Ed Sutherland

The war of words continues between Microsoft and the top independent security software makers. The software giant today called a statement by security vendor McAfee “inaccurate and inflammatory.” Meanwhile, it could be years before Microsoft changes Vista security, according to a research firm. Despite a last-minute conference call arranged by Microsoft to iron out details […]

Unlike the first trip to the moon, when the Internet was in its infancy and streaming referred to a babbling brook, millions of online users will be able to watch the competition for the second lunar visit. For the next two days, Las Cruces, N.M., will be the home base for amateur space enthusiasts and […]

Hewlett-Packard received some good news for a change: regaining first place for the third quarter in worldwide PC shipments since 2003. However, the Gartner survey found Dell remained No. 1 in the U.S., despite experiencing its lowest growth ever. Although HP’s lead is by a slim 110,000 units, the research firm reported the computer maker […]

Security vendors have a bone to pick over Microsoft’s  pledge to open its upcoming Vista operating system to third-party applications. They claim the pledge is nothing more than lip service. They want more. Microsoft, meanwhile, has scheduled a meeting with the vendors to hash out the issue over security and access to the Vista kernel. […]

UPDATED: Apple Computer is apologizing to owners of recent video iPods users who may find their devices infected by a Windows-based virus. While the RavMonE.exe virus is rated a low risk by anti-virus companies, the Cupertino, Calif.-based computer maker is pointing a finger of blame at Microsoft. Apple said it discovered the RavMonE.exe virus on […]

Accelerating its push into the retail enterprise fiber-optic market, wholesaler Level 3 announced a $1.4 billion cash and stock acquisition of Austin, Texas-based Broadwing . The deal, the latest in a series, effectively doubles Level 3’s enterprise revenue. As part of the buy-out, Broadwing investors will receive $8.18, plus 1.34 shares of Level 3 stock […]

NEC has left the European PC business. The Japanese-based company said Monday it sold Packard Bell to a former co-founder of eMachines. Although financial details were not disclosed, the buyer, John Hui, “has extensive experience in the consumer personal computer business and is well positioned to facilitate the future growth of Packard Bell’s business,” NEC […]

UPDATED: European regulators are bowing out of refereeing a dispute between Adobe and Microsoft over the shape of the upcoming Vista operating system. The EU’s response follows Friday’s news Microsoft will make changes in some aspects of Vista, apparently satisfying concerns voiced earlier by European and Korean regulators. European Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd refused to […]

Motorola Ventures and T-Online Ventures have invested $16 million in Wi-Fi technology from Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Ruckus Wireless. The funds point to Ruckus leading the charge toward a wirelessly connected home. “Being able to attract such world-class companies is the ultimate seal of approval that we are in the right place at the right time,” Selina […]

UPDATED: Can a new ethics czar renew the tarnished HP image? CEO Mark Hurd certainly hopes so. HP named Jon Hoak, a former NCR general counsel, vice president and chief ethics and compliance officer, replacing former ethics chief Kevin Hunsaker. In his new role, Hoak will assist outside counsel Barry Schwartz’s assessment of HP’s current […]

Entertainment giant Sony reportedly has a video Walkman on the drawing board and is making plans to increase its share of the digital music market. However, analysts say for Sony to be a success, it must remake itself. In Tokyo, Sony’s senior vice president told reporters the company is developing a new Walkman capable of […]

As if Hewlett-Packard didn’t have enough problems with its botched boardroom media leaks investigation, CEO Mark Hurd made nearly $1.4 million in a stock options sale just a week before the scandal became public knowledge. On Aug. 25, the same day Hurd was interviewed by outside HP attorneys about his role in the pretexting scandal, […]