Items tagged with FTW
Software unlocking of the iPhone has been a source of threats from AT&T. However, there is an exemption in the DMCA that allows software unlocking of phones - the question has been what will happen if that's tested against a commercial product. In this case, an open source, free product, there's no recourse, except for a ROM change that stops this, of course.The first, non-GUI version was released last night; a beta GUI version has been released. If you want to try the manual version, that’s linked at the same site. Kudos to the iPhone Dev Team and all involved on this. This was (and still is) a lot of work.How soon will the 1.03 version of iPhone software be released, hmm?...
Read more...
A little later than many had hoped, one of the two software unlocking solutions for the iPhone has gone on sale. You may recall that the other retailer, Uniquephones.com, was threatened by AT&T when they first announced their intention to sell their product. The one U.S. dealer handling iPhoneSIMFree's unlock -- which lets iPhone owners swap out SIM cards so that the device can make calls on cellular networks other than AT&T's -- listed the hack for US$99. According to a sales representative who answered the phone at New York-based Wireless Imports, the reseller is waiting on iPhoneSIMFree to deliver the licenses. Preorders taken Monday are supposed be filled within 48 hours....
Read more...
You may recall that the UniquePhones software unlocking solution has been delayed by a threat by AT&T. Meanwhile, iPhoneSIMFree has been pretty quiet. Yesterday, however, they released a FAQ which not only gives additional information about their unlocking solution, but also gives hope for a release — soon. 1. Would all the same features still work? Yes. Except for Visual Voice mail (which is an exclusive AT&T feature), all features currently available on locked phones will be available on unlocked phones. * 2. Is it resistant to updates? While we have taken all possible measures to ensure that the phone will remain unlocked, we can only guarantee...
Read more...
Yesterday we told you about the software unlocking of the iPhone performed by two different companies. One of them, Uniquephones.com, was to go live with its solution today on its www.iphoneunlocking.com site. However, after a threatening call from an AT&T lawyer, they have delayed the release. The man informed McLaughlin that if he posted the unlock code, he could be sued for copyright infringement and for dissemination of Apple's intellectual property (IP).McLaughlin is concerned that fighting a lawsuit with AT&T or Apple would sink his small company, which does a modestly successful business unlocking wireless handsets in the U.K. and Europe. "It really annoys me," he...
Read more...
Earlier today we reported on the hardware unlocking of the iPhone. But that's ALREADY so over, as the group that operates iPhoneSIMfree.com has created a way to do it in software - and they say it will resists upgrades and restores. The group has not published the details of their unlocking procedure because they plan to sell the service beginning next week. The event comes almost two full months after the iPhone's widely-publicized release by Apple and AT&T. And, like most cell phones sold through carriers in the US, the iPhone comes from the store locked to AT&T. New purchasers are required to either commit to a 2-year contract with AT&T in order to use it, or go with AT&T's...
Read more...
A former BitTorrent server administrator has been given a harsh sentence - at least for a diehard Linux user. Because the monitoring software required by his plea agreement won't run on Linux (surprise!), he is been ordered to switch to Windows, or go without a computer. Scott McCausland, who used to be an administrator of the EliteTorrents BitTorrent server before it was shut down by the FBI, pleaded guilty in 2006 to two copyright-related charges over the uploading of Star Wars: Episode III to the internet. As a result, he was sentenced to five months in jail and five months' home confinement. McCausland — who also goes by the name "sk0t" — has since been released from jail, but on...
Read more...
It's been less than two months, and already we've seen two iPhone software updates. This second one, like the first, focuses on bug fixes. Much like the first, there aren't many details available. This one weighs in at 92MB.It's pretty amazing how Apple continues to do this, as experience has shown that carrier certifications of these types of patches alone can take months. They must have some kind of leeway with AT&T. Apple on Tuesday updated the software for its iPhone, bringing the most current version to 1.0.2. The update is available when the iPhone is connected to your computer. After iTunes launches the update can be downloaded and installed. Some people...
Read more...
Besides the obvious breaches in personal information we all hear about - lost laptops, stolen hard drives, lost CDs - there is the less obvious. An example would be accidental or intentional sending of sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, via email. Or even, as has happened fairly recently, sending denigrating comments via email, which then eventually come back to haunt the sender. For example, one communications-control vendor, Orchestria Corp., says its software could have prevented the CEO of Whole Foods Market Inc. from posting the rival-denigrating comments on Internet message boards that he later came to regret. How so? Because Orchestria’s software...
Read more...
Apparently in Michigan the answer is 5 months in prison, 5 months home confinement (Is he banned from broadband access?) and in this case $15,660 restitution. "Between Aug. 26, 2003 and Sept. 7, 2004, using two different eBay user names, Thomas sold counterfeit copies of Rockwell Automation software in 49 separate eBay auctions, receiving more than $14,625. The actual retail value of this software was in excess of $1 million." Just goes to show that if you participate in piracy you might as well beplaying with fire. Either way you're looking for trouble.The fact that the company seems to have lost out on more or less $1,000,000on the deal even after restitution is pretty sad, and makes...
Read more...
All in one computer security seems the way to go now. Too many programs doing not enough things equals compromised security. But let's face it; the real reason to read about Symantec's new Norton 360 security suite is to read all the robo-dweebs yelling at one another in the comments section about their favorite software. Enjoy! Symantec today announced the availability of Norton 360, a solution that combines antivirus, antispyware, firewall, intrusion protection, anti-phishing, backup and tune-up, eliminating the need to purchase and manage multiple products. Norton 360 is now available for purchase through the Symantec online store...
Read more...
Sony worked for a long time on the Playstation 3 with the idea that machine itself would be so powerful that it would carry the market. Microsoft got the X-box 360 to market as fast as it could, and relied on the software -the games- to bring you into their customer base. If you managed to beg, borrow, or maybe steal a Playstation 3 this Christmas, what could you play on it? Gears of War for X-Box 360 sold two million copies in just six weeks, because the early hardware rollout gave game developers the leg up they needed to use every bit of power the platform offered. The story isn't just in the sales numbers of the software itself though;...
Read more...
Intel Launches Software Partner Program, Invites ISVs To Access Global Reseller Network Worldwide Program Provides Business, Technical and Marketing Benefits at Key Phases of Software Development and Marketing SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2006 - Intel Corporation today announced the formation of the Intel Software Partner Program, a membership-based program for independent software vendors (ISVs). The program is open to any software company developing commercial products or services for Intel technologies, such as Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Xeon and Intel Itanium processors. The Intel Software Partner Program offers a portfolio of planning, technical, marketing and sales resources designed to facilitate...
Read more...
Though Microsoft is touting their new operating system, Windows Vista, as the most secure incarnation of Windows yet, some major players in the security industry see otherwise. The folks at Symantec, McAFee, and other security companies are claiming that Microsoft is hampering their efforts by denying them access to the core of Windows Vista. ""Our goal is to deliver a fully innovative, secure version of Windows Vista that is compliant with EU law. We have an ongoing and constructive dialogue with the Commission on these issues," a Microsoft representative said. McAfee's ad echoes comments by Symantec representatives that Microsoft has...
Read more...
Plan A: 1. Buy or steal one copy of expensive software 2. Sign up for Google adwords 3. Sell a whole bunch of it 4. Buy yachts and mansions and antique cars and pretty much have a Nelly video party running at your house day and night. Nathan Peterson, 27, of Antelope Acres, Calif., pleaded guilty in late 2005 to multiple counts of criminal copyright infringement for selling pirated Adobe, Microsoft, and Symantec software via the Web. According to federal authorities, Peterson netted more than $5.4 million from the sale of $20 million worth of software. He sold the phony programs from his https://www.ibackups.net site starting in 2003 and didn't stop until he was arrested in February 2005. Peterson...
Read more...
What do you think is the greatest piece of software every written? That's probably not a question that comes up very often, but it is an interesting one to ponder. Personally, I wouldn't even know where to begin. Charles Babcock of InformationWeek, however, has put together an interesting piece which aims to answer the question. Good reading if you've got some time to spare. "I've always been amazed at the Apollo spacecraft guidance system, built by the MIT Instrumentation Lab. In 1969, this software got Apollo 11 to the moon, detached the lunar module, landed it on the moon's surface, and brought three astronauts...
Read more...
NGOHQ has the latest addition of SiSoftware's Sandra in for review. Sandra 2007 comes with a new design, as well as some new benchmarks and features. "In case you have never heard of SiSoftware`s Sandra, it stands for `The System ANalyzer, Diagnostic and Reporting Assistant`. It was one of the first companies to incorporate all-in-one software that not only tells you what hardware you have in your computer, but also allows you to benchmark said hardware and compare it to other systems. That is not all however, since their first release in 1997 up until now they have been consistently adding new modules and features, as well as regularly...
Read more...
Apple Computer Inc. unveils the third generation of its desktop management software, Apple Remote Desktop 3. The company's latest software, immediately available for sale, was designed to work with the new Intel-based Macs and carries more than 50 new features that it said would improve software distribution, asset management and remote assistance. Its suggested retail price would run at $299 for managing up to 10 systems and $499 for managing an unlimited number of systems. ...
Read more...
Lycos announced Lycos Phone on Monday, adding free multimedia-enhanced VOIP communications as a key part of its portal infrastructure. The Lycos Phone service will allow users free PC-to-PC communications to any other Lycos Phone user, consistent with other PC-to-PC applications, like eBay's Skype. However, Lycos has gone a step further and will also provide users with a free U.S. phone number, so that callers can dial in and talk to a Lycos customer on his desktop or laptop computer....
Read more...
PC Mechanic has produced a good rundown of some entry level video editing software. While they've capped the cash limit to $100, there are some excellent free programs listed, such as VirtualDub and Jahshaka Effects. "Video editing is taking the world by storm. Everywhere you look, you see videos made by average people. If you just bought a DV camcorder and want to show the world or your family what it's seeing, you need video editing software. It's possible some software was included with the camcorder, but you might want to take a look at the options before jumping in."Be warned though, free software doesn't always translate in to simple to...
Read more...
An Interview With ATi's VP Of Software, Ben Bar-Haim Executive Management at ATi shares their vision By -Dave Altavilla January 21, 2003 Hello Ben Bar-Haim, and thanks for letting us steal a few moments of your time here. With the 3D Graphics market poised for yet another flurry of new hardware technology and competitive positioning, we thought it made sense to catch up with ATi and learn a little bit more about the Software side of your game plan. Before we dig in, could you please give us a little background on yourself? What is your position within ATI and your specific responsibilities? [Ben] I?d like to start by thanking you for this great opportunity. I am the...
Read more...
ATi's New "Catalyst" Software Package Improved Performance, Reliability & More! By, Jeff Bouton June 13, 2002 In a quest to maintain their position as a leader in the video card market, ATi is constantly looking to improve the end-user's overall experience. This applies to their latest hardware releases, as well as new and improved software developments. As we've recently seen, ATi has begun to seriously address some issues that have plagued them in the past. Lately, we've seen a marked increase in their efforts to improve driver performance and reliability. It seems like this year alone they have released updated drivers at an ever increasing pace,...
Read more...
The GeForce3 Ti 500 and nVidia's Fall Lineup...New Hardware & Software Enter the Detonator XPs and Titanium By - Marco Chiappetta Edited By: Dave Altavilla October 1, 2001 NVIDIA is at it again. Just when we were all getting used to the idea of a new chipset standard from the 3D graphics giant, we're thrown the proverbial curve ball. The timing couldn't be any better. ATi, NVIDIA's main competitor, is about to ship their next generation product and what better way to steal ATi's thunder, than to release a new product of their own? Better yet, how about a whole new line of products? Just about this time in 2000, NVIDIA not only unveiled the GeForce 2 Ultra...
Read more...
