Within days of the new Microsoft OS, Windows Vista, getting a release to a select group of developers there were concerns that one of the new features, a command line shell reminiscent of Unix, could be exploited by virus writers.
The evidence for this was largely circumstantial, but it gave Microsoft a bit of negative press just when they didn’t want it, so at the same time that they were rubbishing the claims, they also confirmed that the new shell (codenamed Monad) would not be in the first release of Vista in 2006.
It is likely to be seen first in the next version of Exchange and then the server product based on the Longhorn/Vista codebase. It will only make an appearance in the main version of Vista after the OS has been available for some time.
August 8th, 2005
Sony Ericsson today announced a new addition to its Walkman phone family - the W550 - an affordable phone that offers stereo music and integrates a 1.3 megapixel camera, full Internet browsing capability and a credible games console, all in a compact and stylish swivel phone design.
The W550 has an advanced digital music player with sound delivered through two external stereo speakers or through stereo headphones provided with the phone. Loading music onto the handset is simple thanks to intuitive Disc2Phone PC software and the phone’s 256MB internal memory, enough for storing between 60 and 120 standard MP3 or AAC music tracks (depending on the bit rate). The W550 is durable and offers decent battery life, allowing users to listen to up to 30 hours of music.
“The W550 is an exciting product that combines music, imaging and game playing to offer consumers fun and entertainment wherever they are, while still being a great phone,” explains Steve Walker, Sony Ericsson’s Head of Product Marketing. “This new Walkman phone is aimed at fun seekers who enjoy a good party and like to share enjoyable moments with friends. There are so many entertainment features crammed into this small, sleek handset that whether you are alone or with a group of friends, the W550 can satisfy all your entertainment needs.”
Listening to music on the W550 over headphones means you never miss a call as the music cuts off automatically when a call is received, permitting the listener to take the call before resuming listening to the paused track. A direct music button gives instant access to the Walkman music player, which can be used independently of the phone, allowing the phone to be used in flight mode so your personal music can be enjoyed even on an airplane.
The W550 also offers an authentic games console experience. Games can be played with the screen positioned horizontally and buttons on the left and right of the screen being used for two-handed control. Gamers can enjoy this experience through the pre-installed 3D versions of Worms Forts: Under Siege 3D developed by THQ Wireless, Extreme Air Snowboarding developed by Digital Chocolate and a new multiplayer version of Midway’s Gauntlet, developed under license by TKO Software. If users prefer, horizontal-mode games can also be played in portrait mode or an L-Shaped mode using the keyboard. The W550 also supports multi-player peer-2-peer gaming over Bluetooth.
Equipped with a 1.3 MegaPixel camera, the W550 captures stills and video-clips – with 4x digital zoom for close-ups – that can then be stored or shared using MMS or Bluetooth, or even transferred to a PC via USB cable.
Gigs, movie schedules, search engines and webmail can all be easily checked with the full Internet browser from a choice of viewing modes: full scale mode enables users to scroll round the complete page, or information can be presented in a single column. Either way, the bright 1.8 inch 262K TFT display provides razor sharp pictures.
August 8th, 2005
UK high street retailer Dixons is to pull 35mm cameras from its shelves in a move which signals the beginning of the end for 35mm film. The chain of stores has a reputation for taking tough decisions about aging technology - earlier in the year it stopped selling VCRs.
35mm cameras will continue to be sold until stocks are gone, but with digital now outselling film by 15 to 1 it may take a while for that to happen. Never has a technology gone from mainstream to niche in such a short space of time.
Dixons built its empire on the back of 35mm cameras so the decision to end sales must be a hard one. They will continue, for the moment, to stock traditional film cameras at airport duty free shops.
August 8th, 2005