Top Items:
Mary Jo Foley / All about Microsoft:
XP SP3 not generally available yet, after all — Microsoft has decided not to release Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3 to Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center as planned on April 29. The reason? A last-minute compatibility issue with a Microsoft application — Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS).
Discussion:
Download Squad, GMSV, DailyTech, Hardware 2.0, TechBlog, CyberNet, Lifehacker, jkOnTheRun, Slashdot, SEO and Tech Daily and Ian Dixon's Blog
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Emil Protalinski / Ars Technica:
Microsoft releases the long-anticipated Windows XP SP3 (updated) — As per the unofficial timeline, Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) has been uploaded to Microsoft's servers. Currently, the final build is only available on the download.windowsupdate domain in the following languages: Chinese …
Discussion:
Beyond Binary, Microsoft Watch, WebGuild, Computerworld, Homotron.net, AppScout, Lifehacker, TG Daily, TechSpot, Alice Hill's Real Tech News, GottaBeMobile, TechRadar.com and Digg
Jason Chen / Gizmodo:
Lenovo Parodies MacBook Air Ad For X300 — Most parody videos are lame in the sense that they take one joke and stretch it to 60 seconds, but Lenovo's one joke actually works when properly executed. Not to spoil anything, but it's a send-up of the MacBook Air in favor of Lenovo's own X300.
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Michael Arrington / TechCrunch:
End Of Speculation: The Real Twitter Usage Numbers — Speculation about Twitter's new round of financing is leading everyone to speculate on Twitter's actual penetration into the “mainstream,” or lack thereof. — Hitwise says web visits have increased 8x in the last year, albeit from a minuscule base.
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Eric Eldon / VentureBeat:
Hitwise: Twitter traffic is, in fact, going up (but still not big) [Updated] — Updated with Twitter's “real” traffic numbers, below the original post. — Web analytics service Hitwise has just released more data on web traffic to group messaging service Twitter, confirming what many blogs have anecdotally observed.
Barry Schwartz / Search Engine Land:
Google Adds Street Views To Step-By-Step Driving Directions — The Google LatLong Blog announced that you can now see street views turn-by-turn (when available) when you are seeking out driving directions via Google Maps. — For example, when driving from the Empire State Building to Times Square …
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Benjamin J. Romano / The Seattle Times:
Microsoft device helps police pluck evidence from cyberscene of crime — Microsoft has developed a small plug-in device that investigators can use to quickly extract forensic data from computers that may have been used in crimes. — The COFEE, which stands for Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor …
The Boy Genius Report:
BlackBerry 9000: Internal Spec Sheet Answers Your Questions — Enough with the speculation, the rumors, the spokespersons commenting on our blogging abilities — we're setting it all straight right here with this internal RIM doc we just got a hold of. You might be thinking that cover page above …
Discussion:
Gizmodo, IntoMobile, PHONE Magazine, CrackBerry.com blogs, Unwired View, CrunchGear, BlackBerry Cool, Engadget, Ubergizmo, BB Geeks and PalmAddicts
Ina Fried / Beyond Binary:
Mac Messenger still trying to find its voice — Updated at 10:35 a.m. to note that the product has been released. — Microsoft released the latest version of its instant-messaging program for the Mac on Tuesday, though it still continues to trail its Windows counterpart when it comes to features.
Scott Moritz / Techland:
AT&T to cut the price of Apple's new iPhone — AT&T (T) is planning to put some extra shine on the even sleeker new Apple (AAPL) iPhone. — When the 3G iPhone is introduced this summer, AT&T, the exclusive U.S. iPhone sales partner with Apple, will cut the price by as much as $200, according to a person familiar with the strategy.
Discussion:
Cult of Mac
Betsy Schiffman / Epicenter:
Hey! Ho! Time for Ballmer to Go? — The investment community likes Steve Ballmer. He's competent, aggressive and occasionally crazy. He's been at Microsoft's helm for eight years, during which time the technology landscape has drastically changed several times over.
Eric Bangeman / Ars Technica:
Judge deals another blow to RIAA's making available theory — One of the pillars of the RIAA's legal campaign has been its assertion that making a file available for download equates to copyright infringement under the copyright act. There have only been a couple of decisions addressing the question so far.
Henry Blodget / Silicon Alley Insider:
Up For Grabs: $42 Billion of Newspaper Ad Revenue — How bad are things in the newspaper industry? Don't ask. After another jarring 3.5% decline over the past six months, print-paper circulation will drop to about 50 million this year—the lowest level since 1946 (62 years ago).
The Jeff Pulver Blog:
What I look for in Startups — During the past ten years, what I look for in a startup has changed. — These days I no longer actively look for an opportunity to participate in the “A” round or “B” round of a startup, although I still do that from time to time.
Mike Yamamoto / CNET News.com:
Microsoft cuts Xbox 360 prices in Asia — Microsoft is ratcheting up the battle against rivals Sony and Nintendo in the hotly contested Asian market, cutting the price of its Xbox 360 between 5 percent and nearly 20 percent in four areas throughout the region.
Discussion:
Electronista
