AMD Launches New Chips
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is introducing new chips in a move to catch up with rival Intel Corp. in the mobile computer market. AMD launched new Athlon and Duron mobile processors that are faster, more powerful and less of a battery drain than earlier versions. The Sunnyvale-based chipmaker also claims the processors outperform those of Intel Corp., which have dominated the laptop market. The debate over performance, however, rages constantly in the industry.
Developing power-efficient microprocessors has become a high-stakes competition in the fast-growing segment of notebook computers, which is projected to triple to 30 million units in the United States by the year 2005. Intel introduced the first 1-gigahertz chip for mobile computers--a Pentium III with Intel's so-called power-saving SpeedStep technology--in March.
Sprint Rolls out Business Starter Kit for PCS Customers
Sprint, which operates the nation's largest all-digital, all-PCS nationwide network, has announced the availability of Wireless Web for Business Starter Kits for Sprint PCS enterprise customers. The innovative bundled kits include Sprint PCS Internet-ready phones, service plans, corporate data access software, connectivity devices and customer support for 10 employees at a flat rate for a three-month period.
ClockWise Gets US Patent
ClockWise Technologies, a leading developer of advanced 3-D technologies for operating systems,
announced it has received patent approval from the U.S. Patent Office for its 3-D desktop platform for operating systems. The Win3D interface, first implemented in Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP environments, transforms the standard Microsoft Windows desktop into a 3-D environment and presents an entirely new dimension to the capabilities of simultaneously accessing and working between multiple applications and the Internet. The patent approval for the new interface is a major step forward in creating a ubiquitous environment for computing that encompasses the way leisure, work, Internet and gaming applications are presented to the user.
Wireless One Event Coming to Las Vegas
SIGS/101 Conferences has announced Wireless One, a software developer conference and expo to be held at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas June 25-28. Conference delegates will get advanced wireless training at the largest wireless conference of the summer. A second conference is scheduled for Dec. 10-13, 2001, in Philadelphia. A substantial price break for conference admission is being offered by SIGS/101 in response to tough economic times within the IT industry. Coming to Las Vegas in its first year, Wireless One promises to gather the most serious developers from the Fortune 500 to the dot-com universe. A faculty unsurpassed in experience and expertise will lead the learning and provide valuable insight into the pulse of the wireless universe.
Oberthur Offers More Web Security
Oberthur Card Systems has launched AuthentIC Web Pack. Consisting of a software package, smart
card and a reader, the new product gives end-users and corporations the ultimate in security: smart card PKI authentication. It will secure network access and payment for online goods through any Internet-enabled PC, PDA, dual-slot mobile phone or set-top box. The AuthentIC Web Pack uses an open-platform-based smart card (available on Java and Multos). A leading smart card industry organization, GlobalPlatform (whose members include Infineon, Motorola, NEC, Sun and Visa) is implementing it. Global businesses can confidently download and transfer private information through the use of the AuthentIC Web Pack.
Sony Teams with RealNetwork to Expand PS2 Options
Sony Computer Entertainment and RealNetworks Inc. are teaming up to extend the use of Sony's
PlayStation 2 beyond games. Under an alliance to be announced Wednesday, Sony will integrate RealNetworks' RealPlayer, an Internet media player, into the game console, enabling users to play Internet radio tunes or watch streaming media. RealPlayer will also be included in kits for developers, enabling them to incorporate streaming media in their games. Earlier this week, Sony announced an alliance with America Online to offer high-speed Internet access. With both deals, Sony hopes to gain an edge over rival consoles by Microsoft and Nintendo.
Microsoft Releases Security Patch
Microsoft Corp. has released a patch to fix a security flaw in its Internet server software that enables hackers to gain control of companies' Web servers in a matter of minutes. The flaw affects users of Windows NT's Internet Information Server 4.0 and Windows 2000's Internet Information Server 5.0, the company said. The vulnerability originated from a flaw that makes the software run an extra security check each time a user requests a URL or an Internet address. A hacker who knows what to look for could use that second check as a window to break into the system. The patch released by Microsoft Monday fixes this and all other security flaws found since the Internet server software was released.
IBM Answers Call From Set-top Box Manufacturers
In response to demand from set-top box manufacturers who want to move to open systems, IBM Corp.
said it would port MontaVista Software's Hard Hat Linux 2.0 to the PowerPC-based set-top box controller chip it introduced last year, STB03400. At the same time, the company hinted at plans to debut a third-generation set-top box controller, the STB04500, which will also supports Linux, in the second half of 2001. The news highlights the growing trend toward open system designs in non-PC devices such as Internet appliances, set-top boxes and home gateway devices.