Flaws Found in Windows Vista

Microsoft is facing an early crisis of confidence in the quality of its Windows Vista operating system as computer security researchers and hackers have begun to find potentially serious flaws in the system that was released to corporate customers late last month.

Computer security researchers and hackers have found more flaws in Windows Vista, the long-awaited update to the Windows operating system, according to CNN Monday.

One programmer said it was possible to increase a user's privileges on all of the company's recent operating systems, including Vista, while a computer security firm said that it found five other vulnerabilities, including one error in the software code underlying the company's new Internet Explorer 7 browser.

On Saturday, Nicole Miller, a Microsoft spokeswoman, said the company was investigating the reported browser flaw and that it was not aware of any attacks attempting to use the vulnerability. Microsoft officials were not immediately available for comment on Monday.

Xbox Live Video Beats iTunes Store

Microsoft has finally announced their online video entertainment strategy for the Xbox 360. Xbox 360 owners will be able to buy and rent over 1,000 hours of programming using the new Xbox Live Video Marketplace. The Marketplace will see Microsoft selling programming from CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros.

Microsoft's plan to combat Apple's offering rests in the added value of the complete Xbox 360 package. iTV's features are not yet known, but a premium Xbox 360 with an additional wireless network adapter is $480, $180 more than iTV, but considerably more capable.

Microsoft has also said that users will be able to re-download content for free, in the event that users delete content to make space for new purchases, or even if users want to sign in to Xbox Live and download the show on another console. Shows will be attached to a user's Xbox Live gamertag.

[via arstechnica]

HP Crossfire is An iMac Killer?

HP and AMD is teamed up for readying Windows Vista launching in January 2007. The HP IQ770 Crossfire, the first mass market touchscreen desktop PC, surely good for taking advantage of Vista's integrated tablet functionality.

The features are as follow:

• 19-inch touchscreen,
• AMD Turion 64 X2 dual core TL-52 processor,
• 2GB SDRAM,
• 320GB drive,
• NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600,
• WiFi, Bluetooth,
• integrated 1.3 megapixel camera,
• integrated FM and ATSC HDTV tuners,
• a DVD±RW / DVD-RAM burner with LightScribe,
• Pocket Media Drive bay,
• wireless keyboard,
• mouse,
• stylus,
• front media reader,
• Ethernet,
• two FireWire,
• six USB 2.0,
• one with HP printer power Y-cable connector,
• 5.1 + digital audio out,
• IR out,
• mini-VGA, and
• inputs: FM coax, TV coax, ATSC, and two S-Video.

It also features some new widget-like dashboard interface, featuring HP new SmartCalendar, which serves as a central point for virtual fridge notes and shared family calendars; as well as Photosmart Touch, a new image editing and printing interface.

The price? Expect $1799 - $1899.

[via Engadget]