Intel has updated the software behind its Centrino chip bundle to fix three security vulnerabilities that, in one case, could allow an attacker to execute code remotely on a laptop.

The chip maker on July 28 posted a trio of updates for its Intel/PRO Wireless Network Connection wireless modules.

The Wi-Fi modules, which allow notebooks to connect to 802.11 wireless networks, are part of the chip maker’s Centrino chip bundle, which it has offered for notebook PCs since 2003.

Source: eWeek

Creative has announced a new successor to its Neeon MP3 player. The new model, called the Creative ZEN Neeon 2, features a new colour screen and changeable creative Stik-On decorative covers.

Measuring 81mm x 42mm x 12.5mm and weighing only 50g, this miniature player will come in either 4GB, 2GB or 1GB of storage capacities, and feature a built-in FM tuner, voice recorder, line in recording and a 1.5 inch colour display for users to view both photos and videos.

If that wasn’t enough to woo, then Creative is also offering the new MP3 player in 5 brushed-metal backplate colours and a range of Stik-On skins, each set featuring 4 characters that represent different music genres.

Source: pocket-lint

In two weeks, Linspire Inc. will release Freespire, its community Linux distribution. This new distribution isn’t just another Linux distro. It will represent the first Linux to include most of the legally licensed and available, third-party proprietary codices, drivers, and software.

To say this is a bit controversial in Linux and free software circles is like saying the dog days of August are somewhat hot. Nevertheless, Linspire CEO Kevin Carmony bit the bullet in April, and the first release candidate of Freespire is now available.

The operating system is available for free from its main Web site as a BitTorrent download.

Read the full review @ source

Source: desktoplinux

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission ruled on Wednesday that computer technology developer Rambus Inc. (RMBS.O: Quote, Profile, Research) unlawfully monopolized markets for four memory chip technologies.

The FTC said in a statement on its Web site that Rambus “through a course of deceptive conduct” was able to distort industry standards for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and “engage in an anti-competitive ‘hold-up’ of the computer memory industry.”

The FTC said it ordered more briefings to determine the appropriate remedy for Rambus’s actions.

Source: Reuters

The next release of Microsoft AdCenter, the software maker’s competitor to Google’s services for advertisers, will support the Firefox 1.5 browser, it was reported Tuesday.

The AdCenter upgrade is set to launch on Saturday, the Search Engine Watch blog said, quoting an email Microsoft sent to premium AdCenter customers. Other new features include hourly updates of daily, weekly and monthly ad data.

Source: InformationWeek

The first holographic storage media will begin shipping by Christmas, executives at media maker Hitachi Maxell have indicated.

In an interview, Rich D’Ambrise, director of technical marketing at Maxell, said that 300-Gbyte holographic disks will begin shipping either in November or December, as InPhase Technologies, the developer of the holographic technology, said last year.

However, D’Ambrise also indicated that the company will move to a second-generation, 800-Gbyte disc in 2008, and has targeted a 1.6-Tbyte removable cartridge by 2010.

Related: Holographic Storage Puts 0.5TB Per Square Inch
First Public Demonstration Of Holographic Drive

Source: extremetech

Google Inc. on Wednesday said it struck a deal with XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. to help the search engine’s advertisers automatically place ads on XM’s non-music radio channels.

The deal would give Google advertisers a way to reach XM’s more than 7 million subscribers. It also could allow XM to feature new advertisers while lowering the costs related to processing ads, the two companies said.

Under the XM deal, Google’s AdWords customers would be able to place terrestrial and satellite radio spots through the search engine’s dMarc media network, the companies said.

Source: Reuters

The Internet’s leading search engines are teaming up with an advertising trade group to find a better way to identify and measure “click fraud,” a scam that has raised doubts about the Web’s trustworthiness as a marketing vehicle.

The initiative, announced Wednesday by the Interactive Advertising Bureau, will draw upon the expertise of Google Inc., Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp. — the owners of the top online search engines — to attack a problem threatening to erode their profits. Combined, the three companies control 86 percent of the lucrative U.S. search engine market, according to comScore Media Metrix.

Source: AP

Meebo, a Web-based instant messaging provider, was set to unveil on Wednesday the capability for people to add instant messaging into any Web page. Meebo lets people use multiple IM programs and accounts in one unified location via a Web browser on any computer, requiring no downloads or plug-ins. With its new Meebome feature, Web site owners can embed Meebo IM into the site and privately chat with visitors.

Source: News.com

Canon Inc. unveiled a digital video camera for home users on Wednesday that can record high-definition movies, matching a product offered by rival Sony Corp.

Canon, the world’s largest maker of digital cameras, said the HV10, its first high-definition video model for home use, will be available globally from September. It will be priced at around 150,000 yen ($1,310) in Japan.

Source: Reuters

Los Angeles-based Innovative Card Technologies, or InCard, has found a way to build a display, battery and password-generating chip into a card, such as a credit card. The technology competes with tokens, such as those sold by RSA Security, Vasco and VeriSign.

“We took a form factor that was awkward and fat and miniaturized it,” Alan Finkelstein, InCard’s chief executive officer, said in an interview. “The current tokens are clumsy and can only do one thing well, issue the one-time password. Our card can be your credit card, your employee ID card and give you access to buildings.”

Just like the tokens, the card, called a DisplayCard, generates passwords that can be used to validate online logins or transactions, for example when banking online. The cards offer an extra level of security, in addition to the traditional login name and password.

Source: News.com

Apple Computer issued on Tuesday updates for its Mac OS X operating system to fix 26 security flaws, some serious.

Several of the vulnerabilities affect the way in which Mac OS X handles images and the file sharing capabilities of the software, according to an Apple security advisory. Other flaws were found and fixed within components such as fetchmail, file compression features, and DHCP networking functionality, Apple said.

The vulnerabilities could enable a variety of attacks, security company Symantec said in an advisory sent out to customers of its DeepSight intelligence service. “Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code, trigger denial-of-service conditions, elevate privileges, and disclose potentially sensitive information,” Symantec said.

Source: News.com