by Robin Wauters on August 5, 2009
Google and On2 Technologies jointly announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Google will acquire On2, a developer of video compression technology. The acquisition is expected to close later this year. On2 markets video compression technologies that power high-quality video in both desktop and mobile applications and devices and also holds a number of interesting patents. Some of its codec designs are known as VP3, VP4, VP5, TrueMotion VP6, TrueMotion VP7 and VP8. Its customers include Adobe, Skype, Nokia, Infineon, Sun Microsystems, Mediatek, Sony, Brightcove, and Move Networks. On2, formerly known as The Duck Corporation, is headquartered in Clifton Park, NY. Under the terms of the agreement, each outstanding share of On2 common stock will be converted into $0.60 worth of Google class A common stock in a stock-for-stock transaction. The transaction is valued at approximately $106.5 million.
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Apple fixes hole with Mac OS X image viewing
by Elinor Mills August 5, 2009
Apple on Wednesday issued a security update that fixes 18 vulnerabilities including several that put computers running Mac OS X at risk of remote code execution if a maliciously crafted image is viewed. In addition to fixing a problem with how PNG images are handled, Security Update 2009-003 fixes issues related to ImageIO's handling of OpenEXR images, EXIF metadata, as well as Canon RAW images and images with an embedded ColorSync profile. The update, which arrives as part of the release of Mac OS X v10.5.8, extends the list of content types the Mac OS X will flag as potentially unsafe when downloaded from the Web. It also fixes a problem with how XML content is handled and resolves the way the kernel handles AppleTalk response packets.
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Apple on Wednesday issued a security update that fixes 18 vulnerabilities including several that put computers running Mac OS X at risk of remote code execution if a maliciously crafted image is viewed. In addition to fixing a problem with how PNG images are handled, Security Update 2009-003 fixes issues related to ImageIO's handling of OpenEXR images, EXIF metadata, as well as Canon RAW images and images with an embedded ColorSync profile. The update, which arrives as part of the release of Mac OS X v10.5.8, extends the list of content types the Mac OS X will flag as potentially unsafe when downloaded from the Web. It also fixes a problem with how XML content is handled and resolves the way the kernel handles AppleTalk response packets.
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Microsoft Admits Fear of Linux
By Preston Gralla, August 05, 2009
Microsoft has long pooh-poohed Linux as a desktop competitor. But a recent filing with the Security and Exchange Commission has the company admitting for the first time that Linux represents a significant threat to Windows. TechFlash reports that in Microsoft's recent annual filing with the SEC, it listed for the first time Ubuntu's maker Canonical, and Linux distributor Red Hat as competitors to its Client division, which makes Windows. Previously, TechFlash says, Red Hat was listed but only as a competitor to its Business and Server & Tools divisions. In its annual filing, Microsoft warns that Linux is a threat to Windows, particularly in emerging markets and for netbooks. It also warns that Apple is a threat, but it's said that before. The big news is the addition of Linux.
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Microsoft has long pooh-poohed Linux as a desktop competitor. But a recent filing with the Security and Exchange Commission has the company admitting for the first time that Linux represents a significant threat to Windows. TechFlash reports that in Microsoft's recent annual filing with the SEC, it listed for the first time Ubuntu's maker Canonical, and Linux distributor Red Hat as competitors to its Client division, which makes Windows. Previously, TechFlash says, Red Hat was listed but only as a competitor to its Business and Server & Tools divisions. In its annual filing, Microsoft warns that Linux is a threat to Windows, particularly in emerging markets and for netbooks. It also warns that Apple is a threat, but it's said that before. The big news is the addition of Linux.
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AMD delivers first OpenCL software platform for x86 CPUs
by Thomas De Maesschalck August 05 2009
AMD reports it has released a free OpenCL for x86 CPU beta download as part of the ATI Stream SDK 2.0 Beta Program, developers can sign up over here to get access to the beta. AMD today announced it is now offering a free OpenCL™ for CPU beta download as part of the ATI Stream SDK v2.0 Beta Program. The beta will help programmers to more easily develop parallel software programs and take further advantage of multi-core x86 CPUs to accelerate software and deliver a better computing experience. AMD has submitted conformance logs from its Microsoft® Windows® and Linux® CPU beta releases to the Khronos Working Group for certification. AMD is the first to deliver a beta release of an OpenCL software development platform for x86-based CPUs, highlighting AMD's commitment to deliver a complete heterogeneous OpenCL development platform for both the CPU and GPU. AMD's OpenCL for CPU beta is a key component of the complete OpenCL development platform included in the next ATI Stream software development kit (SDK), which is expected later in 2009.
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AMD reports it has released a free OpenCL for x86 CPU beta download as part of the ATI Stream SDK 2.0 Beta Program, developers can sign up over here to get access to the beta. AMD today announced it is now offering a free OpenCL™ for CPU beta download as part of the ATI Stream SDK v2.0 Beta Program. The beta will help programmers to more easily develop parallel software programs and take further advantage of multi-core x86 CPUs to accelerate software and deliver a better computing experience. AMD has submitted conformance logs from its Microsoft® Windows® and Linux® CPU beta releases to the Khronos Working Group for certification. AMD is the first to deliver a beta release of an OpenCL software development platform for x86-based CPUs, highlighting AMD's commitment to deliver a complete heterogeneous OpenCL development platform for both the CPU and GPU. AMD's OpenCL for CPU beta is a key component of the complete OpenCL development platform included in the next ATI Stream software development kit (SDK), which is expected later in 2009.
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Can Sony's cheaper eReader upset the Kindle?
By Tim Conneally August 5, 2009
The Amazon Kindle may have achieved dominant mind share in e-book readers, but Sony is hoping to grab the attention of potential adopters by offering the cheapest e-reading device. The Sony Reader Pocket Edition (PRS-300), a 5-inch e-book reader announced yesterday, will only cost $199, beating Amazon's Kindle 2 by $100. In July, Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle 2 to $299, knocking more than 15% off of its retail price. Shortly after lowering the price of the Kindle 2, NPD announced a study on e-readers which shows that interest in the devices is not limited to "the avid affluent bestseller reader," but that widespread adoption will be achieved by an affordable device which supplies up-to-date magazine-style content. While it will be providing the most affordable e-reader thus far, Sony has still not announced a comprehensive plan for magazine distribution. Instead, the company yesterday announced that it will cut the price of best-sellers to $9.99. Amazon's Kindle, on the other hand, offers subscriptions to a large number of Kindle-formatted magazines such as Newsweek, Time, The New Yorker, and The Economist. Issues are automatically pushed to the subscriber's Kindle as they become available and incur only a moderate subscription fee.
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The Amazon Kindle may have achieved dominant mind share in e-book readers, but Sony is hoping to grab the attention of potential adopters by offering the cheapest e-reading device. The Sony Reader Pocket Edition (PRS-300), a 5-inch e-book reader announced yesterday, will only cost $199, beating Amazon's Kindle 2 by $100. In July, Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle 2 to $299, knocking more than 15% off of its retail price. Shortly after lowering the price of the Kindle 2, NPD announced a study on e-readers which shows that interest in the devices is not limited to "the avid affluent bestseller reader," but that widespread adoption will be achieved by an affordable device which supplies up-to-date magazine-style content. While it will be providing the most affordable e-reader thus far, Sony has still not announced a comprehensive plan for magazine distribution. Instead, the company yesterday announced that it will cut the price of best-sellers to $9.99. Amazon's Kindle, on the other hand, offers subscriptions to a large number of Kindle-formatted magazines such as Newsweek, Time, The New Yorker, and The Economist. Issues are automatically pushed to the subscriber's Kindle as they become available and incur only a moderate subscription fee.
Read more here -->Link
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