Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

The Windows Web Browser Choice Screen Works
According to the latest data from Opera, the Windows Web Browser Choice Screen—a browser download and activation pop-up mandated by the European Union in all versions of Microsoft’s operating system—is working. They say it’s “dramatic uptake on downloads.”

Opera reports that their downloads have more than doubled across the European continent during the introduction of their latest version. Some countries saw their rates tripling. One, Poland, experienced a 328% surge. Of the total number of downloads, a 77% came from the Choice Screen in Poland. On average, 53% came from the Choice Screen in the whole of Europe. Not bad at all, considering that the roll-out has just started in early March, and will continue to happen “well into May for existing Windows computers and for five more years on new installations.”

It seems the Eurocrats were right. Hopefully, the UScrats will take good note.

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

Amazon added a few bricks to its Kindle kingdom on March 18, with the introduction of Kindle for Mac, a free application that lets readers pull up Kindle books on a Mac computer.
 
“Kindle for Mac is the prefect companion application for customers who own a Kindle or Kindle DX,” Jay Marine, director of Amazon Kindle, said in a statement. “For those customers around the world who don’t yet have a Kindle, Kindle for Mac is a great way to instantly access and read the most popular new releases as well as their old favorites.”

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

Ruling in favor of Bank of America Corp’s Merrill Lynch unit, Barclays Plc and Morgan Stanley, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote said Theflyonthewall.com engaged in “systematic misappropriation,” essentially getting a “free ride” from its quick publication of upgrades and downgrades that can move stocks higher and lower.

Cote issued a permanent injunction requiring the Summit, New Jersey-based company to wait until 10 a.m. to report research that was issued before the market opens, and at least two hours for research issued thereafter. The bulk of research is typically issued before the open.

While the banks had sought longer delays, Cote said: “This time frame preserves incentives for the firms to create and disseminate research reports to their investor clients, while still recognizing the inevitable, fast-moving, and widespread informal communication of recommendation on Wall Street.”

Cote added she could not excuse Theflyonthewall.com’s activities simply because recommendations are also reported by many rivals, or are otherwise leaked or rumored.

“The legally salient fact … is that Fly is exploiting its self-described ‘hefty relationships with people in the know,’” she wrote.

The judge said Theflyonthewall.com may apply in one year to lift the injunction if the banks do not take reasonable steps to halt the unauthorized distribution of research.

According to the opinion, Theflyonthewall.com said the lawsuit has forced it to ritualistically engage in “confirming” the substance of research with two or three sources before publishing – still, typically, before the market opens.

The company has about 30 employees. It charges $50 a month, or $480 annually, for its services, its website shows.

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

Facebook overtook Google to become America’s most popular website. Figures for the week ending March 13th showed that the social-networking site accounted for 7.1% of the country’s traffic, compared with Google’s 7.0%, the first time it has had a weekly lead. However, with revenues of $23.7 billion last year, Google remains easily the more profitable of the two.

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

Green Infrastructure, Earth Day and Global Awareness

Spring 2010 is approaching and there’s a lot of buzz around topics like the economy, taxation, global poverty, restoration in Haiti/Chile, and lastly, green awareness. With spring, Earth Day also draws nearer (April 22nd); as individuals, we must remember and realize the importance of global warming and all of its implications. Subsequent topics discussed as of late include space travel/burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and green building. As nations like Haiti and Chile prepare for rebuilding and new construction, there are many things to consider when advancing. Moving towards cleaner, greener infrastructure is vital in ensuring a successful restoration campaign.

The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(3)© non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everybody. It’s one of the many organizations playing its role in green progression. Heavy discussion lies on green topics, especially the more recent ones like space travel; others include deforestation, green crops, clothing, energy, and much more. It’s important that we as individuals/citizens stay up-to-date on important global topics like warming. As organizations like the CGI (Clinton Global Initiative), AFH (Architecture for Humanity), and the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council) conducts sustainability campaigns and enforce strict green constraints, our world will continue to become a better, cleaner place. Machines behind the CGI, Doug Band and Former President Clinton have been pursuing an emission reduction plan in the San Francisco Bay area. Meanwhile, CEO of GEC (Globetrotters Engineering Corporation), Niranjan Shah, is underway with green building projects in Chicago, IL. Despite these few national examples, green infrastructure, particularly in places like Haiti, has become an integral part of restoration and construction.

As polluters continue to buy their way out of Carbon Cuts globally, and large organizations continue to dump their waste into lakes, ponds and rivers, communities and must play their role in ensuring sustainability. Organizations like the CGI, AFH, and USGBC provide repercussion and policy change for acts such as. Most of the results from warming and climate change are miniscule and unnoticeable now, but our youth and earlier generations will experience firsthand the effects of pollutants and unsustainable efforts. Feel free to visit http://www.earthday.org/ to learn more about what you can do to support your world.

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

Hackers have flooded the Internet with virus-tainted spam that targets Facebook’s estimated 400 million users in an effort to steal banking passwords and gather other sensitive information.

Technology  |  Lifestyle  |  Media

The emails tell recipients that the passwords on their Facebook accounts have been reset, urging them to click on an attachment to obtain new login credentials, according to anti-virus software maker McAfee? Inc.

If the attachment is opened, it downloads several types of malicious software, including a program that steals passwords, McAfee? said on Wednesday.

Hackers have long targeted Facebook users, sending them tainted messages via the social networking company’s own internal email system. With this new attack, they are using regular Internet email to spread their malicious software.

A Facebook spokesman said the company could not comment on the specific case, but pointed to a status update the company posted on its web site earlier on Wednesday warning users about the spoofed email and advising users to delete the email and to warn their friends.

McAfee estimates that hackers sent out tens of millions of spam across Europe, the United States and Asia since the campaign began on Tuesday.

Dave Marcus, McAfee’s director of malware research and communications, said that he expects the hackers will succeed in infecting millions of computers.

“With Facebook as your lure, you potentially have 400 million people that can click on the attachment. If you get 10 percent success, that’s 40 million,” he said.

The email’s subject line says “Facebook password reset confirmation customer support,” according to Marcus.

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

VirnetX won the initial round in its patent-infringement case against Microsoft over VPN technology.

A Texas jury on March 16 recommended Microsoft pay VirnetX $105.75 million for willfully infringing on two VirnetX networking patents which VirnetX claims Microsoft used without licensing. VirnetX said Microsoft has used the VPN technologies in question in Windows Server 2003, XP, Vista, Live Communications Server, Windows Messenger, Office Communicator and various versions of Office.

Microsoft is appealing the verdict.

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

We’re getting a few more details about the Android 2.1 update that’s dropping tomorrow for the Motorola Droid. Here’s the deal:

• The first batch of 1,000 updates will be pushed out at 9 a.m. PDT.
• Assuming all goes well, another 9,000 updates will go out at 8:59 p.m. PDT.
• After that, there’s a 24-hour waiting period (to make sure all’s still well.)
• Then 200,000 updates will go out on Saturday, March 20.
• Another batch of 200,000 goes out after that, until everyone has the update.

This stuff is brand-new as of this morning, and things are still subject to change. But we’re close, people, and we still expect a manual updating method to be had in short order, so don’t freak out if you’re not in the first group. Thanks, anon!

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

If you’re thinking about running the IE9 Platform Preview, don’t try installing it on any nearly-decade-old operating systems (I’m looking at you, XP): If you do, you’ll get to a dialog stating “Windows Internet Explorer Platform Preview does not support any operating system earlier than Windows Vista SP2.” And of course, don’t even think about versions for non-Windows operating systems. IE General Manager Dean Hachamovitch told me that Mac and Linux versions weren’t currently in the company’s plans.

The reason IE9 doesn’t work in XP is that the browser uses the Direct2D feature of DirectX when accessing the graphics hardware to accelerate image creation and drawing. Direct2D was introduced in Windows 7 and then added

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

A new survey shows that businesses are increasingly planning their move to Windows 7, with more than half of those questioned planning to have some machines running the operating system in their corporations by the end of the year.

The survey, conducted of 923 businesses in January, found that 16 percent are already running some Windows 7, with a further 42 percent planning to start their deployment by the end of 2010.

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

Google failed in its bid to own the “Nexus One” name for its Android 2.1 smartphone, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected its application for a trademark on the moniker. That mark is currently commanded by Integra Telecom, which in December 2008 registered the trademark for its Nexus fixed bandwidth integrated voice and Internet T1 product. What does this all mean? Google could contest the ruling, pay Integra for the right to use the name, or change the Nexus One name.

Google failed in its bid to own the “Nexus One” name for its Android 2.1 smartphone, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected its application for a trademark on the moniker.

“Registration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the mark in U.S. Registration No. 3554195,” the USPTO wrote in its March 9 ruling, according to theNexus One blog.

That mark is currently commanded by Integra Telecom, which in December 2008 registered the trademark for its Nexus fixed bandwidth integrated voice and Internet T1 product. Google only filed its application for the Nexus One trademark back in December 2009, making it a year too late.

Link: http://ecomtechnolgy.com

High Risk Credit Card Processing

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Asia,United States, Canada or based in Europe inquire or apply onsite today at eComTechnology and in most cases you can be processing in less than 5 days through your own virtual terminal or gateway.

Merchant Accounts for Credit Card Processing 

Accept credit card payments online, process payments using a virtual terminal, issue your own prepaid debit card program, or use a world leading gateway.

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

As rumors continue to swirl around a possible Google exit from China, that country’s government issued a reminder that it has no plans to back down. “We hope that whether Google Inc continues operating in China or makes other choices, it will respect Chinese legal regulations,” Ministry of Commerce spokesman, Yao Jian told reporters.

When it first entered the Chinese market, Google agreed to obey the country’s laws, Jian said. “Even if it pulls out,” he added, “it should handle things according to the rules and appropriately handle remaining issues.”

Google is currently in talks with China about its future serving that country’s 384 million Internet users. According to a number of reports, Google’s prospects for staying in that country are slim.

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

Link: http://evolution.ecomtechnology.com

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission plan released on Monday comes as the Internet increasingly delivers everything from telephone service to movies, music and banking services.

Nearly 200 million Americans had fast Internet access at home last year, but about 100 million do not, says the FCC document. “Like electricity a century ago, broadband is a foundation for economic growth, job creation, global competitiveness and a better way of life.”

Requested by Congress, the plan of over 350 pages looks set to touch off intense lobbying by communications companies over legislation and FCC rules that will underpin the goals.

A shift in airwaves from broadcasters like CBS Corp could benefit wireless providers like AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

While upgrading the nation’s wireless and wireline networks would be a boost for companies like equipment maker Alcatel Lucent SA, wireless chip maker Qualcomm and fiber optic providers like Corning Inc.

Several elements of the plan had emerged in the past few weeks but the five members of the FCC are due to vote Tuesday on issuing a summary of “Connecting America: The National Broadband Plan.”

A House Energy and Commerce Committee panel will hold a March 25 hearing on the FCC’s proposals.

EXPANDING COVERAGE

A Connect America Fund would receive up to $15.5 billion over the next decade, using money shifted from the Universal Service Fund that currently supports telephone service for the poor and rural areas.

The plan aims to have 100 million American households get Internet speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) by 2020 – a speed that would allow a consumer to download a two-hour, high-definition movie in less than 10 minutes.

As an interim goal, the plan calls for 100 million U.S. homes have 50 Mbps Internet speeds by 2015.

The current household average speed is about 4 Mbps. Even homes with cable or fiber Internet access only achieve speeds averaging 5 Mbps to 6 Mbps.

Cisco Systems Inc recently announced it would introduce a router that can handle Internet traffic up to 12 times faster than rival products. Google Inc has said it plans to build a super-fast Internet network to show that it can be done. The FCC has praised both announcements.

SHIFTING AIRWAVES

The plan stresses the need to devote more airwaves to the anticipated explosion of handheld devices capable of playing movies and music in addition to handling emails and voice calls.

The agency says it is seeking expanded authority from Congress to hold auctions that would provide incentives for broadcasters to give up some of their airwaves for purchase by wireless companies.

The FCC said it would leave open the possibility of taking action if broadcasters do not voluntarily give up spectrum.

Analysts said meeting even the FCC’s 50 Mbps interim goal would likely take a lot more investment by companies like AT&T and Qwest Communications International Inc.

“Five years from now it would be tough for them to get anything of any size done,” said Stifel Nicolaus analyst Christopher King, “they would really need to start today.”

Some analysts have also been skeptical about whether the airwaves reallocation would appeal to broadcasters unless the FCC offers them a big percentage of the auction proceeds.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski told Reuters on Friday that “a number of broadcasters” were open to his “win-win” plan, which would have them give up airwave licenses for auction in exchange for receiving a share of the proceeds.

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Verizon Communications Inc and Britain’s Vodafone Group Plc