Windows Azure impresses

This week at Microsoft's Professional Developer Conference, Microsoft executives took the wraps off Windows Azure, a new development platform for building cloud-based applications, says CRN.

In the opening keynote, David Thompson, corporate VP of Microsoft Online, noted that Microsoft plans to eventually move all its enterprise software into the cloud.

Although Azure was widely expected, some solution providers were surprised and pleased by the frankness of Thompson's declaration. "This is the boldest prediction I've heard yet, and it certainly sets a direction," said Dave Sobel, CEO of Evolve Technologies.

Apple has quietly released a refreshed version of MobileMe, its cloud computing service for syncing an iPhone's e-mail and calendar with a Mac, or Outlook on a Windows PC, reports NBR.

MobileMe's July launch was plagued by bugs, with many users complaining about erratic performance, lost connections and lost e-mail.

In a leaked internal e-mail, Apple CEO Steve Jobs groused: "MobileMe was simply not up to Apple's standards - it clearly needed more time and testing... it was not Apple's finest hour."

Venezuela entered the space age this week as its first satellite, built with Chinese technology and launched from China, blasted into orbit, states AFP.

Named after Simon Bolivar, the hero of South American independence, the communications satellite Venesat-1 is a "construction of socialism" and a symbol of Latin American integration, according to Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

The satellite, the construction of which began in 2002, cost Venezuela $241 million, along with $165 million for two communication headquarters.

A "Star Wars" inspired hover chair, a speedy electric motorbike and stereo speakers that cost as much as a small house are among the attractions at Britain's biggest gadget show in London this weekend, reports Reuters.

Organisers of Stuff Live hope thousands of visitors will forget their financial worries for a few hours and dream instead about the latest hi-tech toys.

Scores of exhibitors will show off everything from a pocket-sized DJ mixing desk, a solar-powered mobile phone charger and a "robot guitar" that uses tiny motors to tune its own strings.

Opponents of California's proposed ban on gay marriage claim their Web site was shut down by a coordinated computer attack, amid rising tensions over one of the nation's most controversial ballot measures, says Wall Street Journal.

The Web site against California's Proposition 8 had to be taken down for several hours Wednesday night, following the alleged "denial of service" attack.

Officials of the campaign said Thursday they had complained to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Secret Service about the incident.