News

DOD, VA still working on sharing e-health records

After spending nearly a decade trying to reconcile two agencies' health-care records, little progress has been made

Google and Microsoft slobbering over Facebook

The two giants are competing over a minority stake in Facebook that would also include deal to provide ads for the popular social networking site

NetSuite releases SuiteBundler for building vertical apps

SuiteBundler provides a wizard-like interface for combining assets built on the NetSuite platform as well as distribution and installation tools

Intel settles patent case with Transmeta

Intel will pay $250 million to Transmeta in exchange for licensing rights and the dropping of all claims between the companies

Adobe makes Flex Builder free for students, faculty

Hoping to woo some of the best of the crop of new developers to its development platforms, Adobe is providing Flex Builder 2 for free to university students and faculty

Microsoft withdraws remaining European appeals

An agreement struck between Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and European Commision Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes renders the remain appeals moot

Giving voice to the IT talent shortage

Oracle buys operations planning vendor Interlace

Interlace's software, which pulls together data and runs 'what if' scenarios, will be integrated into Oracle's Enterprise Performance Management System

Atom publishing protocol published

Microsoft gives interoperability progress report

Different organizations are focused on issues in multiple technology areas, including security, systems management, and collaboration

Update: Business Objects earnings fall ahead of its merger with SAP

Business Objects reported a 19 percent rise in Q3 revenue, but earnings were dragged down by a shortfall in license revenue, recent acquisitions, and legal costs

Oracle ships Windows version of 11g database

New release of Oracle's 11g database features beefed-up integration with Windows on both the administrative and developer levels

First BlackBerry comes to China

Research In Motion clears regulatory hurdles to selling handsets in China; BlackBerry's availability should help attract more customers to push e-mail

Flat-panel displays get touchy

Touchscreens are back in vogue with flat-panel display makers, but now they are brighter, thinner, and have more responsive 'multitouch' capability

Microsoft pursues one code base for Dynamics ERP apps

Developing a common code base for all ERP apps will allow Microsoft to release new versions more quickly, and make it easier for users to switch from one app to another

Google to use Nielsen TV audience data

Google looks for new ways to target and track ads as it branches out into TV and other offline advertising markets

Sprint, Alcatel-Lucent introduce security card

SprintSecure Laptop Guardian is a mobile data card that doubles as a laptop security mechanism

Wireless program aims to cover Silicon Valley

Ambitious plan to build 1,500-square-mile wireless public broadband network faces many obstacles

Social media and its myriad problems

Court leaks info of alleged ID thief

Man accused of stealing a printer used to print driver's licenses finds himself on the receiving end of a data breach, with his Social Security number and birthdate accidentally made public

1Gb DRAM replaces 512Mb as mainstream PC chip

Most PCs coming off production lines now contain 1Gb DRAM and can use Microsoft's Vista; the changeover has taken longer than many companies expected

Spansion sharpens focus on China, signs deal with SMIC

The deal with SMIC should help Spansion sell flash chips to Chinese consumer electronics manufacturers

Microsoft extends Dynamics support, promises road maps

Microsoft says it will release a new version of its Dynamics business applications every two years, with a feature or service pack every year or so

Google wants your phonemes

In an interview at last week's Web 2.0 conference, Google's vice president of Search Products & User Experience, Marissa Mayer, discusses the future of her division

Attack PDF prowls for unpatched Adobe Reader, Acrobat

The malicious PDF was mass-mailed hours after Adobe issued patches for Acrobat and Reader, according to Symantec

Microsoft adds mobile, single sign-on to Live ID

Users can unify multiple sign-ons for Windows Live services, including e-mail, IMs, and blogs, under one ID and password, even from a mobile device

Update: Microsoft considering opening up device manager

Company's new Mobile Device Manager could support non-Windows Mobile devices in future, contends Microsoft exec

U.S. trade rep launches anticounterfeiting campaign

MPAA and Microsoft among companies lauding government's move to promote antipiracy efforts around the world

Microsoft: Web 2.0’s ‘Kobe Bryant’ moment coming

Microsoft manager predicts that exposure of user-submitted information, such as on social networking sites, will push privacy to the forefront of consumer concerns

BEA to Oracle: We’re not opposed to a reasonable offer

In strongly worded response, BEA vice president contends that company is 'worth significantly more' than what Oracle has offered

Apple stops Boot Camp downloads

The Boot Camp app has been pulled from Apple's download servers in preparation for the Leopard OS, the launch of which will expire current Boot Camp licenses

Mobile is key to Microsoft strategy, Ballmer says

In his opening address at the CTIA show, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that mobile phones play a major role in the company's software-plus-services strategy

i-mate phones may stir up enterprise mobile

Dubai-based i-mate is showing off a set of Windows Mobile 6-based phones that feature built-in security and management software

WebEx to become platform for Oracle Siebel On Demand

Channel partner will give WebEx access to 2.3 million users

MySQL to get injection of Google code

MySQL 6.0 is scheduled for release in late 2008; some code contributed by Google and security improvements are due in MySQL 7.0

The great desktop switch: Choosing a Linux

Update: AT&T revenue up on BellSouth acquisition

AT&T reports strong Q3 results, says cost savings from its BellSouth purchase are running ahead of original estimates

Phishers (almost) scam grocery giant out of $10 million

Supervalu conned into depositing more than $10 million into fraudulent bank accounts purportedly for company-approved vendors

BEA officially rejects offer, Oracle sets bid deadline

Oracle says it has no interest in a long, drawn-out process to acquire BEA; sets a deadline for Sunday at 5 p.m. on its $17 per share bid

Elpida, UMC team up on PRAM, DRAM

Elpida, UMC join a growing chorus of chip makers using phase-change RAM technology, and will also work together on advanced DRAM production

Microsoft delays next version of Dynamics NAV

Microsoft says the next version of Dynamics NAV, its ERP app for mid-size companies, needs more 'bake time' before it's ready

Samsung manufacturing leap to make cheaper, faster memory chips

Samsung's new flash memory production technique will significantly increase the amount of data people can store in future iPods, iPhones, and other devices

Cisco to buy WiMax startup Navini Networks for $330M

Cisco makes its first foray into WiMax; plans to fold Navini into its wireless networking business unit

Race is on for thinner cell phone screens

Sharp and AU Optronics have both developed prototype mobile phone displays that are less than a millimeter thick

Microsoft backs enterprise mobile services company

Microsoft-backed Enterprise Mobile to provide a wide range of mobile phone services to enterprises, including management and support

Microsoft exec: Desktop application software is not dead

Jeff Raikes: Only Microsoft can deliver 'the best of the traditional software model in combination with software as a service'

AOL launches new mobile services

AOL to unveil customizable MyAOL and a redesigned AOL.com portal page, both for mobile phones

Judge takes Qualcomm’s side in patent spat with Nokia

If judge's decision stands after a 30-day review, Qualcomm won't be prevented from importing its chip sets into the United States

City officials detail municipal wireless efforts

Anaheim, San Francisco, and Los Angeles detail their progress and impediments in setting up municipal wireless networks

3 steps to get from Windows to Linux desktops