Saturday, January 29, 2005

Sony Boosts PSP Production, Preps Music Download Service. Sony May Target Mobile Digital Entertainment with PlayStation Portable

10:25 am | Yaroslav Lyssenko

Having sold nearly a million of PlayStation Portable to Japanese customers, Sony is gearing up the production of its handheld consoles before launching the device in the USA and Europe. In addition, the company reportedly preps a music, and eventually video, download service for its PSP, sending potential customers a message – “Don’t buy iPod now, wait for PSP later”.

“According to a Marketing magazine report, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) plans to launch a music service specifically for the PSP, which is expected to arrive in Europe and the US in March. SCEE will put the delivery mechanism in place in time for the handheld console's launch, using it to allow users to download game levels and software updates. However, the system will be extended to music in the summer. Given the PSP's multimedia focus, it's entirely possible the service could subsequently be used to deliver video downloads,” The Register web-site reports.

“Sony introduced PSP in Japan last month and has so far shipped 800 000 units. The player is currently selling at a premium in stores. The US launch is planned for March; a European launch will follow shortly after. By March, Sony intends to ship 1 million units in Japan, to the United States and Europe,” reports EETimes web-site.

• EETimes: Sony to Boost Playstation Production.
• The Register: Sony Preps PlayStation “Music Download Service” .

Linux Security is a Myth – Microsoft. Software Giant Puts Open-Source OS Under Fire

7:13 am | Yaroslav Lyssenko

Microsoft Corp. has come a long way since the original Microsoft Disk Operating System intended for simplistic PCs in the early eighties to MS Windows Server product series designed to run large datacenters nowadays. Throughout its way the company has always had to compete with rival OSes, such as IBM OS/2 in the eighties and the nineties, as well as Mac OS X and Linux today. Apparently, sometimes, in order to convince potential customers to choose a technology from Microsoft the company has not only to deliver a fine product, but to criticize competing offerings.

“The biggest challenge we need to face centers on the myth and reality. There are lots of myths out there as to what Linux can do. One myth we see is that Linux is more secure than Windows. Another is that there are no viruses for Linux,” said Nick McGrath, head of platform strategy for Microsoft in the UK, in an interview with Vnunet.com web-site.

“Who is accountable for the security of the Linux kernel? Does Red Hat, for example, take responsibility? It cannot, as it does not produce the Linux kernel. It produces one distribution of Linux. In Microsoft’s world customers are confidant that we take responsibility. They know that they will get their upgrades and patches,” Mr. McGrath added.

• Vnunet.com: Linux Security is a “myth”, Claims Microsoft.

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