Microsoft liberates Web services

Microsoft has promised not to assert its patents related to 35 Web services specifications to ease developers` legal concerns and create a more open-source-friendly environment to encourage the use of Web services technology, reports News.com.

The report says although Microsoft had not asserted its Web services patents, the question of royalties and standards, including in open source software, had been a point of concern among developers.

An open specification promise published on the Microsoft Web site allows a third party to create software, or an "implementation", based on a set of technical guidelines for Web services. It does not require open source developers to pay any royalties to create open source products based on the standards.

Microsoft`s Zune portable media device is set to make its first official appearance today in the US, only two days after Apple introduced a completely revamped iPod line-up, reports Beta News.

Although little is known about Microsoft`s iPod competitor, the device is being manufactured by Toshiba and is expected to feature a 30GB hard drive, three-inch TFT LCD, an FM tuner, wireless 802.11 b/g, and USB 2.0 support.

Zune will also connect to a new music service specially designed for the player and feature social networking capabilities, with a focus on sharing music and music-related content. Users will be able to link up with friends and stream music and playlist data between devices.

Google Earth`s maps and satellite images have been joined by content from new partners, including videos, photos and blogs.

ZD Net says Google apparently hopes to encourage curiosity about the world and attract users to Google Earth by offering overlays of content from the United Nations Environment Programme, the Jane Goodall Institute, the US National Park Service and the Discovery Network.

Google says the new video, photo and blog content is immediately available on Google Earth as part of the free download under the "Layers" section. Existing users do not need to upgrade to a new version of Google Earth software in order to see the new features.

The latest beta of Skype for the Macintosh is aimed at helping to bridge the barrier between Macs and PCs for video calling, reports PC World.

Users of Skype for Mac 2.0 will be able to make video calls to both Mac and PC Skype users. The report says although other options exist for such cross-platform video calling, they do not include the most popular instant messaging clients.

Mac users interested in the latest version of Skype must run Mac OS X v10.3.9 Panther or newer, and have a G4, G5 or Intel processor.

Microsoft plans to introduce a new keyboard and mouse combination shortly after the release of Windows Vista in January 2007, reports TG Daily.

The report says while the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000`s design may not be perceived as cutting-edge everywhere, Microsoft has chosen quality materials and thrown in just about every feature Windows users could ask for. These include automated backlighting that allows users to dim room lights when watching a video or playing a game on the PC.

The wireless keyboard and mouse carry batteries that can be recharged in docking stations of the 8000 system. Microsoft says a full charge takes about 90 minutes and the keyboard can be used during the charging process.