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Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2 (and more) Available — This evening we released IE7 Beta 2 at http://www.microsoft.com/ie. This release is not the preview or the update to the preview, but the real Beta 2 of IE7 for Windows XP SP2, Windows Server 2003 SP1, and Windows XP 64-bit Edition.
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The Great Microsoft Blunder — Internet Explorer is a dead albatross. — I think it can now be safely said, in hindsight, that Microsoft's entry into the browser business and its subsequent linking of the browser into the Windows operating system looks to be the worst decision …


IE7 Beta 2 Ships
Discussion:
IEBlog, Neowin.net, Windows Connected, Barnako.com, Lifehacker, InfoWorld, Web 2.0 Explorer and Sidebar Geek


The Continuing Fight for Genuine Software — Microsoft's Genuine Software Initiative expands programs to help customers identify counterfeit software. — REDMOND, Wash., April 24, 2006 — For those outside the software industry, it can be difficult to appreciate the scope and impact …
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Microsoft Bringing 'Genuine Advantage' Authentication to Office — In its increasingly aggressive drive to stamp out piracy, Microsoft is bringing Office into the WGA fold, and adding a new notifications service to WGA itself. — Windows Genuine Advantage has worked so well that Microsoft …
Discussion:
Office Evolution

Microsoft piracy check comes calling
Discussion:
Microsoft News Tracker

First 802.11n Products Show Standard's Promise — Review: Linksys products based on the 802.11n draft are the fastest wireless LAN devices eWEEK Labs has tested, but there are issues with legacy networks. — Some of the first products based on 802.11n show the wireless standard's performance potential—and problems.
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Wi-Fi consumers cautioned to wait on new gear — Two different groups testing new wireless products based on a draft standard of next-generation Wi-Fi technology caution consumers against buying pre-standard gear. — On Monday, the Fairpoint Group and the technology trade publication eWeek released results …

Nokia Introduces the Next Story in Video with the Nokia N93 — Digital camcorder and multimedia computer in one easy-to-use compact package — Berlin, Germany and Hong Kong, China - Nokia today introduced the Nokia N93, the ultimate mobile device for spontaneous video recording.
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Sphere: A New Approach to Blog Search — The blogosphere continues to both fascinate and frustrate, because great content is out there, but it's often drowned in a sea of garbage. Newly launched Sphere aims to change that with a different approach to blog search.
Discussion:
SearchViews
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Touchstone pacts for mobile spinoff — In a first-of-its-kind meeting of the minds in the interactive space, the three major guilds and Touchstone Television have reached an agreement on ABC's long-stalled "Lost" spinoff for mobile phones. — Actors, writers and directors will earn residuals …
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The great Google float — The best business model ever created has to be the float. You hold on to other people's money for them, and you get to keep the interest. It's a beautiful thing. One of my favorite business stories is the tale of how J.C. Fargo, the president of American Express …

On the record from EMI … according to an insider and as we reported here. — So here is the official word from Skype.... SKYPE SECURES MAJOR WORLDWIDE MUSIC PUBLISHING LICENSES; OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES LICENSED MUSIC CONTENT FOR RINGTONES — Internet Calling Leader Launches 'Featured …

'World of Warcraft' battles server problems — With 6 million subscribers, each of whom pays $15 a month, Blizzard Entertainment's online game "World of Warcraft" has become a billion-dollar enterprise. — Now comes the hard part: Making sure WoW is always up and running.
Discussion:
Kotaku

When I First Met Scott... I remember the first time I met Scott McNealy - I'm sure he doesn't remember it. It was in the board room in our old headquarters in Palo Alto. I was with one of the folks from the startup I ran, and we were meeting on the advice of a mutual customer. I think it was 1992 or '93.

Apple Introduces 17-inch MacBook Pro — MacBook Pro with 2.16 GHz Intel Core Duo Processor Up to Five Times Faster Than PowerBook G4 — CUPERTINO, California—April 24, 2006—Apple® today unveiled its new 17-inch MacBook™ Pro notebook computer featuring the Intel Core Duo processor …

Ganging Up on Google — A phalanx of foes — from eBay to search rivals and Uncle Sam — is lining up to keep the search giant in check — The family of Joan Miro had a bone to pick with Google. The search giant used some of his images in its Web-site logo on Apr. 20 …

The Ressurection of Al Gore … One evening last December, in front of nearly 2,000 people at Stanford's Memorial Auditorium, Al Gore spoke in uncharacteristically personal and passionate terms about the failed quest that has dominated much of his adult life.
Discussion:
WorldChanging