Netflix founder joins Microsoft board

Microsoft has yet to declare an interest in the nascent video downloads market, but the appointment of Netflix CEO Reed Hastings to its board may signal that it is preparing to begin selling movie and TV content. Hastings founded Netflix in 1998, since when it has grown to be the world's largest online DVD rental service. At the start of this year it began limited trials of Watch Now, allowing some users to stream 'near-DVD quality' movies and TV shows from most of the major Hollywood studios. ...more

Blackberry rival updates mobile messaging software

Good Technology has released the latest version of its mobile messaging software for PDAs and phones using Microsoft's PocketPC platform. GoodLink 3.0's support for Windows-powered mobile devices brings it into even more direct competition with arch-rival Research in Motion (RIM), whose BlackBerry handhelds and messaging platform provide a similar service. ...more

Google wins first tussle over ex-Microsoft employee

A US judge has cleared the way for ex-Microsoft employee Dr Kai-Fu Lee to join Google in China. However Judge Steven Gonzalez placed strict restrictions on the use of the confidential information that Dr Lee acquired while working for his former employer. He ruled that Dr Kai-Fu Lee had misled Microsoft and used some of that information when he first joined Google. ...more

Kapersky names unsafe ports in an Opasoft storm

Day four and the Opasoft worm accounts for 40 per cent of reported infections First discovered on 1 October, the Opasoft worm has spread globally and now accounts for 40 per cent of all cases reported to antivirus experts Kapersky Labs. The company has now updated its Web site with new details of the worm, including which ports it uses to spread itself. The worm scans the Web for machines with Windows 95, 98 and ME installed and tries to get into the C: drive by repeatedly trying different passwords. ...more

Cubes in space

With Christmas just behind us, how appropriate that a tale reminiscent of an 007 film should catch the eye. Aerospace researcher Dennis Wingo wants to build a network of 544 satellites powered entirely by specially modified G4 Cubes, communicating by means of a customized version of the Apple AirPort and providing Web hosting and e-mail. Wingo's plans include assembling the satellites in space. ...more