Consumer Electronics Daily News

Microsoft: Security Bulletin Affecting Internet Explorer

Microsoft has released a security bulletin relating to a vulnerability affecting all versions of Windows. Internet Explorer is the only known attack vector. 

In a published security bulletin, Microsoft has warned of a script vulnerability affecting all versions of Windows which has been publically divulged. It is linked to a problem in the way MHTML treats MIME requests formatted for blocks of content in a document. 

MIME Encapsulation of Aggregate HTML is a Web page protocol which brings together numerous formats in a single file. For browsers, only Internet Explorer and Opera natively support this (although Firefox offers support via an extension). For the moment, the only known exploitation vector is Internet Explorer. 

Microsoft compares the impact of an attack exploiting the vulnerability (which resides in a Windows component) to that of XSS vulnerability (cross-site scripting) on the server side. The software giant explains that an attacker could, for example, build a HTML link to run a malicious script which executes on the victim’s computer the whole time their Internet Explorer session is open. This script could collect user information (e-mail), and spy on displayed content. 

While awaiting the publication of a corrective patch, Microsoft has proposed a radical protection method with a Fix it that disables the MHTML protocol.

IDG World Expo Closes Successful Macworld 2011, Looks Ahead to 2012

The Macworld 2011 closed on Saturday at Moscone Center's West Hall in San Francisco, Calif., where approximately 25,000 attendees packed the show floor to see, try and buy the latest in Apple-related products. 

 
There were more than 250 exhibitors launched in excess of 100 new innovations, and more than 100 educational sessions were taught by industry experts and luminaries, IDG World Expo, owner of Macworld 2011, announced today. Macworld 2012 will be held at the Moscone Center's West Hall on January 26 – 28, 2012.  

Highlights of Macworld 2011 included: 

Industry Forum, which made its debut at Macworld 2011, was an exclusive event that brought together developers, industry-watchers, media, analysts, volume product buyers, and other influencers for a day of discussion about the dynamics that both shape the third-party Apple-products marketplace and move the industry forward. 

Feature Presentations by performer Sinbad, designers Nathan Shedroff and Chris Noessel, self-fixer Kyle Wiens, cellist and composer Zoe Keating, Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess, and TechGirlz Shellie Hall, Dani Deahl, Cali Lewis, Amber MacArthur, Natali Morris and Stephanie (Sullivan) Rewis. 

Macworld announced its "Best of Show" winners, products, innovations and upgrades for Mac and iOS devices that stand out from the crowd as determined by its editors. This year's winners were: Awind McTiVia, BusyMac BusyToDo, Dane Elec myDitto Key, Global Delight Boom, OWN Mercury Aura Pro Express Solid State Drive, Rain Design iRest for iPad, Scosche myTrek Pulse Monitor and iOS app, TenOne Designs Fling, Web Information Solutions Pocket Informant 2.0 and Zagg ZaggMate with Keyboard.

Zippi Receives Apple Approval of Fourth iPhone App

Zippi Networks, an Applications company focused on delivering entertainment, gaming and social networking Apps, has received approval of its recently submitted iPhone app "Zippi SKINZ" and is now available in iTunes. 

Zippi's "SKINZ" app marks the fourth iPhone application now completed and approved by Apple. The company has now completed its fourth application in the mobile iPhone category, and continues to show progress towards its goal of achieving a minimum application base of ten, for 2011. 

According to Zippi Networks, as the number of applications continues to increase, Zippi is also becoming more proficient in how to monetize each application. The company feels more strongly than ever that the company could not be in a better market, at a better time.

Sony Online Entertainment Unveils Slate of New Games

Sony Online Entertainment announced a line-up of new titles for the PlayStation Network, including the hugely popular Plants vs. Zombies Acceleration of Suguri X Edition, Slam Bolt Scrappers, Akimi Village, Sideway and Rochard. 

Plants vs. Zombies: Scheduled to debut on the PlayStation Network this February, this zombie-zapping downloadable game challenges players to build an arsenal of loyal plants to defend their home against attacking waves of the undead. 

Acceleration of Suguri X Edition: SOE and Rockin' Android team up once more to bring the ultimate in anime-style robot-fighting to the PlayStation Network. In Acceleration of Suguri X Edition, players take on the role of a scorned robot to maneuver through arcade storylines and battle other robots. 

Slam Bolt Scrappers: Developed by Fire Hose Games, Slam Bolt Scrappers is an intense building and brawling mash-up, exclusive to the PlayStation Network. Players aim to construct the greatest towers in Slam Bolt City while defending against devious baddies and epic bosses. 

Akimi Village: Developed by NinjaBee, players obtain blueprints, gather resources and construct a village to help rid Akimi Island of lingering gloom in this PlayStation Network exclusive. 

Sideway: Set against the gritty art culture in New York City, Sideway follows the adventures of Nox, a 2D rebellious young artist, as he navigates the 3D urban streets. This audacious new PlayStation Network exclusive by Playbrains and Fuel Industries is scheduled to launch this spring. 

Rochard: Players embrace the gravity-bending exploits of space miner John Rochard as he discovers the first proof of extra-terrestrial life. Developed by Recoil Games, Rochard combines space exploration and puzzle-solving in a side-scrolling single player experience.

Remote Call Control Capabilities for Lotus Sametime Users

Jabra expanded its growing portfolio of unified communications solutions with the Jabra PC Suite Plug-In for IBM Lotus Sametime. 

The new Jabra PC Suite Plug-In enhances the telephony capabilities of Lotus Sametime and Sametime Unified Telephony by providing integrated call management functions—call answer/end, volume, mute—and remote ring detection to a range of award-winning Jabra corded and DECT or Bluetooth wireless headsets. Jabra wireless headsets allow professionals the freedom to roam up to 450 feet away from their PC, and be completely hands-free to multi-task and collaborate more effectively.

The new Jabra PC Suite Plug-In for IBM Lotus Sametime can be used with the following award-winning, professional headset systems: 

Jabra PRO 9470 & Jabra GO™ 6470 Series - With the Jabra GO 6470 and Jabra PRO 9400 Series, users can easily manage multiple phones using the intuitive touch screen, start and end calls, adjust the volume, or switch between desk, soft and mobile phones all from one device.  

Jabra BIZ™ 2400 USB – This noise-canceling headset delivers wideband audio quality and premier features like a rugged 360 degree full spin boom and a built-in Bluetooth connection, allowing users to seamlessly switch between softphone and mobile phone calls.

AT&T;: 'Best Mobile Coverage In The World' by Business Traveler Magazine

AT&T was selected as having the "Best Mobile Coverage In The World" in the 2010 Best in Business Travel Awards, conducted by Business Traveler magazine. The annual survey gives readers the chance to voice their opinions in support of companies that have made their business travel even easier and more efficient. AT&T, for the fourth year in a row, has claimed the top spot among U.S. wireless providers. 

"Business Traveler's readers are uniquely qualified to name AT&T 'Best Mobile Coverage In The World,' because their extensive, frequent travels take them to all corners of the world," said Eva Leonard, Business Traveler Editor-in-Chief. "Reliability of coverage for voice and data in as many countries as possible is of the utmost importance to the readers of Business Traveler, as is the ability to multi-task with their smartphones and to have options with their plans and packages. AT&T delivers superbly on all fronts." 

"We are honored that, once again, Business Traveler readers have recognized AT&T as a carrier of choice, committed to delivering the best mobile coverage to our customers," said Bill Hague, Executive Vice President, International, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "By offering more devices that work in more countries, combined with a leading global voice and data footprint, our customers can rely on AT&T to stay connected to what matters most while traveling abroad."

 

HotelTonight Made-for-Mobile Hotel Booking App Now Available on the App Store

HotelTonight, a mobile-exclusive hotel booking app for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, is now available on the App Store, bringing users last-minute deals at the most desirable hotels. Whether you’re working late and don’t feel like commuting home, forced to spend an extra night on the road, or looking to surprise someone special with a romantic night out—now there’s a simple, fast and efficient way to book a hotel room on the spot (as late as 2 a.m.) and get a great deal to boot. Travelers on-the-go no longer need to break out their laptop to search the Internet for a decent hotel room only to pay sky-high prices.

HotelTonight was founded by serial entrepreneur Sam Shank, who successfully launched online travel startups DealBase.com and TravelPost.com, and Jared Simon, a founding team member of Orbitz’ hotel category. Together they felt there was an opportunity to focus on what mobile could do better than any travel website—book a last-minute hotel room on-the-go.

Every day at noon local time, HotelTonight releases three featured hotel deals for that night—one hip, one elegant and one basic—in each of the six cities it currently supports: Chicago, Boston, Washington D.C., New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Users are then able to book a room in a few simple steps from the convenience of their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad—making HotelTonight the fastest way to book a hotel room on a mobile device.

When the app is first downloaded, users will automatically receive $25 in credit toward their first hotel booking, and can earn an additional $25 in credit for each friend they refer to HotelTonight.

AWR Releases AWR Connected for ODB++ and Extends Reach of PCB Design

AWR® Corporation, the innovation leader in high-frequency EDA software, today released a new product within its AWR Connected™ portfolio, specifically an ODB++ PCB layout verification design flow for connecting popular third-party PCB tools with its Microwave Office®(MWO) and AXIEM™ software solutions. The ODB++ PCB flow specifically moves layout data from a customer’s PCB vendor tool into a relevant and independent file format ready for use and import into AWR software, extending its compatibility to popular firms such as Altium, Intercept and Zuken.

This new ODB++ compatibility solution not only transfers important intelligence from the PCB layout/database into Microwave Office, but it also gives the user the ability to selectively import either by net or by region. This selective filtering allows the engineer to focus on the design’s most critical aspects, and by reducing the amount of unnecessary data passed to the simulator, this importer also reduces set up and simulation time.

Highlights include:

• Import layout from PCB tools for EM analysis; full PCB, arbitrary section, and/or select traces with proximity;

• Schematic automatically created from component information (i.e. models supplied by designer);

• Apply EM ports and wire automatically into schematic; and

• Complements existing AWR Connected™ bidirectional flow with Mentor Graphics that support full co-design at all stages.

Wedgi Mounts Easily on the Dashboard for Safe Driving

A brand-new mobile accessory is set to make drivers safer. Released this week by C & C Designs Technology, the patent-pending wedgi is a versatile smartphone kickstand and dashboard mounting device. 

Taking its name from its slim, lightweight design, the wedgi can be inserted into any seam in a car's dashboard for simple hands-free operation of any mobile device. Whether used as a kickstand or a dashboard mount, the wedgi's ratcheting, rotating head adjusts to any angle.  

 
The result is a rather inexpensive solution a smartphone, cell phone, GPS and mp3 player users.

Retailing at just $9.99, the wedgi requires no tools or adhesive to install and can be mounted in any car the user is driving—a plus for those who drive both personal and work vehicles. When used as a kickstand, the wedgi will hold a mobile device horizontally or vertically on a desk, and is great for watching movies, gaming and texting.

Sprint Becomes First National Wireless Carrier in U.S. to Offer International 4G Roaming

Sprint today announced that customers traveling abroad now have roaming access to 4G networks offered by Digicel in Jamaica and Global Mobile in Taiwan. Select Sprint 4G devices that operate with the Sprint SmartView^SM Connection Manager will automatically detect the Digicel and Global Mobile networks, giving customers the option to connect and roam with an unlimited, 24-hour daypass for $14.99, excluding surcharges and taxes.

The Sprint SmartView Connection Manager allows users to create a high-speed Internet connection for their computer anywhere on the Sprint 3G or 4G networks, and now on compatible international 4G networks with a 4G-enabled Mobile Broadband Device, such as the Sprint 3G/4G U600 USB Modem. Sprint customers traveling to Jamaica and Taiwan will be able to access the Digicel and Global Mobile 4G networks for mobile downloads, video-chat capabilities and turbo-charged Web browsing at 4G speeds.

Sprint 4G can be found in 71 markets across the U.S., including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.