August 09, 2005, 4:23 PM PDT
Mobile AOL
Posted by: Kent German

You might have heard of a small company in Virginia called AOL. Well, it seems the online giant wants to gobble up another section of the technology world with its recent acquisition of software manufacturer Wildseed. Financial details were not disclosed, but considering Wildseed developed the youthcentric Curitel Identity phone, the purchase could provide AOL with a way to get a stronger footing in the cellular phone business. Instead of introducing AOL-themed handsets, I think AOL will use Wildseed to get its branded services more readily available on cell phones. You already can use the company's instant messenger on some mobiles, but I wouldn't put it past AOL to want it all. I just hope this doesn't mean I'll find double the number of AOL CDs cluttering my mailbox.

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August 09, 2005, 2:55 PM PDT
Who says Bluetooth headsets aren't cool?
Posted by: William O'Neal

Last night, I was hanging out at my favorite bar when the topic of technology came up. You see, while all of us "regulars" work in everything from construction and resource management to technology and bookmaking, one common thread seems to be our love of gadgets. Case in point: My buddy TJ bought the Motorola Razr V3 right when it came out, and since it had Bluetooth, I told him that he should use a wireless Bluetooth headset. After borrowing my Cardo Scala 500 Bluetooth headset, he was hooked and went out and bought a Jabra BT800. It seems that my simple and elegant Cardo headset wasn't flashy enough. While I love Bluetooth headsets, I often wonder what women think of guys who wear them. More than once, I've gone out with friends only to have someone ask me about the obnoxious blue blinking light on the right side of my head. Because of this, I've come to think that maybe it's not exactly cool to walk around with a plastic gizmo attached to my head. This all changed last night, however, when TJ told me that he met two women at a local dance club because they thought his Bluetooth headset was cool. So fellas, it's official--Bluetooth headsets are indeed cool.

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August 09, 2005, 1:18 PM PDT
Microsoft patches IE and more
Posted by: Robert Vamosi

The August edition of Microsoft's monthly security bulletins includes six patches, three of which are critical (including a patch to IE), one important, and two moderate. The patches cover products such as Internet Explorer and Windows services such as Plug-n-Play, Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI), and Print Spooler Service. The patches are available via Microsoft Update and should be automatically downloaded to Windows XP SP2 users.

MS05-38: Critical
This cumulative update for Internet Explorer addresses several critical flaws related to IE, for example, how it handles JPEG images, how COM objects in ActiveX can be run within Internet Explorer, and how Internet Explorer security zones handle cross-site requests. In the most extreme case, a remote attacker could run malicious code on your PC through an IE exploit.

MS05-39: Critical
This patch addresses flaws in Windows Plug-n-Play that could allow a remote attacker to take complete control of your PC.

MS05-40: Important
This flaw fixes the Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI). A known vulnerability could allow malicious code to run on your PC remotely.

MS05-41: Moderate
This patch addresses a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) flaw that could allow an attack to crash your system remotely.

MS05-42: Important
This patch addresses flaws in Kerberos (a communications protocol) that could allow for a denial-of-service attack.

MS05-43: Critical
This patch fixes a flaw in the Windows Print Spooler Service that could allow an attacker to run malicious code on your PC.

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August 09, 2005, 1:15 PM PDT
Logitech releases new iPod speakers
Posted by: Jasmine France

Today, Logitech announced two new portable speaker systems: one made specifically for the iPod and another that works with any MP3 player or laptop with a standard headphone jack. We had a chance to take a look at--and have a listen to--the speakers when Logitech was in San Francisco last week. The mm50, which works with any iPod with a dock connector, boasts a compact, user-friendly design and strong sound quality, while the more universal mm28 can last up to 45 hours on a single set of batteries and features a cool folding design. Both units will be available this month. Here are some more details from Logitech's fact sheet:

Logitech mm50 ($149.99)

• The speakers simultaneously recharge the iPod battery, as well as the speaker battery, when powered by the included AC adapter. The speakers can also run off the rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which lasts up to 10 hours per charge.
• By using Max-X high-excursion drivers, which include neodymium magnets, as well as 3-inch pressure drivers, Logitech enables people to hear fully balanced audio, maximum bass response, and minimal distortion.
• When used, the added 3D Stereo technology dramatically widens the stereo image, which enhances the audio experience these portable speakers deliver.
• The mm50 includes a wireless remote control, allowing people to adjust the volume, track forward, and track back, as well as play and pause the music without touching the speaker system or the iPod.
• The Logitech mm50 portable speakers for iPod are included in Apple's "Made for iPod" program.
• The mm50 portable speakers for iPod will work with any iPod with a dock connector on its base, which includes nearly all models sold in the past two years.
• The speakers also come with a protective travel case.

Logitech mm28 ($79.99)

• The mm28 portable speakers use stereo NXT flat-panel technology, which significantly enhances the bass performance, while still enabling Logitech to offer a truly portable form factor.
• The speakers can be powered by either the included AC adapter or by four AA batteries. When the speakers run off battery power, they can last up to 45 hours on a single set of batteries.
• The speakers can be used with any MP3 or CD player that has a standard 3.5mm audio jack.
• The mm28 portable speakers are only 1.25 inch thick.
• The speakers include an integrated speaker cover that rotates to become the speaker foot, so no carrying case is required. And the input cable fits into a recessed area on the back panel, providing a truly portable one-piece speaker system.

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August 09, 2005, 12:33 PM PDT
Top Gear on TV
Posted by: Wayne Cunningham

My new favorite television show is about cars, unsurprisingly enough, and it's called Top Gear. Produced in the U.K., the show has been appearing on BBC Two since 2002. It recently got U.S. exposure from being picked up by the Discovery Channel. The show's three hosts, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, review cars in ways most auto journalists can only dream about. In one sequence, Jeremy drives a Lotus Exige while trying to avoid weapons lock from an Apache helicopter. In another, the three hosts take convertible versions of the Audi TT, the Chrysler Crossfire, and the Nissan 350Z to Iceland and have a drag race on the beach. Unfortunately, the Discovery Channel doesn't air full shows but cuts in segments it feels will appeal to an American audience. I've watched a few of the original shows recorded from BBC Two, and I enjoy them immensely. I highly recommend either looking for the Discovery Channel airings or taking a trip to the U.K. to spend a few weeks watching BBC Two.

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August 09, 2005, 11:56 AM PDT
Is Netflix saved?
Posted by: Molly Wood

Things were looking bad for Netflix for a little while there. We all thought it'd go under because big names like Blockbuster and Wal-Mart could afford to undercut its online DVD rental prices. But now Blockbuster's raised its prices to the same as Netflix's. So you can stick with the red envelopes without fear. Phew.

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August 09, 2005, 11:56 AM PDT
Rumor: Wide-screen ThinkPad
Posted by: Michelle Thatcher

The rumor mill is spinning with news and pics of a possible wide-screen thin-and-light ThinkPad. NotebookReview.com reports that the ThinkPad Z series will offer fairly competitive specs and, most notably, 14-inch and 15.4-inch wide-screen displays. Could the venerable corporate brand be making a bid for consumers' DVD-watching hearts, or are wide-screens better for business, too? Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

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August 09, 2005, 11:53 AM PDT
Are cable companies afraid of TV tuner cards?
Posted by: Dan Ackerman

If you record your favorite shows via a TiVo unit or a cable company set-top box, the DRM needs of the content provider are pretty much covered. Sure you can wrestle media files from these closed-system boxes, but it's more trouble than the casual user wants to go through.

However, as more and more of us are using our media-friendly PCs, equipped with TV tuners and IR remotes, to watch TV on a computer and burn DVDs or share copies of shows, the issue starts to get a little touchier.

Time Warner Cable may have taken the first step toward getting the genie back in the bottle, offering a trial service to 9,000 customers in San Diego who subscribe to both cable TV and high-speed Internet access from the company. Trade mag Broadcasting and Cable (and earlier, the San Diego Union-Tribune) reports that users will be able to view full-screen, full-resolution content from 75 basic cable channels on their PCs via a special, protected RealNetworks feed, without needing any TV tuner hardware. The technology has promise, although latency issues are still being worked out.

This initial trial doesn't address the needs of viewers who want to time-shift shows for later viewing, but it does hint at future rollouts of IPTV services, perhaps designed to make multimedia PC setups even more DRM friendly.

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August 09, 2005, 10:15 AM PDT
iRiver officially announces the flash-based T series
Posted by: James Kim

We got a sneak peek at the iRiver T series a few weeks ago, and now it's official. The first flash-based players to be released by iRiver in quite some time, the T10 and T30 are full-featured, durable players with excellent rated battery life. They are the first flash players to hit the market with Janus compatibility, meaning they can be used to store subscription-based downloads from services such as Napster To Go and Yahoo Music Unlimited.

The T10 (512MB, $150; 1GB, $200) is the premium model with a color screen, 45 hours of battery life, FM, OGG support, and line-in and voice recording. The spartan T30 (512MB, $100; 1GB, $150) features line-in and voice recording, as well as 24 hours of battery life. The players will be available in August. Check back soon for our First Take.

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August 09, 2005, 9:58 AM PDT
Yahoo's new instant messenger speaks
Posted by: Elsa Wenzel

Yahoo's rolling out its new IM app today as Yahoo Messenger with Voice, another sign of the blurred line between instant messaging and VoIP. You can use this program as a Net phone tool to call any other user in the world and leave voicemail messages for free. Other highlights include drag-and-drop photo sharing, stronger spam protection and LiveWords, which lets you highlight text within your chat for an instant Web search. Of course you also get a bigger library of smiley faces. The Yahoo Messenger 7.0 beta has previewed these features for several months. Check out our roundup of five instant instant messengers with VOIP that could replace your phone. You can download the free Yahoo Messenger with Voice here. Stay tuned for our upcoming review and rating.

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