Business

The first man to "jailbreak" the original iPhone has done so again with the new 3GS model. Jailbreaking means users who install a piece of unauthorized software are then able to run any applications they like, not just those from the official App ... Store. George Hotz cracked the security system on the 3GS in just two weeks, releasing a Windows version of his jailbreaking tool, dubbed purp1erain, on Friday. Yesterday afternoon he released a Mac edition of the same tool. According to Hotz, his work was relatively easy. He took advantage of a security loophole discovered in the last new ... (view more)

It appears that Microsoft is inching closer to completing its much-anticipated operating system (OS), Windows 7. According to reports, the new OS should be headed to manufacturing in one week, on July 13th, just in time for the Worldwide Partner ... Conference (WPC09) in New Orleans. Tech blog Geeksmack has confirmed that Windows 7 will indeed be "Released to Manufacture," otherwise known as RTM, a week from today. However, the Redmond-based company plans to test the new operating system right up until the end, in an attempt to work out all of the kinks prior to July 13th. MS Seeks Redemption ... (view more)

Microsoft's new search engine Bing has been receiving pretty impressive reviews since it launched a couple months back, and now the company is introducing one more reason to skip Google: using Twitter updates. In a blog post by Sean Suchter, the ... general manager of its Silicon Valley Search Technology Center, Microsoft revealed that it would present the most recent Tweets of popular celebrities when users enter a relevant name into the search engine. In other words, enter "Al Gore" into the search field and you'll receive the former vice president's last few Tweets -- probably something about ... (view more)

Microsoft is receiving heavy criticism this morning for one of its recent Internet Explorer 8 TV ads. The video shows a woman who cannot stop vomiting after asking her significant other to use his laptop computer, only to stumble upon his hidden ... adult fetish sites. The Internet Explorer 8 online ads that Microsoft has been rolling out seem to be getting more popular with each passing day. Every ad features former Superman actor Dean Cain addressing a new acronym that stands for a function or task performed using the new IE8 browser. For example, the ad "S.H.Y.N.E.S.S." -- Sharing Heavily Yet ... (view more)

Microsoft appears set to offer a discount for families wanting to run Windows 7 on multiple machines. The deal has not yet been officially unannounced, but has left some users wondering if they've jumped the gun by already placing their orders for ... individual copies. Blogger Kristian Kenney noticed a clause in the licensing agreement for the latest leaked version of Windows 7's Home Premium edition. It reads: "b. Family Pack. If you are a 'Qualified Family Pack User', you may install one copy of the software marked as "Family Pack" on three computers in your household for use by people who ... (view more)

Buyers of Vista's Ultimate Edition have long complained they were ripped off by unfulfilled promises for extra features and better performance. Now they're outraged by feelings that they've been left out of cheap deals for switching to Windows 7. ... Upon its release, one of the top-billed extra features in the Ultimate version of Vista was 'Ultimate Extras'. Buyers were told they would regularly receive updates containing "cutting-edge programs, innovative services and unique publications." In reality the extras came irregularly and were underwhelming to say the least. It's now more than nine ... (view more)

Microsoft is making it worthwhile for consumers to pick up a new Vista PC. Those who buy one can receive a guaranteed free copy of Windows 7 once it becomes available in October. The offer runs between June 26 and the end of January. The catch is ... that some PC makers may tack on an additional shipping and handling charge for the updates. Which PCs Qualify for Windows 7 Upgrade? PCs equipped with Vista Home Premium, Vista Business or Vista Ultimate will qualify for the offer. Any reservations about your current system should be directed to a local computer retailer or tech service provider. A ... (view more)

Facing the rising popularity of rival browsers Firefox and Opera, Microsoft has launched its first-ever advertising deal with Live Nation (a concert ticket search engine) to promote Internet Explorer 8. The agreement promises to make consumers happy ... by offering free content with every download of IE8. Fans of popular Canadian rock band Nickelback will be most pleased with the deal. The agreement means that Internet Explorer 8 and Microsoft have signed on as the main sponsor for the rock and roll crew's Dark Horse tour, named after the band's platinum album of the same name. Something in Your ... (view more)

Apple fans will be encouraged to hear that the company's iconic CEO Steve Jobs has returned from medical leave. Jobs had been away for several months due to what Apple has described as a "hormone imbalance". News of Jobs' recent health issues ... emerged back in January , when several reports suggested the dynamic Apple co-founder was suffering from an undisclosed but perhaps serious medical problem. Some insiders even worried that Jobs, who most can tell has lost a significant amount of weight, could have been experiencing the return of pancreatic cancer, which sidelined him several ... (view more)

If you have a friend or relative that is always surprising you with things that they assume you will like (and for the most part, you don't) -- then you can probably relate to consumers disgruntled over 'forced' Windows updates that install without ... consent of the PC owner. Phantom Updates: Started June 9, 2009 According to the Windows Secrets newsletter, a number of people have noticed that their PCs have newly-installed updates and security patches once their machines are turned on or rebooted. These "phantom updates" have appeared as early as June 9th, 2009. (Source: windowssecrets.com ) ... (view more)