Mozilla’s recent product roadmap has dated the release of Firefox 4.0, the next major update of the popular web browser, for October - November 2010. The version will offer a new user interface and multi-touch gesture support. Of course before Firefox 4.0 is released, there will be many upgrades set to be released of the browser, such as Firefox 3.6 and Firefox 3.7.
The releases made before Firefox 4.0 will improve Javascript handling performance, improved “form completion tools”, pageload enhancements and more. This report however is currently classed only as a draft, and therefore it could change between now and the time that Firefox 4.0, or any of the in-between versions are released.
One thing that is expected with Firefox 4.0 however, is for every individual tab open in the browser window to have its own separate process, like they do in Google Chrome. This reduces the risks of losing a browser session when you have multiple tabs open.
Result for: risk
It’s no secret that the big Hollywood studios haven’t exactly been eager to back online video distribution. In fact their unwillingness to assume any risk in such ventures has arguably slowed the entire market more than any other force. That’s why it’s so surprising to see a company owned by several studios announcing a new service that will combine television and internet-based video on demand.
Studio 3 Networks is jointly owned by MGM, Lionsgate Entertainment, and Paramount’s parent company Viacom. So far their epix premium TV channel apparently has no deals in place with cable or satellite TV services yet. What they do have is exclusive access to theatrical movies from Paramount, Paramount Vantage, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies, MGM, United Artists, and Lionsgate released from the beginning of 2009 on. In addition they’ll have use of many catalog titles from each of those studios.
Perhaps inspired by the huge success of Netflix in delivering internet video as only part of their offering. They plan to launch the TV service near the end of this year, but will apparently be online video on demand as early as May.
“With epix, we are creating an entirely new category of entertainment service for consumers that is unlike anything that currently exists,” said Mark Greenberg, President of Studio 3 Networks. “epix is the first brand to hold exclusive exhibition rights to movie content that can be delivered anywhere, anytime. The name epix embodies the depth and breadth of entertainment content this brand will deliver and also captures the uniquely personal way that consumers will be interacting with great Hollywood movie content and original programming.”
Result for: risk
Microsoft has announced 63 new lawsuits against people the company is accusing of selling pirated Microsoft Windows products or Microsoft Office products on eBay and other auction sites.
The lawsuits are global and include pirates from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and Belgium.
The apparent target of Microsoft is people accused of selling Windows XP or Office “Blue Edition”, which are becoming more and more popular on auction sites as the company plans to phase it out.
Microsoft noted that the pirated copies pose a security risk to users as 43 percent “had tampered code that could create a backdoor into the person’s computer.”
