11/02, 9:55pm
Support added for Snow Leopard, Windows
Thursby Software Systems has announced ADmitMac 5 and DAVE 8, two updates in the company's line of Mac networking products. The apps are designed to connect Macs to Windows networks, enabling bi-directional file and printer sharing. The latest versions of both ADmitMac and DAVE provide multi-processor and multi-threaded optimizations for Apple’s newest Snow Leopard operating system, in both 64-bit and 32-bit modes, along with continued support for the older v10.5 OS.
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11/02, 12:50pm
Company attempts to defuse Win 7 publicity
Apple has turned to Google advertising in order to undermine Windows 7, observers note. When entering terms such as "download windows 7" into a Google web search, one of the sponsored links shown may direct users to Apple's Get a Mac website, which attempts to persuade PC owners to switch platforms. The link is displayed under the header "Upgrading to Windows 7," clearly indicating the target audience.
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10/28, 7:15pm
Download geared for latest iMacs
Apple on Wednesday released a Bluetooth firmware update designed for users running Windows via Boot Camp. The download is said to improve the wireless performance with Vista and XP on the latest 21.5- and 27-inch iMacs released earlier this month, although specific details have not been provided.
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10/22, 11:05pm
Apple reminds viewers of Vista's shortcomings
Apple has released several new "Get a Mac" ads, each specifically targeting Windows 7. The first segment, "PC News," shows PC character John Hodgman sitting behind a news anchor desk for live coverage of the Windows 7 launch. To his dismay, the field reporter interviews customers that express how excited they are to switch to a Mac.
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10/22, 2:55pm
Most newer systems to work in 64-bit mode
Apple has pledged full support for Windows 7 through Boot Camp in Snow Leopard before the end of the year. Many Macs already can run Windows 7, although users have reported varying levels of compatibility. Not all systems are able to run in 64-bit mode, while certain hardware drivers currently create problems. The Boot Camp software update will enable Macs to load Microsoft's Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate variants.
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10/16, 1:00pm
Draws fire from Mozilla designer
Apple's Safari browser may occupy too central position in upcoming European versions of Windows, critics say. Users should soon be presented with a special browser ballot, explaining what web browsers are, and more crucially offering a choice of apps beyond Internet Explorer. The feature comes as a result of pressure from the European Commission, which has accused Microsoft of hampering competition by bundling IE with Windows, forcing developers to design for it and potentially limit their innovation.
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10/15, 11:20am
Schiller claims upgrade may be too much hassle
Near-term Apple marketing plans will revolve around countering Windows 7, says the company's senior marketing VP, Phil Schiller. "It presents a very good opportunity for us," he explains, noting that many PCs are still equipped with Windows XP, and will thus require a more elaborate upgrade to carry over files to 7. This can include backing up essential files, reformatting, and/or reinstalling old applications. "Any user that reads all those steps is probably going to freak out," claims Schiller. "If you have to go through all that, why not just buy a Mac?"
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10/12, 9:30am
Limitations persist
Coder George Hotz has released blackra1n, a new jailbreaking tool. The software is said to jailbreak "all" devices capable of running Apple's iPhone 3.1.2 firmware, including the iPod touch. It is also claimed to be quick, cracking the firmware open for unsanctioned access and applications in approximately 30 seconds.
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10/07, 12:15am
SyncMate 2.4 update
Eltima has launched SyncMate 2.4, an update to its data synchronization app that can be used to sync information between Macs, Windows Mobile devices and smartphones. The new version adds support for Windows PCs, the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) and USB flash drives. By synchronizing a Mac with a Windows PC, user can transfer and update a variety of content including contacts, calendar entries, folders, Mail messages and Entourage Notes. Several different sync methods are available, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB and Ethernet.
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10/06, 12:00pm
Should also increasing 3D graphics support
Developer VMware has announced the upcoming release of Fusion 3, the next major iteration of its Mac virtualization software. The program lets users run Windows apps from within Mac OS X, eliminating the need to boot into a separate session. Version 3 is designed around Snow Leopard, and uses a new 64-bit engine, which not only increases multicore performance but better supports Windows 7.
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10/01, 10:35pm
Users reporting no video, just audio
A number of reports on Apple's Support pages suggest the latest QuickTime update, v7.6.4, has been causing problems on Windows machines. Many users attempting to play embedded videos can only hear the sound, while the video content is left blank.
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09/30, 10:55am
Also dismisses Safari, Chrome
Windows is regaining some of its marketshare, claims Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "We’re gaining share. Apple is expensive," Ballmer says in a new interview. "And in tough economic environment, people get it. Their [Apple's] model is, by definition, expensive. And we’ve actually held or maybe even gained just a tiny bit of share relative to the Mac in the last 12 months. And it’s not really Snow Leopard. It’s really Windows PCs versus Mac."
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09/29, 1:30pm
Echoes Safari controversy
Windows users have again been pressed into downloading an unneeded program through Apple's Software Update utility, MacNN can confirm. The latter is requesting that users download iPhone Configuration Utility 2.1, which is identified as an update rather than just an optional add-on. The program is unimportant to the general public, intended for enterprise management of iPhone apps and profiles.
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09/28, 11:50pm
Security Essentials utility to be offered for free
Microsoft is set to launch its new anti-malware service, Security Essentials. The utility is designed to help protect systems against viruses, spyware or other maliciously crafted software. Following the same basic structure as third-party antivirus software, Microsoft's program runs in the background and alerts users as potential threats arise.
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09/23, 3:30pm
Microsoft has saved $707m in taxes over 13 years?
Microsoft is being accused of finding a loophole that has thus far saved it from paying some $707 million in software licensing taxes, according to a blog entry from Seattle-based technologist and writer Jeff Reifman. The software giant is based in Redmond, Washington, but it records its software licensing revenue from an office in Reno, Nevada. Microsoft does this to save on taxes because of different laws in the two states, Reifman says, and so would have saved hundreds of millions of dollars over the past 13 years.
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09/17, 1:50pm
May be intended as competition for Snow Leopard
Microsoft has launched a new educational discount for Windows 7, aimed at college and university students. Eligible buyers can now order a copy of either Home Premium or Professional for just $30; the discount runs until January 3rd at 12AM CST. The homogenized Professional pricing is intended for people at schools with a "domain join" policy, where features like HomeGroup and Remote Media Streaming may become useful.
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09/16, 9:20am
May aim to compete with Windows 7 PCs
Apple is likely to release new iMacs and MacBooks "in the next several weeks," claims Wedge Partners. In particular the firm's analysts say they envision an iMac with a "thinner, organic design," including "smoothed or rounded edges." Any changes to the MacBook are "likely to be limited," according to the firm. This could be because Apple announced redesigned MacBook Pros as recently as June.
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09/15, 9:45am
Jump linked exclusively to iPhone
Needham & Co. is raising its price target for Apple stock from $200 to $235, says one of the research firm's analysts, Charlie Wolf. The bump is based entirely on the performance of the iPhone, Wolf notes, and in particular the effects of the App Store. The store is said to have had "explosive" growth since January, and it is thought that a "virtuous circle" involving app developers and smartphone buyers could soon push iPhone sales higher.
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09/09, 4:05pm
For both Mac and Windows systems
In tandem with iTunes 9, Apple has released QuickTime 7.6.4, a minor update to its signature AV playback software. The patch primarily fixes problems with H.264 and/or MPEG-4 playback, which exposed systems to crashes or arbitrary code execution. H.264 vulnerabilities were connected to memory corruption and heap buffer overflows, while an MPEG-4 flaw involved conventional buffer overflows.
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08/31, 5:15pm
Boot Camp Win 7 64 support
The latest version of Boot Camp -- found in Mac OS X Snow Leopard -- supports the 64-bit version of Windows 7, examination shows. Though not heavily promoted by Apple, Boot Camp 3.0 is noted to feature both 32- and 64-bit drivers for Microsoft's next operating system, whereas Boot Camp 2.1 can only handle the 32-bit code. Some Mac owners have already been installing copies of Windows 7 despite the only legal availability being limited to a release candidate; the final software is due October 22nd.
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08/25, 3:00am
Parallels 'Switch to Mac'
Hoping to capitalize on growing numbers of Windows users moving to the Mac, Parallels has combined its virtual machine software with Mac OS X tutorials and migration tools. Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition allows users to run their favorite Windows applications while gradually learning how the Mac works.
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08/24, 4:55pm
Piper on Snow Leopard
This week's release of Snow Leopard is more intended to undermine Windows 7 than to advance Mac OS X, argues Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. Snow Leopard is shipping less than two months before Windows 7, and Munster notes that the former is only a "minor upgrade," a revision of Mac OS X "without many significant new features." In marketing, Apple has highlighted multi-core enhancements and support for OpenCL processing.
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08/21, 1:20pm
Ion-based netbook delays
At least two netbooks based on NVIDIA's Ion graphics technology are being consciously delayed, according to reports. Lenovo is said to be postponing the Ion version of the IdeaPad S12, waiting until the release of Windows 7 in October. The new OS should make an Ion S12 more attractive than one loaded with Vista, the company says.
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08/10, 5:05pm
Microsoft update process
Late last week, software giant Microsoft announced in a US district court that it will change the way the express install works for Internet Explorer 8 with its Windows operating system, as per a Monday report. Microsoft has drawn flak for making IE 8 the default browser despite user's preferences whenever they ran the Windows Update and selected the Express install, with competitors Mozilla and Opera filing complaints.
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08/05, 11:55am
Apple Store recovery soon?
Apple's retail stores should resume financial growth before the year is out, says Needham analyst Charlie Wolf. Although Apple increased its year-over-year retail revenue by 3.5 percent in the most recent quarter, it also grew the number of stores by 20 percent, generating a decline of 14 percent when considering same-store totals. A consolation is that the June quarter was not as bad as the one ending in March, during which year-over-year revenues fell 17.2 percent. Low Mac sales are thought to be easing, helped by new and cheaper MacBook Pros.
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07/29, 1:05pm
Windows 7 Ultimate cracked
People have already managed to crack Windows 7 Ultimate and distribute it online, accounts say. The pirated version is based on a Lenovo OEM release, from which an ISO file was created and posted on a Chinese forum. Hackers subsequently managed to extract the OEM-SLP key and the activation certificate, allowing users to bypass Microsoft's Genuine Advantage copy protection. The technology normally requires online validation.
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07/27, 1:25pm
AVG update harms iTunes
A number of Windows iTunes users found their software disabled over the weekend, talk on Apple's support forums reveals. The problem is known to have originated with AVG's antivirus tool, which was recently updated with new virus definitions. The program then mistakenly identified iTunes DLL files as containing the Small.BOG Trojan, and prevented iTunes from working following the quarantine process.
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07/22, 8:05pm
Windows 7 RTM release
Microsoft on Wednesday announced the availability of release to manufacturing (RTM) versions of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. The operating system has completed all of the initial development steps, while the RTM will give the company a chance to run validation checks, including languages, before it is provided to the public.
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07/07, 12:45pm
VLC 1.0.0 for Mac, Windows
After years of alpha and beta development, VideoLAN has finally released v1.0.0 of VLC, its cross-platform media player software. Aside from platform independence the player is notable for supporting a variety of unusual codecs, such as OGG, FLAC and MKV. Users also gain access to third-party AirTunes streaming, more precise playback control, and functions like live stream recording.
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07/02, 1:50pm
No cheap Win 7 Ultimate?
A number of prospective buyers are upset at the absence of a cheaper upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate, accounts suggest. While those moving to Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional may be eligible for Microsoft's discount program, a copy of Ultimate is currently only available at the full $220 price, even if a person already owns Vista Ultimate. "Vista Ultimate owners have already been ripped off once in paying for basically worthless 'Extras,'" says corporate IT worker Lindsey Mundy. "Now to rub salt in the wound, MS is leaving them out...for some reason best only known to them, when offering a reasonable upgrade price for Windows 7."
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06/16, 5:55pm
CrossOver update
CodeWeavers has released an update to its Windows virtualization software, CrossOver Mac 8.0. The latest version now supports a number of new programs including Internet Explorer 7 and Quicken 2009. Performance has been improved while running Microsoft Office 2007, particularly with Outlook. The company attributes a significant portion of the expanded compatibility to the growing Wine Project, an initiative that is working to allow Windows-coded programs to work on other operating systems.
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06/10, 4:30pm
Econo-Keys flip keyboard
Econo-Keys recently announced the addition of its EK-76-TP mobile keyboard that flips over to reveal a touchpad. While not completely functional, as users would be hard-pressed to use both the keyboard and touchpad simultaneously, the EK-76-TP is ultra-portable, measuring in at about 9 by 3.5 by 0.4 inches. The keyboard sports a USB interface and is compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems.
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06/10, 9:20am
Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go
Virgin Mobile USA on Wednesday announced it will soon offer a pre-paid 3G Internet access service called Broadband2Go. Users will need to buy a Novatel MC760 USB modem, which will access the web via Sprint's EV-DO Revisoin A network. The modem plugs into the USB ports on Mac, Windows, or Linux computers and has an internal dual-band diversity antenna with an option for an external antenna for better performance in remote areas. There is also a microSDHC slot in the modem that allows users to add as much as 16GB of storage.
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06/05, 1:10pm
Best Buy Windows 7 upgrade
In advance of Windows 7's October 22nd release date, Best Buy has begun circulating an internal memo on upgrade options. At the core of the retailer's plans is the Technology Guarantee, which will provide buyers of Vista PCs and software packages with a free copy of Windows 7. The option will only apply for the Home Premium, Business or Ultimate editions of Vista however, and only between June 26th and October 22nd.
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05/26, 12:45pm
MS posts Vista SP2
Microsoft has posted 64- and 32-bit versions of Service Pack 2, a major update for Windows Vista and Server 2008. The downloads measure 577 and 348MB respectively, and include all of the key Windows updates produced since the debut of Service Pack 1. New devices and hardware platforms are also said to be supported, such as Bluetooth 2.1, 64-bit VIA CPUs and Blu-ray data recording.
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05/17, 11:40pm
Windows 7 box images real?
CentrumXP has released supposed leaked images of the Windows 7 retail boxes, according to ars technica. The boxes appear to be a combination of XP and Vista boxes, an indication of Microsoft's aim to make Windows 7 a culmination of the best parts of its predecessors.
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05/15, 11:05am
Mac PowerPoint fix delay
Microsoft has drawn criticism over the timing of a new security patch, targeting the company's PowerPoint presentation software. Windows users can now download update MS09-017, which addresses a zero-day vulnerability known to have been used in real-world attacks. The patch is moreover said to reduce the vulnerability of Office and PowerPoint in general, by removing a mostly irrelevant PowerPoint 4 converter. The creation of PowerPoint 4 files has not been supported since Office XP.
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05/07, 5:05pm
Acer phones in US by 2010
Despite a rumored Acer Android-powered handset coming this fall and the release of a number of Tempo smartphones in other markets, Acer will not bring any of these portable devices to the US market in 2009. Instead, Acer spokespeople say the company will introduce smartphones in 2010, according to a Thursday GearLog report.
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05/01, 1:15pm
Windows 7 on ARM chips?
Windows 7 may eventually be capable of running on ARM processors, suggests the company's CEO, Warren East. The operating system is expected to become common on netbooks, a consequence not only of new features such as touch support but lower system requirements than Windows Vista. Windows has so far, however, been almost exclusively limited to processors based on Intel architecture, blocking ARM's mobile-oriented CPUs.
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05/01, 11:25am
Eee PC Seashell official
After months of teasing with images and preliminary specs of its MacBook Air-fighting Eee PC Seashell netbook, ASUS has officially released specs for the portable PC. It sports a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280 with the faster 667MHz system bus, 1GB of RAM and a 10-inch, 1024x600 display with an anti-glare coating. The optical drive-free netbook weighs just 2.2lbs and earns its name from the glossy exterior that acts as a scratch-resistant protective shell.
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05/01, 9:50am
11.6-inch Aspire One specs
Acer's recently introduced 11.6-inch Aspire One netbook has received a full spec sheet thanks the model's appearance on the company's German web page. Called the Acer Aspire One 751, it now appears powered by Intel's 1.33GHz Atom Z520 CPU along with a maximum of 2GB of RAM rather than the 1.6GHz model of before. The largest netbook in Acer's lineup also sports a 1366x768 resolution and offers Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and triband UMTS/HSPA 3G as options.
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04/22, 3:20pm
Intel GN40 hampered by XP
While Intel's new GN40 graphics chipset for the Atom N280 CPU is, in theory, capable of playing back 1080p HD video, in practice it does not, thanks to the limitations placed upon it by Windows XP. As confirmed by Chinese website HKEPC, which reviewed a GN40-equipped ASUS EeePC 1004DN netbook with Windows XP, the configuration was not working properly in decoding 1080p video. This is due to XP only having DirectX Video Acceleration 1.0 (DXVA 1.0) available, whereas the GN40 requires DXVA 2.0 and DirectX 10. As virtually all netbooks ship with XP, the GN40's HD video playback ability goes largely wasted on the new system.
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04/20, 11:30pm
Microsoft begins Windows 8
Microsoft appears to be working on the next version of Windows to follow Windows 7, as indicated by a post on the company's careers site. A Lead Software Development Engineer in Test is sought to work on the existing projects for 7, such as cluster support and reworking the core engine. "We will also soon be starting major improvements for Windows 8," the listing reads. The operating system is said to "revolutionize file access in branch offices."
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04/14, 4:35pm
REALbasic 2009 Release 2
REAL has posted REALbasic 2009 Release 2, the latest version of its cross-platform development suite. The software is capable of operating on Mac, Windows and Linux systems, and in its two higher-end editions can compile for any of the three platforms. The updated code is said to include 70 basic improvements and 18 new features, such as official support for the Community Edition of MySQL. Windows apps created with the software can now control others that support COM automation.
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03/26, 9:15pm
Microsoft ads target Macs
Microsoft has released a new series of ads that takes aim at Macs, specifically regarding features versus pricing compared to Windows machines. The company hired Crispin Porter + Bogusky, the ad agency behind the commercials featuring Gates and Seinfeld, to pose as a research firm that recruited unsuspecting people into a mock study, according to the Associated Press. If the volunteers could find a computer meeting certain criteria and within budgets ranging from $700 to $2000, they could keep the system.
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03/20, 4:30pm
Thomson launches MP3HD
Thomson announced on Thursday the release of a newly developed, backwards-compatible, lossless MP3HD format. Thomson had a hand in developing the digital MP3 audio format, but unlike MP3, the MP3HD format is lossless, meaning none of the audio information is lost though the files will naturally be slightly larger in size. The MP3HD format is backwards compatible with the original MP3 format, which is compatible with lossless audio codecs including FLAC, HD-AAC and Windows Media lossless.
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03/16, 2:10pm
General Dynamics notebook
General Dynamics' sub-brand GD-Itronix has released its latest ultra-rugged notebook PC, the 13.3-inch GD8000. The company is claiming the Intel Core 2 Duo processor-powered PC is the toughest offering possible, as it exceeds the US military's MIL-STD 810F specifications for rugged design. While the spec calls for withstanding drops from three feet while off and consequently being able to boot up 26 times, GD-Itronix says its product can be dropped from an extra half-foot high when running and still boot up. The GD8000 also holds up to 30 gallons of water being sprayed at 40mph for four hours straight. The PC's die-cast magnesium chassis is built to withstand other hazards, such as dust and temperature extremes.
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03/04, 9:15pm
Windows 7 beta IE8 switch
Beta testers have allegedly noticed that the recent Windows 7 build offers an option to disable Internet Explorer 8, according to CNET News. The new setting can be found in build 7048, indicating that the company added the feature after releasing the public beta known as build 7000. The browser is included in the list of components found in the "Windows Features" dialog box.
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02/26, 4:50pm
Acer intros Atom-based NAS
Acer Japan recently announced it will soon launch its network attached storage PC, the Aspire easyStore H340. The NAS uses Intel's 1.6GHz Atom CPU, along with 1GB of RAM and the 945GC Express mainboard. The PC runs Windows Home Server operating system and can share its multimedia content, including photos, videos and music with up to 10 connected PCs. The four-bay NAS is offered in two versions, with a 1TB drive or three 1TB drives preinstalled into it.
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02/25, 12:05pm
Adobe Flash exploits fixed
Adobe has patched multiple exploit holes present within recent versions of Flash, a company security bulletin informs. The vulnerabilities primarily affect Mac and Windows editions of Flash software at or below v10.0.12.36, as well as the Linux Flash Player starting with v10.0.15.3; the principal exploit involves luring people into loading a malicious SWF file, which exposes a computer to hacking. Two fixes have been made to deter "clickjacking," triggered by clicking on a particular space on a webpage.
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