Sony puts price on battery problems ... Judge penalizes Microsoft $25 million in patent case

Today's IT News Audio Update
Nordic regulators meet to mull action against iTunes ... Microsoft puts Office 2007 on November price list ... Apple recalling 1.8 million batteries, following Dell


HIGHLIGHTS

News: Sony puts price on battery problems
News: Blade server sales jump in Europe, Gartner says
News: Wall Street Beat: Last ditty for the iPod?
News: Nordic consumer groups may join forces against iTunes
Tip: Disk Quotas and the Recycle Bin
Opinion: Converting from square pegs to round holes
ITwhirled: Big-hearted RIAA declines to sue grieving family


NEWS UPDATES

Sony puts price on battery problems
On Wednesday Apple Computer Inc. said it will join Dell Inc. in recalling the Sony-made battery packs in some of its products because of a risk that they will overheat and catch fire while being charged. Apple is recalling about 1.8 million batteries, while Dell is asking customers to return 4.1 million batteries. Now, Sony is estimating what the recalls could end up costing the Japanese company.

Blade server sales jump in Europe, Gartner says
Blade server shipments in Europe, the Middle East and Africa jumped by a healthy 61.4 percent in the second quarter, helping the server market overall to increase by a steady 9 percent, according to new Gartner Inc. research.

Wall Street Beat: Last ditty for the iPod?
A "ditty" is a short and simple song, and Dell Inc.'s DJ Ditty music player lived up to its name this week when the company announced that it's short life had come to an end. The Ditty's demise could also be a portent for the wider music player market, including the iPod, if mobile phone makers get their way.

Nordic consumer groups may join forces against iTunes
Consumer representatives from several Nordic countries are discussing how to proceed in their battle against Apple Computer Inc. over the iTunes digital rights management (DRM) policy.


TIP

Disk Quotas and the Recycle Bin
By Mitch Tulloch, MTIT Enterprises

Here's a common scenario: A user has 25 MB of files on a quota-enabled volume, tries to free up space by deleting 5 MB of old files, checks the volume in My Computer and it still shows 25 MB of files, and calls Support to complain that something doesn't work. The problem? When the user deleted his files, they were simply moved to the Recycle Bin on the quota-enabled volume. The solution: educate users to either empty their Recycle Bin, hard-delete files using SHIFT+DELETE, or run Disk Cleanup.


OPINION

Converting from square pegs to round holes
By Sean McGrath

High on my list of worrying one-liners I hear in my day job is the phrase "let's just convert the data from format A to format B".

I think it is really important to differentiate a number of distinct outcomes from any conversion from A to B that depend on the nature of A, the nature of B and your overall goals.


ITWHIRLED

Big-hearted RIAA declines to sue grieving family
The RIAA, known for its aggressive pursuit of file-sharers who it believes broke copyright laws, told the family of a recently deceased defendant in one such lawsuit that they had 60 days to grieve before the legal action started up again. The organization later changed its mind, which we're sure had nothing to do with the flood of bad publicity.

MS re-issues botched IE patch ... EFF sues Barney over free speech ... Apple recalls 1.8 million laptop batteries

HIGHLIGHTS

News: Judge penalizes Microsoft $25 million in patent case
News: Intel wireless patch a memory hog
News: Microsoft finally re-issues botched IE patch
News: Apple recalls 1.8 million laptop batteries
News: U.S. court protects confidentiality in piracy reports
News: IE 7 for XP first release candidate available
News: EFF sues dinosaur Barney over free speech


NEWS UPDATES

Judge penalizes Microsoft $25 million in patent case
Microsoft Corp.'s quest for a new trial in a patent-infringement case it lost has resulted in a bigger fine for the software company.

Intel wireless patch a memory hog
Microsoft Corp. isn't the only company re-issuing security patches this month. Intel Corp. plans to re-release a critical security patch for its Centrino platform because of a memory hogging bug.

Microsoft finally re-issues botched IE patch
Two days later than expected, Microsoft Corp. has re-issued a critical security update for its Internet Explorer (IE) browser.

Apple recalls 1.8 million laptop batteries
Apple Computer Inc. is recalling 1.8 million lithium-ion batteries for its iBook and PowerBook notebook PCs, just a week after Dell Inc. took a similar step.

U.S. court protects confidentiality in piracy reports
A judge in Washington, D.C., has struck down a defense contractor's efforts to find out the name of a person who reported it for alleged software piracy.

IE 7 for XP first release candidate available
Microsoft Corp. is calling on developers to ensure applications and Web sites are compatible with Internet Explorer (IE) 7 Release Candidate 1 (RC1) for Windows XP, which the company will make available on Thursday.

EFF sues dinosaur Barney over free speech
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has filed a lawsuit against the company that produces the "Barney and Friends" children's television program, saying it has harassed the creator of a Barney parody Web site with "baseless legal threats."

Oracle gains more analytics with Sigma buy ... Apple to pay $100 million, settling iPod dispute

Today's IT News Audio Update
IBM to buy ISS for US$1.3 billion ... Apple to pay Creative $100 million to end legal squabbles ... Intel to launch Tulsa chip next week

HIGHLIGHTS
News: Oracle gains more analytics with Sigma buy
News: Lenovo launches services unit, nabs Dell exec
News: Apple to pay $100 million, settling iPod dispute
News: IBM beefs up array of Unix servers
Opinion: Encryption Convolution
ITwhirled: AOL digs for gold in spammer's backyard


NEWS UPDATES

Oracle gains more analytics with Sigma buy
Oracle Corp. plans to add more real-time predictive analytics to its business intelligence, middleware and applications after acquiring intellectual property assets from Sigma Dynamics Inc., a specialist in the field.

Lenovo launches services unit, nabs Dell exec
Lenovo Group Ltd. plans to unite its customer service operations under a new group to be based in Singapore and lead by yet another executive poached from Dell Inc.

Apple to pay $100 million, settling iPod dispute
Apple Computer Inc. will resolve its patent squabble with Creative Technology Ltd. by paying the Singapore-based company $100 million for a license to use a recently awarded patent.

IBM beefs up array of Unix servers
IBM Corp. has added new four-core processing capability to the low end of its System p Unix servers. On Wednesday, the company unveiled the System p5 505Q Express, which IBM is billing as its first 1U (4.4 centimeter thick) system with four processor cores. IBM also announced processor upgrades to its dual-core and quad-core Express systems.

Businesses to spend big on wireless data, study says
Businesses in Western Europe will spend around $12.7 billion on wireless data services by 2010, up more than 50 percent from last year, as they provide more tools for workers to be productive on the move, according to new research from Strategy Analytics Inc.

Qantas cautions on Dell laptops as Sony probes a fire
In response to a recall of 4.1 million laptop computer batteries because of a potential fire hazard issued by Dell earlier this month, Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd. is telling passengers with Dell laptops that they might not be able to recharge their machines in-flight.


OPINION

Encryption Convolution
By James Gaskin

Get ready for the US Congress to "help" the IT business with some new regulations soon. After being embarrassed by the VA laptop fiasco, when unencrypted government data wandered the countryside, our federal leaders now consider themselves data security experts and will soon start passing laws.


ITWHIRLED

AOL digs for gold in spammer's backyard
AOL won a $12.8 million dollar lawsuit against Davis Wolfgang Hawke, but Hawke has been on the lam for more than a year. Thus, the Internet giant is taking the next logical step: digging up Hawke's parents' yard looking for gold and platinum bouillon.

IBM scoops up ISS for $1.3B ... Sony moves on Web video with Grouper buy

Today's IT News Audio Update
Microsoft delays release of security fix ... Salesforce.com and NetSuite help track online ad campaigns ... FTC to examine net neutrality concerns


HIGHLIGHTS

News: IBM to buy Internet Security Systems for $1.3 billion
News: Brazil threatens to shut down Google.br
News: Sony moves on Web video with Grouper acquisition
News: Microsoft signs ad deal with Facebook
Opinion: Open Source Escape Hatch
Research: Another use for your cell phone
ITwhirled: Geek cheat sheet


NEWS UPDATES

IBM to buy Internet Security Systems for $1.3 billion
IBM Corp. plans to buy Internet Security Systems Inc. (ISS) for $1.3 billion in a bid to better address growing IT security issues.

Brazil threatens to shut down Google.br
Federal prosecutors in Brazil are threatening to force Google Brazil to shut down and pay fines for failing to turn over customer records as part of investigations against pedophiles.

Sony moves on Web video with Grouper acquisition
Sony Pictures Entertainment is making a foray into the fast-expanding world of Web video sharing by acquiring Grouper Networks Inc., the privately-held operator of the grouper.com Web site.

Microsoft signs ad deal with Facebook
Microsoft Corp. will supply banner and text ads for Facebook, a social networking Web site, under a deal signed after the two companies only opened discussions last week, they said.

Video pirates: Watch out for fingerprints
New video fingerprinting technology from Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV could help stem the flood of movies and other video content being traded illegally on the Internet.

Sun Micro gets boost from new server share report
Sun Microsystems Inc. has rebounded in the server market, according to new numbers for the second quarter of this year released today.

Microsoft delays re-issue of IE patch
Microsoft has pushed back the re-release of a buggy Internet Explorer (IE) security update, saying that the quality of its software is still not up to snuff.

Hynix gets delay in Rambus patent lawsuit
A California judge has delayed a patent infringement trial pitting Rambus Inc. against Hynix Semiconductor Inc. while the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sorts out royalty rates for computer memory.


OPINION

Open Source Escape Hatch
By James Gaskin

Every Fortune 2000 company uses CRM tools from either PeopleSoft, Siebel, JD Edwards, Vantive, Avaya, or some combination of two or more of these application. Every Fortune 2000 company hates being locked in to these systems and getting jerked through unwanted upgrades or mergers that requires extensive reprogramming.


RESEARCH

Another use for your cell phone
By Dan Blacharski

Near-field communications technology will make it possible for you to use your cell phone to make point of purchase transactions.


ITWHIRLED

Geek cheat sheet
Oh no! With the rise of geek culture, those of you who were busy having dates in high school might need help gaining entry into geekish society. Have no fear: this guide can help you fake it.

Cisco buys video-on-demand company ... IBM adds storage artillery in fight with EMC


Today's IT News Audio Update
Cisco buys video-on-demand company ... IBM adds storage artillery in fight with EMC ... Asustek goes green


HIGHLIGHTS

News: Cisco to acquire Arroyo for $92 million
News: New IBM 'Turbo' storage products target EMC
News: AOL reviews privacy policy after shakeup
News: Samsung debuts 8GB music phone
Opinion: Dell's battery recall is its fifth in six years, and Dell is not alone
ITwhirled: A great geek T-shirt could be yours. Learn how!


NEWS UPDATES

Cisco to acquire Arroyo for $92 million
Cisco Systems Inc. will acquire on-demand video software company Arroyo Video Systems Inc. for $92 million, Cisco said Monday. The buy is Cisco's second so far this month, having taken a majority stake in data center company Nuovo Systems Inc. on Aug. 10.

New IBM 'Turbo' storage products target EMC
If turbocharging makes cars faster, IBM Corp. believes turbocharging its storage products will help it pass rival EMC Corp. The high-end disk array IBM System Storage DS8000 Turbo line features what IBM calls an industry first 4 gigabits per second (Gbps) FICON throughput -- double the 2Gbps available now.

AOL reviews privacy policy after shakeup
AOL LLC on Monday announced steps it is taking to prevent another security breach like one in which subscriber search query results recently were posted online. Also Monday, the company accepted the resignation of its chief technology officer Maureen Govern.

Samsung debuts 8GB music phone
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has developed a music-player cell phone with 8G bytes of built-in flash memory -- that's double the amount of memory in Apple Computer Inc.'s hit-iPod nano.

Wipro sets up Wi-Fi pre-certification center
Indian outsourcer Wipro Ltd. announced Tuesday that it has been selected by the Wi-Fi Alliance to set up a pre-certification test lab that will help vendors of Wi-Fi devices prepare for final certification by the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Verizon eases move to IP contact centers
Enterprises that want to run an IP (Internet Protocol) contact center over the Verizon Business network won't have to bring their own gateway anymore. Verizon Communications Inc.'s global enterprise services unit is putting the infrastructure for its Toll Free and AVR (automated voice response) services into its own network, allowing customers to plug into the services through any broadband connection or traditional leased line.

New, faster Wi-Fi commands high prices
Fast wireless LAN gear based on a draft version of the next industry standard is making inroads into the small-office and home market despite costing more than twice as much as other products.


OPINION

Dell's battery recall is its fifth in six years, and Dell is not alone
By Joel Shore

It seems everyone is piling on Dell, taking it to task for recalling 1.4 million laptop batteries. Well, I will, too: Dell has pulled this stunt before. Not once. Not twice. But five other times in the last six years. Is anybody in charge?


ITWHIRLED

There's no place like 127.0.0.1
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Chipset shortage might hit Intel again ... LogicaCMG buy extends Nordic reach

Today's IT News Audio Update
Chipset shortage might hit Intel again ... LogicaCMG buy extends Nordic reach ... Microsoft could face patent issue over SQL Server


HIGHLIGHTS

News: Demand spike is causing new Intel chipset shortage
News: Timeline severs patent agreement with Microsoft
News: LogicaCMG buys Swedish IT services company
News: Google leads, Yahoo gains in U.S. Web searches
Opinion: The (non) wisdom of crowds
ITwhirled: A great geek T-shirt could be yours. Learn how!


NEWS UPDATES

Demand spike is causing new Intel chipset shortage
A spike in PC demand has created a new shortage of Intel Corp. chipsets, potentially reviving an issue blamed for causing the company to lose market share to rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) last year.

Timeline severs patent agreement with Microsoft
Microsoft Corp. could face another lawsuit from a patent portfolio company over technology within its SQL Server database.

LogicaCMG buys Swedish IT services company
In an effort to expand its reach, IT consultancy and outsourcing company LogicaCMG PLC said on Monday that it plans to buy WM-data Nordic AB in a deal worth £882 million (US$1.6 billion) in cash and shares.

Google leads, Yahoo gains in U.S. Web searches
Google Inc.'s Web sites continued to be the U.S.'s most-used search source in July, but lost 1 percent market share to Yahoo Inc., comScore Networks Inc. said Sunday.

WebMethods looks to Cerebra for SOA boost
WebMethods Inc. is adding Cerebra Inc.'s semantic metadata management technology to its business integration suite in order to stand out in the crowded service-oriented architecture (SOA) software market.

Samsung develops 70-inch LCD panel for TVs
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will this week unveil what it says is the first 70-inch high-definition LCD (liquid crystal display) panel.


OPINION

The (non) wisdom of crowds
By Sean McGrath

Some years ago I read an entertaining book by James Surowiecki entitled "The Wisdom of Crowds". The central thesis of the book is that the opinion of a large number of people, when averaged out, can compare favorably with the wisdom of the experts in any given field.


ITWHIRLED

There's no place like 127.0.0.1
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