Microsoft cracks down on software piracy

Microsoft announced this week that it has begun to widen the scope of its Windows Genuine Advantage program to include checks for the authenticity of Microsoft Office software. The program is already in place for Microsoft Windows.

Since the its launch in 2005, Windows users have had the option to register for the WGA program if they wanted to receive automatic security updates and other free goodies from Microsoft's site.

Those who have not validated their software through WGA will not be able to download Internet Explorer 7 and Windows Defender, among other applications.

Full Story

Blue Ray - the next generation optical disc format

The new Blue Ray format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video as well as storing large amounts of data. The format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 25GB on a single layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc.

The new format uses a blue violet laser which makes it possible to focus the laser spot with even greater precision. This allows data to be packed more tightly and stored in less space.

Full Story

Seagate releases perpendicular storage drives

Seagate has announced its first 3.5-inch disk drives using perpendicular storage technology, which it hopes will break through the storage limitations that are beginning to impact hard-drive technology.

Seagate has been working for some time on perpendicular technology as a way of getting more capacity in a smaller space.

Perpendicular technology arranges the bits so that they are perpendicular to the plane of the disk. The result is that the bits are stacked more closely together, increasing density and allowing them to be accessed more quickly.

Full Story

New Windows Vista holds back on pirates and cheapskates

The newest version of Windows called Vista will be out soon and Microsoft is stepping up its attack on software piracy. If a copy of Vista does not pass the Genuine Windows test then the software disables a key feature in Vista called the Windows Aero user experience.

The Aero display also won't be available to those who buy Windows Vista Basic, the low-end consumer version of the operating system.

Full Story

Toshiba Showcasing First Notebook Computer with High Definition (HD) DVD

Toshiba is demonstrating an HD DVD-ROM drive which will be the first notebook computer to integrate an optical drive under the DVD Forums new HD DVD media standard.

The new laptop will allow consumers to be able to enjoy high-definition video content anywhere in the home or on the go with external power.

Pricing, availability and specific model number and configuration for the next-generation Qosmio with integrated HD DVD will be announced later in Q106.

Full Story

Run Windows XP on your Mac

Apple has released software that allows Microsoft's Windows operating system and all the applications that use it to run on its new computers.

The software named Boot Camp works on all Apple Macintosh computers that use Intel processors.

The release of the software is available as a download from the Apple website.


Full Story:

MapQuest launches new mobile services

MpaQuest has announced two new products in the market, the MapQuest Navigator and Web based mobile services for web enabled cell phones.

The system will include a database of millions of restaurants, hotels, theaters etc which consumers can navigate to, direct dial to make reservations.


Full Story:

New Windows Vista Delayed

New computers will contiune to be sold with Windows XP.

OEMs started using the stickers before the Windows Vista delay was announced in hopes to reach the Christmas computer buyers.

There will be several versions of Vista to choose from.


Full Story:

Spyware tries to exploit Microsoft & BBC

Internet criminals are spamming e-mail messages to trick people into visiting malicious websites that exploit an Internet Explorer security flaw.

They use a keylogger to monitor activity on various financial websites and then uploads captured information back to the attacker.

Microsoft has said it is working on a fix for the Internet Explorer. The update is currently scheduled for delivery for April 11.

Full Story: