly, and to become masters of the wireless market. Unfortunately, both companies may have to tick off some of their existing partners, at least a little, to seize the day and make this new relationship deliver something significant.

Conficker Predictions - Doomsday Scenarios for April 1

Graphic: Diego Aguirre
Doomsday is nearly here. Well, maybe.

The fear-inducing Conficker worm is set to explode (or something) this Wednesday, April 1. Wondering what the hell that actually means? You aren't alone.

No one knows exactly what Conficker will bring, but plenty of theories are floating around. Some take on apocalyptic tones, while others seem more like nonchalant groans. Before you unplug your computer and brace yourself in the fetal position, though, consider some of the possibilities and how likely they appear to be.

1. It'll be Y2K all over again.

Just picture it: Computers worldwide simultaneously freak out. Banks go haywire, airports shut down... -- oh, wait a minute. None of that stuff ever happened.

That's exactly what a lot of security experts are expecting to see this week: a collective sigh of relief as all the hype turns into a big fat punchline, ripe for months of late night comedy milking.

"The truth is, there will be no April 1st outbreak, despite what some of the press stories have said so far," says Joe Stewart, director of malware research with SecureWorks.

"The probability of a major [Conficker]-related event taking place on April 1 is really not very likely," agrees Vincent Weafer, vice president of Symantec's security response group.

Armageddon? Fuh-get-it.

2. Hackers will take over the world.

On the other end of the spectrum, some are suggesting that the worst could actually occur. Just look at these sentiments from a not-at-all sensational story by U.K. tabloid The Sun (and yes, these are all unmodified, direct quotes):

• "Millions of computers around the world could go into meltdown."

• "The aggressive bug could be hiding on your PC at home right now, waiting to kick in."

• "For the hackers, it's like having a virtual army at their fingertips."

• "They could also plunder information, including your bank details."

Meltdown? Hiding in my home? Army? Plunder?! That fetal position is starting to look more appealing.

But really, most people who study security for a living say this extreme type of scenario seems awfully unlikely. What's more, research released just today by IBM Internet Security System's X-Force (note to self: rename bowling team "The X-Force") suggests Conficker's presence in the U.S. has been greatly exaggerated. Fewer than 6 percent of Conficker infections are in North America, IBM says. The majority are in Asia, followed by Europe and then South America.

The smartest thing you can do right now is to check if you're infected -- and, if you are, run a removal tool to make the fix before midnight.

3. Every infected computer will lose all of its data.

The Conficker event scheduled for April 1 could contain code telling the bug to wipe out the hard drives of every personal computer in sight. Key word there: could.

The truth, as PC World's Erik Larkin points out, is that the folks behind malware are typically looking to make some sort of measurable gain. As valuable as your photo collection from last year's family vacation is (and yes, I know about the bikini pics), odds are, it's not what a hacker is after.

4. Spam, spam. Lots of spam.

One way that gain could be accomplished is through spam -- and lots of it. With millions of machines believed to be affected worldwide, Wednesday's potential communication expansion could give Conficker's creators the power to blast us with bundles of annoying new e-mails. That threat, some say, could be very real, as could the idea of targeted denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.

Still, any DoS attacks would more likely be aimed at corporate networks, not individual users, and many major institutions have already taken steps to protect themselves.

5. Jerry Yang will suddenly become an omnipotent force, ruling the entire world from a top-secret Silicon Valley bunker.

Hey, I'm just saying -- anything's possible here. And of all the scenarios we've considered, this final one may be the most troubling. I mean, what anti-virus program could possibly protect us from that frightful fate?

Fetal position, here I come. I'll be under my desk if anyone needs me.

Conficker Set to Strike: Protect Yourself with These Tips and Tools

Graphic: Diego Aguirre

Security watchdogs that millions could be affected by the Conficker worm tomorrow - unfortunately this is not in an April Fool's Day joke. Over nine million PCs are already infected and a new variant of the virus could threaten those who didn't patch their PCs with the latest security updates.

that on April 1st Conficker "will simply start taking more steps to protect itself." After tomorrow, machines infected with the new "C strain" of may not be able to get security updates or patches from Microsoft and other security products vendors, says the company. Known also as Downadup or Kido, Conficker is a worm whose purpose security researchers couldn't decipher yet.

How do I stay safe?

Security experts recommend that you run (such as Norton or McAfee) and that you keep updated with all the latest patches and updates from both Microsoft (Vista and XP) and for your antivirus provider. "Free" security scans from various websites are not recommended. Google searches for Conficker protection software are not advisable either, as they could redirect you sites that will actually infect you. Users who received all the automatic updates from Microsoft should be already protected from Conficker.

How do I know if I'm infected?

Spreading across networks, Conficker finds vulnerable computers and automatically disables security services (like Windows Update and antivirus) and blocks access to various well-known security firms' websites. Another symptom of Conficker infection is when your Internet connection is running suspiciously slow, without any apparent reason. The best way to find out whether you already have Conficker is to use one of the Microsoft, Symantec or McAfee Aa free trial version of these should at least help you remove the virus and keep you safe tomorrow).

Sony Slashes the Price of the PlayStation 2

Looking to scoop up a PlayStation 2? Starting tomorrow, April 1, Sony will cut the price of its gaming console to $100, down 25 percent from its current price of $130. Today's announcement is the third price cut for the PS2 since Sony's first discount in 2002.

Rumors had swirled in recent days that Sony was set to make a major PlayStation 3 announcement today. Industry watchers speculated that the company would announce a brand new browser, online content for the PS3, or perhaps a release date for God of War III. But the biggest rumor was that the PS3 was getting a $100 price drop as a way for Sony to improve slumping sales. In the end, it turns out that the rumor mill was way off.

According to December 2008 figures from Nielsen, the PS2 is still the most popular gaming system in use today. For its part, Sony doesn't seem to be letting up on development for the system even though its successor, the PS3, has been out for more than three years. Sony believes the PS2 has a 10-year lifecycle, meaning new games for the PS2 should wind down sometime in 2010. By year's end, Sony says there will be 1900 available titles for the PS2, including new releases like MLB 09 THE Show and MotorStorm: Arctic Edge.

While the attention of hardcore gamers is now focused on the next generation of systems like the PS3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360, the lowered price tag might mean a second life for the PS2. Playing action-based games like Call of Duty 2 or Unreal Tournament 2004 may help you improve your vision, according to a recent study by the University of Rochester. While neither of those games are available for the PS2, enterprising users (or doctors) just might be able to find PlayStation equivalents.

AT&T Wants to Keep iPhone Exclusivity Until 2011

The 4.7.0.113 update will also bring a much-wanted feature to Storm users: a full QWERTY keyboard to use in portrait mode. So far, the BlackBerry Storm allows the use of a full QWERTY only in landscape mode, while a SureType keyboard is used in portrait mode. In total, over 30 bugs will be fixed, with stability and speed issues addressed in this firmware update as well.

Some BlackBerry forums and Web sites already offer various versions of this update for download. If you know what you're doing, you can try an unofficial update at your own risk. However, I would recommend you wait until the official version from Verizon will be released.

This might well be the last firmware update RIM will offer for the Storm, as the company is already working on the Storm 2. The second iteration of RIM's flagship phone is said to add Wi-Fi, a 5-megapixel camera, and a new touchscreen technology called TruePress.

But from AT&T's point of view, the privilege of selling the iPhone is worth the cost. The big telecoms are moving away from landline service and looking to wireless as the industry's future. The WSJ says AT&T has already spent $18.8 billion in purchasing wireless spectrum and smaller wireless companies as it prepares for the coming years. AT&T may also cut out the requirement that you be an AT&T landline customer to qualify for discounts on TV or broadband service.

While holding onto the iPhone may make sense for AT&T, an extension isn't in the best interests of the consumer or Apple. Let's face it, millions of people around the U.S are salivating over the iPhone, but aren't switching over to AT&T. This can be for a variety of reasons like being locked into a contract, availability of AT&T service in certain areas, and even plain old brand loyalty. Apple needs to reach out to this much larger base of customers, especially with competition coming from the Palm Pre and an anticipated slew of devices coming loaded with Google's Android platform.

Opening up the iPhone to other carriers also has the potential to reshape the American wireless market. With so much hype behind it, Apple is in a position to dictate terms to service providers. Carriers could end up offering competing rebates, free devices, or other goodies in order to satisfy your iPhone lust.

I hope AT&T's time in the iPhone limelight is fading. It's time Apple unshackle the so-called "Jesus phone" from AT&T so we can see some iPhone competition in the U.S. marketplace.

BlackBerry Storm to Get Firmware Update

The BlackBerry Storm, the first touchscreen device from Research In Motion, is to get a software update over the coming two weeks. The new firmware is set to fix multiple bugs plaguing the phone, as well as add features such as improved keyboard usage.

The over-the-air software update from Verizon Wireless will be the first major update for the Storm since one in December. Known as 4.7.0.113, the new firmware is expected to fix numerous bugs the Storm is suffering from, stopping the device from freezing when using voice dialing, and fixing the bug that causes the display to get filled with small, multicolored dots.

The 4.7.0.113 update will also bring a much-wanted feature to Storm users: a full QWERTY keyboard to use in portrait mode. So far, the BlackBerry Storm allows the use of a full QWERTY only in landscape mode, while a SureType keyboard is used in portrait mode. In total, over 30 bugs will be fixed, with stability and speed issues addressed in this firmware update as well.

Some BlackBerry forums and Web sites already offer various versions of this update for download. If you know what you're doing, you can try an unofficial update at your own risk. However, I would recommend you wait until the official version from Verizon will be released.

This might well be the last firmware update RIM will offer for the Storm, as the company is already working on the Storm 2. The second iteration of RIM's flagship phone is said to add Wi-Fi, a 5-megapixel camera, and a new touchscreen technology called TruePress.

AT&T "No Commitment" iPhone Pricing: No Bargain

Word on the street is that AT&T is finally preparing to add a new (but previously announced) pricing option for the iPhone 3G that does not require committing to a two-year data plan, or activating on site. But the offering (as outlined in a supposedly leaked presentation on Boy Genius Report) is so expensive--$599 for the 8GB model and $699 for the 16GB model--and so loaded with restrictions that it's hard to see who'd benefit from the deal, which supposedly will be offered starting March 26.

For starters, the contract-free price will only be available to existing AT&T customers--and there's no indication that the phone would be unlocked so that you could use it on someone else's network. Also, most people will want a data plan, so the issue then becomes how much you save if you want to opt out early from a commitment.

Let's say you're not eligible for the subsidized contract pricing ($199/$299). You can still buy an iPhone at the "early upgrade" price of $399 (8GB) or $499 (16GB) with a two year contract. Should you decide to opt out after a month of service you'd pay $175 for early termination, which would bring your outlay to about $575 for the 8GB phone and $675 for the 16GB phone. That's already a bit less than the no-commit price--and bear in mind that the termination fee would go down for each month you used the phone.

Since other costs (activation fee and monthly voice and data usage) would presumably remain constant regardless of how you purchased the phone, there doesn't appear to be any upside to the no-commitment pricing. The leaked AT&T presentation says the offer is meant to provide handsets to current customers who want to give them as gifts, add a line, or upgrade early. But my math suggests that even if you've lost your phone and want to replace it, you'd be better off starting over by buying the iPhone at the early upgrade price, and taking the two-year data plan (which you can cancel early if need be).

The no-commitment price option was leaded the day after Apple announced a slew of changes coming this summer to the iPhone operating system. These changes will presumably make the 9-month-old handset more appealing to new users. However, the cell phone competition is getting intense, and some predict newcomers will put pressure on iPhone prices.

No word yet from my AT&T contacts as to the accuracy of the leaked presentation, by the way.

Omnia HD: The World’s First HD Mobile

The Samsung Omnia HD, set for release later this year, will be a GSM quad-band phone with a set of powerful multimedia features. It will be the first phone to offer 720p HD video recording.
Additionally, it will be equipped with an 8 megapixel camera, TouchWiz user interface, GPS receiver, and FM radio.

Quick Specs

Operating System: Symbian S60 5th Edition
Screen Resolution: 3.7" QHD AMOLED Touch Screen
Keyboard Type: On-screen
Communications: Bluetooth, GPRS, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, UMTS
Meda Type: microSD
Camera Resolution: 8.0 megapixels
GPS: Yes
Dimensions: 4.84 x 2.28 x 0.51 inches
Battery Type: Lithium - Ion, 1500 mAh
Release Date: 6/30/2009

Amazing product, I think this is the long-awaited iPhone-killer

CompUSA Is Back With a New Retail Strategy

Remember CompUSA? The electronics retailer may have closed up shop in your town, but it never shut down entirely. As reported by PC World’s Tom Spring last January, Systemax paid $30 million for select CompUSA assets and retail stores in a deal that kept 16 CompUSA locations open. Systemax subsidiary TigerDirect then took over the CompUSA brand, and even converted some TigerDirect stores to CompUSA shops.

Resurrecting a consumer electronics chain with a less-than-stellar reputation for service and support is a risky move for Systemax, which figured that TigerDirect could rebuild the brand. It may prove to be a smart move too. Consumers have short memories, and many will likely remember the CompUSA name and not the baggage that went with it.

Now Systemax is trying another bold move by allowing customers in its 30 CompUSA stores to surf the Web to comparison shop. According to Wired, in addition to better lighting and an updated store design, each CompUSA will have Web terminals that shoppers can use to find cheaper deals online. But will CompUSA meet or beat the online price?s

In-store comparison shopping is a risky move that could drive away customers who find better deals elsewhere. Then again, it may also draw customers who appreciate the consumer-friendly approach. I hope the new CompUSA succeeds. Best Buy needs more brick-and-mortar competitors, particularly after the recent demise of Circuit City.

Which Campaign is Better: Microsoft's Laptop Hunter or Apple's Get a Mac?

Microsoft has unveiled its latest "Laptop Hunter" ad, throwing back a powerful punch against Apple's long-running (and, by most counts, long-winning) campaign on coolness. Unlike Microsoft's past attempts, this new line of marketing has many ad experts taking note -- and saying maybe, just maybe, Microsoft has finally hit the mark.

Microsoft's Laptop Hunter Ad

The new "Laptop Hunter" spot, the third in Microsoft's latest ad series, shows a mom and son trying to find a laptop for less than $1500. Microsoft offers to pay the price of the computer if they can find one within that range.

The ad follows similar spots debuted this month, one featuring a guy named Giampaolo and the other with a gal named Lauren. Both went on similar missions to find inexpensive laptops and, after comparing Macs and PCs, ended up going with Microsoft's platform.

Shifting Strategy

The "Laptop Hunter" strategy is a definite departure from last fall's divisive Seinfeld-Gates series of Microsoft ads. (Microsoft, for the record, says those segments were meant only to "reintroduce" the brand and get people talking.) It also takes a distinctly different focus from the "I'm a Mac" ads Apple has long used to beat down the Microsoft name.

That distinction may serve Microsoft well, says Matt McCutchin, a former ad copywriter who's worked on numerous Microsoft and PC-related campaigns in the past.

"It was a great strategy a year ago to try to kick the door open and get the buzz going, to get Microsoft talked about in a different way," says McCutchin, a lecturer in the University of Texas at Austin's advertising program. "I think that bringing it home to the actual shopping trip is the right next step. That's what really goes through a consumer's mind now."

Future Thinking

This latest ad is the third in a series of six "Laptop Hunter" spots scheduled to be released over the coming months. The segments are little-by-little upping the ante: While an early edition focused on a machine under $1,000 and the most recent looked for a laptop less than $1,500, a future spot is said to raise the price limit to $2,000.

Microsoft is clearly aware of the edge that playing up price can offer over its competition. A Microsoft brand exec even joked that it was a "good day" when Apple unveiled a $2700 MacBook Pro at this year's Macworld Expo. The question now is whether Apple will address the hits in a new way or continue pushing for success with its past tactics. McCutchin -- who recently made the switch himself, by the way, to Mac -- thinks a change may be in order.

"I would say it's time for Apple to evolve its strategy," he says. "They're going to have a harder time trying to justify those price points."

Unlike the Seinfeld ads, these latest spots offer nochurros or tight-running Conquistador shoes. In the long run, though, they may offer something far more valuable in Microsoft's ongoing rivalry with its cooler, but perhaps costlier, competitor.

"I think Apple's going to have to deal with the issue at some point," McCutchin contends. "That's why Microsoft's strategy is so well-timed in making this more about price and value as opposed to some sort of coolness."

The 10 Wackiest Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-W5000

Audio-Technica's ATH-W5000 is a set of headphones with a decidedly retro feel. Packing high quality components into an over-the-ear design, the headphones have wooden outer covers for the ear-cups, making them instantly recognizable.

AKG K1000

Recognizable for a completely different reason, AKG’s K1000 headphones are essentially full-size speakers suspended over the listener’s head with the headband. Reminding us of broadcast studio microphones — sans the fuzzy covers — these headphones are as expensive as they are ingenious.

Audio-Technica ATH-EW9

As a smaller redesign of the ATH-W500, the ATH-EW9 from Audio-Technica is a set of clip-on headphones that sit on the listener's ears. With a metal ear-clip mechanism the ATH-EW9 headphones are a pleasant mix of retro and modern styling.

Sennheiser HE90 Orpheus

Novel for their bulk, prowess and price, Sennheiser's legendary HE90 Orpheus headphones are one of few models on the market to use electrostatic sound reproduction instead of the moving-coil design used by most headphones. The end result is peerless sound quality with the downside of requiring a dedicated, specially designed amplifier.

Logitech Curve

Slightly out of place in such prestigious company, Logitech's Curve headphones have been chosen because of their ultramodern headband and clip-on design. Molded out of lurid green plastic, the Curve headphones may not suit all tastes but certainly catch the eye.

Takara's Novelty Headphones

A list of novelty headphones can't be complete without at least one boutique Japanese cartoon design. These Takara headphones seem like generic clip-ons — until they unfold to reveal the plastic limbs of either Frenzy or Rumble, depending on which model you purchase. A licensed transforming MP3 player is also available.

Logitech Freepulse

Logitech's FreePulse headphones are the older, cooler brother of the earlier Curve. With Bluetooth technology and a thin band design, they’re stylish enough to be worn wherever you go.

Zelci Outi

These Zelco Outi earphones are designed to be attached to the outside of your ears rather than nestled inside. Transmitting their vibrations directly into your ear cartilage, the Outi are designed to reverberate sound through your entire body.

Skullcandy

If you want a zany design, you can't go past Skullcandy. With all of their models available in over-the-top finishes, you’re bound to make a statement 24/7.

The MacBook Air-Dell Adamo Deathmatch

The Tale of the Tape

You know all about the on-again, off-again PC-Mac turf war, of course. Which is better? One thing we can tell you is that PC makers sure are taking note of Apple's awesome design work. And that's the setup for the welterweight matchup we have going on today.

In this corner (pictured at right), the MacBook Air, the sleek standard-bearer for how Apple does computing. In the other, the Dell Adamo, the spunky up-and-comer that packs on ports…and takes some not-so-subtle jabs at the big "A."

Neither company really positions its ultraslim ultraportable as a high-performance hot rod. Heck, both of them eschew optical drives to stay lean and mean. But they're both expensive--very, very expensive. We figured it was time to find out if either the Air or the Adamo has what it takes to win.

Now before these two palookas start mixing it up, let's look at what they each bring to tonight's fight. The MacBook Air is the cagey vet. Since it first showed up on the scene, it has improved its game by providing better processors and an honest-to-goodness graphics card, nVidia's GeForce 9400M. That means it can actually play some games--not many, but some.

The Air we last reviewed offered a 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo CPU and 2GB of RAM, and scored a 78 in WorldBench 6. In our battery-life tests, the Air survived for about 2.5 hours before sputtering out. It can accommodate a 120GB hard disk (our more-expensive model came with a 128GB solid-state drive). But then, of course, there's also the dreaded "Apple Tax": These machines range in price from $1799 to $2499.

The Dell Adamo, on the other hand, offers lesser parts and…charges…more? Really? Let's go over this. Dell's high-style PCs cost between $1999 and $2699. The Adamo maxes out at a 1.4GHz CPU but compensates with 4GB of RAM to handle a 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home Premium. Supposedly its battery will last 5 hours in tests, if we're to believe promotional materials. Will it get slapped around in our WorldBench 6 suite? Stay tuned; we'll update this story as soon as we receive results from our labs. For now, though, buckle up for a feature-by-feature smackdown.

Hey, you two silicon status symbols: Are you ready to rumble? FIGHT!

Round 1: The Packaging

Apple: Ships in a neat little box. It's tiny. It's mostly white. It comes with a handle. Yay!

Dell: When the Adamo arrives at your doorstep, it looks as if someone froze your new laptop in carbonite. Yeah, I went there. It's a minimalistic plastic display case that houses the small handful of accessories (a DisplayPort-to-VGA cable, a power cable, and a microscopic manual) that come with the Adamo.

Winner: Draw. If you're going by cool factor, Dell out-Appled Apple in this department. Environmentally friendly plastic casing, not so much.

Round 2: The Keyboard

Apple: The Air didn't invent the notion of cut-out Chiclet keys--it just popularized them. The buttons are reasonably spaced, and you rarely run the risk of mistyping. That said, the function keys are shrunken down a little bit too much for my tastes. Otherwise, the Air has a slick set of backlit keys.

Dell: One editor here refers to the little dip in the middle of these wide keys as "finger buckets." The fancy-pants Dell marketspeak for it is "scalloped keys." Whatever. The point is, the keys are flat-ish and wide, as I've grown to love on a number of laptops (the HP Mini 1000 being among them), and they have a little lip for your fingers to rest in. The Adamo also finds room to accommodate a couple of multimedia-shortcut keys next to the power button. The only drawback here is that making out some of the keys without the ambient backlighting turned on is a little difficult.

Winner: Dell. Bigger keys and more of them equal a win in my book.

Round 3: The Touchpad

Apple: Looking at the touchpad, it's pretty obvious why the Air gave up some ground from the keyboard. The mousing area on the MacBook is big and beautiful. While some people (ahem, me) have trouble with getting the multitouch functions to work 100 percent correctly, all the time, it feels--and looks--great.

Dell: The Adamo's touchpad borders on the average side. It's not bad by any stretch; the buttons are firmly in place and give the right amount of pressure. Like the Apple laptops, this Dell model provides some multitouch functionality as well.

Winner: Bigger surface area. Feels better. Apple.

Round 4: The I/O Ports

Apple: I can count the number of ports on three fingers. You can guess which ones they are. You get a single USB port, a mini-DisplayPort, and a headphone jack. That's it.

Dell: Here’s where the big "D" gets it right. The Adamo has two USB ports, ethernet and headphone jacks, one eSATA connector, one DisplayPort, and a user-accessible SIM-card slot for WWAN service.

Winner: Dell. As if this one was even going to be close. At least both machines offer Webcams and built-in microphones.

Round 5: The Screen

Apple: A crisp 13.3-inch display stays protected behind a big, aluminum bezel. With the Air's native 1280-by-800-pixel resolution, you'll get some great, colorful images on the backlit LED screen. Of course, the glossy coating means you're bound to get a little bounce-back in broad daylight, too.

Dell: Ditto on the glare from the glossy coating, but this screen is worth it. The Adamo offers edge-to-edge glass that's securely locked into place on the 13.4-inch screen. Its WLED display one-ups the Air's with a 1366-by-768-pixel resolution (translation: 720p-friendly). Initial tests show that the screen looks pretty sharp. But one thing I keep mulling over is the obviously Mac-esque shortcut bar that sits on the desktop (shown here). It provides clean, quick links to all the main apps you'd use on the computer. And it's easily customizable.

Winner: Dell. The Adamo has a bright, bigger screen with a higher resolution? Sold.

Round 6: The Overall Design

Apple: Thanks to its simple, spartan design, the Air has much cleaner lines. Then again, managing without all of the perks that have been nipped and tucked out of the 12.8-by-9.0-by-0.8-inch, 3-pound Air in order to make it so small is a bit of a pain. As in life, it's all about trade-offs.

Dell: As slim as the Adamo is (13 by 9.5 by 0.65 inches and 4 pounds), it's still a bit boxy. Hey, that's not a knock. After all, just about every laptop is a little on the square side (even Apples, until pretty recently). The dotted grillwork on the back pops, and the two-tone top makes the Adamo look more like a fashion accessory than most laptops on the scene do.

Winner: Draw. This one boils down to a matter of aesthetics and taste. Whether you like clean and simple or you want to try to match your shoes to your laptop, either machine works.

As I said at the beginning of this slide show, hang tight: We will have a full review of the Adamo up soon with all of our WorldBench 6 test results in place.

Netscape instability

No, I'm not talking about the mental health of the team that's now running the site. I'm talking about trying to put together the largest site of my career so far.

The earliest sites I worked on were TV Guide's first site and Business Week's first site, both in 1995. There was no such thing as a crush of traffic back then and everything I did was on the front-end anyway, just design work. I started doing database-driven sites with my Tech-Engine crew, but that never got popular enough to strain under heavy usage. I did a bunch more database/web apps for Business Week, but it was never something like the home page of BusinessWeek.com, just little tools like the business school ROI calculator or a private PDF downloads site.

The first time I had to deal with a crush of traffic that was too much for my server-side code to handle was when I did the CMS for A List Apart. The tools were great and the site was an upgrade from the hand-rolled versions before it, but it was definitely not Slashdot-proof. It was running on my mail server. More accurately, it was running on my lone mail/DNS/SQL/FTP/web server.

As completely dynamic and uncached as my Capgemini site is, it must not have enough traffic to reveal any flaws it its ability to scale. Either that or they do have tons of traffic, but they are running on really good hardware. Or maybe it has no flaws!

On the Kansas City Chiefs NFL team site, that was probably the only example of a Windows IIS/SQL site that has also never showed any performance trouble and I know it gets a ton of traffic. Again, I chalk that up to good hardware, since there's very little caching going on and no one's complaining about performance.

Weblogs, Inc. had its ups and downs. It started out on that same email server, sharing resources with A List Apart. The first two Windows versions of the Blogsmith platform had limited caching, mainly certain dynamic portions of pages were written into include files as were all RSS feeds, but we had outages and growing pains. Things like a Slashdot article hotlinking straight to two of our video files didn't help. We quickly moved to two new dedicated servers and eventually split the work among ten servers, but the ASP application wasn't really designed to be run like that. It wasn't built with worst-case traffic levels in mind.

The latest Blogsmith version was built for scaling. It runs on Linux and it has smart caching and a ton of redundancy. We can add web servers and database servers as needed to handle new traffic levels. Fortunately, much of the same team that did the latest Blogsmith platform also worked on the new Netscape.

The Netscape application is way more difficult to cache. On Blogsmith, you're dealing with blog posts and comments. If a list of blog categories is stale for 30 minutes, no one can really tell, but on Netscape if someone adds a vote or a comment and the numbers of votes and comments don't change, the experience is ruined. We were also running servers on the east and west coasts and we ran into a problem with sessions where we could attach visitors to a single server to make the experience more real-time, but the network wouldn't lock visitors into a single city. So as you bounced between the two cities your vote numbers would change and you'd think the site was broken and unstable.

I always compare the editorial side of Netscape -- the news, voting and anchor reporting -- to the stock market. The public drives stock prices (stories) up and down and the anchors are just here to tell you about the top movers -- stocks on their way up or down -- and call attention some that you might have missed. On the technical end, it's clear that we're dealing with the exact same thing as you'd see on a trading floor: we have to be able to scale to incredible levels and at the same time keep up the appearance of being a real-time application.

So we tuned a bunch during our beta testing in June and we stress tested eight different ways before converting over the DNS and adding the traffic of www.netscape.com to the system that was only running at www.beta.netscape.com.

Even with all of that preparation, Netscape's built-in traffic load was a whole new level of pain. The first night of the cutover was overwhelming. We turned off some features to lighten the load. We increased some caching times. We turned off some of the cool-factor Ajax for non-members.

It was unreal, but we survived it.

We're adding more equipment. We're fixing bugs and making the system smarter. We know where the remaining pain points are. Most importantly, we gained a ton of experience at taking a dynamic site beyond the previous heights of a global consulting firm, an NFL team and the world's largest blog publishing network. Soon we can get back to adding hot new features, because a whole lot of stuff didn't make it into last week's launch.

Intel Producing 32nm Processors Next Year!

So you heard them! Intel has completed the development phase of its next-generation 32 nanometers (nm) processors. They are now planning to roll out an entirely new 32nm processor in the fourth quarter of 2009! No sign of slowing down in processor development despite cutting its next year revenue forecast by 1 billion.

In fact, it’s always the plan in Intel to introduce an entirely new processor micro-architecture with a cutting edge manufacturing process about every 12 months. They proudly claimed such achievement to be an effort unmatched in the industry, this I totally agree with no doubt at all.

Besides, producing 32nm chips next year would mark the fourth consecutive year Intel has met its goal.

You may ask what’s so fascinating about 32nm?

Well, it simply means by using such technology Intel is able to use more energy-efficient, denser and higher performing transistors on a processor. Hence, giving you more power with less energy consumption.

Hopefully we’ll also see price dropping for older processors, which will be a bargain for the consumers.

On a side note, AMD just released their first 45nm Opteron server processor last month, now Intel is talking about manufacturing 32nm processors next year. Looks like AMD still have a long way to catch its main competitor’s tail, huh?

Cell Phone Keypads: Goodbye 1-2-3, Hello A-B-C

Judging by the new handset models that were on display at the CTIA show in Las Vegas, it looks like the standard 1 through 9 numeric keypad will be soon be gone from all but the lowest-end cell phones. With the rise in popularity of mobile texting, email and Web surfing, many users in the U.S. need a full alphanumeric set of buttons or a touchscreen to use their devices the way they want to.

While potential customers and the technology press await T-Mobile's More about T-Mobile G2 smartphone later this year, the wireless carrier is reportedly already knee-deep into the development of the next level of devices powered by the open source More about open source Android operating system.

The company will roll out a home phone and a tablet/netbook computer sometime in 2010, according to The New York Times, which cites confidential documents generated by a T-Mobile partner.

The home phone will include docking stations and the ability to send and receive data while recharging its battery, the newspaper says. The netbook computer, meanwhile, will not have a keyboard but will feature a touchscreen.

LinuxInsider requested comment from T-Mobile but received no response by press time.
A New Level of Devices

The Android news could indicate a seismic shift in the smartphone market -- a shift that's as much a result of software development as anything that carriers or handset makers are doing in their research labs.

"It just showcases that the market is ready for a change, and Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) More about Google (Android's developer) is positioning itself to be the architect of that change," Rob Enderle of the Enderle Group told LinuxInsider. "The power players aren't just the carriers. They are enablers, but Google is moving between them and discovering a channel that Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) More about Microsoft doesn't have locked up yet."

T-Mobile's moves also speak to confidence in the Android platform, Enderle added, which is attracting a development roster rivaling Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) More about Apple while still building out its market share.
Potential Uses at Home

Those wondering why T-Mobile would think about developing a home phone need only consider the advantages that a Net-enabled wireless handset brings them while on the road.

"The idea of taking that a step further and having a home phone handset, with T-Mobile@Home (the carrier's US$10-per-month plan) -- but with the ability to interact with it for Web-surfing, or interacting with a laptop or Gmail and Google Calendar -- is kind of a slick idea," Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT More about Pund-IT, told LinuxInsider.

The tablet/netbook computer part of the equation could also plug into existing offers from T-Mobile for free, unlimited use of company WiFi hot spots, or be bundled in with new service plans.

"There are bits and pieces of infrastructure already out there -- hotspots, @Home service -- that could easily be leveraged for tablet or netbook offerings," King said.
Creation vs. Consumption

The current land rush among wireless carriers involves the race to turn smartphones into more computer-like devices. Apple may have won the first leg of this race with its iPhone, but the transformation is just beginning, says Al Hilwa, an analyst with IDC.

"Who's going to cross over into PCs faster? Whoever does will have access to a broad, well-monetized, rich market," Hilwa told LinuxInsider. "The segmentation that's taking place in the market is this: There are creation machines, and then there are consumption machines. People run around with iPhones, and they consume email, documents, books, music -- but they rarely create them. They're not being created on these devices."

T-Mobile may be throwing its weight behind creation, or authoring, devices, Hilwa continued, "and actually, since there's no established dominant player or platform in the mobile space, some companies are quite ready to write that into the PC space or authoring space. That definitely could be a disruptive force."
New Netbook Architecture Required

Any success enjoyed by T-Mobile's G1 phone is all about the software, not the phone itself, said Kevin Burden, a research director at ABI Research.

"It's not the sexiest phone out there. AT&T (NYSE: T) More about AT&T will tell you that. T-Mobile will tell you that," Burden told LinuxInsider. "It's the operating system that appealing to users."

Android's open source advantages have already forced changes in operating system planning from market leaders like Nokia (NYSE: NOK) More about Nokia, Burden said. Android has already been demonstrated on more robust devices such as netbooks, although some architectural changes need to take place before this next level of mobile computing can truly take off.

"If you look at netbooks right now, most of them are based on x86 processor architecture," Burden said. "The original idea of a netbook is not exactly what the netbook is today. The way it is today, they are slimmed-down notebook computers running Windows. The original idea was a heck of a lot smaller Internet-access type system, but when x86 gets in there, it's kind of hard to disconnect from the PC space.

"By the end of this year, we'll see more ARM-based netbooks, using chips from Freescale and Qualcommm and Nvidia. These systems are not necessarily running Windows. They'll be running version of Linux and could be running versions of Android too. Then, netbooks become something different than what they are. We're talking days between charges, 15 hours of battery life. It's going to be spectacular."

Dell Gives Healthcare IT a Booster Shot

Dell has announced an array of new products and services designed for healthcare IT systems. A mobile clinical computing system is designed to allow caregivers more options in securely accessing medical information from a variety of devices. Dell is also partnering with Perot Systems, Sam's Club and eClinical Works.

Dell (Nasdaq: DELL) More about Dell on Monday made a slew of announcements that considerably beefed up its offerings for the healthcare More about healthcare IT industry.

These include a mobile clinical computing solution, virtualized systems, cloud-leveraging solutions and partnerships with several other vendors. The computer maker is also teaming up with retailer Sam's Club.

Dell has been in the healthcare IT business for about 10 years, and the announcements are aimed at enhancing its offerings, company spokesperson Cathie Hargett told TechNewsWorld.

The new technologies come in time to take advantage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which, among other things, provides up to US$180 billion in federal funding to computerize Americans' health records and increase the use of technology in the healthcare industry.
Doctors Without Technological Borders

Among the new offerings announced is Dell Mobile Clinical Computing Solutions. This lets physicians access patients' records from any terminal using smart cards and Symantec's (Nasdaq: SYMC) More about Symantec Workspace Corporate product for single sign-on and secure authentication.

Symantec Workspace Corporate is part of the security vendor's Endpoint Virtualization Suite, which securely manages applications in a virtualized environment.

"Physicians or caregivers can roam from room to room or device to device without interrupting their session," Hargett said.

This capability is not entirely new, however. Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq: JAVA) More about Sun Microsystems has offered roaming capabilities using smart cards and single sign-on access through its Sun Ray technology, both in the U.S. and worldwide, for several years now. U.S. Sun Ray customers in the healthcare field include Denver Health, which provides healthcare for a quarter of all residents of Denver, Colo.
On-Demand Desktop Streaming

Another element of Dell's new lineup is On-Demand Desktop Streaming. This is for stationary environments where data management and security are critical. It consists of the Dell OptiPlex 755, FX160, 760 and 960 desktops; Optiplex 1950III and 2950 III servers, and Dell's 6248 Switch, NF600 and SAN FE 600W storage solutions.

Virtual disk images will be streamed to desktops. This enhances security because users get a new, pristine image every time they boot up.

While Dell partners with VMware (NYSE: VMW), Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) More about Microsoft and Citrix (Nasdaq: CTXS) More about Citrix Systems for virtualization, it's likely that Citrix has been picked for this solution, as it is based on streaming images to the desktop. However, Dell's Hargett could not confirm that.
Virtual Remote Desktop

Virtual Remote Desktop offers centralized control and management of end-user devices while enabling personalized end-user desktops, access from any device -- whether within our outside the corporate firewall -- and session mobility, where a single desktop session can follow the user from one device to another.

The solution was developed in collaboration with Citrix. It consists of Citrix XenServer Dell Edition; Citrix Desktop Delivery Controller; Citrix Secure Gateway; and Citrix Provisioning Server.

Virtualization not only will help clients keep down costs but also will enhance security, since virtualized images work within a sandbox.
Dedicated Remote Workstation

IT admins can retain centralized control of end user data and network security through Dell's Dedicated Remote Workstation.

It consists of the Dell Precision R5400, which is a standards-based rack workstation. The Dell FX100 remote access device and host card are optional. Dell claims it can extend capabilities for high performance computing (HPC) applications.

"We'll work with whatever works best for the customer," Hargett said.
Dell, Perot and the Cloud

In addition to Mobile Clinical Computing, Dell is teaming up with Perot Systems to provide virtualized desktop, storage, server and electronic health records on-premise, hosted off-site or in secure private clouds.

Perot Systems brings to the partnership a viewpoint that extends beyond the technology.

"Instead of looking at solutions as a technology challenge, we look at re-engineering the workflow and process from the clinical viewpoint," Perot spokesperson Jonathan Moss told TechNewsWorld.

Perot also works with other major vendors in healthcare IT, such as IBM (NYSE: IBM) More about IBM, HP (NYSE: HPQ) More about Hewlett-Packard and Sun. "We're vendor-agnostic," Moss said. "We work with whatever's best for the client."
Dell, Sam's Club and eClinical Works

Dell is also offering up a solution for small medical practices, which make up the bulk of the healthcare system. For this, it's partnering with eClinicalWorks and Sam's Club.

eClinicalWorks offers integrated practice management and electronic medical records (EMR) functions, a patient portal, support for wireless tablets and PDAs, e-prescribing solutions, an SQL database, an XML architecture and a browser-based smart client.

Dell is teaming up with the provider to offer turnkey solutions to small medical practices on Sam's Club's Web site, said Hargett.

"Dell will integrate the eClinicalWorks EMR and clinical practice management software into the system, send the systems out to the practices and set them up, [and] work with eClinicalWorks to train the staff and the practice," Hargett said. "eClinicalWorks will provide the software support and Dell the hardware support.

RealNetworks vs. Hollywood in DVD 'Ripping' Case Starts

RealNetworks and Hollywood studios are squaring off today in a U.S. District Court in San Francisco where Judge Marilyn Hall Patel will determine if the program RealDVD violates laws created to prevent the copying of DVDs that use digital-rights-management technology. RealDVD is a $30 software program that allowed you to copy DVDs onto your computer. Last year a judge halted the sale of the program.

RealNetworks maintains its RealDVD software is a convenience to consumers who can copy DVDs to a laptop for easy disc-free playback. The software, RealNetworks points out, doesn't strip any copy protection from the DVD.

Leading movie studios, represented by the Motion Pictures Association of America, counter RealNetworks software violates the terms of a licensing agreement covering the digital-rights-management protocols used by DVDs. It asserts RealDVD violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) because it bypasses the copy protection built into DVDs.

Late last year seven major Hollywood studios filed a lawsuit against RealNetworks seeking a permanent ban on sales of RealDVD. The court granted lead plaintiff Universal Pictures a temporary ban on sales of RealDVD until at least this month's court proceedings. In a suit filed the same week last year RealNetworks also submitted a lawsuit to the San Francisco court seeking a declaratory judgment permitting it to sell RealDVD.

The chief concern Hollywood has with RealDVD is that the software will allow people to "rent, rip, and return" DVDs from services such as Netflix without actually paying for a movies they keep. Hollywood sees services like RealDVD as a major threat to the billions in revenue earned through DVD sales.

RealNetworks refutes the MPAA's chief complaint that it bypasses, or cracks, DVD copy protection called CSS. It also denies any violation of the DMCA because RealNetworks licenses the CSS encryption. RealNetworks adds it preserves the DVD's CSS copy protection because its RealDVD program makes an exact copy of the DVD, placing an exact image of the disc on the customer's computer hard drive -- CSS protection and all.

RealNetworks claims RealDVD was designed to maintain a DVD's copy protection with personal use and travelers in mind rather than promote piracy. And as the company rightfully points out, those who really want to rip a DVD will have to turn to illegal free software that doesn't maintain any copy protection. (See related: DVD Ripping Flourishes)

Observers point out that Hollywood has a vested interest in nipping DVD copying technology at the bud for several reasons. One reason is to protect the sales of DVDs, which was estimated at $13.45 billion last year, according to Adams Media Research. Another is to crimp technological innovation when it comes to movie distribution and sales. Hollywood's tight ownership of movie distribution chain is already being threatened by the likes of Apple's iTunes Store and Amazon that sell digital downloads of movies.

Studios have innovated and addressed its customers' cries for disc-free convenience when it comes to movies. Recently leading Hollywood studios released premium DVDs that come with a built-in digital copy that can be transferred from a DVD to a computer. The DVDs, called iTunes Digital Copy, has a catch. The digital copy of the movie can only playback on iTunes software. iTunes Digital Copy is not widely available.

Judge Patel will hear testimony from each side's witnesses today. The case is scheduled to last three days.

Hyundai Genesis joins BMW 3-Series, Acura TL on Most Popular Luxury Car List

Some people purchase luxury rides for their plush interiors, slick exteriors and high-tech amenities. Others do it for the status. Either way, they have purchased a vehicle in a segment known for refined cosmetics, top-shelf build materials, gadgets galore and ultracomfortable ride characteristics.

Unfortunately, luxe cars are also known for their high sticker prices — a fact that consumers haven't overlooked. The luxury market was down 16.6 percent in 2008, compared with 2007. However, with the exception of the most expensive entries, the overall luxury segment's share of the U.S. car market actually increased slightly, so people are still interested in plush performance.

MSN Autos separates the luxury segment into three categories: near luxury, luxury and ultraluxury. Not surprisingly, the lesser-priced near-luxury category (prices start in the low to mid $30Ks) is the most researched group on MSN Autos. Regardless of its popularity, sales in this subcategory are down around 13 percent in 2008, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

Is there a silver lining here? Sure. What hasn't been hurt by this topsy-turvy economy is the quality and selection of luxury cars available to buyers today, which is reflected in this year's list of the top 10 most researched luxury cars on MSN Autos.

Google sees infrared in plan to scan world's books

THERE'S a hitch in Google's plan to digitise the world's books and make them searchable online: scanning them is taking too long.

That's because character recognition software needs a neat 2D image of the text. But book bindings cause pages to arch up either side of the spine - bending text and making it hard to interpret.

However, last week Google was granted a patent (US 7508978) on an answer to this problem. Its trick is to project an infrared pattern onto the open page spread. This lets a pair of infrared cameras map the three-dimensional shape of the pages by detecting distortion to the pattern. This in turn allows the distortion of the text to be determined - and therefore the degree of correction needed to read it accurately.

* Like what you've just read?
* Don't miss out on the latest content from New Scientist.
* Get 51 issues of New Scientist magazine plus unlimited access to the entire content of New Scientist online.
* Subscribe now and save

If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to.

Three Reasons Why Microsoft's App Store Will Thrive

Microsoft's plans for its mobile application store just may change the way consumers look at apps and the Windows Mobile operating system. Not only has Microsoft changed contentious policies still enacted in Google and Apple's respective app stores, it has partnered with some of the most popular contemporary content providers and introduced original strategies for businesses. Here are three major reasons why I think Microsoft could blow its competition out of the water.

Refund Policies

If you're dissatisfied with the ridiculous farting application you just bought, Microsoft will take it back for a full refund within 24 hours. Microsoft refunds its 30 percent share of the sales price, and developers return their 70 percent share. Google has a similar policy, but Apple's refund policy has infuriated developers. Apple makes developers pay back the full amount of the application, and still takes its 30 percent cut, shifting the financial burden on developers.

Pricing Strategy

Apple mandates that applications be purchased through iTunes, and Google makes use of Google Checkout. Microsoft, on the other hand, has decided to allow customers the choice of either paying via credit card or have the charges planted on their mobile phone bill. This is a brilliant move, and though financial arrangements between Microsoft and cellular carriers have not been disclosed, it's safe to assume money is changing hands. This makes carriers happy, and strengthens relationships with those who are actually moving the phones. It also makes consumers less likely to second-guess purchases during the process of entering credit card information into a phone.

Content Partnerships

While some of Microsoft's content partnerships are nothing new -- Facebook, Pandora, MySpace, etc. -- the company has built a strong team of supporters. Some companies who have shaken hands with Microsoft include: CNBC, Accuweather, Ilium Software, Resco, Spb Software, WebIS, Sling Media, Zagat Survey, Namco, Netflix, and Electronic Arts Mobile. With that team of respected content providers standing in Microsoft's corner, you can expect developers to generate some very original apps. Even Microsoft's Facebook app will be different than other mobile versions: It will allow users to record and upload video to their Facebook pages.

More details on Microsoft's App Marketplace are expected to be issued as CTIA continues. Expect Microsoft to build a competitive edge as it learns from Apple and Google's successes and mistakes.

Conficker Predictions - Doomsday Scenarios for April 1

Graphic: Diego Aguirre
Doomsday is nearly here. Well, maybe.

The fear-inducing Conficker worm is set to explode (or something) this Wednesday, April 1. Wondering what the hell that actually means? You aren't alone.

No one knows exactly what Conficker will bring, but plenty of theories are floating around. Some take on apocalyptic tones, while others seem more like nonchalant groans. Before you unplug your computer and brace yourself in the fetal position, though, consider some of the possibilities and how likely they appear to be.

1. It'll be Y2K all over again.

Just picture it: Computers worldwide simultaneously freak out. Banks go haywire, airports shut down... -- oh, wait a minute. None of that stuff ever happened.

That's exactly what a lot of security experts are expecting to see this week: a collective sigh of relief as all the hype turns into a big fat punchline, ripe for months of late night comedy milking.

"The truth is, there will be no April 1st outbreak, despite what some of the press stories have said so far," says Joe Stewart, director of malware research with SecureWorks.

"The probability of a major [Conficker]-related event taking place on April 1 is really not very likely," agrees Vincent Weafer, vice president of Symantec's security response group.

Armageddon? Fuh-get-it.

2. Hackers will take over the world.

On the other end of the spectrum, some are suggesting that the worst could actually occur. Just look at these sentiments from a not-at-all sensational story by U.K. tabloid The Sun (and yes, these are all unmodified, direct quotes):

• "Millions of computers around the world could go into meltdown."

• "The aggressive bug could be hiding on your PC at home right now, waiting to kick in."

• "For the hackers, it's like having a virtual army at their fingertips."

• "They could also plunder information, including your bank details."

Meltdown? Hiding in my home? Army? Plunder?! That fetal position is starting to look more appealing.

But really, most people who study security for a living say this extreme type of scenario seems awfully unlikely. What's more, research released just today by IBM Internet Security System's X-Force (note to self: rename bowling team "The X-Force") suggests Conficker's presence in the U.S. has been greatly exaggerated. Fewer than 6 percent of Conficker infections are in North America, IBM says. The majority are in Asia, followed by Europe and then South America.

The smartest thing you can do right now is to check if you're infected -- and, if you are, run a removal tool to make the fix before midnight.

3. Every infected computer will lose all of its data.

The Conficker event scheduled for April 1 could contain code telling the bug to wipe out the hard drives of every personal computer in sight. Key word there: could.

The truth, as PC World's Erik Larkin points out, is that the folks behind malware are typically looking to make some sort of measurable gain. As valuable as your photo collection from last year's family vacation is (and yes, I know about the bikini pics), odds are, it's not what a hacker is after.

4. Spam, spam. Lots of spam.

One way that gain could be accomplished is through spam -- and lots of it. With millions of machines believed to be affected worldwide, Wednesday's potential communication expansion could give Conficker's creators the power to blast us with bundles of annoying new e-mails. That threat, some say, could be very real, as could the idea of targeted denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.

Still, any DoS attacks would more likely be aimed at corporate networks, not individual users, and many major institutions have already taken steps to protect themselves.

5. Jerry Yang will suddenly become an omnipotent force, ruling the entire world from a top-secret Silicon Valley bunker.

Hey, I'm just saying -- anything's possible here. And of all the scenarios we've considered, this final one may be the most troubling. I mean, what anti-virus program could possibly protect us from that frightful fate?

Fetal position, here I come. I'll be under my desk if anyone needs me.

Apple resurrects the 17-inch iMac

Remember when Apple discontinued the 17-inch iMac in 2007? Well, it looks like that iMac hasn't gone away at all and is still available to schools for only $899. Italian blog, SetteB.it, discovered the new offering in the March edition of Apple's "eNews of Education" newsletter. "The new iMac line also includes a 17-inch model starting at $899," Apple states in the newsletter. It seems that Apple is providing the model as an enticement for schools in the K-12 range to invest funds they may receive through the Obama Administration's "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act". President Obama has stated repeatedly that he wants to spread access to technology across the country. Photograph: Marc Simon
Apple's newsletter also links to an Apple white paper that declares that the education funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 "represents a tremendous boost in education spending . . . at a time when the country needs it most." It won't be bad for Apple, either; the company concludes its white paper by stating, "Apple is ready to partner with you as you move forward with plans to invest in education and technology. Apple can assist you in matching your educational goals with the technology that will help you be successful."

This is certainly a great deal for schools, especially as some look for the best way to invest any funds they may receive from the federal government. But if Apple really wanted to capitalize on the current economy, why not release this well-priced device for the entire public? Oddly enough, the 17-inch iMac was originally intended for schools and only became available to everyone in 2002 after public demand grew, according to Ars Technica. Then, in 2007, Apple officially discontinued the 17-inch iMac only to have it resurface today. Currently, Apple offers 20- and 24-inch models to the general public starting at $1199. But who knows? Maybe history will repeat itself if demand grows loud enough. So how about it folks, anybody out there want to buy a 17-inch iMac for less than $1000?

Dell is Dull

Smartphone Canceled for Lack of InterestDell is Dull: Smartphone Canceled for Lack of Interest
Remember the Dell smartphone? Apparently neither do cellular carriers. According to Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu, the Dell smartphone profoundly failed to wow carriers and was dumped.

Dell faced stiff competition from RIM's Blackberry, Apple's iPhone, and the upcoming Palm Pre, and based on Wu's report, couldn't handle the pressure of making a sexy, functional device that would entice interest. "From our conversations with supply chain and industry sources, it appears that it ultimately came down to lack of carrier interest," Wu wrote.

Dell built prototypes that ran both Windows Mobile and Google Android but couldn't physically differentiate its handhelds from competitors. Sexy tech sells, and judging from Dell's computer line-up, which is mostly full of cheap-looking plastic devices -- Adamo notwithstanding -- the company failed to open any eyes. And since Dell did not craft its own OS, it seems as though it's almost had no chance.

Nevertheless, Dell has "gone back to the drawing board" and will rejoin the race with a device that will "likely involve vertical integration of some sort including software and/or services," Wu writes.

There is also buzz that Dell might be looking to buy Palm, which would definitely give Dell a heads-up in the smartphone biz.

Conficker D-Day Arrives; Worm Phones Home (Quietly)

The Conficker worm today has begun to phone home for instructions but has done little else. Conficker was programmed to today begin actively visiting 500 out of 50,000 randomly generated web addresses to receive new instructions on how to behave. Conficker has begun to do this, according to security company F-Secure, but so far no doomsday scenarios have emerged.

confickerAmong security experts, the consensus seems to be that very little will happen today. This may be in part because of the high amount of publicity Conficker has received, but then again April 1 is not the first time Conficker has been programmed to change the way it operates. Similar trigger dates have already passed with little change, including January 1, according to according to Phil Porras, a program director with SRI International. Security experts at Symantec, the maker of Norton Antivirus, also believe the threat is overblown and says Conficker today will "start taking more steps to protect itself" and "use a communications system that is more difficult for security researchers to interrupt."

Technology companies and experts across the globe have been working together to halt the spread of Conficker, disrupt its communications and uncover who created the worm. Microsoft has even issued a $250,000 bounty for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Conficker's authors. Despite the security sector's best efforts, very little is known about the origins of Conficker or its purpose. Nevertheless, some breakthroughs have been achieved. On March 30, Security experts with the Honeynet Project discovered a flaw in Conficker that makes it much easier to detect infection. IBM researcher Mark Yayson also believes he has discovered a way to "detect and interrupt the program's activities," according to The New York Times.

Since the Conficker worm was discovered in October 2008, the malware has only received programming updates from its author and worked to infect other computers. Conficker is believed to have infected 10 million computers worldwide mostly in Asia, Europe and South America. According to IBM, only 6 percent of North American computers have been infected.

While today may be a non-event, Conficker could be used to create harm in the future. Possiblities include a massive botnet, which would give Conficker's authors control over millions of computers worldwide. The botnet could then be used to attack corporate or government networks, commit identity theft, or deliver massive amounts of spam. Security experts warn that all Windows users must make sure their operating system and antivirus programs are up to date with the latest patches and virus protections. So far, Windows is the only operating system known to be vulnerable to Conficker.

Omnia HD: The World’s First HD Mobile

The Samsung Omnia HD, set for release later this year, will be a GSM quad-band phone with a set of powerful multimedia features. It will be the first phone to offer 720p HD video recording.
Additionally, it will be equipped with an 8 megapixel camera, TouchWiz user interface, GPS receiver, and FM radio.

Quick Specs

Operating System: Symbian S60 5th Edition
Screen Resolution: 3.7" QHD AMOLED Touch Screen
Keyboard Type: On-screen
Communications: Bluetooth, GPRS, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, UMTS
Meda Type: microSD
Camera Resolution: 8.0 megapixels
GPS: Yes
Dimensions: 4.84 x 2.28 x 0.51 inches
Battery Type: Lithium - Ion, 1500 mAh
Release Date: 6/30/2009

Amazing product, I think this is the long-awaited iPhone-killer

The MacBook Air-Dell Adamo Deathmatch

The Tale of the Tape

You know all about the on-again, off-again PC-Mac turf war, of course. Which is better? One thing we can tell you is that PC makers sure are taking note of Apple's awesome design work. And that's the setup for the welterweight matchup we have going on today.

In this corner (pictured at right), the MacBook Air, the sleek standard-bearer for how Apple does computing. In the other, the Dell Adamo, the spunky up-and-comer that packs on ports…and takes some not-so-subtle jabs at the big "A."

Neither company really positions its ultraslim ultraportable as a high-performance hot rod. Heck, both of them eschew optical drives to stay lean and mean. But they're both expensive--very, very expensive. We figured it was time to find out if either the Air or the Adamo has what it takes to win.

Now before these two palookas start mixing it up, let's look at what they each bring to tonight's fight. The MacBook Air is the cagey vet. Since it first showed up on the scene, it has improved its game by providing better processors and an honest-to-goodness graphics card, nVidia's GeForce 9400M. That means it can actually play some games--not many, but some.

The Air we last reviewed offered a 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo CPU and 2GB of RAM, and scored a 78 in WorldBench 6. In our battery-life tests, the Air survived for about 2.5 hours before sputtering out. It can accommodate a 120GB hard disk (our more-expensive model came with a 128GB solid-state drive). But then, of course, there's also the dreaded "Apple Tax": These machines range in price from $1799 to $2499.

The Dell Adamo, on the other hand, offers lesser parts and…charges…more? Really? Let's go over this. Dell's high-style PCs cost between $1999 and $2699. The Adamo maxes out at a 1.4GHz CPU but compensates with 4GB of RAM to handle a 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home Premium. Supposedly its battery will last 5 hours in tests, if we're to believe promotional materials. Will it get slapped around in our WorldBench 6 suite? Stay tuned; we'll update this story as soon as we receive results from our labs. For now, though, buckle up for a feature-by-feature smackdown.

Hey, you two silicon status symbols: Are you ready to rumble? FIGHT!

Round 1: The Packaging

Apple: Ships in a neat little box. It's tiny. It's mostly white. It comes with a handle. Yay!

Dell: When the Adamo arrives at your doorstep, it looks as if someone froze your new laptop in carbonite. Yeah, I went there. It's a minimalistic plastic display case that houses the small handful of accessories (a DisplayPort-to-VGA cable, a power cable, and a microscopic manual) that come with the Adamo.

Winner: Draw. If you're going by cool factor, Dell out-Appled Apple in this department. Environmentally friendly plastic casing, not so much.

Round 2: The Keyboard

Apple: The Air didn't invent the notion of cut-out Chiclet keys--it just popularized them. The buttons are reasonably spaced, and you rarely run the risk of mistyping. That said, the function keys are shrunken down a little bit too much for my tastes. Otherwise, the Air has a slick set of backlit keys.

Dell: One editor here refers to the little dip in the middle of these wide keys as "finger buckets." The fancy-pants Dell marketspeak for it is "scalloped keys." Whatever. The point is, the keys are flat-ish and wide, as I've grown to love on a number of laptops (the HP Mini 1000 being among them), and they have a little lip for your fingers to rest in. The Adamo also finds room to accommodate a couple of multimedia-shortcut keys next to the power button. The only drawback here is that making out some of the keys without the ambient backlighting turned on is a little difficult.

Winner: Dell. Bigger keys and more of them equal a win in my book.

Round 3: The Touchpad

Apple: Looking at the touchpad, it's pretty obvious why the Air gave up some ground from the keyboard. The mousing area on the MacBook is big and beautiful. While some people (ahem, me) have trouble with getting the multitouch functions to work 100 percent correctly, all the time, it feels--and looks--great.

Dell: The Adamo's touchpad borders on the average side. It's not bad by any stretch; the buttons are firmly in place and give the right amount of pressure. Like the Apple laptops, this Dell model provides some multitouch functionality as well.

Winner: Bigger surface area. Feels better. Apple.

Round 4: The I/O Ports

Apple: I can count the number of ports on three fingers. You can guess which ones they are. You get a single USB port, a mini-DisplayPort, and a headphone jack. That's it.

Dell: Here’s where the big "D" gets it right. The Adamo has two USB ports, ethernet and headphone jacks, one eSATA connector, one DisplayPort, and a user-accessible SIM-card slot for WWAN service.

Winner: Dell. As if this one was even going to be close. At least both machines offer Webcams and built-in microphones.

Round 5: The Screen

Apple: A crisp 13.3-inch display stays protected behind a big, aluminum bezel. With the Air's native 1280-by-800-pixel resolution, you'll get some great, colorful images on the backlit LED screen. Of course, the glossy coating means you're bound to get a little bounce-back in broad daylight, too.

Dell: Ditto on the glare from the glossy coating, but this screen is worth it. The Adamo offers edge-to-edge glass that's securely locked into place on the 13.4-inch screen. Its WLED display one-ups the Air's with a 1366-by-768-pixel resolution (translation: 720p-friendly). Initial tests show that the screen looks pretty sharp. But one thing I keep mulling over is the obviously Mac-esque shortcut bar that sits on the desktop (shown here). It provides clean, quick links to all the main apps you'd use on the computer. And it's easily customizable.

Winner: Dell. The Adamo has a bright, bigger screen with a higher resolution? Sold.

Round 6: The Overall Design

Apple: Thanks to its simple, spartan design, the Air has much cleaner lines. Then again, managing without all of the perks that have been nipped and tucked out of the 12.8-by-9.0-by-0.8-inch, 3-pound Air in order to make it so small is a bit of a pain. As in life, it's all about trade-offs.

Dell: As slim as the Adamo is (13 by 9.5 by 0.65 inches and 4 pounds), it's still a bit boxy. Hey, that's not a knock. After all, just about every laptop is a little on the square side (even Apples, until pretty recently). The dotted grillwork on the back pops, and the two-tone top makes the Adamo look more like a fashion accessory than most laptops on the scene do.

Winner: Draw. This one boils down to a matter of aesthetics and taste. Whether you like clean and simple or you want to try to match your shoes to your laptop, either machine works.

As I said at the beginning of this slide show, hang tight: We will have a full review of the Adamo up soon with all of our WorldBench 6 test results in place.