Apple Uses Over-the-Air Software Update for Battery Fix

Apple on Thursday issued a software update for its iOS 5 mobile platform that fixes a number of minor problems on the iPhone and iPad.

The software update, called iOS 5.1, rectifies a battery problem on the iPhone 4S that created less-than-expected battery life on the phone. The update also adds some missing multitasking gestures for the first iPad, fixes a syncing problem with documents and iCloud and improves some minor voice recognition bugs.  Full story

Apple Operating System Affected by Malware

For years Apple Mac users have boasted about the lack of malware on their computers. In comparison, Microsoft Windows owners have regularly felt the brunt of viruses and malware that can easily debilitate an entire computer system in minutes.

Now Apple is in that camp too after a barrage of malware began infiltrating computers over the past few days.

To fix the problem, Apple posted a list of instructions on its Web site Wednesday telling users how to remove the intrusive software from Macs. The company also said it planned to offer a software update that would completely eliminate the malware in the coming days.  Full story

China to Begin Crackdown on Pirated Software in 2011

BEIJING — China’s decades-long addiction to pirated software, long a sore point with U.S. technology firms, may be coming to an end.

The Chinese government warned Thursday that it would strictly enforce laws against unauthorized software in 2011, accelerating a campaign to enforce software copyrights that has slowly gained momentum in recent years.

Full story continues here.

Microsoft Moves Office to the Cloud

It has been a busy year inside Microsoft: the company is getting ready to introduce an entirely new mobile platform and a new type of Xbox gaming interface that uses the human body instead of a traditional controller. Now it is offering a new kind of Microsoft Office suite, called Office 365, which is based in the cloud.

In a press release on Tuesday, Microsoft said this new product was “the company’s next generation in cloud productivity” and that it “brings together Microsoft Office, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online and Lync Online” into a single product that can be used by businesses and individuals.

Full story continues in the cloud…

Google’s Operating System (Chrome OS) Is Coming – Microsoft Probably Not Happy

“So at long last Google is making its move. Promising a lightweight but fast operating system – Chrome OS – the internet search company is poised to strike at the heart of Microsoft’s software empire.

The Windows operating system is Microsoft’s cash cow, powering about 90% of the world’s personal computers, and as a result accounting for the majority of its profits.  The benefits are wider, though. Every Windows desktop comes with an invitation (and at times the imperative) to use other Microsoft software and services.  This, in turn, hobbles Google’s ambition of organising all the world’s information, and making money on the back of it.”   Full Story

Virtual Banker Steals 200 Billion Interstellar Kredits (i.e. $5100)

“TORONTO, July 2 (Reuters) – Facing real world debts, a trusted figure in a popular online game stole money from the virtual bank he ran and exchanged it for cash through the black market.

It happened in EVE Online, where more than 300,000 subscribers pay $15 a month to play. They gain wealth through hard work, manipulating the market, or killing rivals in a distant future where humans have colonized the stars in an online game similar to World of Warcraft and Second Life.”  Full Story at NYTIMES

EBSCO Demo Products

Hey staff, don’t forget to look at the Ebsco trial products on the SCLS blog listing of active Suffolk VRC/Coordinated Order demos.

Status Updates on the Staff WebOPAC

Beginning on Thursday, June 25th, 2009, the PALS Staff will begin using Twitter to disseminate information to the libraries. The updates will display at the bottom of the screen in the PAC1 (Staff) County Catalog as well as on the PALS Wiki.  Details are available on the PALS Wiki, including:

A detailed Explanation of the service, a grid outlining times when Twitter communications might be expected and a Frequently Asked Questions page.

Hands-on with Google Voice, as Launch Nears

from Ars Technica:

“Google is preparing to launch a new service called Google Voice which gives users a single phone number that can seamlessly route calls to their existing phones. It has its own built-in voicemail service that can be accessed from any phone or through a browser, with GMail-like archiving features for audio messages.

The Google Voice service launched in March for closed testing with a limited audience that consisted of existing GrandCentral users. Google introduced a number of highly impressive features such as automatic message transcription and free SMS delivery. The transcription feature will convert voicemails to text and make them searchable. The service can also automatically forward voicemail transcripts directly to your preferred e-mail account.”  Full Story

Librarians Vs. Google

Is it really war? This article seems to think so.

“Critics of Google’s book-searching agreement with publishers and authors were cheered last week when antitrust regulators in the Justice Department set their sights on the search giant’s publishing deal, demanding more information….”           Full Story