Archive for the ‘International’ Category
Firefox 4 (Beta 8) First Impressions
After a couple hours of playing with the latest Firefox on my Mac, I’ve come to a conclusion: Mozilla has Google on the brain. The browser is certainly quick, but I’m not sure I’m going back to it. Safari and Google have stolen my heart.
The Good: Loads pages quickly; provides me a way to render 1s and 0s as useful pictures on my computer screen.
The Bad: Slow to load; new layout doesn’t make me think of Google Chrome at all; extensions do not work (does Mozilla need to force us through this “incompatible extensions” nonsense every time there’s a browser update, big or small?); Unattractive UI layout
The Ugly: Firefox became a powerhouse against IE because it was small, fast, and customizable. Now, like all things American, it’s starting to suffer from “fat ass” syndrome.
GM to sell Saab to Dutch carmaker Spyker
News sources are reporting that Dutch car maker Spkyer will now be the new owner of Saab. This comes after a previous deal to sell to Swedish car maker Koenigsegg failed due to financing issues.
[From GM to sell Saab to Dutch carmaker Spyker - washingtonpost.com]
Windows to Add Mandated Browser “Choice Screen” in March 2010
The European Commission details the new, compulsory “Choice Screen” browser selection update to Microsoft Windows. From the Press Release:
What is the Choice Screen and how can people get it?
Microsoft has agreed with the European Commission to offer Microsoft Windows users a Choice Screen giving them an easy choice about which web browser they want to use.
The Choice Screen will be provided to those European Windows users (currently more than 100 million) who have Microsoft’s web browser Internet Explorer set as their default web browser.
Until now, Microsoft has provided its web browser together with its Windows software, whilst the main competing web browsers generally have to be downloaded from the internet. This means that often other browsers do not get installed on consumers’ computers.
The Choice Screen will take the form of a Windows update. The update will be installed automatically for users who have opted for automatic installation of updates via Windows Update so they will not have to do anything to get access.
The Choice Screen will be available from mid-March 2010.
This would have been more effective if mandated before Microsoft launched Windows 7, but I guess it’s better late than never.
L’A380 traverse l’Atlantique
Le Monde is reporting the first transatlantic commercial flight of the A380 was a success. More than 500 passengers flew from Paris to JFK.
Morning News (European Commission Edition)
The EC Competition Authority announces that they conducted dawn raids on Spanish cement industry.
Microsoft Complies with European Comission for 2 Months
Longer than anyone thought, but still a poor showing nevertheless.
[From Microsoft kills Windows 7E, puts IE back in upcoming OS - Network World]
FCC Inquires About Google Voice App Rejection
TechCrunch is reporting that the FCC has sent letters of inquiry to Apple, AT&T and Google regarding the rejection of Google Voice related apps from Apple’s app store. In the letters, the FCC is asking both Apple and AT&T about their levels of decision making in approving/rejecting apps.
AT&T has maintained that it has no involvement in the approval process, although their loosely-written press release gives a wide latitude for interpretation.
I suspect that the FTC and DoJ may get involved next, given the administration’s strong antitrust policy.
[From FCC Takes On Apple And AT&T Over Google Voice Rejection]
Obituary: Harry Patch
The BBC has a wonderfully reflective obituary for Harry Patch, the last British veteran of World War I.
