Archive for July 2007

Talentgold, The Breakthrough Talent Website For The Entertainment Industry, Has Launched

17/07/2007 by john.

TalentGold has launched www.talentgold.com, marking the beginning of a new generation of online talent sites. TalentGold provides a direct link between new and emerging talent and those who recruit and work in the entertainment industry. It is considered the ultimate showcase platform.

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INTEL TAKES POPULAR LAPTOPS TO ‘EXTREME’

17/07/2007 by john.

INTEL TAKES POPULAR LAPTOPS TO ‘EXTREME’ WITH FIRST-EVER

EXTREME EDITION MOBILE PROCESSOR; ADDS NEW DESKTOP CHIP

High-Performing Notebook and Desktop Processors Arrive Near First Anniversary

Of Award-Winning Intel® Core™ Microarchitecture

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 16, 2007 – Addressing demand for even faster laptop computers for hardcore gamers, artists and media enthusiasts, Intel Corporation today introduced its first Intel® Core™2 Extreme mobile dual-core processor — the world’s highest-performing mobile processor1 — adopting the brand from the company’s flagship desktop offerings. The company also introduced new desktop processors and said it expects to announce battery-friendly quad-core processors for laptop computers next year.

The new products come on the heels of the company’s 1-year anniversary of introducing server, desktop and laptop processors based on the innovative Intel® Core™ microarchitecture.

“Laptops are the fastest-growing computing market segment, and there is increasing demand from those who crave the ultimate in video, gaming and design computing performance yet want the freedom and flexibility that a laptop brings,” said Mooly Eden, Intel vice president and general manager, Mobile Platforms Group. “Due to our innovative technology and design capabilities, we can offer world-class, power-smart performance for the most demanding mobile users, and are proud to offer it under our Intel Core 2 Extreme brand — a name that has become synonymous with ultimate performance.”

The Intel Core 2 Extreme X7800 mobile dual-core processor, with both cores running at a brisk 2.6 GHz, also features mobile-specific power-saving features that help Intel’s computer-maker customers deliver more energy-efficient and higher-performing designs. For example, the Intel Core 2 Extreme mobile processor X7800 offers up to 28 percent more performance2 than our previous-generation mobile processor. In addition, for experienced enthusiasts who desire more capability, the Intel Core 2 Extreme mobile processor bus ratio locks (overspeed protection) have been removed3. This offers added technical flexibility in customizing the system so OEMs can unleash even more performance.

       
Flagship Desktop Processor Introduced
        For desktop PCs, Intel is announcing a robust set of new processors, including the flagship Intel® Core™2 Extreme QX6850 quad-core processor. Clocked at 3.0 GHz with a new, faster 1333 MHz system bus speed, the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 will be welcomed by game developers looking to deliver new features and performance levels. Intel also announced new Intel® Core™2 Duo and Core™2 Quad processors.

“Thanks to the Intel Core 2 Extreme quad core processor, the PC version of Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter* 2 raises gaming to new heights,” said Bo Anderson, CEO, GRIN Development Studio*. “Developed by GRIN and published by Ubisoft*, the game draws upon the power of Intel’s next-generation multi-threaded engine to provide amazingly realistic gameplay. Intel’s quad-core processor uses one core for physics, one for rendering, one for game logic and one for miscellaneous tasks, which can provide consistently higher and more stable frame rates.”

Intel Core Microarchitecture – One Year Later
A year ago this month the company began introducing these innovative and energy-efficient products, and in that year Intel Core microarchitecture and its processors have achieved a number of milestones, including:

      • Delivering the world’s first x86 software-compatible quad-core processor line for servers and PCs, as well as storage and embedded systems. To date, Intel has introduced 14 quad-core processor versions.
      • Receiving more than 75 independent awards and other accolades from online publications and magazine editors around the world. The full list can be reviewed at www.intel.com/pressroom/kits/core2duo/awards.htm.
      • Securing nearly half (224) of the 500 top-ranked high-performance computers as measured by the recently announced Top 500 Supercomputers List (www.top500.org). 
      • Doubling the performance of laptops with Intel Core 2 Duo processors while maintaining impressive battery life4.
      • Paving the way for the biggest change to transistor design in 40 years that will combine the company’s 45-nanometer manufacturing process and the next-generation Intel® Core™2 and Intel® Xeon® processors.

 

New Processor Pricing and Availability
        The Intel Core 2 Extreme X7800 mobile processor, running at 2.6 GHz with 4 MB of L2 cache, is available to OEMs now at a cost of $851. Notebook systems will appear on the market within the next two weeks. The new Intel desktop processors are also shipping to OEMs now, with product available to end users within the next two weeks. Pricing and specifications for the new desktop processors are as follows:

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Nero and Panda to Offer Users Free Trials

17/07/2007 by john.

Nero and Panda to Offer Users Free Trials, Special Discounts 

 

Cooperation brings innovative multimedia solutions and advanced security solutions to millions of users 

 

Karlsbad, Germany (July 16, 2007) – Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announced today that through a cooperation with Panda Software, users of both products have access to free versions of Nero 7 Premium Reloaded and Panda software. 

 

Now for a limited time, Nero users in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa can download the free Panda ActiveScan software, which scans documents and files for current viruses. Additionally, Nero users will receive a special discount on a variety of Panda’s security programs, which are available as trial versions with three months of free service included. In turn, Panda users will receive a special offer for Nero 7 Premium Reloaded after enjoying a free trial version of the world’s best-selling digital multimedia solution. 

 

“Nero is pleased to join with Panda Software to offer a variety of useful features to increasing numbers of customers,” said Patrick Peeters, General Manager EMEA, Nero AG. “Now users of both Nero and Panda can enjoy tools that will enable them to get the most from their multimedia devices, as well as the maximum security to protect against Internet threats.” 

 

“Thanks to this agreement with Nero AG, we will be making our solutions available to millions of users who can now enjoy the most advanced protection for their computers,” said Jorge Dinarés, CEO, Panda Software. “At the same time, we will be able to offer our own clients the globally-acclaimed Nero multimedia solutions.” 

 

The special offers and downloads will be accessible directly through banner advertisements located on each company’s website.  

 

For more information about the special offers from Nero AG and Panda Software, visit www.nero.com. 

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Mufin MusicFinder

17/07/2007 by john.

Mufin MusicFinder from MAGIX: Automatically discover and play music to match your mood and taste on PC and players.

 

Mufin MusicFinder MAGIX is the first to present a software packet that automatically finds and then plays music that matches the user’s mood and taste. Mufin MusicFinder can search through collections that are usually multiple gigabytes in size found on PCs, MP3 players & mobile phones. The program automatically compiles a list of music similar to one or more songs. For every occasion - whether sporting, party music or music for the car, Mufin MusicFinder always finds the right music. Integrated AudioID technology identifies and suggests music tracks on a semantic basis according to the sound characteristics of the reference track. Conventional procedures are based on metadata or Community recommendations. For this reason, results from Mufin are especially reliable. What’s more, they’re returned in split seconds. The fundamental technology behind this was developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology under the auspices of the creator of the MP3 format Karlheinz Brandenburg and was purchased exclusively in 2005 by the MAGIX daughter company m2any. Mufin MusicFinder from MAGIX also provides the most important playback, audio CD backup copy and burning functionality as well as the transfer of playlists to all portable players. A free version of the program can be downloaded now from www.mufin.com. For additional features, there is an upgrade option that can be purchased for just EUR19.99.

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New Games Portal Alaplaya

12/07/2007 by john.

Launch Of New Games Portal Alaplaya Looks Set To Challenge The World Of Casual Online Gaming  

Burda:ic launches online gaming portal with three new games for Europe www.alaplaya.eu

Burda:ic GmbH, the online PC games subsidiary of Hubert Burda Media, is entering the market with a distinctive new games portal: alaplaya. The open beta phase begins this month with three internationally successful casual games: Audition, a virtual dance battle; Fantasy Tennis and the racing game Come On Baby.

alaplaya is a great place to have fun and integrate with the online gaming communities. The portal’s design and functionality sets it apart from any other online casual game on the market. What’s more, all of the games can be obtained and played completely free of charge.

alaplaya will offer various community features including a user search option, blogs, chatrooms, discussion boards and a unique avatar system. Gamers will only be charged should they wish to equip their avatars with personalized features or outfits. Such items are paid for in the in-game currency ‘Alaplaya Points’, which can be obtained via a central e-Wallet.

It is expected that the portal will primarily attract gamers between the ages of 12 and 29, and experienced gamers have also been promised their share of exciting challenges. The portal will be launched in six languages at once and the games will be playable throughout Europe.

“We are counting on gaining a loyal community of users numbering in the higher hundreds of thousands by the end of the year. In Korea, the online dance contest Audition is already being played simultaneously by several hundred thousands of users and has become a huge music promotion platform,” says Ingo Griebl, Managing Director of Burda:ic GmbH.

For first glimpses and trailers of the games, check out the trailers at: www.sevenload.com/alaplaya

About Burda:ic

Burda:ic GmbH markets and distributes so-called Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG) throughout Europe such as ‘Ragnarok Online’ and establishes interactive gamer communities around them. Hubert Burda Media views the gaming industry as a key medium through which they can reach out to young target groups. www.burda-ic.com

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Botnet threatens iPhone buyers

11/07/2007 by john.

Botnet threatens iPhone buyers, reports PandaLabs

- Panda Software’s laboratory has uncovered a tool used to redirect users to a page that imitates the iPhone’s official website to steal their money

- The botnet has been used by cyber-crooks to control over 7,500 computers infected by the Aifone.A Trojan

The launch of iPhone  is being exploited by cyber-crooks for financial gain. PandaLabs has uncovered a tool that controls a botnet made up of over 7,500 zombie computers infected by the Aifone.A bot Trojan. If the user of an infected PC tries to buy an iPhone online, their confidential data might end up in the hands of cyber-criminals.

The tool allows cyber-criminals to specify the web pages that the bot must redirect and where they must be redirected to

The tool uncovered by PandaLabs has a series of features that allow cyber-crooks to take users of infected computers to a false page that appears to be the iPhone official page.  As a result, if the user tries to buy the phone from the spoof page, they will actually be giving their bank details to cyber-criminals.

One of the tabs in the tool, called “REDIRECTS ADMIN”, allows criminals to specify the web pages that the bot must redirect and where they must be redirected to. In this case, the tool sends users that want to visit the iPhone official pages to a false web page.

Another tab, “SEARCH REDIR”, is used to specify the results that the Trojan must display when the infected user performs an Internet search and where they should be redirected to when they click any of the links. Obviously, this will be the false page.

In section “INJECTS ADMIN” it is possible to indicate the links that the Aifone.A Trojan must modify. As a consequence, if the user visits a web page that contains a link to a page dealing with iPhone, they will also be redirected to the false page.

Other tabs, “POPUPS ADMIN” and “BANNERS ADMIN”, allow cyber-crooks to display pop-ups and banners with advertising about iPhone on the infected computer.  This aims at enticing users to visit the spoofed web page and buy the phone from it.

“This is one of the most sophisticated attacks we have seen targeting a user community, in this case iPhone users. It is a really complex, dangerous attack that combines elements of malware (the Trojan), phishing (the spoofed web page) and even adware (pop-ups, modification of search results, etc.)”, explains Luis Corrons, Technical Director of PandaLabs.

The real danger behind this attack is the fact that, in the same way that it is now being used to affect users that want to buy an iPhone, it could be slightly modified and used to affect users interested in any other product, or even several groups of users simultaneously, which would increase the cyber-criminals’ chances of success.

If you think your computer might have been infected by this malware, scan it for free at www.infectedornot.com

For more information about this tool, go to the PandaLabs blog.

About PandaLabs

Since 1990, its mission has been to analyze new threats as rapidly as possible to keep our clients safe. Several teams, each specialized in a specific type of malware (viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, phishing, spam, etc), work 24/7 to provide global coverage. To achieve this, they also have the support of TruPrevent™ Technologies, which act as a global early-warning system made up of strategically distributed sensors to neutralize new threats and send them to PandaLabs for in-depth analysis. According to Av.Test.org, PandaLabs is currently the fastest laboratory in the industry in providing complete updates to users. More information at www.pandasoftware.com/pandalabs.asp/ and the PandaLabs blog (http://blogs.pandasoftware.com).

For more information: http://www.pandasoftware.com/virus_info

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The Summer Of British Film

11/07/2007 by john.

The Summer Of British Film
From Gandhi, Four Weddings And A Funeral, to Brief Encounter and Bend It Like Beckham, Britain has been a major player in world cinema for over 100 years and continues to produce award-winning talent. The Summer Of British Film on BBC Two is a season dedicated to home grown cinema, encompassing all genres from thriller and comedy to the kitchen sink drama.

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Pro-Ject Takes Turntables Into The Digital Realm

11/07/2007 by john.

Pro-Ject Takes Turntables Into The Digital Realm 

Henley Designs Limited, the leading UK distributor, has announced the imminent release of Pro-Ject’s new Debut USB turntable.

The widespread popularity of iPods and other portable players has created a nagging problem.  Just how do you transfer your old beloved vinyl records onto your computer and thence into the library of your player? No doubt the enthusiastic computer geek can always rig up a turntable; pre-amplifier; cables and sound-card and then download some flaky software from the web but what of the rest of us? Well, the solution allowing vinyl lovers to relax because now they can transfer with ease all their LPs, 12inch discs and singles straight into a digital library thanks to the new Pro-Ject Debut USB Turntable.  

Simply plug this turntable into the nearest USB port; click on your chosen software and start converting your collection. No more worries about clumsy adaptors and mismatched software; the whole process is as simple as listening to a record!

Based on the multi award winning Debut, the new USB model will have both line level and USB outputs so it can be used both with computers and conventional Hi-Fi systems. 
Pro-Ject Audio Systems is currently one of the world’s leading suppliers of record players all of which are designed and built at Pro-Ject’s manufacturing facility in Litovel, situated to the east of Prague.

The Debut series of turntables represent tremendous value and feature inverted hardened stainless-steel points and sapphire thrust-pad bearings on the tone-arm; a head-shell and arm-tube formed from a single piece of  

aluminium; a steel platter with felt mat; close-tolerance chrome-plated stainless-steel shafts on a polished ball bearing in a brass bearing housing and a decoupled motor to reduce vibration. As with all Debut turntables there are two speeds, 33rpm and 45 rpm.  

The Debut USB will be available in a black or silver finish and is expected to sell for around £210

To find out more, visit: www.henleydesigns.co.uk

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Mozilla and eBay Launch

09/07/2007 by john.

Mozilla and eBay Launch Firefox Companion for eBay Users

Free Firefox Add-on makes eBay trading easier, faster and safer

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., and LONDON, UK – 4th July 2007: Mozilla and eBay International AG today launch the final version of the Firefox Companion for eBay, following public testing and significant positive feedback from more than 100,000 members of the eBay community.

The final version of the Firefox add-on provides a new way for eBay users in the UK, France and Germany to enjoy an integrated online trading experience. The Firefox Companion for eBay offers eBay users a customised web browsing solution that lets them stay connected to their trading, watch items, bid, receive alerts and search in real-time.

The Firefox Companion for eBay includes:

The eBay Sidebar provides quick access and real-time updates on items you have bid on, you are selling or watching
Status alerts provide the user with important trading updates, such as when they have been outbid on an item
Integrated eBay search lets you find, bid and sell with ease
Safer browsing, with eBay’s Account Guard integration for eBay and PayPal sites and Firefox’s built-in anti-phishing protection

“Mozilla is continuously striving to make the web experience a better one and we are confident that the launch of the Firefox Companion for eBay will help in doing this,” said Christopher Beard, Vice President, Products and Marketing, Mozilla. “By enlisting the help of the wider community, we have been able to deliver a solution that eBay traders really want – an add-on that enables eBay users to stay connected to their eBay trading wherever they are on the web with Firefox.”

Torsten Schuppe, Head of Interactive Marketing at eBay.co.uk, said: “We’re very excited about the launch of the Firefox Companion for eBay. It’s quick, easy and safe and our research shows that our users are enjoying this innovative way of keeping up-to-date with all things eBay.”

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90% of corporate mail SPAM!

09/07/2007 by john.

Spam accounted for more than 90% of corporate mail received in the second quarter, according to data from TrustLayer Mail.
 

During the second quarter of 2007, spam accounted for more than 90% of corporate mail received. This data has been compiled from companies who have contracted TrustLayer Mail, Panda’s managed security service.

With respect to the threats distributed using email, the most frequently detected by TrustLayer Mail has been the Netsky.P worm. In the top five there are three SpamtaLoad Trojans, which enable a range of intrusions and attacks: screenlogging, stealing personal data, etc.

“Spam figures are constantly increasing. With TrustLayer Mail, businesses can make significant savings, as spam is stopped before it enters the company”, explains Víctor Omaechevarria, TrustLayer Mail Product Manager.

This Panda service guarantees 100% virus-free mail backed by a Service Level Agreement.

TrustLayer Mail includes technology that is able to detect 98.5 percent of all spam. It also returns a false positive ratio of just 1 in every 27,905 messages processed. This data has been compiled from the networks protected by TrustLayer Mail during the solution’s trial phase.

The TrustLayer system architecture offers load-balancing and redundancy and is designed to offer maximum availability (99.99%) to ensure an uninterrupted message delivery service: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This high availability is supported by a team of experts, day and night, monitoring the 24×7 mail service and resolving any incidents.

The service is provided from one of the Managed Data Centers of Spain’s largest Telco (Telefonica), guaranteeing service availability at all times.

More information on TrustLayer Mail is available at: http://www.pandasoftware.com/trustlayer/default.asp

About Panda Software

Panda Software (www.pandasoftware.com) is a leading developer and provider of integrated security solutions to combat viruses, hackers, Trojans, spyware, phishing, spam and other Internet-borne threats. With the revolutionary TruPreventTM Technologies, Panda Software’s innovative solutions offer a greater return on investment, keeping clients protected even against new threats that have yet to be identified. PandaLabs, the fastest laboratory in the industry to provide complete updates to users, offers a worldwide response to malware 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round.

Panda Software’s centrally-managed security solutions protect servers, and gateways and all network entry points, ensuring a straightforward and highly effective line of defence against Internet threats for large organisations, SMBs and consumers. Panda solutions are backed by a team of expert support technicians in all countries where the company is present. Tech support services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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