The growing popularity of interactive Web sites has set off a race among software companies, each pitching their own development toolkit.
Some of the largest makers of chips and interactive TV software have teamed to design Linux-based set-top boxes, aiming to create a lower-cost product than that from software giant Microsoft. Motorola and Pace Micro Technology represent the set-top box makers in the 24-member venture, dubbed TV Linux Alliance. By creating a standardised framework for Linux-based software for interactive TV, the alliance hopes to bring the technology to market more quickly and with lower development costs and fewer integration issues than by working alone. "The current operating systems were not particularly built to foresee such developments'' as increased processing power and memory capacity, particularly when manufacturers begin adding more networking interfaces and peripheral devices to set-top boxes, Mitchell Kertzman, CEO of Liberate Technologies, said at a news conference. The alliance includes Microsoft's rivals in the interactive television market, such as Liberate Technologies, OpenTV and ACTV, in addition to chipmakers STMicroelectronics, Conexant Systems and Broadcom. Other participants include Sun Microsystems; digital video recorder makers TiVo and ReplayTV; high-speed Internet company Excite@Home, whose investors include cable operators AT&T, Comcast and Cox Communications; and Lineo, a developer of Linux operating systems. Jerry Krasner, executive director of Electronic Market Forecasters noted that the alliance "should keep competition at the operating system layer thriving.'' Broadcom recently announced that it has developed a blueprint for set-top boxes that will use Microsoft's most advanced interactive TV software.
Linux project lead Linus Torvalds has said it is not easy to become a major contributor to the Linux kernel.
Linus Torvalds has revealed he sometimes doesn't even know those involved in Linux work for.
Canonical, the leading backer of the Ubuntu version of Linux, this week said it would hire a team to help make open source software on the desktop more appealing and easier to use.
OS X security scares, a Linux worm and Microsoft bragging about security: so why is the world a safer place?
Andrew "Tridge" Tridgell, Samba author and recipient of the mantle for Australia's "smartest man in IT", tells how Samba was nearly named Salmonberry, and what the SMB 2 protocol can do.
Microsoft's chairman discusses his favourite Vista feature, why he'll keep pushing for a new file system and open source's role.
Two years ago, software engineer Shaun Walker got an e-mail from a Microsoft product manager, suggesting ways to keep Walker's development project from foundering.
General Public License governing heart of popular open-source OS is being updated to deal with patents, other issues. But it'll be a struggle.
The 2.6 version of the Linux core is expected in December and will be much more stable on arrival than its predecessor, according to the programmer in charge of the software.
It's no secret that Palm's been struggling to keep up with the competition and has come under heavy criticism for its lack of innovation and delays in releasing its new operating system. So can you blame us for thinking that Palm might disappoint again?
Hardy Heron is an incremental set of advances on earlier versions, but all the advances are in the right direction. Unfortunately, a known and unfixed bug means we can't currently recommend it for enterprise use.
The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project is unique as the XO laptop it distributes. While the XO is not commercially available, our review provides an insight into what can be achieved in a laptop designed for children at a very low cost.
The graphics chip leader has released an updated version of its driver that focuses on enhancements for PCs running the Linux operating system.
The graphics chip leader releases new installation tools intended to make it easier for Linux users to update their video drivers.
Thunderbird 3 takes flight
Thunderbird 3 is finally here, after a gestation period measured in
years. The latest version of Mozilla's fr… Watch it now
Google Chrome beta for Mac
It's not fully baked yet, but Google Chrome for Mac reaches a major milestone with the release of an official … Watch it now
2009 in review
What were the top five stories that shaped 2009? From the launch of Microsoft's Windows 7 OS, to the departure… Watch it now
Welcome to National Censorship Day
That sinking Tcard feeling
The challenge of government 2.0
Best Servers
Want to find out what the best servers are?
Check out the top rated here!
Optus Deal
Broadband + home phone + PlayStation®3 in a single package price!
Click here for more!
Best Laptops
Check out the best laptops here!
Click here for more.