TMCnet News
AP Technology NewsBrief at 12:05 p.m. EST(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) WikiLeaks backers: We're behind MasterCard attackNEW YORK (AP) _ The website for MasterCard suffered severe technical problems Wednesday, possibly the result of attacks by hackers supporting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Credit cards were not affected. Supporters of the organization, which has released thousands of classified government documents in recent weeks, said they would attack companies and groups hostile to its founder. An Internet group operating under the label "Operation Payback" claimed responsibility for the MasterCard problems in a message on Twitter. The hacking group Anonymous is distributing software tools that allow anyone with a computer and an Internet connection to join in the attacks. Hackers strike back to support WikiLeaks founderLONDON (AP) _ WikiLeaks supporters struck back Wednesday at perceived enemies of the site and its jailed founder Julian Assange, launching hacker attacks against MasterCard, Swedish prosecutors, a Swedish lawyer and a Swiss group that froze Assange's bank account. So-called "hacktivists" operating under the label "Operation Payback" claimed responsibility in a Twitter message for causing technological problems at MasterCard, which pulled the plug on its relationship with WikiLeaks on Tuesday. Palm head says turnaround hurt by swifter peersSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ The head of smart-phone maker Palm said the company's attempt at a turnaround _ which ended earlier this year when it was bought by Hewlett Packard for $1.8 billion in cash _ was thwarted by competitors that simply moved too quickly. Speaking at a tech conference Tuesday, Jon Rubinstein said that Palm Inc., a pioneer in the smart phone market that fell behind in recent years, had many of the necessary elements for success when it launched its fresh operating software, webOS, and accompanying Pre and Pixi smart phones in 2009. These strengths included a solid team and software, a great product pipeline and over $500 million in cash. Microsoft unveils new privacy feature for IESAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ An upcoming version of Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer browser will let users add lists of sites that they don't want tracking them, a peace offering amid uproar over the sneaky ways that websites watch their users as they bounce around the Internet. The new feature, however, won't be as sweeping as a "do not track" option that the Federal Trade Commission is proposing to limit advertisers' ability to do that. Users will have to create or find their own lists of sites they want to block. Google still polishing Chrome OS, postpones debutSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ It's taking longer than Google Inc. anticipated to deliver a new operating system designed to make computers run faster. After more than a year building a much-anticipated system around its Chrome Web browser, Google announced Tuesday that the first laptops powered by the new software won't hit the stores until the middle of next year. The revised timetable is about six months behind Google's goal of having the Chrome OS completed in time for it to debut during the current holiday season. Disney's 'Tron' movie reverse-ages Jeff BridgesLOS ANGELES (AP) _ Hollywood has famously had better luck using makeup to make young actors look old _ like Russell Crowe in "A Beautiful Mind" _ than making old actors look young. But the ability to manipulate images digitally could prove to be a fountain of youth for some. In "Tron: Legacy," which opens Dec. 17, 61-year-old actor Jeff Bridges will play Kevin Flynn, at his natural age, and a computerized avatar called "Clu," who hasn't aged since around the time he was first created in the original "Tron" in 1982. Gift guide: Consoles to bring out the gamer in youNEW YORK (AP) _ With two new motion controllers out this fall, video game companies are giving even the most hand-eye-coordination challenged of us a chance to find our inner gamer. And for those who already have, lower-priced console bundles and an experimental game streaming platform can be reason enough to get a second _ or third _ gaming system this holiday season. Here's a handy rundown of what's out there, how much it costs and who might want it: Amazon opens Kindle book store to other merchantsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Amazon.com is giving other merchants a chance to sell selections from its electronic book store and earn a commission. The maker of the popular Kindle reading device announced the partnership program Tuesday as it unveiled a new application designed for a Web store run by Google Inc. The app is scheduled to debut early next year. Microsoft VP: iPhone, Android offered mobile cuesSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ A Microsoft executive says the company has tried to take advantage of the fact that it's playing catch up. Microsoft vice president Joe Belfiore, the director of the company's Windows Phone program, says Microsoft Corp. had a chance to look at what its competitors _ Apple's iPhone and phones running Google's Android operating software _ were doing. It then tried to make unique, consumer-friendly software. Google mobile head says Nexus One too ambitiousSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ The head of Google's Android mobile operating software says the search company "bit off a little more than we could chew" with the sale of the Nexus One, a smart phone Google began selling online early this year but then stopped offering after similar devices powered by Android hit the market. Speaking at the D: Dive Into Mobile technology conference run by the tech blog AllThingsD Monday evening, Andy Rubin said that Google Inc. figured that it could sell the phone over the Web and people would buy it as they already do electronics like digital cameras. (c) 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |