Even Viruses Are Going Mobile
Apparently, nothing electronic is safe from viruses. A new virus, the "Timofonica" worm, sends unwanted emails to mobile phones. The virus, which sends an email message in Spanish and reportedly originated in Spain, was allegedly developed as a protest against Telefonica, Spain's telecom giant. (For those keeping score, the Spanish word "timo" means 'trick'.) It is said to be attacking mobile phones
connected to Spain's Movistar mobile phone network and spreads by using Microsoft Outlook to send itself to all addresses in an address book, just as the infamous Love Bug did. For every message sent, the worm also sends a message to a randomly generated telephone number at the Movistar's website, an SMS (Short Message Service) gateway that sends SMS messages to mobile phones. Those on the receiving end of the virus are sent a message that translates as "Note: Telefonica is cheating you." The process is triggered when a receiver of the Outlook email opens an attachment. Anti-virus companies are claiming that the virus, which isn't believed to be terribly harmful, is the first virus to attack mobile phones, but stress that it doesn't spread through phones.
Microsoft's Answer
Microsoft's Outlook email software, the preferred conductor of email viruses, is under the spotlight, but take note that Microsoft recently released a security update for the application. The upgrade, designed with the Love Bug and last year's Melissa virus in mind, provides what the company terms "a significantly improved level of security for Outlook users." Specifically, it prevents users from accessing certain email attachments that could carry viruses and warns them if a program is trying to access their Outlook Address Book or send email. The upgrade is available for free at www.officeupdate.com.
Ad Standards for Wireless
It was only a matter of time. A new group has been formed to determine and execute advertising standards for wireless devices. In addition to signifying the initiation of wireless ad standards, The Wireless Advertising Association, an offspring of The Internet Advertising Bureau and the Wireless Advertising Industry Association., signifies the union of the Internet's two advertising giants, DoubleClick and Adfoce. (DoubleClick is a key member of the IAB, while Adforce is the founding member of the WAIA.)
A Broadband Advertising Solution
Hitplay Media, a provider of advanced business-to-business broadband content solutions, this week unveiled a new technology that dynamically matches on-demand streaming video with targeted in-stream video ads. "CUPID," a patent-pending video ad platform, is part of Hitplay's new suite of Broadband Content Solutions software, which aims to enable websites and corporations with the tools to profit from the exploding interest in broadband. Websites can create turnkey broadband video areas by using Hitplay's advanced technologies, content libraries, and full-service video ad representation. For more details, visit www.hitplay.com
Security for Mobile Transactions
Communication Intelligence Corporation (CIC), a supplier of natural input and electronic signature solutions, recently announced that it has formed an agreement with Cloakware Corporation, a developer of software protection technology, to integrate Cloakware's tamper-resistant software with CIC's electronic signature solutions. The result will be a product designed to deliver a secure application for mobile devices that will facilitate e-business and financial transactions.
News About WAP News
The Newspaper Association of America (NAA) and one of its prominent members, Nando Media, are teaming to develop a database of URLs that feature WAP and audiotext news. The database will locate WAP-enabled newspaper sites that can be made available to mobile phone providers for display on cell phone entry screens. Norm Cloutier, business development director at Nando Media, says that the product is currently undergoing fine tuning.
Now That's Communication
Microsoft Corp., DIRECTV Inc. and THOMSON multimedia recently announced that they have formed an alliance to develop a new advanced RCA(R) DIRECTVTM System with the new Microsoft(R) UltimateTV(R) service. The "RCA DS4290RE System" with UltimateTV and DIRECTV service will be the first direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television platform that integrates DIRECTV programming, digital video recording, interactive television and Internet access in one complete package. The package will allow viewers to watch two shows on DIRECTV at the same time, watch one show while
recording another and record over 30 hours of digital quality programming for later viewing on
their own "personal lineup."
Windows for Smart Cards
CPI Card Group has signed a licensing agreement with Microsoft Corporation for Windows for Smart Cards. CPI will produce more than a half million smarts cards for CPI associate Smart Card Integrators (SCI), who will deploy the cards as part of the SCILogix system in European casinos. SCI has chosen Windows for Smart Cards to be its OS of choice for all of its gaming applications. The MS Windows for Smart Cards is an 8-bit, multi-application operating system for smart cards. The platform runs applications on the Visual Basic development system and extends the PC environment into smart card use.
Miniature Devices Are Big in Japan
Japanese netizens reportedly find PCs too big and cumbersome to use for email. Instead, they've turned to I-mail, a service available via "keitai," a tiny cell phone. The Seattle Times reported that the service, from DoCoMo, a subsidiary of Japanese telecom NTT, has already attracted 6.8 million users in one year, with thousands more signing every day. Keitai users will soon be able utilize many services, including visiting their doctors and shopping, with the device. Retailers will soon advertise their wares by showing product images on the phone's tiny screen. Mobile technology in Japan is said to be two to three years ahead of that in the U.S. and Europe.
The 'Patent Market' is Coming your Way
IBM Corp. and Internet Capital Group (ICG) recently announced plans to form a company to create an online marketplace for buyers and sellers of intellectual property. ICG has acquired IBM's Intellectual Property Network and will use it as create an online marketplace that will provide means for searching, analyzing, buying, selling, and licensing millions of patents as well as other intellectual property. For now, the network is located at www.patents.ibm.com. The name of the new company hasn't yet been announced.
The Conference Circuit
For those who maintain that competitive intelligence is the way to go, Frost & Sullivan is hosting the seventh annual West Coast Competitive Intelligence August 15-16 in San Diego. Visitors will acquire critical tools and resources for finding out how CI is exercised successfully in other companies, networking with colleagues and developing strategic contacts for fortifying competitive intelligence strategies. There will additionally be three optional workshops and tutorials, including an Internet Tutorial. The event will be held at Paradise Point Resort. Visit www.frost.com for more information.