New Netscape browser launched

Netscape has introduced a new version of its browser, with a heavy focus on Web security and media features for high-speed Web surfing.

Netscape 8.0 is based on the Firefox browser, but can adapt to presenting Web sites customised to work with Microsoft`s Internet Explorer browser, reports Reuters.

The new browser combines the usability of Internet Explorer with the security of Firefox, says Netscape.

A Gartner researcher says Microsoft does not appear in imminent danger of losing much market share on the desktop front to Linux or open source competitors, reports ExtremeTech.

The report says researcher Michael Silver told a Gartner Symposium in San Francisco that while Linux is free, it is not necessarily a cheaper option than Windows. He also said compatibility and fidelity issues were among the impediments to using open source office software products in business.

Although there was a 1% decrease in worldwide pirated software from 2003 to 2004, more than a third (35%) of the software installed on the world`s PCs during 2004 was pirated, reports Computerworld.

Despite the decrease, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) says a study by the International Data Corporation (IDC) found that losses from unauthorised software increased to $33 billion in 2004, up by $4 billion from the previous year.

Vietnam, Ukraine, China and Zimbabwe use the most pirated software, says IDC. At least 90% of the software used in these countries was pirated during 2004, according to the BSA report. In more than half the 87 countries studied, software piracy exceeded 60%.

IRiver of South Korea is to launch a range of low-cost media players in the US in July that offers 53 hours playback time on one alkaline battery as well as colour LCD screens, reports PC World.

The T10 range of three media store music in flash memory and have capacities of 256MB, 512MB and 1GB, to sell for $120, $150 and $200 respectively. The players will be sold only in South Korea and the US.

Competition increased in the flash-memory music player market when Apple Computer released its iPod Shuffle players in January. The iPod Shuffle 512MB model retailed at $99 and the 1GB model cost $149.