Tuesday, November 7

IBM and Motorola have new Bluetooth announcements. Motorola will combine Bluetooth and modem technology. IBM has developed Bluetooth Linux drivers code-named BlueDrekar.

Internet Explorer 6 is about to enter the early user-testing phase.

Microsoft has admitted another hack this week. The latest intrusion targeted a web server running Microsoft's IIS and merely defaced a page with the words "hack the world."

CNET's David Carnoy reviews the Samsung MP3-playing cell phone, mentioned here a few weeks ago.

ZDNet's Jesse Berst examines 3Com's Audrey webpad.

Now the two top executives at BMG have resigned, though the company claims the resignations aren't related to tbe Napster deal.

Brush up on your carpentry and waitressing skills. The New York Times looks at layoffs and change in the dot-com industry. Dot-commers should start living below their means now to save up a nest egg.

ISP news

Starband Communications has won the race to be the first company to offer two-way Internet satellite service. Existing systems only download data; they use a conventional modem for uploading. The service provides 500K downloads and 150K uploads. Hopefully it won't have the bandwidth problems experienced by DirecPC, which has throttled back individual users' bandwidth.

PSINet has admitted to having a "pink contract" with spammer Cajunnet.com. PSINet charged Cajunnet a non-refundable advance of $27,000 to be able to send unsolicited email.

AOL is facing additional legal challenges because of bugs in its 6.0 software. A class-action lawsuit over bugs in the 5.0 software was already in progress.

Off topic

Unbiased, informed ratings are one of the most valuable services on the Internet. John T Reed's web site is a gold mine of information on real estate investing and non-huckster financial advice. The best feature is his rating of financial and investment gurus. He also explains why no money down real estate doesn't work, and why it's usually illegal. You may also be interested in his report on no money down infomercial guru Carleton Sheets or his explanation of why lease options are usually a bad deal.

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Friday, November 10

Bush or Gore wins!

Beware Internet appliances that require proprietary ISP service. Virgin Connect has discontinued the Virgin Connect Internet service for their Webplayer appliance.

Aram Fuchs of Upside Today argues that the current drop in long distance and Internet infrastructure stocks is caused by excess bandwidth capacity. He quotes a report by Renaissance Strategy Worldwide which finds supply outstripping demand by 17 percent.

Motorola will provide equipment for Sprint PCS's rollout of 3G. 3G is a third-generation wireless data service with speeds up to 144 kilobits per second.

AOL UK has surpassed the one million member mark.

The UK will be auctioning wireless spectrum starting today. The frequencies on the auction block can be used for wireless Internet access at rates of 2 gigabits per second or more.

Peacefire found that a number Internet filtering softwares blocked many candidates' web sites. One candidate reversed his position that public libraries and schools should be required to use blocking software.

Lucent Technologies plans to cut jobs by 10% to improve profits. The company's stock is trading near a two-year low.

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