MS offers security suite

Microsoft is changing its strategy for offering PC anti-virus software, with plans to discontinue its subscription-based consumer security suite and instead offer individuals free software to protect their PCs, says CNet.

Code-named Morro, the new offering will be available in the second half of 2009 and will protect against viruses, spyware, rootkits, and Trojans, the company said in a statement.

With the arrival of Morro, Microsoft plans to stop selling the Windows Live OneCare service, although the two services are not identical.

It was probably inevitable given what Google did with Gears, but Yahoo said Tuesday it is releasing BrowserPlus as open source software, says CNet.

BrowserPlus and Gears are aimed at improving browsers' native abilities, so Web applications can better match those running natively on a computer's operating system, and Gears already is open source software.

"Openness is a key initiative and a major theme for Yahoo this year and beyond, and open sourcing BrowserPlus is part of that commitment," said team member Lloyd Hilaiel.

A "grenade" camera that would enable soldiers to look into hazardous areas, is being developed for UK troops, reports The BBC.

Dubbed the I-Ball, the wireless device is robust enough to survive being thrown onto a battlefield. The I-Ball's internal camera gives a 360-degree view, with images being sent from the instant it is launched.

It is thought the new technology would enable soldiers to see into potential danger spots without putting themselves at risk of ambush. The ball can be fired from a grenade launcher or thrown into a room, giving troops vital information of who or what is on the ground or around the corner.

Microsoft slashed the prices of several of its Zune music players Tuesday, hoping to drive holiday sales despite the weak economic environment, states the Seattle Tech Report.

The move, which cuts the price of the bottom-of-the-line 4GB Zune to $99 from $129, comes just over two months after Microsoft released a new line-up of the music players. The 8GB will now cost $139, down from $149, while the 16GB Zune will cost $179, compared with $199 previously.

"It shouldn't shock anybody that around the holidays we'll do some price dropping, although the economy is surely playing a role," said Zune marketing director Adam Sohn.