After months of partisan deadlock, Federal Communications Commission approves the merger valued at around $85 billion.

Linux can be subdivided into “containers” on Sun’s newest Sparc servers, matching a feature Solaris already possesses.

Group says Neuronet, separate from Internet, to be launched in 2007 purely for virtual-reality games and business apps.

PC Magazine - The anti-virus specialist offers support for Microsoft’s new operating system, the very same product that some people believe will put increased pressure on Kaspersky’s entire business.

TechWeb - Unlike in previous versions, Exchange 2007 doesn’t include Outlook client access licenses — except for companies that have bought into its Software Assurance upgrade program.

NewsFactor - Despite recently reported security issues with Windows Vista, Microsoft has expressed confidence that its new operating system is secure and reliable.

Bluetooth system and OS from software giant will eventually be an option for entire Ford lineup, the Journal reports.

PC World - Top trends in software will include business solutions and productivity boosters.

Telephone carrier agrees to stiffer conditions on its acquisition of BellSouth to try to win approval from the FCC.

The phone carrier plans to build a multiroute network across the Pacific Ocean after an earthquake in Asia disrupted service.

TechWeb - Hosted systems can expand access to analytic information. But Ventana Research recommends evaluating SaaS models for particular business needs and to determine how they can work together with internally deployed BI applications.

AP - A Swedish startup is combining software and humans to help make photos and other images more easily searchable online, raising privacy concerns as the technology eases the tracking of people across Web sites.

Reuters - Openwave Systems Inc. , a
maker of communications software, said on Thursday that it is
reviewing a proposal by Harbinger Capital Partners to elect two
directors to Openwave’s board.

Q&A Game designer Jane McGonigal says the console could save democracy, advises other designers to watch Survivor.

Latest version endows virtual machines with a graphical interface, an essential feature for personal computers.

TechWeb - Disclosure of a zero-day vulnerability doesn’t alter the claim that Vista is the safest Microsoft operating system so far, says company’s security manager.

TechWeb - The company becomes the latest security vendor to add support for Microsoft’s new operating system.

Company plans to ship its next major version of the operating system on February 28, two months after its earlier deadline.

PC World - Software compatibility issues, bug worries keep businesses from moving to Microsoft’s new OS.

Reuters - Comverse Technology Inc.
said on Wednesday it has received a letter of default from The
Bank of New York Trust Company over the software maker’s
failure to file certain financial statements with federal
regulators.

USATODAY.com - SAN FRANCISCO - The fight to protect consumer PCs from hackers is heating up. Whether it leaves all digital intruders in the cold could be another matter. Major product rollouts from Symantec and McAfee incorporate features from acquired security firms that pack every conceivable cyberdefense into an affordable package. Comprehensive security packages go for $40 to $80, cheaper than buying products separately.

PC Magazine - The virtualization software, anticipated by Mac users since Apple’s preview in August, will enable the Windows operating system to run on Mac OS X.

AP - Windows Vista, the new computer operating system that Microsoft Corp. is touting as its most secure ever, contains a programming flaw that might let hackers gain full control of vulnerable computers.

AFP - Chinks have been found in the armor of new Vista software that Microsoft has touted as the safest operating system it ever designed, a computer security firm said.

TechWeb - Microsoft has repeatedly pegged Tuesday, Jan. 30, as the date when the long-anticipated Vista operating system and Office 2007 suite update will be available to consumers.

Adios, Mercury and OpenView labels. The HP Software sticker is gaining ground as the company expands its applications efforts.

NewsFactor - Microsoft sent some holiday cheer in the direction of security vendors this week by releasing new programming interfaces for developers working to create software that can interact with the Windows Vista kernel.

TechWeb - The software maker said it was making the change to make the standard Xbox warranty consistent throughout the world.

TechWeb - It is the first Windows Vista exploit made public since the operating system was released to volume license customers Nov. 30.

NewsFactor - Search specialist Google has given its blogging software a major upgrade, adding privacy features, new templates, and tighter integration with Google’s other services.