consumers
DTV Transition Mostly Smooth, Windows Media Center Problems
dritan writes “While most of the transition to digital seems to have gone smoothly, those who use Windows Media Center saw their screens go dark. Users are complaining that Media Center did not pick up changes to channel assignments that took place on Friday. Someone forgot to update the static channel lists distributed with the program guide. Users either have to wait for M|cr0s0ft to fix the problem, or manually edit the configuration files.” Reports indicate that the FCC received upwards of 300,000 calls on Friday from consumers seeking late help with the transition, but they were prepared, with over 4,000 operators available to handle problems. The FCC’s DTV website also had over 3 million hits on Friday. Both phone and internet traffic have now tapered off, and supplies of converter boxes appear to have held out just fine.
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Microsoft’s Free AV App May Be a Non-Starter
CWmike writes “M|cr0s0ft is preparing to launch a public beta of Morro, the free anti-malware it announced last November, according to reports. Morro will use the same scanning engine as Windows Live OneCare, the software that the free software will replace and M|cr0s0ft’s first consumer-grade antivirus package. OneCare is to get the boot as of June 30 (along with finance app M|cr0s0ft Money). John Pescatore, an analyst at Gartner, has questioned whether users would step up to Morro even if it was free. ‘Consumers are hesitant to pay for a M|cr0s0ft security product that will remove problems in other M|cr0s0ft products,’ he said. ‘Think of it this way. What if you smelled a rotten egg odor in your water and the water company said, “Sure, we can remove that, but it will cost you .” Would you buy it?’ Not surprisingly, competitors have dismissed Morro’s threat to their business. ‘We like our chances,’ Todd Gebhart, vice president in charge of McAfee’s consumer line, said when it was announced OneCare was a goner. ‘Consumers have already rejected OneCare,’ added Rowan Trollope, senior vice president of consumer software at Symantec. ‘Making that same substandard security technology free won’t change that equation.’”
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Who wins, loses with browser-less Windows 7
M|cr0s0ft’s move to offer Windows 7 in Europe without a browser could help rivals and mean some added bucks for PC makers, but are consumers getting a raw deal?
Security Firms Fined Over Never-Ending Subscriptions
Barence writes “‘Security firms Symantec and McAfee have both agreed to pay 5,000 to US authorities after they automatically renewed consumers’ subscriptions without their consent.’ The two companies were reported to the New York Attorney General after people complained that their credit cards were being charged without their consent. The investigators found that information about the auto-renewals was hidden at the bottom of long web pages or buried in the EULA.” Link To Original Source
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11 Affordable Fathers Day Gifts That Dads Will Want
Even though many claim Father’s Day is just a “Hallmark Holiday,” we could probably all agree that dads deserve at least one day of recognition. But with the recession continually on the minds of consumers, finding the ideal and affordable gift can prove difficult.
Google Chrome Sprouts Linux, Mac Versions
Google this week released early developer channel versions of its Chrome browser for the Mac OS X and Linux platforms. Google emphasized that both new versions are very much rough drafts intended for developers, not for consumers looking for a smooth browsing experience. A finalized Mac version of Chrome will open Google’s doors to a growing population of Apple computer users. However, porting to Linux may be even more important, because it will help Google gain ground with netbooks running Android.
Google Chrome Sprouts Linux, Mac Versions
Google this week released early developer channel versions of its Chrome browser for the Mac OS X and Linux platforms. Google emphasized that both new versions are very much rough drafts intended for developers, not for consumers looking for a smooth browsing experience. A finalized Mac version of Chrome will open Google’s doors to a growing population of Apple computer users. However, porting to Linux may be even more important, because it will help Google gain ground with netbooks running Android.
Publishers Want a Slice of Used Game Market
grigory writes “GameStop’s business model depends on a healthy flow of used games: incredibly ‘[GameStop] enjoys a 48 percent profit margin on used games.’ Game publishers do not see a cut of the secondary sale because it falls under the first sale doctrine. Now, some publishers and manufacturers want a piece of the pie. ‘One marketing executive, who did not want to be identified for fear of angering GameStop and other retailers, said the used game sale market is still depriving publishers of money because it gives consumers an all-too-easy alternative to buying a new game.’ Interesting picture of companies fighting for your business, and (surprise!) complaining about being left out of the money stream.”
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Google, Yahoo!, Apple Targeted In DoJ Antitrust Probe
suraj.sun writes with this excerpt from the Washington Post: “The Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether some of the nation’s largest technology companies violated antitrust laws by negotiating the recruiting and hiring of one another’s employees, according to two sources with knowledge of the review. The review, which is said to be in its preliminary stages, is focused on Google; its competitor Yahoo; Apple; and the biotech firm Genentech, among others, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. The sources said the review includes other tech companies and is ‘industry-wide.’ By agreeing not to hire away top talent, the companies could be stifling competition and trying to maintain their market power unfairly, antitrust experts said. … Obama’s antitrust chief at the Justice Department, Christine Varney, has said she plans to look at the network effects of high-tech companies and how their grasp on markets has cut out competitors and hurt consumers.”
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Google, Yahoo!, Apple Targeted In DoJ Antitrust Probe
suraj.sun writes with this excerpt from the Washington Post: “The Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether some of the nation’s largest technology companies violated antitrust laws by negotiating the recruiting and hiring of one another’s employees, according to two sources with knowledge of the review. The review, which is said to be in its preliminary stages, is focused on Google; its competitor Yahoo; Apple; and the biotech firm Genentech, among others, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. The sources said the review includes other tech companies and is ‘industry-wide.’ By agreeing not to hire away top talent, the companies could be stifling competition and trying to maintain their market power unfairly, antitrust experts said. … Obama’s antitrust chief at the Justice Department, Christine Varney, has said she plans to look at the network effects of high-tech companies and how their grasp on markets has cut out competitors and hurt consumers.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.