Top Items:
Joris Evers / CNET News.com:
Microsoft shows off JPEG rival — SEATTLE—If it is up to Microsoft, the omnipresent JPEG image format will be replaced by Windows Media Photo. — The software maker detailed the new image format Wednesday at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference here.
RELATED ITEMS:
microsoft.com:
Windows Media Photo Specification — Windows Media Photo is a new file format for continuous-tone still images that surpasses the limitations of existing image formats. Windows Media Photo supports a wide range of features including: — Multiple color formats for display or print
Elinor Mills / CNET News.com:
Microsoft folds new features into mapping service — Microsoft unveiled on Tuesday night enhancements to its Windows Live Local online mapping service, incorporating real-time traffic data, integration with Outlook's calendaring function and expanded scratch pad features.
RELATED ITEMS:
Nick / Rough Type:
The death of Wikipedia — Wikipedia, the encyclopedia that "anyone can edit," was a nice experiment in the "democratization" of publishing, but it didn't quite work out. Wikipedia is dead. It died the way the pure products of idealism always do, slowly and quietly and largely in secret, through the corrosive process of compromise.
Greg Sandoval / CNET News.com:
MPAA accused of hiring a hacker — The Motion Picture Association of America hired a hacker to steal information from a company that the MPAA has accused of helping copyright violators, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday. — The lawsuit (click for PDF), filed in U.S. District Court …
Discussion:
Techdirt
Colin Campbell / next-gen.biz:
Doubts Over Pre-owned PS3 Bombshell — A story claiming that Sony is preparing to stop the potential sale of pre-owned PlayStation 3 games is being met with some skepticism by industry insiders. — According to a UK news source, citing retail contacts, Sony is preparing to make it illegal for consumers to sell used PS3 games.
Discussion:
TechSpot
RELATED ITEMS:
Ina Fried / CNET News.com:
Microsoft lays plans for 'Vistagami' tablets — With the first Origami devices out the door, Microsoft is setting its sights on the next generation of tiny tablet PCs—products known within the company as "Vistagami" devices. — The new minitablets are likely to resemble the first of the ultramobile PCs …
Henry Blodget / Internet Outsider:
Vonage IPO: A New Way To Piss Off Your Customers — I don't mean to jump on the sick-horse-kicking bandwagon, but it appears Vonage has invented a new kind of leverage. The company reserved about 14% of its IPO shares for its customers. In other circumstances, this might be seen as a perk: Buy the service, get hot stock.
RELATED ITEMS:
Sylvia Carr / CNET News.com:
Mozilla CEO: Why we're still shunned by corporate IT — Mozilla, maker of the open-source Firefox Web browser and Thunderbird e-mail client, says a reliance on proprietary technologies is still an obstacle for IT directors looking to deploy open source in the enterprise.
Discussion:
Open Sources
Aman Batheja / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Dell plans to open first store in Dallas — Dell will open its first store this summer, in Dallas, an experiment that could be a turning point in the history of the Round Rock-based computer maker. — The store, at NorthPark Center, will not carry inventory, Dell spokesman Venancio Figueroa said.
Lilly Rockwell / Austin American-Statesman:
Starbucks downscales its Hear Music strategy — AUSTIN, Texas — Dean Teffer comes to Starbucks for the coffee, often lugging his laptop and work with him. — Hunched over a table, Teffer, 35, doesn't even glance at the four CD-burning kiosks behind him. And why should he?
Business Wire:
Hear The FUSIC(TM) by LG(R): Sprint and LG Electronics MobileComm Introduce a Mobile Phone Designed for the Mobile Music Lifestyle — OVERLAND PARK, Kan. & SAN DIEGO—(BUSINESS WIRE)—May 24, 2006—Sprint (NYSE:S): — The First Mobile Phone in the U.S. to Feature an FM Transmitter
Declan McCullagh / CNET News.com:
Net neutrality fans pressure U.S. Senate — One day before Republicans plan a Senate hearing on a new telecommunications bill without Net neutrality regulations, backers of the concept have thrown their support behind a competing proposal with far more extensive federal rules.
Discussion:
GigaLaw.com Daily News
metro.co.uk:
Pupils perform 'alarming' feat — A high-pitched alarm which cannot be heard by adults has been hijacked by schoolchildren to create ringtones so they can get away with using phones in class. — Techno-savvy pupils have adapted the Mosquito alarm, used to drive teenage gangs away from shopping centres.
DomainNameWire / circleid.com:
New York Passing New Domain Name Law — In a move that flies in the face of established international guidelines, the New York Senate is pushing through a bill that would forbid registering the name of a living person with the purpose of selling the domain to that person.
Discussion:
The Trademark Blog
Matthew Miller / The Mobile Gadgeteer:
Who is the Mobile Gadgeteer? — I started using computers when I was 12 years old in 1981 after saving up money from my shelf stocking job to buy a Timex Sinclair ZX-81 with thermal printer. After that I was hooked on electronic gadgets and began using mobile devices in 1997 after U.S. Robotics sent …
Chris Morris / CNN:
Mario creator outlines Nintendo strategy — Creator of the game company's biggest franchises discusses Wii, PS3 and surprises yet to come. — Game Over is a weekly column by Chris Morris — NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Psst. Want to know a Wii secret? — The man who created Mario …
Discussion:
Kotaku
