After months of whispers, Intel today officially introduced the next major platform for its processors with the introduction of the Core i7 and updates to the Core i7 and Xeon 3400 series for mainstream desktop and entry server markets.
Formerly codenamed "Lynnfield," these new chips are based on Intel's award-winning Nehalem microarchitecture and are designed for consumers who need high-end performance for digital media, productivity, gaming and other demanding applications. These processors, along with the new Intel P55 express chipset, are available today.
The new Core i7 and i5 processors are the first Intel processors to integrate both a 16-lane PCI Express 2 graphics port and two-channel memory controller, enabling all input/output and manageability functions to be handled by the single-chip Intel P55 Express Chipset. Previous Intel chipsets required two separate chips – a northbridge and a southbridge.
Check out our three feature articles today for the full scoop:
Intel Core i5 And Core i7: Intel’s Mainstream Magnum Opus
In Theory: How Does Lynnfield's On-Die PCI Express Affect Gaming?
Core i5, Core i7, CrossFire, And SLI: Gaming Paradise, Redux?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Phoenix BIOS Boots in 1 Second, Loads Win 7
One difference between many consumer electronics and the PC is the time it takes from hitting the power button until it's fully functional.
PCs have had to contend with far more complexities in its system, as well as slower storage media such as hard disk drives. While much of that we have to live with, the advent of faster storage solutions such as SSDs make the wait from power-to-desktop shorter.
Now Phoenix has created a new BIOS that will boot (or POST) a PC in just one second. Such a quick boot process means that it can shave a significant portion of the total load time of a cold system, with the rest of the wait being the loading of the operating system.
Phoenix demonstrated its technology on a Lenovo T400s equipped with an SSD. Just one second after the system was powered on, the drive access light began to flicker and a clean Windows 7 was loaded to the desktop in about 10 seconds.
Check out a video of the technology in action at LaptopMag.
PCs have had to contend with far more complexities in its system, as well as slower storage media such as hard disk drives. While much of that we have to live with, the advent of faster storage solutions such as SSDs make the wait from power-to-desktop shorter.
Now Phoenix has created a new BIOS that will boot (or POST) a PC in just one second. Such a quick boot process means that it can shave a significant portion of the total load time of a cold system, with the rest of the wait being the loading of the operating system.
Phoenix demonstrated its technology on a Lenovo T400s equipped with an SSD. Just one second after the system was powered on, the drive access light began to flicker and a clean Windows 7 was loaded to the desktop in about 10 seconds.
Check out a video of the technology in action at LaptopMag.
Toshiba to detail Cell-based TV in early October
Toshiba will soon unveil its first television based on the Cell processor, the same multimedia chip that sits at the heart of the PlayStation 3 game console.
Toshiba has been showing prototypes of the television with Cell technology for the last couple of years and its unveiling on Oct. 5 will come just before its first public showing at the upcoming Ceatec electronics show. While a launch date has not yet been announced, the timing of the unveiling suggests it will be on sale in Japan before the end of this year.
The Cell chip was developed by Toshiba, IBM and Sony and each chip contains a single Power PC core and eight co-processors. Together the chips make heavy-duty processing of video a breeze.
During previous demonstrations of Cell TV prototypes, Toshiba has put the chip to use providing real-time enhancing of standard definition to a quality closer to that of high definition. It has also been shown streaming multiple chapters from a recorded TV show, similar to the multiscreen menus on some DVDs, to make program navigation easier.
But for all the neat tricks the Cell chip can do with video there's one thing it almost certainly won't do: run PlayStation 3 games. Toshiba has said several times that it has no intention of offering any sort of PlayStation compatibility in a Cell-based TV.
Toshiba has been showing prototypes of the television with Cell technology for the last couple of years and its unveiling on Oct. 5 will come just before its first public showing at the upcoming Ceatec electronics show. While a launch date has not yet been announced, the timing of the unveiling suggests it will be on sale in Japan before the end of this year.
The Cell chip was developed by Toshiba, IBM and Sony and each chip contains a single Power PC core and eight co-processors. Together the chips make heavy-duty processing of video a breeze.
During previous demonstrations of Cell TV prototypes, Toshiba has put the chip to use providing real-time enhancing of standard definition to a quality closer to that of high definition. It has also been shown streaming multiple chapters from a recorded TV show, similar to the multiscreen menus on some DVDs, to make program navigation easier.
But for all the neat tricks the Cell chip can do with video there's one thing it almost certainly won't do: run PlayStation 3 games. Toshiba has said several times that it has no intention of offering any sort of PlayStation compatibility in a Cell-based TV.
As complaints roll in about iPhone MMS, AT&T says activation went smoothly
AT&T activated Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) on Apple Inc's iPhone 3G and 3GS phones starting mid-day Friday nationwide, with some early users reporting transmission problems on AT&T's Facebook page.
It wasn't clear how significant or widespread any of the problems were early on, however. Some experts have wondered how well AT&T's network will perform with the added network load from pictures and other media sent via iPhones.
Complaints on AT&T's Facebook page ranged from taking 15 to 20 minutes to send a photo wirelessly, to having an MMS transmission halt part-way through. Others said MMS service was up but then dropped out on a later attempt.
However, despite the complaints, an AT&T spokesman said MMS was working: "We said we'd have MMS working today and it is," said AT&T's Mark Siegel at 5 p.m. ET, several hours after activation began. "From what we can see, it's going smoothly."
While many comments were critical of the service of the hundreds that were quickly posted just hours after the turn-on, many others on AT&T's Facebook page were also positive about the new MMS capability.
Jeff Neves in Sacramento reported the service was "working great" at about 4:40 p.m. ET, adding: "I'm doing my part to help CRASH the network!!"
The MMS activation through iTunes required the phones to have an iPhone OS 3.1 update installed, a fact that some customers apparently had missed.
Some early commenters reported problems of not being able to send MMS data at all, while others noted delays in sending pictures wirelessly.
Joey Edison reported on the AT&T Facebook page that sending a picture to a coworker shortly after 4 p.m. ET and said the co-worker hadn't received it 15 minutes later. "Fifteen minutes later, really? Maybe it's because we're obsessing and taking up all the data!"
Tamim Sekander wrote at about 4:20 ET: "Working good in Dallas, but to receive one, it's like 20 minutes to get it."
Another comment from James Rosenberg in Des Moines, Iowa, at about 4:20 ET said the network was "down hard," with no ability to send pictures.
Yet others commenters said they could start to send a picture and find it would stop transmitting about three-fourths of the way through.
Some experts said that MMS messages don't always get through on other networks and other devices because of interoperability problems between networks.
Some who couldn't get MMS to work properly urged other customers to complain and seek refunds, while others complained that iPhone still needed the ability to tether their phones to laptops for wireless transmissions.
It wasn't clear how significant or widespread any of the problems were early on, however. Some experts have wondered how well AT&T's network will perform with the added network load from pictures and other media sent via iPhones.
Complaints on AT&T's Facebook page ranged from taking 15 to 20 minutes to send a photo wirelessly, to having an MMS transmission halt part-way through. Others said MMS service was up but then dropped out on a later attempt.
However, despite the complaints, an AT&T spokesman said MMS was working: "We said we'd have MMS working today and it is," said AT&T's Mark Siegel at 5 p.m. ET, several hours after activation began. "From what we can see, it's going smoothly."
While many comments were critical of the service of the hundreds that were quickly posted just hours after the turn-on, many others on AT&T's Facebook page were also positive about the new MMS capability.
Jeff Neves in Sacramento reported the service was "working great" at about 4:40 p.m. ET, adding: "I'm doing my part to help CRASH the network!!"
The MMS activation through iTunes required the phones to have an iPhone OS 3.1 update installed, a fact that some customers apparently had missed.
Some early commenters reported problems of not being able to send MMS data at all, while others noted delays in sending pictures wirelessly.
Joey Edison reported on the AT&T Facebook page that sending a picture to a coworker shortly after 4 p.m. ET and said the co-worker hadn't received it 15 minutes later. "Fifteen minutes later, really? Maybe it's because we're obsessing and taking up all the data!"
Tamim Sekander wrote at about 4:20 ET: "Working good in Dallas, but to receive one, it's like 20 minutes to get it."
Another comment from James Rosenberg in Des Moines, Iowa, at about 4:20 ET said the network was "down hard," with no ability to send pictures.
Yet others commenters said they could start to send a picture and find it would stop transmitting about three-fourths of the way through.
Some experts said that MMS messages don't always get through on other networks and other devices because of interoperability problems between networks.
Some who couldn't get MMS to work properly urged other customers to complain and seek refunds, while others complained that iPhone still needed the ability to tether their phones to laptops for wireless transmissions.
Sony brings out a big-screen, general-purpose entertainment laptop with a budget-friendly price
Forget playing games, how about a semi-stylish 15.5-inch widescreen notebook that's built with movies in mind? If this sounds appealing to you, then check out the Sony VAIO VGN-NW125J. For $800, this model offers up a decent experience--and a whole lot of software (some of it even useful).
The big selling points on the stickers scream: "HDMI-output (cable sold separately)!" and "A Stunning LCD!" That's as good a cue as any to tackle some of the multimedia claims for the VGN-NW125J. The 1366-by-768-pixel panel delivers good results on the 15.5-inch screen. Blue colors popped a little when you set the brightness to full blast (and tilt the screen back to a 45-degree viewing angle), but at midlevel brightness and contrast settings, the machine seems a little muted. Its glossy coating doesn't really help matters because it picks up a glare. Trying to watch episodes of Lost streamed over Hulu requires a little more monkeying with contrast than I'm accustomed to, but at least the effort pays off in the end.
Plug the NW125J into an HDTV set through the HDMI port and you can actually get a decent picture from the on-board DVD-ROM drive. Yeah, and that'd be one of my complaints. I know that Sony is trying to keep prices down, but for less than 100 bucks more, you can invest in Sony's VGN-NW180J/S that comes with a Blu-ray drive. Y'know, Sony's own home video format that the company is desperately trying to push on consumers.
On the audio side, the sound isn't exactly full--or cubemate-annoyingly loud. But it is crisp enough and even throws in some of that psuedo-spatial-sound tomfoolery to make it seem more "3D." However, the absence of good bass makes it a little hollow when you listen to Jack caterwauling about wanting to get off, and then back, on the island. In short, it's good for a base-level all-purpose machine, but not great.
For such a big notebook, I found myself hitting the wrong keys a disproportionate amount of the time. Are the keys comfortable? Yes, the cut-out buttons feel springy enough when you're typing--they are plenty large as well. It's even hard to find fault with the function buttons and the few shortcut keys that line the top row (buttons for quick Web launching, muting, and display toggling). I think the problem lies in the spacing of the keys. Though the NW125J is big and wide, the keys feel scrunched a little too tightly. About one and a half inches are on either side of the keypad--not a major gripe, more an observation.
Sony scores back a couple of brownie points by loading this laptop up with every major port or slot you're likely to want: three for USB and one each for HDMI-out (as mentioned earlier), VGA-out, FireWire, PC Express, and Memory Stick and SD cards.
Deeper in the guts, the 2.GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 CPU and 4GB of RAM should be enough to muscle through basic tasks and provide a little extra oomph, but they won't break any land-speed records. The NW125J winds up with a WorldBench 6 score of 80; a similarly loaded, and similarly priced, Gateway U7807u scored 84 in WorldBench 6 a while back, so the new Sony's score is a little disappointing. The lackluster, integrated GPU ensures that you won't be aiming much higher than casual games on this laptop (not a bad thing). As for its endurance, it's able to last 4 hours, 13 minutes in our battery drain tests. In other words it's a fairly average machine, able to last as long as most all-purpose machines already out there--the NW125J just tries doing it for less.
The software bundle looks promising for the most part, with only a couple of dogs in the mix. On the utilitarian side, you have the fairly vanilla VAIO Control Center that parks everything you'd need to tweak on the PC in one place. The SmartWi (for wizards) utility is a little goofy and caused more confusion than help. (Let me interject a little anecdote: I'm trying to set up a wireless connection and the Wireless wizard asks me to....plug in....an ethernet cable! Really?)
The boatload of multimedia-minded apps range from the not-bad to the not-needed. On the positive side: Roxio Easy CD Creator 10 and a couple of basic video- and photo-editing apps are the headliners, but here's something that had potential: the VAIO Content Exporter. Of course, it's only optimized to export content to three settings: PSP, Memory Stick, and Mylo. Would it kill Sony to acknowledge that other devices exist? Another dark-horse app worth noting is the PMB. It lets you manage and organize videos and pictures. A handy calendar view lets you put all your pictures in perspective. The biggest disappointment: The basic MusicBox is a prime example of trying to remake the wheel without rounding the edges. (I know that Sony wants to put its stamp on music software, but do we really need it at this point?)
The NW125J is an oversized and promising machine that does what it says: That is, give your kids the basics they need for the new school year along with a mild multimedia boot in the keister. But with limitations like the lack of a discrete GPU, I'm wondering if Sony could have made a couple of smarter moves to keep the price down at the $800 level.
Other laptops specially configured for retail sale at Best Buy include the Dell Studio 14z, the HP dv4-1465dx, and the Toshiba Satellite M505-S4940. And check out our video coverage of the four laptops from Best Buy in "Back-to-School Laptops: We Review Best Buy's Exclusives."
The big selling points on the stickers scream: "HDMI-output (cable sold separately)!" and "A Stunning LCD!" That's as good a cue as any to tackle some of the multimedia claims for the VGN-NW125J. The 1366-by-768-pixel panel delivers good results on the 15.5-inch screen. Blue colors popped a little when you set the brightness to full blast (and tilt the screen back to a 45-degree viewing angle), but at midlevel brightness and contrast settings, the machine seems a little muted. Its glossy coating doesn't really help matters because it picks up a glare. Trying to watch episodes of Lost streamed over Hulu requires a little more monkeying with contrast than I'm accustomed to, but at least the effort pays off in the end.
Plug the NW125J into an HDTV set through the HDMI port and you can actually get a decent picture from the on-board DVD-ROM drive. Yeah, and that'd be one of my complaints. I know that Sony is trying to keep prices down, but for less than 100 bucks more, you can invest in Sony's VGN-NW180J/S that comes with a Blu-ray drive. Y'know, Sony's own home video format that the company is desperately trying to push on consumers.
On the audio side, the sound isn't exactly full--or cubemate-annoyingly loud. But it is crisp enough and even throws in some of that psuedo-spatial-sound tomfoolery to make it seem more "3D." However, the absence of good bass makes it a little hollow when you listen to Jack caterwauling about wanting to get off, and then back, on the island. In short, it's good for a base-level all-purpose machine, but not great.
For such a big notebook, I found myself hitting the wrong keys a disproportionate amount of the time. Are the keys comfortable? Yes, the cut-out buttons feel springy enough when you're typing--they are plenty large as well. It's even hard to find fault with the function buttons and the few shortcut keys that line the top row (buttons for quick Web launching, muting, and display toggling). I think the problem lies in the spacing of the keys. Though the NW125J is big and wide, the keys feel scrunched a little too tightly. About one and a half inches are on either side of the keypad--not a major gripe, more an observation.
Sony scores back a couple of brownie points by loading this laptop up with every major port or slot you're likely to want: three for USB and one each for HDMI-out (as mentioned earlier), VGA-out, FireWire, PC Express, and Memory Stick and SD cards.
Deeper in the guts, the 2.GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6500 CPU and 4GB of RAM should be enough to muscle through basic tasks and provide a little extra oomph, but they won't break any land-speed records. The NW125J winds up with a WorldBench 6 score of 80; a similarly loaded, and similarly priced, Gateway U7807u scored 84 in WorldBench 6 a while back, so the new Sony's score is a little disappointing. The lackluster, integrated GPU ensures that you won't be aiming much higher than casual games on this laptop (not a bad thing). As for its endurance, it's able to last 4 hours, 13 minutes in our battery drain tests. In other words it's a fairly average machine, able to last as long as most all-purpose machines already out there--the NW125J just tries doing it for less.
The software bundle looks promising for the most part, with only a couple of dogs in the mix. On the utilitarian side, you have the fairly vanilla VAIO Control Center that parks everything you'd need to tweak on the PC in one place. The SmartWi (for wizards) utility is a little goofy and caused more confusion than help. (Let me interject a little anecdote: I'm trying to set up a wireless connection and the Wireless wizard asks me to....plug in....an ethernet cable! Really?)
The boatload of multimedia-minded apps range from the not-bad to the not-needed. On the positive side: Roxio Easy CD Creator 10 and a couple of basic video- and photo-editing apps are the headliners, but here's something that had potential: the VAIO Content Exporter. Of course, it's only optimized to export content to three settings: PSP, Memory Stick, and Mylo. Would it kill Sony to acknowledge that other devices exist? Another dark-horse app worth noting is the PMB. It lets you manage and organize videos and pictures. A handy calendar view lets you put all your pictures in perspective. The biggest disappointment: The basic MusicBox is a prime example of trying to remake the wheel without rounding the edges. (I know that Sony wants to put its stamp on music software, but do we really need it at this point?)
The NW125J is an oversized and promising machine that does what it says: That is, give your kids the basics they need for the new school year along with a mild multimedia boot in the keister. But with limitations like the lack of a discrete GPU, I'm wondering if Sony could have made a couple of smarter moves to keep the price down at the $800 level.
Other laptops specially configured for retail sale at Best Buy include the Dell Studio 14z, the HP dv4-1465dx, and the Toshiba Satellite M505-S4940. And check out our video coverage of the four laptops from Best Buy in "Back-to-School Laptops: We Review Best Buy's Exclusives."
Take HP's Mini 1000 netbook, but make it less expensive and a little thicker. That, in a nutshell, is HP's Mini 110.
What do you do when you already have a couple of well-received netbooks? You make another one, of course. And sure as Shadrach, HP is following up on the success of its consumer-friendly Mini 1000 and business-centric Mini 2140 netbooks (not to mention its designer-minded Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam) with the HP Mini 110.
The big difference between the new model and its predecessors is a couple hundred bucks. Available since June of this year, the Mini 110 XP (available in "Black Swirl") sells for $329, while the Linux-based 110 Mi edition starts at $279. Compare those prices with the $549 tag on the Mini 1000 that we reviewed last fall.
The hardware hasn't changed too much: The Mini 110 carries the same N270 Atom CPU, the same 1GB of RAM, the same 160GB hard drive, the same awesomely large 92-percent-of-full-size keyboard--even the same crummy mouse button layout that's been driving me bonkers since HP introduced it on the HP Mini 2133. The new model also comes loaded with a three-cell battery--as did the Mini 1000, which achieved a mediocre battery life of 2 hours, 47 minutes on a charge. In our tests, the Mini 110 survived for 1 minute longer. (Travelers' advisory: Consider popping an extra 40 bones for the BX06 Mini Battery, to pick up a little extra on-the-go gusto.) That's miles hours behind pack leaders such as the Toshiba NB205-310, which posted a magnificent 10-hour run-time. On our WorldBench 6 test suite, the Mini 110 unsurprisingly notched a mark of 33--a hair better than the Mini 1000's original score of 30.
What do you gain and what do you lose with this more affordable model? Well, HP swaps out the multimedia dongle port in favor of a built-in VGA port (plus a built-in RJ-45 ethernet jack for good measure). The sweet-looking speaker grille planted inside the 1000's hinge is absent from the 110, replaced by a horrid-sounding speaker mounted beneath the display. That display offers a 10.1-inch-diagonal image with a native resolution of 1024 by 576, and the slick edge-to-edge plastic cover has has vanished in favor of a big plastic bezel that makes the Mini 110 look like the love child of the Mini 1000 and the Acer Aspire One.
Upgrade options exist, naturally: 802.11b/g not enough, and you want wireless WAN? Done. Wish you could get this netbook in "White Swirl" or "Pink Chic"? It's yours, for a price. Feeling cramped? You can slot in a 250GB hard drive and boost the RAM to 2GB.
I also appreciate the Mini 110's software selection, which is slightly more robust than the usual feeble bloatware. For instance, Syncables allows you to sync five PCs on a network.
Otherwise, this looks like a slightly thicker, economy-class version of last year's model. The 110 measures 10.3 by 6.6 by 1.2 inches and weighs 2.33 pounds, compared to the Mini 1000's 10.3 by 6.6 by 0.99 inches and 2.25 pounds. And that isn't a bad trade-off when you consider the extras inside the machine--and the lower price.
And really, that's what the Mini 110 boils down to: an econobox that delivers just enough of what you need, without spoiling you. You get all the required ports, plus a little extra beef, for a very low price. Not worried about saving maximum money on your next netbook? The HP Mini 5101 does a stand-up job, but neither it nor the Mini 110 can match the value that the Toshiba NB205-310 offers.
The big difference between the new model and its predecessors is a couple hundred bucks. Available since June of this year, the Mini 110 XP (available in "Black Swirl") sells for $329, while the Linux-based 110 Mi edition starts at $279. Compare those prices with the $549 tag on the Mini 1000 that we reviewed last fall.
The hardware hasn't changed too much: The Mini 110 carries the same N270 Atom CPU, the same 1GB of RAM, the same 160GB hard drive, the same awesomely large 92-percent-of-full-size keyboard--even the same crummy mouse button layout that's been driving me bonkers since HP introduced it on the HP Mini 2133. The new model also comes loaded with a three-cell battery--as did the Mini 1000, which achieved a mediocre battery life of 2 hours, 47 minutes on a charge. In our tests, the Mini 110 survived for 1 minute longer. (Travelers' advisory: Consider popping an extra 40 bones for the BX06 Mini Battery, to pick up a little extra on-the-go gusto.) That's miles hours behind pack leaders such as the Toshiba NB205-310, which posted a magnificent 10-hour run-time. On our WorldBench 6 test suite, the Mini 110 unsurprisingly notched a mark of 33--a hair better than the Mini 1000's original score of 30.
What do you gain and what do you lose with this more affordable model? Well, HP swaps out the multimedia dongle port in favor of a built-in VGA port (plus a built-in RJ-45 ethernet jack for good measure). The sweet-looking speaker grille planted inside the 1000's hinge is absent from the 110, replaced by a horrid-sounding speaker mounted beneath the display. That display offers a 10.1-inch-diagonal image with a native resolution of 1024 by 576, and the slick edge-to-edge plastic cover has has vanished in favor of a big plastic bezel that makes the Mini 110 look like the love child of the Mini 1000 and the Acer Aspire One.
Upgrade options exist, naturally: 802.11b/g not enough, and you want wireless WAN? Done. Wish you could get this netbook in "White Swirl" or "Pink Chic"? It's yours, for a price. Feeling cramped? You can slot in a 250GB hard drive and boost the RAM to 2GB.
I also appreciate the Mini 110's software selection, which is slightly more robust than the usual feeble bloatware. For instance, Syncables allows you to sync five PCs on a network.
Otherwise, this looks like a slightly thicker, economy-class version of last year's model. The 110 measures 10.3 by 6.6 by 1.2 inches and weighs 2.33 pounds, compared to the Mini 1000's 10.3 by 6.6 by 0.99 inches and 2.25 pounds. And that isn't a bad trade-off when you consider the extras inside the machine--and the lower price.
And really, that's what the Mini 110 boils down to: an econobox that delivers just enough of what you need, without spoiling you. You get all the required ports, plus a little extra beef, for a very low price. Not worried about saving maximum money on your next netbook? The HP Mini 5101 does a stand-up job, but neither it nor the Mini 110 can match the value that the Toshiba NB205-310 offers.
Samsung's upscale netbook is almost as bulky as a standard laptop, without the full features.
Netbooks are all the rage these days, and some companies, like Dell, are practically giving them away.
So of course, someone's bound to bulk up a netbook. The 10-inch screens that max out at 1024-by-600 resolution seem just too restrictive. And how about throwing in better battery life, too?
That's the thinking behind Samsung's $549 NP-NC20. The 12.1-inch screen offers a full 1280 by 800 pixels--enough for true 720p high-definition playback. The good news is that playback of DVDs and 720p high-def movies does look pretty good, and the frame rate is fairly smooth. The display, while adequate, won't win awards for color fidelity or contrast. Black levels and viewing angles are the limiting factors, given that this panel seems to be a 6-bits-per-pixel TN type.
Unfortunately, the NP-NC20's display, like those of many current laptops, has one of those glossy-finish screens that make reading and viewing media difficult when there's any glare whatsoever. By comparison, two other netbooks currently host 12-inch displays: Lenovo's IdeaPad S12 and the HP Pavilion dv2 (HP's machine is technically a tweener-class netbook/notebook).
The bad news: Audio is pretty poor through the speakers, and why would you want to lug this around just to play movies? I say "lug" because this machine is a little weighty. With the power brick, it's 4.1 pounds. And it measures closer in size to a laptop than many netbooks--11.6 by 8.5 by 1.5 inches. To be fair, the NC-20 has a lot of things going for it. That extra girth enables a more robust keyboard layout, making typing less of a chore than on some netbooks. However, you have to press the function (Fn) key when using Home or End--keys often used in word processing or browsing the Web. The trackpad is a little wonky as well. It's got a single button; press the button on the left side, and it's a left mouse button; press it on the right side, and you get a context click. But it's easy to get it wrong if you strike near the center of the bar. I'd have preferred two distinct buttons.
All the I/O ports are on the two sides, not buried in the rear. One USB, VGA, audio, and ethernet port each grace the left side, while the right panel contains two more USB 2.0 ports, a Kensington lock slot, and the power connector. The SD card slot is recessed slightly under a lip in the front, but is still readily accessible. That's about it. Nothing mind-blowing or new compared to what's already on the market.
Performance is a different matter. The Via Nano processor seemed to chug a bit if we opened up more than about six tabs in Firefox 3.5. Word 2007 also ran pretty slowly, with visible stuttering through scrolling of large documents. It's odd that DVD playback is crisp and smooth, while scrolling a Word or Excel file is on the slow side. And you wouldn't want to run any games on this, even though the built-in S3 Chrome graphics is theoretically DirectX 9-capable. Some older games may run, but there's just not enough main memory after allocating 128MB for graphics.
But let's put all that in a little bit of perspective here. The average netbook, powered by an Intel Atom CPU, scores about 36 in our WorldBench 6 tests. The NC-20 clocks a 41. Hardly a speed demon, but a slight clip faster. As for battery life, it survives for 5 hours, 53 minutes on a charge, which is toward the higher end of the netbook spectrum. (To date, Toshiba's NB205-310, with its nearly 10-hour battery life, has yet to be unseated.)
Given that you can buy a Lenovo IdeaPad G530 notebook for $499--$50 less than price of this netbook--I have to question the overall utility of the NC-20. Just ask yourself: Why bother with a netbook, when I can get a full-featured laptop that's a little heavier but costs less? If you're hell-bent on a 12-inch screen, consider Lenovo's IdeaPad S12 (an nVidia Ion-based version is due out soon) or HP's pricier--and more potent--Pavilion dv2.
So of course, someone's bound to bulk up a netbook. The 10-inch screens that max out at 1024-by-600 resolution seem just too restrictive. And how about throwing in better battery life, too?
That's the thinking behind Samsung's $549 NP-NC20. The 12.1-inch screen offers a full 1280 by 800 pixels--enough for true 720p high-definition playback. The good news is that playback of DVDs and 720p high-def movies does look pretty good, and the frame rate is fairly smooth. The display, while adequate, won't win awards for color fidelity or contrast. Black levels and viewing angles are the limiting factors, given that this panel seems to be a 6-bits-per-pixel TN type.
Unfortunately, the NP-NC20's display, like those of many current laptops, has one of those glossy-finish screens that make reading and viewing media difficult when there's any glare whatsoever. By comparison, two other netbooks currently host 12-inch displays: Lenovo's IdeaPad S12 and the HP Pavilion dv2 (HP's machine is technically a tweener-class netbook/notebook).
The bad news: Audio is pretty poor through the speakers, and why would you want to lug this around just to play movies? I say "lug" because this machine is a little weighty. With the power brick, it's 4.1 pounds. And it measures closer in size to a laptop than many netbooks--11.6 by 8.5 by 1.5 inches. To be fair, the NC-20 has a lot of things going for it. That extra girth enables a more robust keyboard layout, making typing less of a chore than on some netbooks. However, you have to press the function (Fn) key when using Home or End--keys often used in word processing or browsing the Web. The trackpad is a little wonky as well. It's got a single button; press the button on the left side, and it's a left mouse button; press it on the right side, and you get a context click. But it's easy to get it wrong if you strike near the center of the bar. I'd have preferred two distinct buttons.
All the I/O ports are on the two sides, not buried in the rear. One USB, VGA, audio, and ethernet port each grace the left side, while the right panel contains two more USB 2.0 ports, a Kensington lock slot, and the power connector. The SD card slot is recessed slightly under a lip in the front, but is still readily accessible. That's about it. Nothing mind-blowing or new compared to what's already on the market.
Performance is a different matter. The Via Nano processor seemed to chug a bit if we opened up more than about six tabs in Firefox 3.5. Word 2007 also ran pretty slowly, with visible stuttering through scrolling of large documents. It's odd that DVD playback is crisp and smooth, while scrolling a Word or Excel file is on the slow side. And you wouldn't want to run any games on this, even though the built-in S3 Chrome graphics is theoretically DirectX 9-capable. Some older games may run, but there's just not enough main memory after allocating 128MB for graphics.
But let's put all that in a little bit of perspective here. The average netbook, powered by an Intel Atom CPU, scores about 36 in our WorldBench 6 tests. The NC-20 clocks a 41. Hardly a speed demon, but a slight clip faster. As for battery life, it survives for 5 hours, 53 minutes on a charge, which is toward the higher end of the netbook spectrum. (To date, Toshiba's NB205-310, with its nearly 10-hour battery life, has yet to be unseated.)
Given that you can buy a Lenovo IdeaPad G530 notebook for $499--$50 less than price of this netbook--I have to question the overall utility of the NC-20. Just ask yourself: Why bother with a netbook, when I can get a full-featured laptop that's a little heavier but costs less? If you're hell-bent on a 12-inch screen, consider Lenovo's IdeaPad S12 (an nVidia Ion-based version is due out soon) or HP's pricier--and more potent--Pavilion dv2.
This tightly integrated package is great for on-the-go office and Web use, but not for multimedia.
The Lenovo IdeaPad U350 is one of those rare products where actually using it makes it seem much stronger than its test results and feature set might make it seem on paper. This first hits you when, after you fire up and start typing, you realize that the keyboard is actually--dare I say it?--usable for touch typists. The LED-backlit, 13.3-inch, 1366-by-768-pixel screen appears more than adequate for typical office use and even light-duty photo editing. What you get is a decent ultraportable machine at a pretty reasonable price (our unit, as configured sells for $749).
Performance is about what you should expect for a unit sporting the Intel U2700 ultra-low-voltage, single-core CPU. The WorldBench 6 score of 54 is just a tad under that of the slightly more expensive MSI X340, despite the latter's faster CPU. Certainly the 4GB of DDR3-1066 SDRAM helps overall performance--and is a step above what you get in netbooks and the AMD Athlon Neo-based tweener, the HP Pavilion dv2--but this IdeaPad is no barn-burner.
Battery life is par for its 2700-mAH (milli-Amp-Hour) battery, at 4 hours, 32 minutes. This compares favorably with the MSI X340, which has a 2150-mAH battery, and gets only 3 hours, 42 minutes on our battery life tests. The Acer Timeline we recently reviewed arrived with a 5160-mHz battery, so it ran for a full work day (8 hours, 21 minutes).
Despite the single-core processing, multitasking performance seemed snappy; the 4GB of RAM certainly helps. We had Firefox open with about a dozen tabs (some with performance-sapping flash video playing) and TweetDeck running in the background, all while scrolling through a large Adobe Acrobat document. Overall responsiveness appeared to hold up well in that environment.
Wi-Fi performance did seem a little slower on our 802.11n network than Wi-Fi on other, similar laptops. Transferring a 4.5GB video took a little longer than we'd normally expect. This didn't seem to affect Web browsing or normal Internet usage, however.
The IdeaPad isn't as thin as MSI's unit, though, nor is it as light. Yet the unit felt lighter than its 3.6 pounds (sans power brick.) It helps that the IdeaPad's weight distribution seems very even, so you can just grab it from any angle without awkwardness. Display output ports (VGA and HDMI) are on the left side, along with one USB 2.0 port, gigabit ethernet, and the Kensington lock slot. The right side houses the pair of audio ports (one in and one out), two more USB 2.0 parts and a slot that supports SD, xD, and Memory Stick flash memory cards.
While the Lenovo seems ideal for general office work and some photo editing, its multimedia capabilities seem more limited. We noticed visible aliasing with DVD-quality video scaled to the full resolution of the display. Vertical viewing angles are very poor--just a slight shift above or below the ideal viewing angle results in nearly unwatchable visual quality. The built-in speakers are pretty bad, too, so you'll want to use headphones.
The U350's software includes Adobe Acrobat Reader 9, Lenovo's own Webcam utilities, and RealNetworks game trialware, plus a trial version of Lenovo's own Carbonite online backup utility. No security or antivirus software is included, however. Documentation is adequate, if a little thin, but well written and easy to follow.
In the end, the Lenovo IdeaPad U350 offers a fairly standard feature set with average performance, but it's all built into a nicely integrated, slick-feeling package that makes it a real joy to use as an adjunct to an office desktop. Just don't expect to watch a lot of movies on it.
Performance is about what you should expect for a unit sporting the Intel U2700 ultra-low-voltage, single-core CPU. The WorldBench 6 score of 54 is just a tad under that of the slightly more expensive MSI X340, despite the latter's faster CPU. Certainly the 4GB of DDR3-1066 SDRAM helps overall performance--and is a step above what you get in netbooks and the AMD Athlon Neo-based tweener, the HP Pavilion dv2--but this IdeaPad is no barn-burner.
Battery life is par for its 2700-mAH (milli-Amp-Hour) battery, at 4 hours, 32 minutes. This compares favorably with the MSI X340, which has a 2150-mAH battery, and gets only 3 hours, 42 minutes on our battery life tests. The Acer Timeline we recently reviewed arrived with a 5160-mHz battery, so it ran for a full work day (8 hours, 21 minutes).
Despite the single-core processing, multitasking performance seemed snappy; the 4GB of RAM certainly helps. We had Firefox open with about a dozen tabs (some with performance-sapping flash video playing) and TweetDeck running in the background, all while scrolling through a large Adobe Acrobat document. Overall responsiveness appeared to hold up well in that environment.
Wi-Fi performance did seem a little slower on our 802.11n network than Wi-Fi on other, similar laptops. Transferring a 4.5GB video took a little longer than we'd normally expect. This didn't seem to affect Web browsing or normal Internet usage, however.
The IdeaPad isn't as thin as MSI's unit, though, nor is it as light. Yet the unit felt lighter than its 3.6 pounds (sans power brick.) It helps that the IdeaPad's weight distribution seems very even, so you can just grab it from any angle without awkwardness. Display output ports (VGA and HDMI) are on the left side, along with one USB 2.0 port, gigabit ethernet, and the Kensington lock slot. The right side houses the pair of audio ports (one in and one out), two more USB 2.0 parts and a slot that supports SD, xD, and Memory Stick flash memory cards.
While the Lenovo seems ideal for general office work and some photo editing, its multimedia capabilities seem more limited. We noticed visible aliasing with DVD-quality video scaled to the full resolution of the display. Vertical viewing angles are very poor--just a slight shift above or below the ideal viewing angle results in nearly unwatchable visual quality. The built-in speakers are pretty bad, too, so you'll want to use headphones.
The U350's software includes Adobe Acrobat Reader 9, Lenovo's own Webcam utilities, and RealNetworks game trialware, plus a trial version of Lenovo's own Carbonite online backup utility. No security or antivirus software is included, however. Documentation is adequate, if a little thin, but well written and easy to follow.
In the end, the Lenovo IdeaPad U350 offers a fairly standard feature set with average performance, but it's all built into a nicely integrated, slick-feeling package that makes it a real joy to use as an adjunct to an office desktop. Just don't expect to watch a lot of movies on it.
Friday, September 4, 2009
D-Link DSM-210
As one would expect from D-Link, a company known for its networking products, its DSM-210 10-inch digital picture frame is Wi-Fi enabled, and it also have 10/100 Ethernet support. The 800-by-480 pixel resolution frame comes with snap-on white or black borders; I preferred the black, which give the frame a modern look. The DSM-210 doesn't really resemble a traditional picture frame, however; it looks far more like a tech gadget. But sadly, some of this frame's limitations will be problematic for techies and non-techies alike.
The frame has memory card slots for SD, MMC, and Memory Stick, and it also has a USB port for plugging in a USB flash drive. When I loaded my test photos to the DSM-210, the images transferred very slowly to the frame's 1GB internal memory--the DSM-210 only allows you to copy pictures one by one. The only way to copy multiple images at a time is by using a software widget, which is for Windows only. (The DSM-210 can also read images off a Windows PC on a network, but not a Mac.)
Once the images were loaded, the displayed pictures had a slightly desaturated look with a cool cast. The screen is bright and can be viewed from different angles without losing image visibility, but no brightness or contrast controls are available. The slide show ran smoothly, and you can choose from multiple transition effects, but the frame has limited slide-interval adjustments. Also, it cannot handle nested folders, or run images from multiple cards and internal memory into one show.
The DSM-210 allows you to stream photos (but unfortunately, not video) through FrameChannel, an RSS utility. Oddly, the default settings are limited to a meager five photos. It's as if D-Link were conspiring to limit the number of pages in your virtual photo album. In addition, as with the multimedia cards, the frame cannot stream content from more than one channel at a time (meaning only Picasa, or only Flickr, or other service). This may not be an issue for those who don't use more than one image-sharing network, but it is another unexpected limitation.
One pretty cool feature on this frame is motion detection: The device will power off when no one is around, thus conserving energy and the frame's lifespan. I also liked that you can receive pictures via e-mail on the frame.
Macworld's buying advice
The DSM-210 has some good features, but a lot of compromises are made within those features. If all you want to do is simply display pictures, you should be able to find a 10-inch frame at a more affordable price. The streaming and Internet access features can be found on other frames without the limitations found on the DSM-210.
The frame has memory card slots for SD, MMC, and Memory Stick, and it also has a USB port for plugging in a USB flash drive. When I loaded my test photos to the DSM-210, the images transferred very slowly to the frame's 1GB internal memory--the DSM-210 only allows you to copy pictures one by one. The only way to copy multiple images at a time is by using a software widget, which is for Windows only. (The DSM-210 can also read images off a Windows PC on a network, but not a Mac.)
Once the images were loaded, the displayed pictures had a slightly desaturated look with a cool cast. The screen is bright and can be viewed from different angles without losing image visibility, but no brightness or contrast controls are available. The slide show ran smoothly, and you can choose from multiple transition effects, but the frame has limited slide-interval adjustments. Also, it cannot handle nested folders, or run images from multiple cards and internal memory into one show.
The DSM-210 allows you to stream photos (but unfortunately, not video) through FrameChannel, an RSS utility. Oddly, the default settings are limited to a meager five photos. It's as if D-Link were conspiring to limit the number of pages in your virtual photo album. In addition, as with the multimedia cards, the frame cannot stream content from more than one channel at a time (meaning only Picasa, or only Flickr, or other service). This may not be an issue for those who don't use more than one image-sharing network, but it is another unexpected limitation.
One pretty cool feature on this frame is motion detection: The device will power off when no one is around, thus conserving energy and the frame's lifespan. I also liked that you can receive pictures via e-mail on the frame.
Macworld's buying advice
The DSM-210 has some good features, but a lot of compromises are made within those features. If all you want to do is simply display pictures, you should be able to find a 10-inch frame at a more affordable price. The streaming and Internet access features can be found on other frames without the limitations found on the DSM-210.
Modern Combat: Sandstorm FPS Game Comes to IPhone
Gameloft has announced the release of Modern Combat: Sandstorm, a new first person shooter game for the iPhone and iPod touch. It's available for $7 from the App Store.
You're a soldier assigned to Mission Sandstorm, and it's your responsibility to locate and neutralize a new terrorist cell that's mobilizing and recruiting insurgents in a remote desert location.
The game features 10 missions in various locations ranging from city streets to a hospital, sewers, training camp, and more. You will be equipped with authentic weapons like assault rifles and a sniper rifle, RPG, shotgun, submachine gun, and more. The game features a level system that lets you progressively unlock weapons and use munitions you find on the bodies of your enemy. Modern Combat: Sandstorm also sports three different control systems, including tap control and "Virtual Sticks."
System requirements call for an iPhone or iPod touch running iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later.
You're a soldier assigned to Mission Sandstorm, and it's your responsibility to locate and neutralize a new terrorist cell that's mobilizing and recruiting insurgents in a remote desert location.
The game features 10 missions in various locations ranging from city streets to a hospital, sewers, training camp, and more. You will be equipped with authentic weapons like assault rifles and a sniper rifle, RPG, shotgun, submachine gun, and more. The game features a level system that lets you progressively unlock weapons and use munitions you find on the bodies of your enemy. Modern Combat: Sandstorm also sports three different control systems, including tap control and "Virtual Sticks."
System requirements call for an iPhone or iPod touch running iPhone OS 2.2.1 or later.
Android OS Developers to Revamp App Marketplace
In a bid to compete more squarely with Apple's App Store the developers of the Android mobile OS are improving the way people browse for applications on Google phones through what is known as Android Market. As part of a software upgrade (Android 1.6, aka Donut) Android handset owners will be able to browse more easily third-party apps by previewing screen shots of apps and sort apps by criteria such as most popular and newest. There is no official date set for the release of Donut.
Google announced update to Android Market in a blog post late Thursday stating upgrades to its mobile applications store will "improve the overall experience for users." Despite the update, improvements are also likely to irk some Android developers who feel the Android 1.6 doesn't go far enough.
What's New at Android Market
Navigation is key for the tweaked marketplace, which must be viewed on a mobile phone if you want to see the complete store and the new improvements. The main navigation buttons for Apps, Games and Downloads have been moved to the top of the screen, leaving valuable screen space for featured apps. When you are shopping for programs in category view, three buttons at the top of the screen will also let you filter apps by Top Paid, Top Free and Just In.
Other improvements to Android Market include screenshots to get an idea of what a particular application looks like, promotional icons and longer descriptions from developers. There are also four new sub-categories to improve navigation including sports, health, themes and comics.
Cranky Developers Not Satisfied with Update
Google's tweaks come on the heels of recent criticisms over Android Market's profitability for third-party developers. On Monday, the metrics firm Ad Mob released a report claiming Android Market typically produces $5 million in sales every month versus $200 million at the iPhone App Store.
One complaint takes issue with Android Market's payment options and Google's return policy. Currently, all Android users must purchase apps through Google's own payment system Checkout. But according to a recent IDG report some developers would like to see other payment options that users might find more convenient. Developers are also up in arms over Google's 24-hour return policy, which they say makes it too easy for users to return an application after using it for just a few hours. Apple's App Store, by comparison, does not grant refunds for any reason except in cases where a purchased product is not delivered within "a reasonable period."
Google announced update to Android Market in a blog post late Thursday stating upgrades to its mobile applications store will "improve the overall experience for users." Despite the update, improvements are also likely to irk some Android developers who feel the Android 1.6 doesn't go far enough.
What's New at Android Market
Navigation is key for the tweaked marketplace, which must be viewed on a mobile phone if you want to see the complete store and the new improvements. The main navigation buttons for Apps, Games and Downloads have been moved to the top of the screen, leaving valuable screen space for featured apps. When you are shopping for programs in category view, three buttons at the top of the screen will also let you filter apps by Top Paid, Top Free and Just In.
Other improvements to Android Market include screenshots to get an idea of what a particular application looks like, promotional icons and longer descriptions from developers. There are also four new sub-categories to improve navigation including sports, health, themes and comics.
Cranky Developers Not Satisfied with Update
Google's tweaks come on the heels of recent criticisms over Android Market's profitability for third-party developers. On Monday, the metrics firm Ad Mob released a report claiming Android Market typically produces $5 million in sales every month versus $200 million at the iPhone App Store.
One complaint takes issue with Android Market's payment options and Google's return policy. Currently, all Android users must purchase apps through Google's own payment system Checkout. But according to a recent IDG report some developers would like to see other payment options that users might find more convenient. Developers are also up in arms over Google's 24-hour return policy, which they say makes it too easy for users to return an application after using it for just a few hours. Apple's App Store, by comparison, does not grant refunds for any reason except in cases where a purchased product is not delivered within "a reasonable period."
Microsoft wants people to throw Windows 7 launch parties
A new version of Windows is not typically a reason to throw a party, but Microsoft is hoping people will do just that to celebrate Windows 7, and has teamed with House Party to help them do so.
Through a House Party promotional Web site, people can apply to throw a Windows 7 launch party any time between Oct. 22 and Oct. 29. Microsoft is releasing Windows 7 globally on Oct. 22.
"You host the party. We'll bring the favors," Microsoft declared on the site calling for applications. House Party is a community-based site that helps people around the world host parties that are usually held on the same day and are focused on a corporate event or product launch.
If chosen to throw a party, hosts will receive a Signature Edition of Windows 7 Ultimate and a Windows 7 Party Pack based on a theme of their choosing to help them organize the party. The themes for the party packs pertain to features of the new OS and, as listed on the Web site, are: PhotoPalooza, Media Mania, Setting up with Ease and Family Friendly Fun.
Every host also has a chance to win a PC worth $750, according to the Web site. Winners will be notified and their prizes delivered after Oct. 30.
Windows 7, which has been in the hands of testers and early adopters, has gotten generally positive reviews. Many say it's the OS Microsoft should have delivered when it released Windows Vista -- an overall disappointment among Windows users -- in early 2007.
Microsoft isn't the first company to ask enthusiasts to throw a geek-themed party in honor of a software launch. Fans of Mozilla's Firefox browser were asked by the company to host download parties when it released Firefox 3 in June. The company hoped to set a Guinness World Record for the number of software downloads in 24 hours, and claimed to log more than 8 million downloads of the browser in a day.
Through a House Party promotional Web site, people can apply to throw a Windows 7 launch party any time between Oct. 22 and Oct. 29. Microsoft is releasing Windows 7 globally on Oct. 22.
"You host the party. We'll bring the favors," Microsoft declared on the site calling for applications. House Party is a community-based site that helps people around the world host parties that are usually held on the same day and are focused on a corporate event or product launch.
If chosen to throw a party, hosts will receive a Signature Edition of Windows 7 Ultimate and a Windows 7 Party Pack based on a theme of their choosing to help them organize the party. The themes for the party packs pertain to features of the new OS and, as listed on the Web site, are: PhotoPalooza, Media Mania, Setting up with Ease and Family Friendly Fun.
Every host also has a chance to win a PC worth $750, according to the Web site. Winners will be notified and their prizes delivered after Oct. 30.
Windows 7, which has been in the hands of testers and early adopters, has gotten generally positive reviews. Many say it's the OS Microsoft should have delivered when it released Windows Vista -- an overall disappointment among Windows users -- in early 2007.
Microsoft isn't the first company to ask enthusiasts to throw a geek-themed party in honor of a software launch. Fans of Mozilla's Firefox browser were asked by the company to host download parties when it released Firefox 3 in June. The company hoped to set a Guinness World Record for the number of software downloads in 24 hours, and claimed to log more than 8 million downloads of the browser in a day.
Apple patches critical Java bugs, but leaves Leopard users vulnerable
Apple today patched 15 vulnerabilities in three versions of Java used by Mac OS X 10.5, or Leopard, bringing the operating system up to par with fixes that Sun issued a month ago.
Today's Leopard updates take that OS to the same edition of Java 6 included with Snow Leopard, which Apple shipped last week. At the same time, however, the update doesn't include the very latest Java fixes, which Sun delivered Aug. 11.
According to Apple's advisory, the upgrade patches 15 distinct vulnerabilities in Java, and updates Java 6 to version 1.6.0_15, Java 5 to version 1.5.0_20 and Java 4 to version 1.4.2_22. Sun issued those updates on Aug. 4.
All the vulnerabilities could allow for "arbitrary code execution," Apple-speak for the type of bug attackers can use to plant malicious code on a computer. Although other major software makers, like Microsoft and Oracle, assign threat rankings to their bug fixes, Apple does not. For example, Microsoft dubs the same kind of flaws as "critical."
"Visiting a Web page containing a maliciously crafted untrusted Java applet may lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user," Apple said in its advisory, explaining how an attack might work.
The Java update applies only to the client and server editions of Mac OS X 10.5, which are currently at v. 10.5.8. Users still running Mac OS X 10.4, aka Tiger, remain stuck on older versions of Java. Tiger's Java components were last updated by Apple on June 15, when it bumped up Java 5 to 1.5.0_19 and Java 4 to 1.4.2_21.
Although the June update -- which also affected Leopard -- plugged holes that Sun had filled six months earlier, today's update came harder on the heels of Sun's fixes for Windows and Linux. "That's not too bad for Apple, actually," said Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Network Security, in an instant message.
Apple maintains its own versions of Java and is responsible for delivering patches to users. Typically, Apple is slow to patch the problems that Sun fixes, with a six-month lag not unusual. When Apple refreshed Java in September 2008, for example, it fixed more than two-dozen vulnerabilities, some of which had been patched in updates for Java for Windows, Linux and Solaris as far back as March 2008.
Apple has come under fire for its sluggish pace. Last May, for instance, a security researcher angered by the delays posted attack code that exploited one of the then-unfixed Java bugs.
Even with today's updates, however, Leopard still doesn't have the most up-to-date version of Java 6, which is 1.6.0_16. Sun shipped that update Aug. 11.
Snow Leopard, which caught flak this week for shipping a vulnerable version of Flash, also isn't in sync with Sun's latest Java. Computerworld today confirmed that Snow Leopard installs Java 1.6.0_15 during its upgrade, making it on par with today's Leopard update but still one version behind Sun's newest.
The Java security updates, identified as Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 5, can be downloaded manually from Apple, or installed using Mac OS X's integrated update service.
Users can verify that the updates have taken by using the JavaTester.org site created by Computerworld blogger Michael Horowitz.
Today's Leopard updates take that OS to the same edition of Java 6 included with Snow Leopard, which Apple shipped last week. At the same time, however, the update doesn't include the very latest Java fixes, which Sun delivered Aug. 11.
According to Apple's advisory, the upgrade patches 15 distinct vulnerabilities in Java, and updates Java 6 to version 1.6.0_15, Java 5 to version 1.5.0_20 and Java 4 to version 1.4.2_22. Sun issued those updates on Aug. 4.
All the vulnerabilities could allow for "arbitrary code execution," Apple-speak for the type of bug attackers can use to plant malicious code on a computer. Although other major software makers, like Microsoft and Oracle, assign threat rankings to their bug fixes, Apple does not. For example, Microsoft dubs the same kind of flaws as "critical."
"Visiting a Web page containing a maliciously crafted untrusted Java applet may lead to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the current user," Apple said in its advisory, explaining how an attack might work.
The Java update applies only to the client and server editions of Mac OS X 10.5, which are currently at v. 10.5.8. Users still running Mac OS X 10.4, aka Tiger, remain stuck on older versions of Java. Tiger's Java components were last updated by Apple on June 15, when it bumped up Java 5 to 1.5.0_19 and Java 4 to 1.4.2_21.
Although the June update -- which also affected Leopard -- plugged holes that Sun had filled six months earlier, today's update came harder on the heels of Sun's fixes for Windows and Linux. "That's not too bad for Apple, actually," said Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Network Security, in an instant message.
Apple maintains its own versions of Java and is responsible for delivering patches to users. Typically, Apple is slow to patch the problems that Sun fixes, with a six-month lag not unusual. When Apple refreshed Java in September 2008, for example, it fixed more than two-dozen vulnerabilities, some of which had been patched in updates for Java for Windows, Linux and Solaris as far back as March 2008.
Apple has come under fire for its sluggish pace. Last May, for instance, a security researcher angered by the delays posted attack code that exploited one of the then-unfixed Java bugs.
Even with today's updates, however, Leopard still doesn't have the most up-to-date version of Java 6, which is 1.6.0_16. Sun shipped that update Aug. 11.
Snow Leopard, which caught flak this week for shipping a vulnerable version of Flash, also isn't in sync with Sun's latest Java. Computerworld today confirmed that Snow Leopard installs Java 1.6.0_15 during its upgrade, making it on par with today's Leopard update but still one version behind Sun's newest.
The Java security updates, identified as Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 5, can be downloaded manually from Apple, or installed using Mac OS X's integrated update service.
Users can verify that the updates have taken by using the JavaTester.org site created by Computerworld blogger Michael Horowitz.
Oracle delays security updates for user conference
Oracle database administrators who are worried they might have to skip Oracle's user conference next month to fiddle with security updates can relax. Oracle is cutting them a break and releasing its next set of patches a week later than planned.
The updates, which are released on a set schedule every three months, had been due for release on Oct. 13, slap in the middle of Oracle's OpenWorld conference in San Francisco. But after thinking things over, Oracle has decided to delay the patches. They're now due on Oct. 20.
Oracle announced the change Thursday on its Web site, saying it was moving the patches back because "many Oracle customers with responsibility for deploying the Critical Patch Update within their respective organizations will be attending Oracle OpenWorld."
The database vendor plans to release its advance notification information, detailing which products will be affected by the updates, a week later than expected too. It's due on Oct. 15.
Admins responsible for Windows systems will still have some work to do during the conference, however. Oct. 13 is the day Microsoft is expected to release its set of security updates for the month.
The updates, which are released on a set schedule every three months, had been due for release on Oct. 13, slap in the middle of Oracle's OpenWorld conference in San Francisco. But after thinking things over, Oracle has decided to delay the patches. They're now due on Oct. 20.
Oracle announced the change Thursday on its Web site, saying it was moving the patches back because "many Oracle customers with responsibility for deploying the Critical Patch Update within their respective organizations will be attending Oracle OpenWorld."
The database vendor plans to release its advance notification information, detailing which products will be affected by the updates, a week later than expected too. It's due on Oct. 15.
Admins responsible for Windows systems will still have some work to do during the conference, however. Oct. 13 is the day Microsoft is expected to release its set of security updates for the month.
AT&T sets Sept. 25 for launch of MMS on iPhone 3G, 3GS
AT&T Inc. today finally set a firm date of Sept. 25 for making multimedia messaging service (MMS) available for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.
The carrier had said at the launch of iPhone 3GS in June that MMS capability would be available by the end of the summer. AT&T went beyond that promise by a few days since autumn begins on Sept. 22.
The MMS will be enabled through a software update that day. A spokeswoman said the MMS service is available through a user's data plan at no extra cost.
The carrier said in an online note that it had to prepare the network for the "record volumes" of MMS traffic expected from iPhone users. The company wants to "ensure an excellent experience from Day One."
AT&T also said in the online note to customers, "We appreciate your patience as we work toward that end."
The carrier also cited an "explosion of traffic" with smartphone usage, and reported wireless usage growth of 350% year-over-year for the past two years. "We want you to know that we're working relentlessly to innovate and invest in our network to anticipate this growth in usage and to stay ahead of the anticipated growth in data demand, new devices and applications for years go come," the note stated.
When Apple announced the 3GS on June 8, crowds jeered when it was mentioned that AT&T would not immediately have MMS available on the shipment date. The delay brought plenty of customer complaints and helped fuel concerns over the value of a carrier having an exclusive deal for a smartphone.
For AT&T, missing the end-of-summer target by a few days was justified by the need to get the network ready. When asked why that target date was missed, a spokeswoman responded in an e-mail: "It was important to us to give our customers a positive experience from day one. We took the time necessary to make sure our network is ready to handle what we expect will be a record volume of MMS traffic. We appreciate our customers' patience and hope they'll understand our desire to get it right from the start."
The carrier had said at the launch of iPhone 3GS in June that MMS capability would be available by the end of the summer. AT&T went beyond that promise by a few days since autumn begins on Sept. 22.
The MMS will be enabled through a software update that day. A spokeswoman said the MMS service is available through a user's data plan at no extra cost.
The carrier said in an online note that it had to prepare the network for the "record volumes" of MMS traffic expected from iPhone users. The company wants to "ensure an excellent experience from Day One."
AT&T also said in the online note to customers, "We appreciate your patience as we work toward that end."
The carrier also cited an "explosion of traffic" with smartphone usage, and reported wireless usage growth of 350% year-over-year for the past two years. "We want you to know that we're working relentlessly to innovate and invest in our network to anticipate this growth in usage and to stay ahead of the anticipated growth in data demand, new devices and applications for years go come," the note stated.
When Apple announced the 3GS on June 8, crowds jeered when it was mentioned that AT&T would not immediately have MMS available on the shipment date. The delay brought plenty of customer complaints and helped fuel concerns over the value of a carrier having an exclusive deal for a smartphone.
For AT&T, missing the end-of-summer target by a few days was justified by the need to get the network ready. When asked why that target date was missed, a spokeswoman responded in an e-mail: "It was important to us to give our customers a positive experience from day one. We took the time necessary to make sure our network is ready to handle what we expect will be a record volume of MMS traffic. We appreciate our customers' patience and hope they'll understand our desire to get it right from the start."
BMW and Windows 7: Why the car maker is upgrading now
German automobile maker BMW is many things: Manufacturer of luxury cars and motorcycles; a brand name famous around the world; a giant corporation with a reputation for efficiency.
You can now add Windows 7 early adopter to that list.
The Munich-based car giant, whose headquarters building is considered an architectural icon in Europe, has 100,000 employees in 250 locations in countries such as South Africa, the United States, Canada and China. Within this vast environment, with users ranging from auto engineers to salespeople, sits 85,000 Windows machines.
BMW has been running Windows XP in its broad client environment since 2001. Happy with XP, the automaker passed on Windows Vista, so its planning for Windows 7 started early, says Bernhard Huber, BMW's Head of IT Workplace Systems.
"We identified a lot of functional and monetary benefits of Windows 7 early on," says Huber, adding that BMW first started testing the Windows 7 beta in the first quarter of this year and has increased the number of pilot users since the RTM (release to manufacturing) version of Windows 7 became available in late July.
"It is expected that 200 to 500 key users will participate in the pilot program until the end of 2009," he says.
Huber mentioned that BMW IT will increase compatibility testing with 5,000 users in a production environment in 2010, after which the rollout of Windows 7 on all machines at BMW will begin in 2011, probably around the time of Windows 7 Service Pack 1.
Better UI, Speed, App Virtualization and Memory
Huber said he sees life getting easier for BMW employees with the redesigned user interface and improved memory management of Windows 7.
The desktop features of the new OS, such as the revamped taskbar, are not usually mentioned as enterprise benefits. However, Huber envisions improved worker productivity with features like thumbnail previews, which allows for quicker switching between applications.
Huber also expects Windows 7 will further promote efficiency via its speedier startup times and improved memory management.
"Windows 7 uses its resources well and starts the applications perceptibly fast," he says. "This will make the upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 easier than it would have been with Vista."
Huber adds that BMW will be using XP Mode, a free virtualization feature for enterprises in Windows 7 that runs older XP-only applications through a Microsoft virtual machine containing a licensed copy of Windows XP SP3.
"With the help of application virtualization features like XP Mode, whatever software we have that is still not compatible with Windows 7 can be further used as we roll out the new OS. We can migrate legacy applications immediately and establish Windows 7 readiness later," he says.
You can now add Windows 7 early adopter to that list.
The Munich-based car giant, whose headquarters building is considered an architectural icon in Europe, has 100,000 employees in 250 locations in countries such as South Africa, the United States, Canada and China. Within this vast environment, with users ranging from auto engineers to salespeople, sits 85,000 Windows machines.
BMW has been running Windows XP in its broad client environment since 2001. Happy with XP, the automaker passed on Windows Vista, so its planning for Windows 7 started early, says Bernhard Huber, BMW's Head of IT Workplace Systems.
"We identified a lot of functional and monetary benefits of Windows 7 early on," says Huber, adding that BMW first started testing the Windows 7 beta in the first quarter of this year and has increased the number of pilot users since the RTM (release to manufacturing) version of Windows 7 became available in late July.
"It is expected that 200 to 500 key users will participate in the pilot program until the end of 2009," he says.
Huber mentioned that BMW IT will increase compatibility testing with 5,000 users in a production environment in 2010, after which the rollout of Windows 7 on all machines at BMW will begin in 2011, probably around the time of Windows 7 Service Pack 1.
Better UI, Speed, App Virtualization and Memory
Huber said he sees life getting easier for BMW employees with the redesigned user interface and improved memory management of Windows 7.
The desktop features of the new OS, such as the revamped taskbar, are not usually mentioned as enterprise benefits. However, Huber envisions improved worker productivity with features like thumbnail previews, which allows for quicker switching between applications.
Huber also expects Windows 7 will further promote efficiency via its speedier startup times and improved memory management.
"Windows 7 uses its resources well and starts the applications perceptibly fast," he says. "This will make the upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 easier than it would have been with Vista."
Huber adds that BMW will be using XP Mode, a free virtualization feature for enterprises in Windows 7 that runs older XP-only applications through a Microsoft virtual machine containing a licensed copy of Windows XP SP3.
"With the help of application virtualization features like XP Mode, whatever software we have that is still not compatible with Windows 7 can be further used as we roll out the new OS. We can migrate legacy applications immediately and establish Windows 7 readiness later," he says.
Microsoft to deliver five critical Windows patches next week
Microsoft today said it will deliver five security updates on Tuesday, all affecting Windows and all ranked "critical," the company's highest threat rating.
Unlike some months when Microsoft provides its usual advance notification for upcoming updates, this time there weren't any hints of what may be coming, said Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Network Security.
"It's a foggy advance warning," said Storms. "I'm a little bit at a loss for words. There doesn't seem to be anything here that has been disclosed publicly."
That didn't stop Storms from speculating, though. "We could see another ATL update," he said, referring to the flaws in Active Template Library (ATL), a Microsoft code "library" that it and third-party developers use to create software.
Microsoft acknowledged the ATL vulnerabilities in July, when it issued two emergency updates to patch six bugs in its own software. Since then, it and several other vendors, including Adobe, have released additional patches for programs that inherited the ATL flaws.
"It wouldn't be surprising if Microsoft still had some ATL bugs to fix," said Storms, "although I think it's also likely that we'll see more third-party patches than ones from Microsoft."
All five of the security updates slated to ship next week are rated critical, and all five were tagged as affecting various versions of both the client and server editions of Windows. "I guess you could say that they're batting five for five on Windows," observed Storms. "It's also batting four for five for Vista and [Windows] Server 2008."
As Storms said, four of the five updates apply to Windows Vista -- all four of those are ranked critical -- while the same four will also impact Windows Server 2008, the newest production version of Microsoft's server software. Three of those Server 2008 updates were pegged critical, while the fourth was rated as "important," the next-lowest threat level.
Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 will also receive updates Tuesday.
"We usually don't expect to see Microsoft's new OSes to be critical," noted Storms. "It's also unusual that they're all for Windows. So this is out of the ordinary."
Microsoft won't be patching the just-revealed vulnerability in its popular Internet Information Services (IIS) Web server, according to Storms. "We couldn't expect Microsoft to patch it that fast," he said, reading the tea leaves of the advance notification to dismiss any thought that the bug in IIS 5.0, 5.1 and 6.0 will get a fix next week.
Even though Microsoft promised Tuesday that it would patch IIS at some point, other analysts had said it was very unlikely that Microsoft would have an IIS patch ready in time.
Next week's five updates follow the nine issued Aug. 11, the two emergency updates released in late July, and the six it shipped July 14, that month's regularly-scheduled Patch Tuesday.
Microsoft will release the five updates at approximately 1 p.m. ET on Sept 8.
Unlike some months when Microsoft provides its usual advance notification for upcoming updates, this time there weren't any hints of what may be coming, said Andrew Storms, director of security operations at nCircle Network Security.
"It's a foggy advance warning," said Storms. "I'm a little bit at a loss for words. There doesn't seem to be anything here that has been disclosed publicly."
That didn't stop Storms from speculating, though. "We could see another ATL update," he said, referring to the flaws in Active Template Library (ATL), a Microsoft code "library" that it and third-party developers use to create software.
Microsoft acknowledged the ATL vulnerabilities in July, when it issued two emergency updates to patch six bugs in its own software. Since then, it and several other vendors, including Adobe, have released additional patches for programs that inherited the ATL flaws.
"It wouldn't be surprising if Microsoft still had some ATL bugs to fix," said Storms, "although I think it's also likely that we'll see more third-party patches than ones from Microsoft."
All five of the security updates slated to ship next week are rated critical, and all five were tagged as affecting various versions of both the client and server editions of Windows. "I guess you could say that they're batting five for five on Windows," observed Storms. "It's also batting four for five for Vista and [Windows] Server 2008."
As Storms said, four of the five updates apply to Windows Vista -- all four of those are ranked critical -- while the same four will also impact Windows Server 2008, the newest production version of Microsoft's server software. Three of those Server 2008 updates were pegged critical, while the fourth was rated as "important," the next-lowest threat level.
Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 will also receive updates Tuesday.
"We usually don't expect to see Microsoft's new OSes to be critical," noted Storms. "It's also unusual that they're all for Windows. So this is out of the ordinary."
Microsoft won't be patching the just-revealed vulnerability in its popular Internet Information Services (IIS) Web server, according to Storms. "We couldn't expect Microsoft to patch it that fast," he said, reading the tea leaves of the advance notification to dismiss any thought that the bug in IIS 5.0, 5.1 and 6.0 will get a fix next week.
Even though Microsoft promised Tuesday that it would patch IIS at some point, other analysts had said it was very unlikely that Microsoft would have an IIS patch ready in time.
Next week's five updates follow the nine issued Aug. 11, the two emergency updates released in late July, and the six it shipped July 14, that month's regularly-scheduled Patch Tuesday.
Microsoft will release the five updates at approximately 1 p.m. ET on Sept 8.
Appeals court grants Microsoft reprieve in Word case
A federal appeals court late today granted Microsoft's request to suspend an injunction that would have barred the company from selling its Word software next month.
In a short order filed near the end of the day, the Court of Appeals for the Federal District approved Microsoft's earlier request for a stay of the injunction.
"Without prejudicing the ultimate determination of this case by the merits panel, the court determines based upon the motion papers submitted that Microsoft has met its burden to obtain a stay of the injunction," the court said.
The injunction would have prevented Microsoft from selling Word 2003 and Word 2007 in their current forms after Oct 10, and was ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Leonard Davis on Aug. 11, after the company was found guilty in May by a Texas jury of infringing a patent held by Canadian software developer i4i. Davis also awarded i4i more than $290 million in damages and interest.
On Aug. 18, Microsoft filed a motion to stay the injunction while it took the case to appeal. In that motion, Microsoft warned of "massive disruptions" to its sales, as well as those of important OEM partners such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard, if the injunction was not put on hold.
Microsoft also said that the injunction, and the resulting need to retool Word to remove the infringing "custom" XML feature, could keep Word 2003 and Word 2007 -- and the suites that they are part of, Office 2003 and Office 2007 -- off the market for months.
Several days later, Microsoft was granted a fast-track appeals process, which requires i4i to file a response to Microsoft's appeal by next Tuesday, Sept. 8. Microsoft's rebuttal must reach the court by noon on Sept. 14.
Both Dell and HP have filed amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," briefs, arguing that Word's revision, and the resulting changes necessary on their part to re-image new PCs, would "require extensive time- and resource-consuming retesting."
Dell and HP also asked that, assuming a stay was not granted, that the injunction be postponed by 120 days.
"We are happy with the result and look forward to presenting our arguments on the main issues on September 23," said Microsoft spokesman Kevin Kutz in an e-mail today.
Kutz's reference was to the oral hearing before the Court of Appeals, during which both sides will present their cases. The three-judge panel will render its verdict at some point after the Sept. 23 hearing.
Representatives for i4i were not available for comment late Thursday.
In a short order filed near the end of the day, the Court of Appeals for the Federal District approved Microsoft's earlier request for a stay of the injunction.
"Without prejudicing the ultimate determination of this case by the merits panel, the court determines based upon the motion papers submitted that Microsoft has met its burden to obtain a stay of the injunction," the court said.
The injunction would have prevented Microsoft from selling Word 2003 and Word 2007 in their current forms after Oct 10, and was ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Leonard Davis on Aug. 11, after the company was found guilty in May by a Texas jury of infringing a patent held by Canadian software developer i4i. Davis also awarded i4i more than $290 million in damages and interest.
On Aug. 18, Microsoft filed a motion to stay the injunction while it took the case to appeal. In that motion, Microsoft warned of "massive disruptions" to its sales, as well as those of important OEM partners such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard, if the injunction was not put on hold.
Microsoft also said that the injunction, and the resulting need to retool Word to remove the infringing "custom" XML feature, could keep Word 2003 and Word 2007 -- and the suites that they are part of, Office 2003 and Office 2007 -- off the market for months.
Several days later, Microsoft was granted a fast-track appeals process, which requires i4i to file a response to Microsoft's appeal by next Tuesday, Sept. 8. Microsoft's rebuttal must reach the court by noon on Sept. 14.
Both Dell and HP have filed amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," briefs, arguing that Word's revision, and the resulting changes necessary on their part to re-image new PCs, would "require extensive time- and resource-consuming retesting."
Dell and HP also asked that, assuming a stay was not granted, that the injunction be postponed by 120 days.
"We are happy with the result and look forward to presenting our arguments on the main issues on September 23," said Microsoft spokesman Kevin Kutz in an e-mail today.
Kutz's reference was to the oral hearing before the Court of Appeals, during which both sides will present their cases. The three-judge panel will render its verdict at some point after the Sept. 23 hearing.
Representatives for i4i were not available for comment late Thursday.