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by Stan Beer
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Our report of June 30 in which the general manager of Toshiba Information Systems Division in Australia, Mark Whittard, said that he expected Microsoft to put an internal HD DVD player in future versions of Xbox 360 fairly soon appears to have raised a few hackles at Microsoft.
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by Stan Beer
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The long drawn out saga, which essentially is the SCO Group's battle with the Linux world at large, but which since 2003 has been focussed on IBM, took one step closer yesterday to being confined to the litigious junk heap that the US technology legal system has become.
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by Stan Beer
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A leading Sun Microsystems watcher has warned that high-end server vendor Sun Microsystems is in danger of descending into a downward death spiral of decreasing costs to match decreasing revenues because of a lack of innovative leadership at the organisation. He advises Sun users to consider implementing alternative vendor strategies.
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by Stan Beer
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When Microsoft kicked off its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program late last year in an effort to stamp out the rampant software piracy that has afflicted the company in recent years, it had no inkling that it would itself be lambasted, sued and accused of illegal practices.
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by Stan Beer
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Three months ago, we had a chat with Novell Linux evangelist Andreas Girardet who waxed lyrical about his company's desktop product SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLED) version 10. This was to be the Windows killer, the desktop Linux to end all desktop Linux products, the one that would make 2006 the year of the Linux desktop. However, we were expecting it by the end of June and it seems to be a little late.
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by Stan Beer
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Sony Australia today unveiled the VGN-AR18GP (AR18), in the Australian launch of the world’s first Blu-ray Disc notebook computer. The AR18 enables users to edit and burn HD footage on a personal computer in native 1080 resolution. However, users will have to pay big money for the privilege.
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by Stan Beer
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Windows 98 and Millenium Edition users will no longer be supported by Microsoft from July 11, leaving an estimated 70 million users exposed to hackers. In addition, security vendors are following Microsoft's lead and phasing out support for the ageing Windows versions, leaving users open to new virus attacks, according to a report in the Washington Post.
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by Stan Beer
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There was a very funny movie made about 20 years ago called The Money Pit. The lead character, played by Tom Hanks, is renovating a ramshackle mansion and asks the builder how long it will take to complete. The builder replies casually, "Two weeks." Months later, Hanks' character asks the same question, the builder gives him the same answer, and they both laugh ironically. Microsoft reminds us very much of that builder.
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by Stan Beer
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The past week has not been a good one for Microsoft as far as senior staff is concerned. First the head marketing honcho for Windows Live martin Taylor either walked or got the boot - no-one really knows which. Now, one of the software company's leading evangelists is leaving to smell the daisies for a year before defecting to arch-nemesis Google. Both senior staffers were long termers.
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by Stan Beer
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Reports that Toshiba is selling its HD-A1 high definition video player below cost are false, according to a senior executive from the company. What’s more, the executive claims Toshiba is still firmly committed to the view that HD DVD technology will prevail over Sony backed Blu-ray, despite suggestions that the company is wavering.
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by Stan Beer
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A Toshiba senior executive has predicted that Microsoft will release an Xbox 360 model with an internal HD DVD drive before the end of the year.
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by Stan Beer
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Last month news of a collaboration called URGE between cable entertainment giant MTV and Microsoft was presented as offering real competition to Apple iTunes. However, a new collaborative announcement between MTV and Apple has put paid to any impression that Microsoft and MTV is an inseparable team fighting a common foe.
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by Stan Beer
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It is sometimes said that imitation is flattery - or something like that. So no-one really believes Sony Computer Entertainment America boss Kaz Hirai when he says that he wishes Microsoft would come up with some ideas of its own in the games space.
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by Stan Beer
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There is something to be said for sticking to your guns if you have a superior product. At least that's what Sony demonstrably believes judging by its recent policies on pricing. PlayStation 3 will be by far the most expensive gaming platform but Sony makes no apology because it believes, despite assertions to the contrary, that it can wipe the floor with Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. Likewise, Sony is convinced that its Blu-ray technology is set to win the high definition video stakes and there are signs that the HD DVD backers know it.
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by Stan Beer
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Google intends to get a piece of the online shopping pie with a new shopping cart payment service for buyers at participating online retailers. The new online service, called Google Checkout (http://checkout.google.com), aims to offer one-stop checkout option that enables shoppers to purchase from participating stores with a single Google login. It also works with Google's search advertising program, AdWords.
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by Stan Beer
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Computer maker Dell has launched a new level of support for server and storage system customers, The company says its Platinum Plus service is the result of a $200 million investment and will integrate Google Earth to provide an interactive 3D command centre for clients.
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