Hasta La Gadget!

This article was written on September 14, 2007 by CyberNet.

This is just an F.Y.I.  If you use a version of Windows Live Messenger or MSN Messenger other than the most recent Live Messenger version 8.1 on Windows XP or Vista, you’re going to be forced to upgrade within the next few weeks. The security PM for Windows Live Messenger, Anand says the reason behind the upgrade is because "There is a security vulnerability in the earlier versions – MSN Messenger 6.2, 7.0, 7.5, and Windows Live Messenger 8.0."

According to security bulletin MS07-054: "Vulnerability in MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger Could Allow Remote Code Execution (942099).  This vulnerability, which has been fixed in 8.1 and the beta version 8.5 could allow remote code execution when a user accepts a webcam or video chat invitation from an attacker. An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could take complete control of the affected system."

For some of you, this isn’t a big deal because you already keep up with the latest versions, however, for others of you, this means change is in store. If you’re using  MSN messenger, particularly version 6.2, it was last updated back in 2005 and it’s quite a bit different in terms of its interface and some of the features. In general, anyone unfamiliar with the new Live Messenger (compared to MSN messenger) will have to get used to it.

The reason behind the mandatory upgrade is a security vulnerability, so Microsoft needs to find a way to keep their users safe. When they start the upgrade process, any user who has an older version will be guided through updating to the latest version. They will not be allowed to log in until they’re using 8.1. To me at least, this mandatory upgrade really doesn’t seem like it’s an issue, however it is for others.  In fact, there’s a petition (although it only has 31 signatures at the moment) found here asking that the mandatory upgrade be withdrawn because "many members dislike the Windows Live version, and wish to stay with their MSN Messenger version. Shouldn’t members be allowed to choose what they want, even knowing there is a security risk?"

So what do you think? Should users simply be informed that there is a security risk and then be allowed to choose whether or not they want to make the upgrade? Or is Microsoft right for forcing everybody to upgrade to their most recent, most secure version?

Source: LiveSide

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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Phone cameras still have a ways to go to catch up to the awesome capabilities of your standard DSLR, but the handset captured in the image above would certainly get them headed in the right direction. International phone review superstar Eldar Murtazin snapped a few shots of an as-of-yet unnamed HTC device running Windows Phone. It sports a look very similar to the HTC Trophy, although this particular gem is capable of capturing images at 12 megapixel resolution — comparable to the Nokia N8. We can tell from Eldar’s tweets and images, however, that it’s gone one step further by adding support for pictures in RAW format. We’re still waiting to get more information about this device, but for now we invite you to enjoy the images above and below.

Continue reading Mystery HTC Windows Phone sports 12 megapixel goodness, RAW support

Mystery HTC Windows Phone sports 12 megapixel goodness, RAW support originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 May 2011 07:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This article was written on March 30, 2007 by CyberNet.

Microsoft recently added birds eye coverage of cities around the World to their Virtual Earth service.  More than 3.8 TB of information was added, and my home-town Chicago is one of them with great shots of Wrigley Field, Soldier Field (pictured below), and other great landmarks. (They’ve also created a collection of Landmarks in Chicago to help you get started with your tour).

You’ll also find great bird’s eye views of many European cities within the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and the list goes on. The complete list of cities is here. The image below is the bird’s eye view of Exeter in the UK.

This was a pretty massive update (in size anyways!) and the bird’s eye views look great.

Along the same lines, Google Earth has been offering users interesting directions. For example, as Google Operating System points out, when you get directions from Standford,California to Stockholm, Sweeden, one of the instructions says “swim across the Atlantic Ocean”. It’s only 3,462 miles, you could do it, couldn’t you?

Copyright © 2011 CyberNetNews.com

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We’ve heard an awful lot about a Windows tablet OS this past year, with stirrings of a 2012 launch — heck, even Steve Ballmer’s fanned the flames of speculation — and now the rumor mill’s been set in motion with word of an impending preview expected next week. According to Bloomberg, three sources have confirmed Microsoft’s plan to flaunt the much-anticipated UI, possibly at upcoming appearances at AllThingsD and Computex. The showcase is supposedly set to run the touchscreen-enabled software on a Tegra-equipped machine. We’d previously reported on stirrings of a June demo. Considering all the evidence that’s stacked up over the past few months, we’d say 2012 is looking like a rather practical target.

Windows tablet OS preview coming next week? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 May 2011 20:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talks about the future of Windows at CES 2010. Photo: Jonathan Snyder/Wired.com

Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer got ahead of himself on Monday when he publicly blurted out a general roadmap for the next version of Windows.

Ballmer told an audience at a developer forum in Tokyo that Microsoft will have news to share about Windows 8 on tablets, slates and PCs over the next year.

“As we look forward to the next generation of Windows systems, which will come out next year, there’s a whole lot more coming,” Ballmer was quoted in a transcript provided by Microsoft. “As we progress through the year, you ought to expect to hear a lot about Windows 8. Windows 8 slates, tablets, PCs, a variety of different form factors.”

However, later Monday afternoon a Microsoft spokesperson retracted Ballmer’s statement.

“It appears there was a misstatement,” a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement the company issued. “We are eagerly awaiting the next generation of Windows 7 hardware that will be available in the coming fiscal year. To date, we have yet to formally announce any timing or naming for the next version of Windows.”

Besides Ballmer’s hiccup, little is known about Microsoft’s next operating system. In June 2010, an Italian Windows blog published what it purported to be slides showing Microsoft’s plans for Windows 8. The slides hinted that Microsoft hopes to replicate Apple’s App Store model and instant-on capability for devices in order for Windows 8 to succeed.  Microsoft did not confirm the authenticity of the slides, though observers agreed that they look credible.

A looming question about Microsoft as a whole is just what it plans to do in the tablet market in the wake of the iPad. Apple, Google, and dozens of other small companies have produced tablet products, but Microsoft has not yet announced a credible tablet strategy. Microsoft’s retraction of Ballmer’s statement about Windows 8 on tablets suggests that the company isn’t quite firm about its plans.

See Also:

• 7 Reasons You Won’t Want a Windows 7 Slate
• Microsoft to Announce iPad-Challenging Slate Next Month
• Official: HP Slate Will Run WebOS
• Microsoft Cancels Courier Tablet