IT Blogwatch's Most Recent Posts

The Windows 8 beta release date is drawing ever-nearer. Leaked Consumer Preview builds show that Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has done away with Windows' Start Button (or 'Orb' as pedants insist). In IT Blogwatch, bloggers warm up their download managers. Not to mention: Dan's got a date, so he got his hair cut (even though Dan doesn't approve)...

The Windows Phone 8 OS, code-named 'Apollo', will have the same kernel as the Windows 8 for PCs and tablets. A leak of a Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) partner video tells us this and much more info about the new smartphone platform. It's now been confirmed by people who were under a non-disclosure agreement. Redmond isn't commenting though. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers cheer the death of Windows CE. Not to mention: Canadian Lego Man... IN SPAAACE!..

Apple has failed in its bid to have Samsung's latest tablet banned in Germany. So Europeans can still buy the Galaxy Tab 10.1N. A Munich court ruled that a key Apple patent was probably invalid, due to prior art. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers count their Euros and run to the stores.

The Facebook IPO will be official later today, we're told. The rumor-mill sets the price per share at around $45, assuming the $100 billion valuation being bandied about. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers wonder if it'll be (NYSE:FB) or (NASDAQ:FB). Not to mention: 20 Rejected Monopoly Chance Cards...

With its new iPhone 4S lottery system in Hong Kong, Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is trying to defeat Chinese scalpers. Now you can't just walk into the Central District and pick up the latest pomaceous shiny. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers take a number. Not to mention: The World Isn't Getting Any Better...

[Updated with more comment and analysis] Megaupload is warning that its hosting service providers may be about to destroy evidence. The data is 'important' to the company's defense that 'more than 50 million people' used the service for their legitimate cloud staorage needs -- not just copyrighted songs and movies. The U.S. government has washed its hands of the matter. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers hope that justice is seen to be done. Not to mention: Grammar Nazi's (learning you lesson's of speling & grammar)...

North Koreans found using cellphones are guilty of 'war crimes.' At least, during the 100-day mourning period for Kim Jong-il, we're told. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers assume that means they'll be executed. Not to mention: Beautiful HD timelapse of Yosemite...

The iPhone 5 release date will be this Summer, according to a previously-reliably source at Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) contract manufacturer, Foxconn. The final design seems nearly finalized, and production is already 'gearing up.' In IT Blogwatch, bloggers debate veracity of tittle-tattle.

Apple did much better than the rumors predicted for its Q4 results. The pomaceous peddler of fashionable portable-computers-that-sometimes-make-phone-calls (NASDAQ:AAPL) surprised Wall Street with record numbers. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers try to put it all in context.

Senator Chuck Grassley says that LightSquared and others may be trying to nobble his investigations. He's looking into LightSquared's plan to transmit high powered signals next to low power GPS signals. He wrote an letter expressing his unhappiness about things said by LightSquared founder Philip Falcone and Fine Point Technologies CEO Todd Ruelle. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers break out the popcorn.

Research In Motion's pair of 'blundering' CEO/chairmen have quit. The company (TSE:RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM) named Thorsten Heins as CEO and Barbara Stymiest as chair (as rumored). In IT Blogwatch, bloggers wonder if this will halt RIM's death march. Not to mention: Feline caulk meme punnage...

Megaupload is down. The file-sharing locker service was nuked by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the FBI -- in cooperation with authorities in New Zealand. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers note Anonymous' swift retaliation. Not to mention: 30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself...

[Updated with more comment, bile, and venom] The SOPA and PIPA bills appear to have lost critical political support after yesterday's blackout protests by Wikipedia, Google, et al. However, there's now a new bill, known as Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade (OPEN). In IT Blogwatch, bloggers wonder if this one is just as one-sided, unconstitutional, and unworkable as the previous efforts.

The Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) critical patch update (CPU) for January 2012 includes just two fixes for the eponymous database. But at least one is a real doozy, it seems. IT Blogwatch, bloggers wonder where the patches are for all the other critical bugs. Not to mention: a heartwarming tale of brotherly support...

[Updated with more sarcastic comment] Wikipedia and other sites will protest the proposed SOPA and PIPA bills with a 24-hour blackout tomorrow, January 18. In IT Blogwatch, bloggers hope the U.S. doesn't break the Internet.