Category: Computers (Page 27 of 33)

      Google Set to Release Chrome OS

      July 8, 2009 /

      A couple years ago the big news was Google scooping up OS developers from all over the world, including a few of Microsoft’s employees. That set us all to waiting for the search giant’s first foray into operating systems, but the most we’ve seen since is the release of Google Chrome, the company’s first web browser (which sits around 1% market share), and Android, Google’s mobile OS.

      At long last, though, Google is set to take on Redmond with their first operating system designed for full PC application, the Google Chrome Operating System. Sundar Pichai, Google’s VP of product management says Chrome OS is “our attempt to rethink what operating systems should be.”

      Initially designed for the netbook market, Chrome OS has a huge task before it. Windows currently runs almost 90% of the PC market. That’s not exactly small potatoes. Google is in a good position, though, as netbooks continue to gain popularity and manufacturers look for lighter-weight, faster operating systems to run the trimmed-down computers. Acer, for example, has already agreed to develop several netbooks to run on Android for 2010.

      Set for release in the second half of 2010, there’s still no word on what Chrome OS will cost. Market analysts at Enderle group expect simply a nominal fee, which is one thing that could easily woo manufacturers. Microsoft does not release its manufacturer prices, but most analysts speculate they charge something like $20 for XP and as much as $150 for Vista. Undercutting that price could result in not only a deal for manufacturers but a price cut for consumers as well.

      Google hasn’t said much regarding Chrome OS as a system for running high end PCs, like the gaming PCs a lot of us geeks are concerned with. The OS is based on Linux, though, so I’d imagine they can beef it up for just that sort of capability. For now, the OS is meant for folks looking for a quick OS for web browsing and other simple applications.

      Microsoft has yet to comment.

      Source: Reuters

      Computers, microsoft, News

      Sony Enters the Netbook War

      July 7, 2009 /

      The Sony Vaio W.Sony senior vice president Mike Abary once called the netbook market “a race to the bottom.” Apparently it’s a race his company intends to join (and quite possibly lose if they stick to that price). Today Sony announced the Vaio W – their very first netbook at a very un-netbookish price.

      First the specs. The Vaio W runs with the netbook standard 1.6GHz Atom processor, 10-inch screen, 160GB HDD, and 1GB RAM. In the details you’ll also get Bluetooth support, an ethernet jack, a wireless card, some USB ports and (I really like this one) an SD slot that reads Memory Sticks! I know it’s unreasonable, but I really fear that every new Sony computer is just going to stick us with a Memory Stick reader. Glad they keep proving me wrong.

      The Vaio W makes one other “improvement” over many of the netbooks today. The W screen abandons the 1024 x 600 resolution for a 1366 x 768 display, meaning the text on your already limited screen just got smaller. Not bad for people with decent eyesight. Could be trouble for the rest of the world.

      And then there’s the price. The Vaio W comes in at a whopping $500. Okay, so it’s not much more than the top-of-the-line (does that even work with netbooks?) models from Dell and Asus, and it does get that nifty SD slot (oh right, all Eee PCs have one of those), but $500 is getting to be a little pricey for a barebones PC.

      If price doesn’t bug you, though, you’ll have your choice between white, pink, and, ahem, chocolate brown. If I were you I’d be looking elsewhere for my netbook, but maybe that’s just me.

      Computers, News

      iPhone to Get SMS Vulnerability Fix

      July 2, 2009 /

      iPhone SMS.As smartphones become more popular we’re going to see more and more hacks designed to exploit any vulnerability within the phone. As long as the iPhone’s been around, and as widespread as it is, it’s surprising we’ve not seen more news like this.

      Though the first of its kind in a while, this iPhone vulnerability is pretty serious. OS X security expert Charlie Miller says through an SMS exploit, attackers could run code using the messaging service. Such an exploit could allow an attacker to track the phone via GPS, enable the microphone for eavesdropping, or even use the phone for a botnet or distributed DOS attack.

      At just 140 bytes of data per message, SMS is one of very few ways a hacker can access an iPhone wirelessly. Attackers can send multiple messages to the phone to recompiled once on the device for the exploits mentioned. The real danger is that SMS can be used to send binary to an iPhone, removing user interaction from the equation.

      That’s a whole lot more than most iPhone users probably think their phones capable, which is what makes fixing the vulnerability so important. According to Miller, Apple should have the hole patched later this month, before he gives a presentation on the hack at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas.

      Apple, Apps, Computers, iPhone

      What the Hell is Happening at Dell (v2.0)?

      July 2, 2009 /

      Dell having some problems.

      I made a post a couple days ago about the downright zany information leaks about an upcoming MID from Dell. Employee comments were all over the place, which made it hard to figure out if Dell has been blowing particles of mercury through their air ducts or if they’re just panicking over their slippery market share. There’s more news this week, which has me leaning toward the mercury theory. I’ll start with the least crazy of the two.

      Yesterday Dell announced a new option for their popular Mini line of netbooks: the Wireless 700 card. The card adds $69 to the price and adds GPS capability to your handy little netbook. Alan Sicher, senior wireless product manager at Dell, had this to say:

      Smartphones already have GPS capabilities. We are now bringing it to…

      Okay, stop. Yes. Smartphones already have GPS. So why are you putting it on netbooks? More and more phones, smart or otherwise, are adding GPS capabilities every day, with increasingly robust feature lists. Sorry I interrupted.

      We are now bringing it to netbooks so the devices know where you are and can help you where you want to go.

      Alright, stop. I’m going to cannibalize an old photographer’s saying for the sake of argument here. The best GPS is the one you have with you. Why would I want to carry a netbook when my phone can do what you’re suggesting? Can you imagine walking around downtown with your netbook out? People would wonder if you’d found Zack Morris’ old smartphone.
      Continue reading »

      Computers, Mobile

      Update: Child Pornography Hits the iPhone [NSFW]

      July 1, 2009 /

      iPhone has some porn problems [censored].A photo purportedly showing a naked 15-year-old has made its way onto the iPhone App Store through an app called BeautyMeter this week, despite Apple’s strong stance against objectionable content in the store.

      Last week the application “Hottest Apps” was quickly pulled from the App Store due to “objectionable content,” namely, female nudity. It was adult female nudity, though, unlike today’s whopping PR nightmare for the iPhone.

      BeautyMeter allows users to upload photos of themselves and subsequently rate one another on body, face, and clothing appeal. If you’ve been to Hot or Not, you get the idea. Today, an iPhone app review site called KRAPPS found a picture of what appears to be a 15-year-old girl topless and partially nude below the waist in BeautyMeter. Nearly 5,000 users have voted on the picture.

      As of this posting, the application is still available in the app store, though the picture may have been removed. I would expect the app to at least get pulled for review before day’s end.

      According to the developer’s website, funnymals.com, they do not review submissions on a photo by photo basis. Rather, they go in and clean up “from time to time.” This certainly gives plenty of room for photos like the illegal nude in question to slip through. Users have even commented in the app store that, “There shouldnt be 14 year olds nude on there [sic].”

      The developer does supposedly capture your iPhone’s unique device ID when you upload a photo, making it possible to track down anyone who has posted illegal content. Neither Apple nor Funnymal will likely have legal liability in this case, though it does raise questions as to how Apple will handle user-generated content in future applications.

      Update:BeautyMeter has officially been pulled.

      Image from Wired

      Apple, Apps, Computers, iPhone, News, Websites

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