Top Items:
Mary Jo Foley / All about Microsoft:
XP SP3 not generally available yet, after all — Microsoft has decided not to release Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3 to Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center as planned on April 29. The reason? A last-minute compatibility issue with a Microsoft application — Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS).
Discussion:
Download Squad, GMSV, DailyTech, TechBlog, CyberNet, Hardware 2.0, Lifehacker, SEO and Tech Daily, jkOnTheRun and Ian Dixon's Blog
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Emil Protalinski / Ars Technica:
Microsoft releases the long-anticipated Windows XP SP3 — As per the unofficial timeline, Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) has finally hit the Release to Web (RTW) milestone. The 300MB+ x86 standalone installer is available on the Microsoft Download Center in English, German, Spanish, and so on.
Discussion:
Compiler, Beyond Binary, Microsoft Watch, WebGuild, Computerworld, Lifehacker, Homotron.net, AppScout, TG Daily, GottaBeMobile, TechSpot, Alice Hill's Real Tech News, TechRadar.com and Digg
Jason Chen / Gizmodo:
Lenovo Parodies MacBook Air Ad For X300 — Most parody videos are lame in the sense that they take one joke and stretch it to 60 seconds, but Lenovo's one joke actually works when properly executed. Not to spoil anything, but it's a send-up of the MacBook Air in favor of Lenovo's own X300.
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Michael Arrington / TechCrunch:
End Of Speculation: The Real Twitter Usage Numbers — Speculation about Twitter's new round of financing is leading everyone to speculate on Twitter's actual penetration into the “mainstream,” or lack thereof. — Hitwise says web visits have increased 8x in the last year, albeit from a minuscule base.
Discussion:
VentureBeat
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Eric Eldon / VentureBeat:
Hitwise: Twitter traffic is, in fact, going up (but still not big) [Updated] — Updated with Twitter's “real” traffic numbers, below the original post. — Web analytics service Hitwise has just released more data on web traffic to group messaging service Twitter, confirming what many blogs have anecdotally observed.
Elinor Mills / CNET News.com:
Google issues warning about phishing e-mails — Google is warning people about the dangers of phishing e-mails that ask for sensitive information and appear to come from a legitimate trusted source, like your bank, but are really scams to steal your data. — You would think that with all …
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Barry Schwartz / Search Engine Land:
Google Adds Street Views To Step-By-Step Driving Directions — The Google LatLong Blog announced that you can now see street views turn-by-turn (when available) when you are seeking out driving directions via Google Maps. — For example, when driving from the Empire State Building to Times Square …
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Andy Szybalski / Google LatLong:
Getting from A to B with Street View — Street View lets you virtually behold amazing sights like Yosemite's El Capitan and The World's Largest Rocking Chair without ever leaving your computer. But if you're like me, occasionally you need to go somewhere in real life.
Discussion:
Screenwerk
The Boy Genius Report:
BlackBerry 9000: Internal Spec Sheet Answers Your Questions — Enough with the speculation, the rumors, the spokespersons commenting on our blogging abilities — we're setting it all straight right here with this internal RIM doc we just got a hold of. You might be thinking that cover page above …
Discussion:
Gizmodo, IntoMobile, BlackBerry Cool, PHONE Magazine, CrackBerry.com blogs, Unwired View, CrunchGear, Engadget, Ubergizmo, BB Geeks and PalmAddicts
Benjamin J. Romano / The Seattle Times:
Microsoft device helps police pluck evidence from cyberscene of crime — Microsoft has developed a small plug-in device that investigators can use to quickly extract forensic data from computers that may have been used in crimes. — The COFEE, which stands for Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor …
Ryan Paul / Ars Technica:
Hans Reiser is fscked: jury delivers guilty verdict — Hans Reiser, the software developer credited with the creating the ReiserFS filesystem, has been found guilty of first-degree murder. Jurors concluded that Reiser killed his estranged wife, who vanished suddenly in 2006.
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Chris Morrison / VentureBeat:
Wigix wants to kill eBay — Ever gone to eBay in search of something — an iPod, say — and had to comb through an endless array of half-literate, confusing and possibly inaccurate listings? — Or perhaps you're a seller on eBay, and angry at its policies?
Discussion:
CenterNetworks, GigaOM, Burnham's Beat, CNET News.com, TechCrunch, Ubergizmo, Mashable! and John Cook's Venture Blog
Ina Fried / Beyond Binary:
Mac Messenger still trying to find its voice — Updated at 10:35 a.m. to note that the product has been released. — Microsoft released the latest version of its instant-messaging program for the Mac on Tuesday, though it still continues to trail its Windows counterpart when it comes to features.
The Jeff Pulver Blog:
What I look for in Startups — During the past ten years, what I look for in a startup has changed. — These days I no longer actively look for an opportunity to participate in the “A” round or “B” round of a startup, although I still do that from time to time.
Henry Blodget / Silicon Alley Insider:
Up For Grabs: $42 Billion of Newspaper Ad Revenue — How bad are things in the newspaper industry? Don't ask. After another jarring 3.5% decline over the past six months, print-paper circulation will drop to about 50 million this year—the lowest level since 1946 (62 years ago).
Betsy Schiffman / Epicenter:
Hey! Ho! Time for Ballmer to Go? — The investment community likes Steve Ballmer. He's competent, aggressive and occasionally crazy. He's been at Microsoft's helm for eight years, during which time the technology landscape has drastically changed several times over.
Merissa Marr / Wall Street Journal:
Blockbuster Is in Talks on Taking Stake in Viacom-Led TV Channel — Blockbuster Inc. is in talks about taking a stake in the new Viacom Inc.-led premium television channel that plans to compete with HBO, Showtime and Starz, according to people familiar with the situation.
