iPhone launch marred by activation delays

HIGHLIGHTS

News: iPhone launch marred by activation delays
News: Hackers target C-level execs and their families
News: EU hardware disposal law could hurt small businesses
News: India’s software, services exports forecast at US$40 billion
News: 1TB optical disks now in prospect
News: SAP users seek to benchmark performance
News: Floral giant sends bouquet to EnterpriseDB
iPhone Watch: Race is on to unlock the iPhone
iPhone Watch: With iPhone launch, a hacker's to-do list
iPhone Watch: AT&T expands wireless coverage with Dobson buy
iPhone Watch: IPhone buzz reaches to Microsoft's back yard
iPhone Watch: Stores open doors for iPhone sales
ITWhirled: Buried aliens? No, just tree trunks


NEWS UPDATES

iPhone launch marred by activation delays
Apple Inc.'s iPhone launch has been marred by delays in AT&T Corp.'s phone activation system, leaving some people unable to use their new toy throughout the weekend.

For more iPhone news, see iPHONE WATCH below.


Hackers target C-level execs and their families
Hackers appear to have stepped up their efforts to trick corporate executives into downloading malicious software programs that can steal company data over the past year, according to new data released Monday.


EU hardware disposal law could hurt small businesses
Under a European Union law that went into effect recently, business users, producers and retailers of IT equipment must dispose of unwanted hardware in a regulated fashion that could add up to £30 (US$60) to the cost of a PC, says Gartner.


India’s software, services exports forecast at US$40 billion
India’s business providing software and services to companies outside its borders will grow a healthy 26 to 29 percent this year, the country's main trade association for that sector said Monday.


1TB optical disks now in prospect
Manufacturers are being offered the world's highest capacity optical storage technology to license, reportedly, leap-frogging 300GB holographic disks and offering 1TB in a DVD-size disk. But the technology has not been commercialized and product could be three to five years away.


SAP users seek to benchmark performance
One of the world's largest SAP user groups is preparing to conduct a series of surveys among its Canadian and U.S. members to establish benchmarks of how enterprises make use of the German software giant's business applications.


Floral giant sends bouquet to EnterpriseDB
EnterpriseDB has notched up international florist FTD Group as a customer in a vote of confidence for the young database company, which is trying to poach customers from Oracle Corp. with the promise of lower license fees and compatibility with Oracle applications.


iPHONE WATCH

Race is on to unlock the iPhone
Now that Apple Inc.'s iPhone is finally on sale, the race is on to see who can unlock it.


With iPhone launch, a hacker's to-do list
When Apple Inc. introduced the latest version of its Safari browser two weeks ago, it took the hacking community just hours to start reporting bugs in the beta code. On Friday, the iPhone is likely to get even closer scrutiny from many of the same security researchers. Here's a list of the top items on the typical iPhone hacker's to-do list.


AT&T expands wireless coverage with Dobson buy
The iPhone won't be just for customers living in the big cities. On the day it is introducing the hugely hyped cell phone, AT&T Inc. announced it will acquire wireless provider Dobson Communications Corp. for US$2.8 billion in cash.


IPhone buzz reaches to Microsoft's back yard
As 6:00 p.m. approached Friday, the mob in front of the Apple Inc.'s flagship San Francisco store counted down the seconds as if it was New Year's Eve.


Stores open doors for iPhone sales
Apple Inc. began selling its iPhone Friday, ending six months of waiting by consumers and rival smartphone vendors.


ITWHIRLED

Buried aliens? No, just tree trunks
Malaysian villagers were really nervous when a gravedigger told them that he and his associates were burying the corpses of extraterrestrials in the local cemetery. They were quite relieved to learn the truth: they were just burying tree trunks for "medicinal purposes" at the behest of a local witch doctor.