Microsoft starts P2P Avalanche

Microsoft researchers in Cambridge, UK, are developing their own peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing software, the BBC reports.

Codenamed Avalanche, the program makes it easy to share content by dividing files such as software, audio or video into chunks, much like BitTorrent.

Using network coding, it can recreate missing blocks of data, Microsoft officials say.

Microsoft researchers say Avalanche could be used to help distribute software, security patches, as well as content like TV-on-demand.

At least two major pornography producers will release sexually explicit videos specifically intended for Sony`s PlayStation Portable (PSP), reports Site Punch.

Sony officials have expressed concern by saying: "It is utterly undesirable, but we cannot stop software makers from selling such videos."

Sony has creative control over games released for the portable system, but has no control over movie content.

Movies are to be released in July on Sony`s Universal Media Disc format.

Microsoft`s MSN plans to launch a test version today of a local-search function that integrates mapping and satellite image technology to help consumers pinpoint nearby stores and other locales, CNET reports.

MSN Virtual Earth, which Microsoft chairman Bill Gates previewed in May, adds new tools to a search feature called Near Me that lets people get search results tailored to a geographic location.

The new tools will show results from city- and region-specific White Pages and Yellow Pages directory information.

Each result will be shown as a numbered pin on a corresponding map from Microsoft MapPoint Web service, and aerial images from TerraServer-USA will appear when available.

EMC and Sun Microsystems have released updated and new systems designed for the growing content-addressable storage market, reports InfoWorld.

EMC has updated its Centera content-addressed storage system by tripling its capacity, added the capability to replicate to multiple restore sites, and increased storage options on the product.

Sun has added a new product to its line-up, the StoEdge 5310 Compliance Archiving System, which can scale to 179TB.

The Sun system is designed for server consolidation, archiving and compliance applications, according to Sun officials.