Stories by Nancy Weil

Microsoft, Amazon partner on Web services

A software application allowing access to Amazon.com products and data without a Web browser while users are working in Microsoft Office System applications will be available for free download later this quarter, the companies said Tuesday.

Panel: Accept the Net is vulnerable to attack

Companies and home Internet users need to accept that the global computer network is inherently vulnerable to attacks, worms, trojans and anything else miscreants want to unleash on it, and then accept that securing the system is everyone's responsib...

"What is that?!" It's a chair, it's a computer

While attendees at Comdex were lining up Monday to test drive the Segway transportation device that generated so much buzz over the past year or so, across the exhibition hall people were drawn to what looked like a jazzed-up, high-tech dentist chair...

Judge accepts most of settlement agreement

U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly Friday approved most of the provisions of a settlement deal between Microsoft Corp. and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and nine states that sued the software maker in a landmark antitrust lawsuit...

US ATTACK: Gartner: Cyberterrorism is real threat

Although there have been no reported cases of cyberterrorism or hacks of corporate or U.S. government sites, companies must remain vigilant in the coming days because there is every expectation that the Web will be used as a terrorist weapon.

Fujitsu offers new pen-tablet PC

A new version of Fujitsu PC's pen-tablet PC, which can be converted for desktop use and is aimed at people whose jobs frequently take them away from the office or outdoors, was announced Monday.

Tool used to create Anna worm enhanced

The tool used to write the Anna Kournikova worm has been enhanced by its creator and packs a potentially stronger wallop than when it emerged last month because it is capable of sending hidden .exe files and turning those loose on a user's PC, accord...

HP extends Linux support

Hewlett-Packard will soon offer Linux support on 44 printers and also will ship servers and development tools aimed at users of the OS, the company announced Wednesday at the LinuxWorld trade show in New York.

Sci-Fi future full of viruses and villains

After hearing three top science-fiction writers pontificate on their visions of the future during a panel discussion at Comdex, there is this to say: Run! Run for your lives! Pandemics, biological warfare, Bluetooth-like brain implants and diagnostic...

Compaq recalls Armada battery packs

Compaq Computer is recalling some 55,000 battery packs from Armada E500 and V300 notebook computers sold globally because the packs can short circuit and possibly overheat, release smoke and catch on fire.

Microsoft's Ballmer defends practices, products

Microsoft President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer doesn't shy from confrontation and perhaps that is why his keynote Wednesday at a Gartner Group conference had more of an edge to it than the friendlier chats of other interviews at ITxpo....

McNealy: Sun working toward always-on Net

The always-on Internet is akin to the pervasive dial tone we get when we pick up the telephone handset and the infrastructure for such ubiquitous connectivity is the primary focus of Sun Microsystems, company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scot...

Microsoft acquires digital audio technology developer

Microsoft has made another inroad into the entertainment industry, adding to its stable of acquired companies with the purchase of Pacific Microsonics (PMI), a developer of HDCD digital audio technology.

HP unveils 'Superdome' Unix servers

Hewlett-Packard unveiled the high-end HP 9000 Superdome Unix server on Tuesday, along with an overall strategy aimed at its large dot-com customers, service providers and data-intensive corporations.

MS/DOJ: Microsoft requests a stay on remedies

Microsoft has asked a US judge to stay behavioural remedies in the government's antitrust case against the software maker until the company has exhausted the appeals process.