http://www.afterdawn.com/ Daily updated technology news en-us Wed, 16 May 2012 20:49:28 GMT Wed, 16 May 2012 20:49:29 GMT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.afterdawn.com/http://i.afterdawn.com/v3/afterdawn_feed_logo.gifSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with Google http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/pirate_bay_hit_by_ddos_attack <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/pirate_bay_logo.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Pirate Bay hit by DDoS attack" />Notorious BitTorrent website down due to attack.<br/><br/>The website confirmed the DDoS attack on its Facebook page but only said that it <i>"had suspicions"</i> about who is to blame. Early reports suggested that the same Anonymous group responsible for the <b>Virgin Media</b> attack were behind, since the Pirate Bay denounced the attack, but experts say that it's unlikely.<br/><br/><i>"There will be further attacks, but what's significant about this whole story is that people think that it is the Anonymous attacking a site which is typically a type of site that they defend,"</i> said Andre Stewart of Corero Network Security, to <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18095370" target="_blank">BBC News</a>.<br/><br/><i>"It could be the record labels, or a government somewhere that has had enough of not being able to catch The Pirate Bay, it could be just one person who had rented some cloud power from Amazon and is sitting in a cafe, and is able to launch an attack."</i><br/><br/>Virgin Media's main website in the UK was forced down for some time last week. A group claimed responsibility for it on Twitter, and hinted that it was revenge for blocking the Pirate Bay. The ISP responded by saying its hands are tied, since the High Court had ordered it (and other UK ISPs) to block the website.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/pirate_bay_hit_by_ddos_attack" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/pirate_bay_hit_by_ddos_attack#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/pirate_bay_hit_by_ddos_attack" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Gl6F8iQ6F-GrRhNnFDfDlJXyZ_o/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Gl6F8iQ6F-GrRhNnFDfDlJXyZ_o/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Gl6F8iQ6F-GrRhNnFDfDlJXyZ_o/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Gl6F8iQ6F-GrRhNnFDfDlJXyZ_o/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=nFeO3ATgjIg:eJOQhDo03ns:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=nFeO3ATgjIg:eJOQhDo03ns:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=nFeO3ATgjIg:eJOQhDo03ns:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=nFeO3ATgjIg:eJOQhDo03ns:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=nFeO3ATgjIg:eJOQhDo03ns:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=nFeO3ATgjIg:eJOQhDo03ns:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=nFeO3ATgjIg:eJOQhDo03ns:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=nFeO3ATgjIg:eJOQhDo03ns:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/nFeO3ATgjIg" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 20:49:28 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/nFeO3ATgjIg/pirate_bay_hit_by_ddos_attackhttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/pirate_bay_hit_by_ddos_attack http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/ofcom_isps_need_to_improve_speed_info <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/ofcom_logo.gif" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Ofcom: ISPs need to improve speed info" />Ofcom finds that ISPs must do more to provide information on speed to consumers.<br/><br/>The regulator used mystery shopping to check compliance with the <i>Voluntary Code of Practice on Broadband Speeds</i>, introduced in December 2008. A strengthened Code came into force in July 2011, through which ISP signatories have committed to give maximum speed estimates in the form of a range as early as practicable in the sales process.<br/><br/>The regulator found that information provided to consumers by ISPs has improved but has also identified areas where further work is needed. The research shows that in 93 per cent of telephone enquiries made by mystery shoppers, an estimate of the broadband speed was given by the provider, and in 72 per cent of cases an estimate was given in the form of a range.<br/><br/>The Code requires that speed estimates be volunteered as early as possible in the sales process. Overall, speed estimates were provided without prompting from the mystery shoppers in 59 per cent of all calls, with the most likely to provide an estimated speed without prompting being <b>Sky</b> (72 per cent of cases), <b>Karoo</b> (76 per cent) and <b>Plusnet</b> (67 per cent).<br/><br/><b>TalkTalk</b> (47 per cent of cases) and <b>BT Total Broadband</b> (48 per cent) were significantly less likely to provide a speed estimate without prompting from the caller. Both agreed to amend staff training to address the issue.<br/><br/><i>"It is vital that as the choice of broadband services expands, UK consumers get the best possible information when choosing a broadband provider,"</i> said <i>Claudio Pollack</i>, Ofcom's Consumer Group Director.<br/><br/><i>"Our mystery shopping shows that, while consumer information about broadband speeds has improved in important areas, there is still more to be done. We are working with Internet providers to improve information that consumers receive when they sign up to a new service and will continue to monitor this area closely."</i><p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/ofcom_isps_need_to_improve_speed_info" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/ofcom_isps_need_to_improve_speed_info#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/ofcom_isps_need_to_improve_speed_info" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/h908XlG_4x3a5OyOP2X2sGGMz_M/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/h908XlG_4x3a5OyOP2X2sGGMz_M/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/h908XlG_4x3a5OyOP2X2sGGMz_M/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/h908XlG_4x3a5OyOP2X2sGGMz_M/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=ZXjheAL1mrI:VPVhC9M7RcM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=ZXjheAL1mrI:VPVhC9M7RcM:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=ZXjheAL1mrI:VPVhC9M7RcM:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=ZXjheAL1mrI:VPVhC9M7RcM:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=ZXjheAL1mrI:VPVhC9M7RcM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=ZXjheAL1mrI:VPVhC9M7RcM:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=ZXjheAL1mrI:VPVhC9M7RcM:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=ZXjheAL1mrI:VPVhC9M7RcM:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/ZXjheAL1mrI" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 20:37:04 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/ZXjheAL1mrI/ofcom_isps_need_to_improve_speed_infohttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/ofcom_isps_need_to_improve_speed_info http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/report_slams_mobile_internet_censorship_in_uk <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/ukflag.png" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Report slams mobile Internet censorship in UK" />Report details widespread over-blocking.<br/><br/>Mobile Internet services in the UK are subject to child protection filters that block pornographic websites. The <b>Open Rights Group (ORG)</b> and the <b>LSE Media Policy Project</b> released a report which shows widespread over-blocking as a result of such filters.<br/><br/>The groups found that the filters led to the incorrect blocking of political commentaries, personal blogs, restaurants' sites and community websites. The report calls on mobile operators to give parents an 'active choice' to turn filters on, and to be far more transparent about how their systems work.<br/><br/>It also warns against proposals to make such filtering systems the default on fixed-line broadband. The proposal is heavily backed by <b>Claire Perry</b> MP, and the rights' groups claim it will have the same damning consequences as it does for mobile Internet.<br/><br/><i>"This report shows how child protection filters can actually affect many more users than intended and block many more sites than they should. These blunt blocks effectively add up to a system of censorship across UK networks,"</i> said <b>Peter Bradwell</b> of Open Rights Group, and author of the report.<br/><br/><i>"The lessons for 'porn filter' proposals are clear. Default-on blocks can have significant harmful and unintended consequences for everybody?s access to information. To help protect children online, the Government should reject 'default on' network filtering and work to give parents simpler choices and better, device-based tools."</i><br/><br/>The full report is <a href="http://www.openrightsgroup.org/assets/files/pdfs/MobileCensorship-webwl.pdf" target="_blank">available from ORG in PDF</a>.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/report_slams_mobile_internet_censorship_in_uk" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/report_slams_mobile_internet_censorship_in_uk#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/report_slams_mobile_internet_censorship_in_uk" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/sgDIAt08pM0Rmj8FJGNr8iaLyYc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/sgDIAt08pM0Rmj8FJGNr8iaLyYc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/sgDIAt08pM0Rmj8FJGNr8iaLyYc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/sgDIAt08pM0Rmj8FJGNr8iaLyYc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=iLY8nED1hlw:02HFkox5it4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=iLY8nED1hlw:02HFkox5it4:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=iLY8nED1hlw:02HFkox5it4:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=iLY8nED1hlw:02HFkox5it4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=iLY8nED1hlw:02HFkox5it4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=iLY8nED1hlw:02HFkox5it4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=iLY8nED1hlw:02HFkox5it4:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=iLY8nED1hlw:02HFkox5it4:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/iLY8nED1hlw" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 20:29:16 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/iLY8nED1hlw/report_slams_mobile_internet_censorship_in_ukhttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/report_slams_mobile_internet_censorship_in_uk http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/baidu_releases_own_low-cost_smartphone_in_china <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/baidu_changhong_h5018_handset.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Baidu unveils own low-cost smartphone in China" />Handset runs Baidu's own operating system.<br/><br/>Its new <b>Changhong H5018</b> is built by <b>Foxconn</b>, and runs Baidu's own Cloud Smart Terminal platform, which is based on Android. China has the world's largest number of smartphone users, so it is an important market for Baidu to stake its claim in. It will face serious competition from low-cost handsets made by firms such as Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corp, HTC, Lenovo and Xiaomi.<br/><br/>The 3.5-inch handset features a 480 x 320 screen, dual-SIM and is powered <a href="http://www.androidauthority.com/baidu-changhong-h5018-android-phone-86051/" target="_blank">by a MTK6573 650Mhz processor</a>. It has a 3MP rear-camera and a microSD slot for storage. China Unicom will carry the device initially. <br/><br/>To entice Chinese buyers to switch to its new handset, Baidu has included 100GB of cloud-storage from Wangpan, which would be the Chinese equivalent of Dropbox.<br/><br/>The Changhong H5018 will sell for less than 1,000 yuan ($158; £99). <i>"It's a terrific market opportunity for us, and Baidu is constantly adjusting, understanding what users are interested in,"</i> Baidu's director of international communications, <b>Kaiser Kuo</b>, told <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18069498" target="_blank">BBC News</a>.<br/><br/><i>"The new handset is integrated with the cloud - and with our 100GB offering, I think that no one will be able to match that."</i><p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/baidu_releases_own_low-cost_smartphone_in_china" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/baidu_releases_own_low-cost_smartphone_in_china#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/baidu_releases_own_low-cost_smartphone_in_china" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/J9gU6h8PRoqOeyFPPHefGSKKr2k/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/J9gU6h8PRoqOeyFPPHefGSKKr2k/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/J9gU6h8PRoqOeyFPPHefGSKKr2k/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/J9gU6h8PRoqOeyFPPHefGSKKr2k/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=-nxVyPi8AHo:LMaA5t1mqtM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=-nxVyPi8AHo:LMaA5t1mqtM:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=-nxVyPi8AHo:LMaA5t1mqtM:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=-nxVyPi8AHo:LMaA5t1mqtM:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=-nxVyPi8AHo:LMaA5t1mqtM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=-nxVyPi8AHo:LMaA5t1mqtM:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=-nxVyPi8AHo:LMaA5t1mqtM:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=-nxVyPi8AHo:LMaA5t1mqtM:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/-nxVyPi8AHo" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 20:19:44 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/-nxVyPi8AHo/baidu_releases_own_low-cost_smartphone_in_chinahttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/baidu_releases_own_low-cost_smartphone_in_china http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/android_gains_more_market_share <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/android_ice_cream_sandwich_on_handset.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Android gains more market share" />Android share seen rising throughout world.<br/><br/><b>Kantar WorldPanel</b> showed research on Tuesday that saw <b>Android</b> double its market share in some places. In Germany, its share almost doubled to 62 percent year-on year, while it did double in Italy to 49 percent and Spain to 72 percent.<br/><br/>In the United States and the United Kingdom, the <b>iPhone 4S</b> narrowed the gap slightly between Android and the market no.2, iOS. <b>Microsoft</b>'s <b>Windows Phone</b> platform gained some ground in Germany, claiming 6 percent of the market, while it climbed between 3-4 percent in France, Britain, Italy and the United States.<br/><br/><b>Nokia</b>'s retired <b>Symbian</b> platform fell sharply, while Canadian BlackBerry maker <b>Research In Motion</b> also suffered at the hands of other platforms. In the United States, RIM's market share dropped from 9 percent to just 3 percent.<br/><br/>Android's growth has been <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/15/us-cellphones-survey-idUSBRE84E0D820120515" target="_blank">attributed to the plentiful supply of new handsets</a>, particularly from HTC and Samsung.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/android_gains_more_market_share" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/android_gains_more_market_share#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/android_gains_more_market_share" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/xFyeXzaih6Wl3lHPFVAxO_OoXzk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/xFyeXzaih6Wl3lHPFVAxO_OoXzk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/xFyeXzaih6Wl3lHPFVAxO_OoXzk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/xFyeXzaih6Wl3lHPFVAxO_OoXzk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=nyi_641yEV0:DqyMK1BUG-M:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=nyi_641yEV0:DqyMK1BUG-M:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=nyi_641yEV0:DqyMK1BUG-M:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=nyi_641yEV0:DqyMK1BUG-M:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=nyi_641yEV0:DqyMK1BUG-M:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=nyi_641yEV0:DqyMK1BUG-M:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=nyi_641yEV0:DqyMK1BUG-M:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=nyi_641yEV0:DqyMK1BUG-M:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/nyi_641yEV0" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 20:04:37 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/nyi_641yEV0/android_gains_more_market_sharehttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/android_gains_more_market_share http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/microsoft_will_clean_your_crapware_for_99 <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/microsoft-bloatware-free.png" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Microsoft will clean your &apos;crapware&apos; for $99" /><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/products/manufacturer.cfm/microsoft" >Microsoft</a> will now begin cleaning away all your pre-loaded PC <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/glossary/term.cfm/bloatware" >bloatware</a> for $99.<br/><br/>As most new pre-built PC owners know, the bloat/crapware is installed by the hardware makers and paid by the vendors (usually). Examples of the bloatware include subscriptions to anti-virus software, e-reading alternatives, Adobe products, "tuning" software, vendor specific help links, and Best Buy junk like links to Geek Squad.<br/><br/>For the $99 fee, <a href="http://venturebeat.com/2012/05/16/microsoft-signature-windows-pc-cleanup/" target="_blank">Microsoft will remove all the bloatware</a>, install Microsoft Security Essentials, offer 90 days of premium phone support and even reformat Windows 7 including data transfer.<br/><br/>Unfortunately, the program is only available at actual Microsoft Stores, which there are only 16 of in the U.S., mainly situated around California.<br/><br/>While it doesn't eliminate the problem (of bloatware being sold to highest bidder), this is at least a step in the right direction for the average consumer.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/microsoft_will_clean_your_crapware_for_99" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/microsoft_will_clean_your_crapware_for_99#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/microsoft_will_clean_your_crapware_for_99" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Rq8RXWdwPGid7pgKSeL1GJXeRcw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Rq8RXWdwPGid7pgKSeL1GJXeRcw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Rq8RXWdwPGid7pgKSeL1GJXeRcw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Rq8RXWdwPGid7pgKSeL1GJXeRcw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=kQN8dB7zmKU:hRLupFHRVPM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=kQN8dB7zmKU:hRLupFHRVPM:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=kQN8dB7zmKU:hRLupFHRVPM:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=kQN8dB7zmKU:hRLupFHRVPM:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=kQN8dB7zmKU:hRLupFHRVPM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=kQN8dB7zmKU:hRLupFHRVPM:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=kQN8dB7zmKU:hRLupFHRVPM:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=kQN8dB7zmKU:hRLupFHRVPM:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/kQN8dB7zmKU" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 19:01:44 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/kQN8dB7zmKU/microsoft_will_clean_your_crapware_for_99http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/microsoft_will_clean_your_crapware_for_99 http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/report_apple_to_finally_move_iphone_to_4-inch_screen <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/apple 0-official-logo-ONLYUSETHISONELOL.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Report: Apple to finally move iPhone to 4-inch screen" />With new phones that dwarf the iPhone becoming mainstream, it appears <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/products/manufacturer.cfm/apple" >Apple</a> will finally update the popular phone's design to account for a bigger screen.<br/><br/>According to <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303360504577407610487811698.html" target="_blank">channel checks</a>, Apple looks to be buying bigger screens from Asian suppliers that are at least 4-inches.<br/><br/>All previous models of the device have 3.5-inch screens, including the most recent <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/products/product_details.cfm/22269/apple_iphone_4s_64_gb_" >iPhone 4S</a>.<br/><br/>Apple is said to be working with <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/products/manufacturer.cfm/lg" >LG</a>, Japan Display and <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/products/manufacturer.cfm/sharp" >Sharp</a> but not with <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/products/manufacturer.cfm/samsung" >Samsung</a>, who is the company's largest competitor in the smartphone arena.<br/><br/>Samsung shipped 44.5 million smartphones last quarter, beating out Apple at 35.1 million although both company's continue to see exponential growth.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/report_apple_to_finally_move_iphone_to_4-inch_screen" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/report_apple_to_finally_move_iphone_to_4-inch_screen#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/report_apple_to_finally_move_iphone_to_4-inch_screen" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/uC06aUkpuNYkyOqrILOZDea_0vo/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/uC06aUkpuNYkyOqrILOZDea_0vo/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/uC06aUkpuNYkyOqrILOZDea_0vo/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/uC06aUkpuNYkyOqrILOZDea_0vo/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=hcI1qXtsrUg:cYsWghJUE-I:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=hcI1qXtsrUg:cYsWghJUE-I:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=hcI1qXtsrUg:cYsWghJUE-I:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=hcI1qXtsrUg:cYsWghJUE-I:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=hcI1qXtsrUg:cYsWghJUE-I:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=hcI1qXtsrUg:cYsWghJUE-I:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=hcI1qXtsrUg:cYsWghJUE-I:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=hcI1qXtsrUg:cYsWghJUE-I:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/hcI1qXtsrUg" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 18:50:04 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/hcI1qXtsrUg/report_apple_to_finally_move_iphone_to_4-inch_screenhttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/report_apple_to_finally_move_iphone_to_4-inch_screen http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/lightsquared_goes_bankrupt <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/lightsquared_logo_250px.png" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="LightSquared goes bankrupt" />The expensive, failed wireless network project LightSquared has filed for bankruptcy protection.<br/><br/>LightSquared, which had been hoping to deliver a 4G network to over 200 million people in the U.S., was blocked by U.S. regulators. After testing and research, it was found the LightSquared network interfered with critical <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/products/product_details.cfm/5876/hakkapeliitta_gps" >GPS</a> networks used by police and emergency officials.<br/><br/>The company was allowed to manage the $15 million remaining it has in cash whilst in bankruptcy, as it is the only money that is not owed to lenders. The cash is expected to take the company until mid-July.<br/><br/>Overall, the company owes over $2.29 billion outstanding to different lenders.<br/><br/>Mainly thanks to spectrum, the company does have listed assets of $4.48 billion.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/lightsquared_goes_bankrupt" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/lightsquared_goes_bankrupt#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/lightsquared_goes_bankrupt" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/0wloG42vZxiYkR0rDxT__gLJQGk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/0wloG42vZxiYkR0rDxT__gLJQGk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/0wloG42vZxiYkR0rDxT__gLJQGk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/0wloG42vZxiYkR0rDxT__gLJQGk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=0EaCxM-9zg8:IAdtJaG6dYA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=0EaCxM-9zg8:IAdtJaG6dYA:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=0EaCxM-9zg8:IAdtJaG6dYA:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=0EaCxM-9zg8:IAdtJaG6dYA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=0EaCxM-9zg8:IAdtJaG6dYA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=0EaCxM-9zg8:IAdtJaG6dYA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=0EaCxM-9zg8:IAdtJaG6dYA:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=0EaCxM-9zg8:IAdtJaG6dYA:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/0EaCxM-9zg8" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 04:09:16 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/0EaCxM-9zg8/lightsquared_goes_bankrupthttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/lightsquared_goes_bankrupt http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/android_5_0_to_make_debut_on_numerous_nexus_devices <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/jellybean.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Android 5.0 to make debut on numerous Nexus devices" />Diverging from tradition, it appears that Google will unveil its <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/glossary/term.cfm/android" >Android</a> 5.0 <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/glossary/term.cfm/jelly_bean" >Jelly Bean</a> operating system on not just one Nexus smartphone, but on multiple.<br/><br/>If accurate, the <a href="http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/05/report-google-will-unveil-android-5-0-on-multiple-nexus-branded-smartphones/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialmedia&utm_campaign=twitterclickthru" target="_blank">WSJ</a> report states the OS could debut on five Nexus phones later this year.<br/><br/>The move away from a single phone for new OS introductions would be a huge move for Google, who has long been rumored to be looking to get into the hardware smartphone business itself. The Nexus line is popular because the phones are the first to feature the latest Android OS and also feature a "vanilla" version of the OS, with no third-party user overlays like <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/products/manufacturer.cfm/htc" >HTC</a> Sense or Samsung <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/glossary/term.cfm/touchwiz" >TouchWiz</a>.<br/><br/>In the report, the newspaper says Google will rollout the new phones, unlocked, in the U.S., Asia and Europe via the Google Play Store and through brick-and-mortar stores.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/android_5_0_to_make_debut_on_numerous_nexus_devices" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/android_5_0_to_make_debut_on_numerous_nexus_devices#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/android_5_0_to_make_debut_on_numerous_nexus_devices" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/YnTVegpD36VZ6GbbXB5aQERp7Ps/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/YnTVegpD36VZ6GbbXB5aQERp7Ps/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/YnTVegpD36VZ6GbbXB5aQERp7Ps/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/YnTVegpD36VZ6GbbXB5aQERp7Ps/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=EGUFxXYRWWY:2k2fVRmm-mc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=EGUFxXYRWWY:2k2fVRmm-mc:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=EGUFxXYRWWY:2k2fVRmm-mc:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=EGUFxXYRWWY:2k2fVRmm-mc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=EGUFxXYRWWY:2k2fVRmm-mc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=EGUFxXYRWWY:2k2fVRmm-mc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=EGUFxXYRWWY:2k2fVRmm-mc:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=EGUFxXYRWWY:2k2fVRmm-mc:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/EGUFxXYRWWY" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 02:50:31 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/EGUFxXYRWWY/android_5_0_to_make_debut_on_numerous_nexus_deviceshttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/android_5_0_to_make_debut_on_numerous_nexus_devices http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/microsoft_starts_windows_8_promo_for_new_windows_7_pc_buyers <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/win8upgradeoffer.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Microsoft starts Windows 8 promo for new Windows 7 PC buyers" /><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/products/manufacturer.cfm/microsoft" >Microsoft</a> will begin a promotion in June to reward late Windows 7 PC buyers.<br/><br/>The promotion, which will begin June 2nd, <a href="http://www.winsupersite.com/blog/supersite-blog-39/windows8/windows-8-pro-pc-upgrade-cost-15-143077" target="_blank">will allow</a> any buyer of a new Windows 7-based PC to upgrade to the upcoming Windows 8 Pro for just $14.99. The normal price is expected to be upward of $79 for an upgrade copy when the operating system hits in October or November.<br/><br/>As in past years, the promotion makes sense since consumers (unless they are desperate) are usually willing to wait a few months to upgrade or purchase a new PC if they now a new operating system is coming.<br/><br/>This promotion however, is slightly different as any kind of Windows 7 will be upgradeable to the Pro version of Windows 8, which is the higher-end and more expensive version of the OS.<br/><br/>The deal is valid until January 31st of next year.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/microsoft_starts_windows_8_promo_for_new_windows_7_pc_buyers" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/microsoft_starts_windows_8_promo_for_new_windows_7_pc_buyers#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/microsoft_starts_windows_8_promo_for_new_windows_7_pc_buyers" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/OzDygjrmnU-YaG-nXzi9RTCaPSM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/OzDygjrmnU-YaG-nXzi9RTCaPSM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/OzDygjrmnU-YaG-nXzi9RTCaPSM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/OzDygjrmnU-YaG-nXzi9RTCaPSM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=D4oXPnSQbyY:bLTAe8odBz0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=D4oXPnSQbyY:bLTAe8odBz0:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=D4oXPnSQbyY:bLTAe8odBz0:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=D4oXPnSQbyY:bLTAe8odBz0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=D4oXPnSQbyY:bLTAe8odBz0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=D4oXPnSQbyY:bLTAe8odBz0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=D4oXPnSQbyY:bLTAe8odBz0:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=D4oXPnSQbyY:bLTAe8odBz0:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/D4oXPnSQbyY" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 02:34:24 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/D4oXPnSQbyY/microsoft_starts_windows_8_promo_for_new_windows_7_pc_buyershttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/microsoft_starts_windows_8_promo_for_new_windows_7_pc_buyers http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/firefox_for_android_14_beta_adds_flash_support <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/firefox_for_android_beta.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Firefox for Android 14 beta adds Flash support" />Firefox for Android 14 beta adds support for flash, new UI and more.<br/><br/>The latest release for the Android OS features a redesigned user interface, and significant performance improvements over the previous release. A new Start page has also been added.<br/><br/>Mozilla has also optimized the browser for better performance on Android 2.2+. Other minor changes have been made also, such as a change that will make all Google searches through HTTPS by default from now on.<br/><br/>The biggest change of course is the support for <b>Flash</b>, which has taken some time to show up.<br/><br/>These improvements are available for smartphone users only for now, with tablet users expected to be able to test them out soon.<br/><br/>Firefox for Android requires Android 2.1 and above, an ARMv7 processor, 512MB of RAM and 17 MB internal or SD card storage.<br/><br/>You can get <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.firefox_beta" target="_blank">Firefox for Android 14 beta from Google Play</a>.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/firefox_for_android_14_beta_adds_flash_support" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/firefox_for_android_14_beta_adds_flash_support#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/firefox_for_android_14_beta_adds_flash_support" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/BLx4KWTUPRZz-hNKX9iEXu_c8cg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/BLx4KWTUPRZz-hNKX9iEXu_c8cg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/BLx4KWTUPRZz-hNKX9iEXu_c8cg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/BLx4KWTUPRZz-hNKX9iEXu_c8cg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=uJMH5pnsRPA:x3puxTd2WnY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=uJMH5pnsRPA:x3puxTd2WnY:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=uJMH5pnsRPA:x3puxTd2WnY:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=uJMH5pnsRPA:x3puxTd2WnY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=uJMH5pnsRPA:x3puxTd2WnY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=uJMH5pnsRPA:x3puxTd2WnY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=uJMH5pnsRPA:x3puxTd2WnY:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=uJMH5pnsRPA:x3puxTd2WnY:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/uJMH5pnsRPA" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 01:58:59 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/uJMH5pnsRPA/firefox_for_android_14_beta_adds_flash_supporthttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/firefox_for_android_14_beta_adds_flash_support http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/nvidia_targets_cloud_graphics_with_new_chips <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/nvidia_geforce_grid_devices.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Nvidia targets cloud graphics with new chips" />Nvidia closing in on mobile space.<br/><br/>The GPU-maker is targeting large data centers that provide cloud-based services to end users. President and Chief Executive <b>Jen-Hsun Huang</b> showed off new technology based on its Kepler GPU architecture geared toward these conditions to drive the cloud-based services of tomorrow. <br/><br/><i>"Kepler cloud GPU technologies shifts cloud computing into a new gear,"</i> said Huang at the <b>GPU Technology Conference (GTC)</b>. <br/><br/><i>"The GPU has become indispensable. It is central to the experience of gamers. It is vital to digital artists realizing their imagination. It is essential for touch devices to deliver silky smooth and beautiful graphics. And now, the cloud GPU will deliver amazing experiences to those who work remotely and gamers looking to play untethered from a PC or console."</i><br/><br/>Nvidia today announced the launch of its <b>GeForce GRID</b> cloud gaming platform. With the GeForce GRID platform, gaming-as-a-service providers can deliver the most advanced visuals with lower latency, while incurring lower operating costs, particularly related to energy usage.<br/><br/>Gamers benefit from the ability to play the latest, most sophisticated games on any connected device, including TVs, smartphones and tablets running iOS and Android.<br/><br/>As a demonstration, Huang demonstrated a game displayed on a mobile device which was being fed high-end graphics run from remote servers. Observing the explosive growth of tablets, smartphones and other devices, Nvidia is betting on services such as cloud gaming.<br/><br/>It also has announced that it is buying 500 wireless communications patents from <b>IPWireless</b>, signalling to rivals such as <b>Qualcomm</b> that it intends to fight for its part of the market.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/nvidia_targets_cloud_graphics_with_new_chips" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/nvidia_targets_cloud_graphics_with_new_chips#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/nvidia_targets_cloud_graphics_with_new_chips" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/p49sM95X_EWUgnRIg7Ph1oLQ3no/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/p49sM95X_EWUgnRIg7Ph1oLQ3no/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/p49sM95X_EWUgnRIg7Ph1oLQ3no/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/p49sM95X_EWUgnRIg7Ph1oLQ3no/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=-soblOxivDk:9JdkMERkZkw:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=-soblOxivDk:9JdkMERkZkw:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=-soblOxivDk:9JdkMERkZkw:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=-soblOxivDk:9JdkMERkZkw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=-soblOxivDk:9JdkMERkZkw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=-soblOxivDk:9JdkMERkZkw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=-soblOxivDk:9JdkMERkZkw:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=-soblOxivDk:9JdkMERkZkw:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/-soblOxivDk" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 00:56:09 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/-soblOxivDk/nvidia_targets_cloud_graphics_with_new_chipshttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/nvidia_targets_cloud_graphics_with_new_chips http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/gm_to_dump_facebook_ads <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/general_motors_vehicle.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="GM to dump Facebook ads" />Low consumer impact cited as reason for snubbing Facebook ads.<br/><br/>Just days before <b>Facebook</b> is going public, <b>General Motors Co</b> has confirmed it will stop advertising on the popular social networking site. Facebook's IPO will value the company at as much as $100 billion, rivalling the market value of heavyweight <b>Amazon Inc</b>.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/15/us-gm-facebook-idUSBRE84E1D420120515" target="_blank">Reuters cited a source</a> close to GM in reporting that the automaker will pull ads from Facebook due to low consumer impact. It will still maintain a presence on Facebook, however.<br/><br/>The <b>Wall Street Journal</b> reported that GM was spending about $40 million per year on Facebook, though only $10 million of that budget went on Facebook ads. The rest went to content creation for the company's Facebook pages, as well as to the numerous advertising agencies involved.<br/><br/><i>"This does highlight what we are arguing is the riskiness of the overall Facebook business model,"</i> said <b>Brian Wieser</b>, Internet and media analyst at Pivotal Research Group. <br/><br/><i>"It is not a sure thing. It sure looks likely that it will be one of the most important ad-supported media properties, but it's not certain because there will be marketers who are challenged to prove the effectiveness of the marketing vehicle."</i><br/><br/>Questions about Facebook's long-term ability to generate revenue have been popping up in recent weeks, but have not dented investor interest in Facebook's IPO. It will begin trading on the NASDAQ on Friday.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/gm_to_dump_facebook_ads" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/gm_to_dump_facebook_ads#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/gm_to_dump_facebook_ads" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/jt-piScLkBOpOa0UhmpanJnqbIo/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/jt-piScLkBOpOa0UhmpanJnqbIo/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/jt-piScLkBOpOa0UhmpanJnqbIo/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/jt-piScLkBOpOa0UhmpanJnqbIo/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=h06N69bCRH0:ClEjcjY3Y-o:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=h06N69bCRH0:ClEjcjY3Y-o:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=h06N69bCRH0:ClEjcjY3Y-o:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=h06N69bCRH0:ClEjcjY3Y-o:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=h06N69bCRH0:ClEjcjY3Y-o:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=h06N69bCRH0:ClEjcjY3Y-o:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=h06N69bCRH0:ClEjcjY3Y-o:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=h06N69bCRH0:ClEjcjY3Y-o:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/h06N69bCRH0" height="1" width="1"/> Wed, 16 May 2012 00:35:04 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/h06N69bCRH0/gm_to_dump_facebook_adshttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/16/gm_to_dump_facebook_ads http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/15/diablo_iii_launches_servers_struggle <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/diablo_iii_launch_pic.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Diablo III launches, servers struggle" />Blizzard Entertainment putting more servers online.<br/><br/>The eagerly-anticipated <b>Diablo III</b> launched this morning, putting <b>Blizzard</b>'s servers under enormous pressure very quickly. The PC and Mac-only game requires an Internet connection to play, even if you do not want to play online, which makes server problems far more serious.<br/><br/>The <a href="http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/4064636470" target="_blank">support forums</a> for the title have a lot of complaints and requests for technical assistance from gamers. Blizzard said it was addressing the problem by putting more servers online as needed.<br/><br/>Still, the game launch was seen as a big success for Blizzard. About 1,500 fans showed up at its Californian headquarters for the midnight launch. They got to observe artists at Blizzard sketch out characters from the game, as well as watch new footage and take part in quizzes.<br/><br/><i>"There's nowhere I'd rather be tonight,"</i> fan <b>Ian Noble</b> said at the event.<br/><br/><b>Jay Wilson</b>, lead designer of Diablo III, said he hoped that the fans would be excited about the new iteration of the series. Wilson joked that the developer took so long to finally release Diablo III because they were goofing off most of the time, but then said the real reason is Blizzard's commitment to quality.<br/><br/><i>"We're very focused on quality. If we think something is not good enough, we make it better. We redo things, which is really uncommon in game development. If we build a level and don't like it, we'll throw it out,"</i> <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18074893" target="_blank">he said</a>.<br/><br/>The game is expected to sell about four million copies.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/15/diablo_iii_launches_servers_struggle" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/15/diablo_iii_launches_servers_struggle#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/15/diablo_iii_launches_servers_struggle" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/L5v2Yhga4qN7Gfc2v_c5bsPYvJE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/L5v2Yhga4qN7Gfc2v_c5bsPYvJE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/L5v2Yhga4qN7Gfc2v_c5bsPYvJE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/L5v2Yhga4qN7Gfc2v_c5bsPYvJE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=mW6J-m2tduw:xPYUcyFCDaQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=mW6J-m2tduw:xPYUcyFCDaQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=mW6J-m2tduw:xPYUcyFCDaQ:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=mW6J-m2tduw:xPYUcyFCDaQ:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=mW6J-m2tduw:xPYUcyFCDaQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=mW6J-m2tduw:xPYUcyFCDaQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=mW6J-m2tduw:xPYUcyFCDaQ:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=mW6J-m2tduw:xPYUcyFCDaQ:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/mW6J-m2tduw" height="1" width="1"/> Tue, 15 May 2012 23:42:50 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/mW6J-m2tduw/diablo_iii_launches_servers_strugglehttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/15/diablo_iii_launches_servers_struggle http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/15/facebook_hikes_share_price_ahead_of_ipo <img src="http://i.afterdawn.com/news/facebook_campus_like_sign.jpg" hspace="0" vspace="0" align="right" border=0 alt="Facebook hikes share price ahead of IPO" />Change could value Facebook at over $100 billion.<br/><br/>It has now set a price of shares in the company to <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18070141" target="_blank">between $34 and $38</a>, up from between $25 and $35. It attributed the change to strong demand ahead of the IPO. Trading in the shares is expected to begin on Friday, after a couple of years of anticipation from investors.<br/><br/>A valuation as high as $100 billion would put it above <b>Disney</b> and <b>Ford</b>. It's listing on the <b>NASDAQ</b> will rival <b>Amazon</b>'s current $100 billion valuation.<br/><br/>Recent questions about Facebook's long-term ability to generate revenue from its service have not dampened the interest from investors. Currently, Facebook's revenue is about 1 percent of what its market value is expected to approach.<br/><br/>It has singled out mobile as its most important area for expansion, and has been found to be <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/11/facebook_testing_premium_posts" target="_blank">experimenting with numerous ways to generate new streams of revenue</a> in recent weeks.<br/><br/>The service boasts over 900 million users worldwide.<p><a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/15/facebook_hikes_share_price_ahead_of_ipo" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/15/facebook_hikes_share_price_ahead_of_ipo#comments" title="View user comments on this article">Comments</a></p><hr /><script src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~s/afterdawn?i=http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/15/facebook_hikes_share_price_ahead_of_ipo" type="text/javascript" charset="utf-8"></script> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/2KanxZdQw_AK3WdchUb0QsemtbA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/2KanxZdQw_AK3WdchUb0QsemtbA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/2KanxZdQw_AK3WdchUb0QsemtbA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/2KanxZdQw_AK3WdchUb0QsemtbA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=1pKxHosba-Q:LJH_0KbEKHU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=1pKxHosba-Q:LJH_0KbEKHU:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=1pKxHosba-Q:LJH_0KbEKHU:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=1pKxHosba-Q:LJH_0KbEKHU:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=1pKxHosba-Q:LJH_0KbEKHU:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=1pKxHosba-Q:LJH_0KbEKHU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~ff/afterdawn?a=1pKxHosba-Q:LJH_0KbEKHU:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/afterdawn?i=1pKxHosba-Q:LJH_0KbEKHU:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/afterdawn/~4/1pKxHosba-Q" height="1" width="1"/> Tue, 15 May 2012 23:21:02 GMT http://feeds.afterdawn.com/~r/afterdawn/~3/1pKxHosba-Q/facebook_hikes_share_price_ahead_of_ipohttp://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/05/15/facebook_hikes_share_price_ahead_of_ipo