News

Notebook computer industry faces parts shortages

Users are likely to see fewer discounts because PC manufacturers are paying a premium for components

IBM switching its server datacenters to mainframes

Big Blue expects move to mainframes will reduce its energy bill by 80 percent and save $250 million in overall costs

Google vows to reduce Analytics tech problems

In the wake of the latest Google Analytics outage, Google has promised to cut down on the frequency of technical problems

Google: YouTube tool won’t block uploads

Digital fingerprinting technology will make it easier for copyright owners to flag and request removal of illegally copied content, says Google

Apple faces mounting complaints on iPhone battery

While New York officials submit letter to CEO Steve Jobs suggesting changes to Apple's policies and fees, attorneys in Illinois seek to bring the matter to the courts

AT&T launches mobile music service

Service subscribers can now download songs to their cell phones from eMusic — unless they use an iPhone

Consumer groups: FCC spectrum ruling a mixed bag

Advocates of open access claim commission hasn't gone far enough to ensure the best interests of general public

Microsoft mum on if Google Docs-killer planned

Microsoft Works' latest update is due Wednesday, fueling speculation that the low-end alternative to Office will be positioned to take on Google Docs

Symantec to deliver messaging, Web filtering services

The software vendor plans to introduce its first SaaS applications this year as it targets the needs of SMBs

FCC embraces open access for 700MHz auction

The FCC has set auction rules stating that the winner of a 22MHz block of spectrum must provide open access, though it declined to include wholesale access rules

EU to name carriers not offering cheap roaming

A new EU law capping the fees mobile carriers can charge for roaming has gone into effect, and the EU will publish the names of companies that are not in compliance

Microsoft, Eolas seek to settle patent rift out of court

Eolas' patent lawsuit against Microsoft was scheduled for a retrial on Monday, but both companies have agreed to take 30 days to try to work out an agreement

Next wave of systems management

Data analysis opens retail doors

Nonprofit group Social Compact mines and analyzes data to find commerical opportunities in overlooked neighborhoods

The Simpsons Movie sparks spam blast

Spate of spam messages entices recipients into validating their e-mail addresses — leading to more spam

That sound you hear? The next data center problem

Trend toward larger facilities could mean data centers are crossing the threshhold for federal noise levels standards

Businesses having second thoughts about Vista

Survey shows more businesses are planning to stick with the Windows they have, or turn to Linux or Mac OS X

SupportMinds offers tech support for SMBs

SupportMinds plans to expand later to offer SMBs additional remote services from India, such as security and network management

Update: Merger costs dog Alcatel-Lucent in Q2

Newly merged telecom equipment vendor merger so far has been unable to revive sales; posts $455 million loss

Accenture Web Evaluator assesses consumer Web site brands

New service assesses how well companies use their sites to support their brand, attract customers, deliver services, and generate sales

Sharp planning major LCD, solar plant in Japan

Cutting-edge LCD plant will cost $3.2 billion; Sharp's solar plant will be the largest solar cell factory in the world

Nortel and partners jump start mobile WiMax

Left out of Sprint Nextel's US mobile WiMax plans, Nortel announces trials in the UK ahead of spectrum auction

SF’s Wi-Fi wait grows

Key votes on citywide Wi-Fi are pushed back to September as EarthLink becomes skittish about building wireless networks for cities

11 weirdest tech uses

Symantec’s Dark Vision mines underground Web sites

Prototype system tracks 'carder' Web sites and chat rooms where identity thieves meet with information-buying criminals

Mozilla rushes out second Firefox patch this month

Mozilla fixes a pair of critical, related flaws in Firefox's URL protocol handler two weeks after researchers posted the code

Apps security to dominate Black Hat

Enterprise IT issues figure prominently on the agenda

Introduction to scripting in Java, Part 1

Learn what makes a scripting language like Ruby shine and why Groovy's suddenly so groovy, in this two-part excerpt from the forthcoming Scripting in Java: Languages, Frameworks, and Patterns (Addison Wesley Professional, August 2007).

Leopard gets UNIX 03 certification

Sun swings to black in fourth quarter

For the quarter, Sun posted flat revenues from last year but also turned a profit

Google Analytics in data blackout since Saturday

Google's Web-site traffic monitoring app stopped delivering data to all users on Saturday, the latest in a series of Google Apps snafus

Microsoft comments support reports of new Zunes

New Zune models, including an 80GB version and one with a Flash-based memory, are expected to be released in time for the holiday shopping season

Cisco muffles Linksys death knell

Cisco Chairman John Chambers has indicated that Linksys, Cisco's consumer and SMB division, will be phased out as a brand, though he didn't give a time frame

SAP polishes Business One update

In a preview before the app's general release later this year, company shows off refined software tools that make for easier use among small businesses

Judge says eBay can keep using ‘buy it now’

A district court has ruled that eBay can continue using its 'buy it now' feature despite MercExchange's claim of patent infringement

Microsoft breaks ground on San Antonio datacenter

The new datacenter, which will rely on myriad green technologies, will serve Microsoft's software plus services and Windows Live initiatives

How to kill an SOA

Microsoft forms search center to keep up with Google

Redmond has a new research group focused on developing search and advertising technologies, and quickly getting them to users

KPN agrees to acquire Dutch IT services company

Dutch telecom company will pay $1.04 billion for IT service provider Getronics

Verizon Wireless to acquire Rural Cellular for $2.7 billion

Verizon buys provider of mobile phone services for the rural US

Gateway to sell PCs through Tesco in Eastern Europe

Gateway looks to expand in Eastern Europe after sharp declines in its U.S. business

Verizon revenue, net income up on Fios strength

Increases in data and wireless revenues fuel $1.7 billion net income for Verizon's second quarter

Defeating sneakwrap terms

Genius Team shines light on e-mail marketing performance

Startup Genius.com helps sales managers assess how effectively staff are using e-mail to target prospective customers

Dell’s new Indian plant starts operation

Dell plans to invest $30 million in new facility that will focus on the booming Indian PC market

Japan’s KDDI to offer Google-based PC, phone e-mail

Japan's number two cellphone carrier will launch a rebranded version of Google's Gmail in September

Intel backs specification for low-cost blade servers

Spec for blade servers is aimed at cutting development costs and making the space-saving systems available to SMBs

Black Hat security presenter turned away at border

German security expert denied entry to the United States for carrying training materials on analyzing software for security vulnerabilities

Desktop on a USB drive ready for enterprises

In addition to data and applications, even employee desktops can be portable and operate on any Windows computer with this device from RingCube Technologies

Adobe ColdFusion links to AIR

The upgrade, shipping on Monday, also features a performance boost for much faster response times