Carlo Orlando

The relationship that Microsoft shares with their Windows XP operating system can be likened to the same kind of relationship shared between Dr. Frankenstein and his monster: what began as a beautiful creation must now be destroyed at all costs. ... While a tad extreme, this is essentially the message that Microsoft is sending out to the world after announcing that the next version of the free Windows Live Essentials software will not run on XP. In a recent blog post, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of the Windows Live Experience Chris Jones confirmed the news, although web-based versions of ... (view more)

The Ford Motor Co. is hoping to make it an easy choice for North American social networking fans when deciding on a new vehicle. Thanks to a feature called "Sync AppLinks", those who buy or lease the forthcoming 2011 Ford Fiesta will be able to use ... applications on their smartphones simply by verbalizing commands and using buttons on their steering wheel. Ford is pitching Sync AppLinks as a safety feature that makes it easier for car owners to use mobile phones while operating their motor vehicle. In large pockets throughout North America, non-hands-free mobile phones are illegal when in use ... (view more)

Hackers have unveiled a nasty new virus that seeks to embarrass as much as harm its victims. However, have no fear if your online behavior is at a PG rating or below: the virus targets those who frequent a popular -- ahem -- skin file-sharing site. ... Kenzero, a virus that originated in Japan, is on a rampage looking to embarrass (and then steal) from users of the illicit file-sharing service "Winni". In total, Winni draws about 200 million users from across the globe. (Source: yahoo.com ) Winni customers use the site to download copies of games from the aforementioned genre. In doing so, their ... (view more)

In a recent annual security report posted on the web site of China's National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team (CNCERT), it was reported that almost 7 million Internet Protocol (IP) addresses were infected with the "Conficker B" ... worm at the end of 2009. While the number of infections fluctuated on a week-to-week basis, all but one week had at least 5 million IP infections in the country. Statistically, China represents 28 per cent of the total number of compromised computers infected with the Conficker B worm, the largest percentage world-wide. (Source: pcworld.com ) ... (view more)

Sean Koehl, a man known throughout Intel Labs as a technology guru, has raised a few eyebrows with his recent Nostradamus-like prediction that the Internet will "go three-dimensional" within the next 5 to 10 years. Of all the forthcoming technology ... projects underway at Intel Labs, Koehl said that he is most excited about the work being done on 3D technology and how it will change the way people interact with online information. According to Koehl, the only reason it is taking so long for this technology to evolve (if being 5 years away from a three-dimensional Internet can even be considered ... (view more)

Microsoft is wasting little time in developing the successor to their recently released Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) browser. Many believe that Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) will be a much improved browser. IE9: New HTML5 and Improved Java Engine Changes ... discussed thus far for IE9 include: the addition of Hyper Text Markup Language version 5 (HTML5), and support for a faster, new JavaScript engine called "Chakra". According to Internet Explorer GM Dean Hachamovitch, IE9 will improve HTML5 applications by taking advantage of PC hardware through Vista and Windows 7. With IE9, Microsoft is looking to ... (view more)

Jeremy Conway, a security researcher with NitroSecurity, is claiming to have found a way to spread malicious code via PDF (Portable Document Format) documents. The secret is in the way PDF file format works. More specifically, a certain flaw exists ... in the PDF file format that adds malicious data to legitimate files. This means that anyone who opens compromised PDF files instantly becomes a victim of a worm-like attack. Attack Launched Without User Consent Conway spent a great deal of time developing a technique with which to inject malicious commands into PDFs. Until now, his attacks only ... (view more)

A recent study reports that 4.4% of all Internet usage in China is done without antivirus protection. What is more disturbing is that these figures have actually increased when compared to figures from last year. The studies were conducted by the ... Chinese Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) and China's National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team (CNCERT). $2.2B In 'Service Fees' To Clean Up Attacks In 2009, Chinese Internet users spent almost 15.3 billion yuan ($2.2 billion) on service fees designed to clean up after cyber attacks. It is also reported that free ... (view more)

Microsoft appears ready to support third-party USB storage for its Xbox 360 console, says a recent report from Joystiq. The source of the information, a Microsoft engineering document, reveals that support for the Xbox 360 platform would be extended ... later this spring. Xbo 360 Saved Game Data In Your Pocket The purpose of offering third-party USB storage on the Xbox 360 platform is simple: quickly saving and loading game data. Yes, gamers around the world will soon be offered the chance to carry around the saved data of their favorite Xbox 360 games in their pocket. Take it from someone who ... (view more)

With strict hands-free mobile phone laws affecting people in cities across North America, in-car services such as Onstar are seemingly the only way a person can make a legal phone call while driving. But what if you need to send an important email ... reply or text message while on the go? For Blackberry users on a Sprint plan, hands-free emails and texting is now a reality. These subscribers have the opportunity to install a speech-to-text mobile application that will enable them to dictate text-based messages without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. The technology that allows ... (view more)