No More Ads Opened in the Same Window from AdSense

Google China announced today that they might be toying with the idea of opening the AdSense clicked links in a new browser window or tab, the translation wasn’t all that clear. Do not
mistake this for pop-up windows, they are truly autonomous, these tabs will only open in the eventuality that you have clicked one ad and that’s where you will be redirected to it.

It’s a step forward, if you ask me, not many people being fond of hitting the "Back" button as many times as it would be needed in order to go back to the page they first saw the ad in, because from the first click on the ad and until the final action is performed, be it the buying of something or not, more than one click is often required and navigation through more than one URL redirecting.

Keith Chan, of Gspy.blogspot.com, translated some of the Google post announcing this: "The Chinese market and the demands of Chinese publishers is very important to Google AdSense network. We hope to [bring] better experience to users, more revenue to publishers and more earnings to advertisers through constant improvement of our products. By this, we could achieve [a] four-win situation: users win, publishers win, advertisers win, Google wins."

Bad luck for the rest of the world, this is an experiment that will only happen in China, "at this time we do not have an option to open Google ads in a new browser window. Please do not modify the AdSense ad code or alter the result of clicking on an ad on your website, as this is against our program policies" is what Google says of the idea.

Why only in China? Colin Colehour, a former contractor for Google, thinks that it is because China is the biggest market where Google isn’t leading, so they might be willing to try and change things around a bit to see what impact they might have, because keeping them the way they are now hasn’t proven to be all that successful.

Dirk Meyer and AMD's Achievements List

Dirk Meyer

The achievements AMD has been enjoying in the last year have been shaded by the launch and delivery pit stop because of their quad-core lines. These issues prevent AMD from keeping their promise to their customers and force the company to delay the shipment of several products until the first quarter of 2008.

The most affected lines are Phenoms and Barcelonas, the long-awaited and the extremely hated, at the same time. The company even admits that some customers have disagreed with the Quad Core processor delay so it is working on welding on the broken supply chain.

"We haven't delivered our Quad Core consistent with our plan and the Quad Core issues have overshadowed some of our achievements", Dirk Meyer, president and chief operating officer of the company, said. "We know exactly what the issues are with the Quad Core. We know how to fix them and we are hell-bent on getting those fixes into the market as soon as possible."

Drawing the bottom line, the company managed to gain some market share in the year that is about to end, but they also reached high figures in mobile processor shipment (as a matter of fact, studies say that AMD's mobile solution was the year's pick), as well as make the step from 65-nanometer to 45-nanometer technology.

"Since first quarter, we've done a lot of things really well", Meyer said. "We've acquired and quickly expanded our business with another global tier-1 OEM, we've grown our mobile business faster than the red-hot mobile business overall, we've accelerated our platform design wins, we've regained momentum in the CPU channel, we've fully transitioned our CPU output to 65 nanometer technology where the yields are outstanding and we've established a yields baseline for 45 nanometer technology."

This is quite a history, given the fact that AMD is not facing ordinary semiconductor competition, but the greatest CPU maker in the world, the competition, is pretty acid. Despite this, AMD is continually getting slapped by some major mistakes in the recent past. Well, since we are close to the year's end, it would be nice to give them another go and hope that the year to come will be better for them and, consequently, for the computer market.

Samsung's Got A Wireless Digital Photo Frame in Store for US

Wireless digital photo frames are most likely the next major trend in this particular market segment, as they allow users to transfer photos either from their PC or from the Internet onto the frame without having to move it one inch. And the latest announcement regarding such a product comes from Samsung,
who has just rolled out the US version of the SPF-83V model (available starting with October in Korea and other markets), which provides certain interesting features, including a wireless module.

First of foremost, it's important to note the fact that what we're dealing with here is an 8-inch frame, whose LCD display provides an 800 x 600 pixels resolution, a 200 cd/m2 brightness level, as well as a 500:1 contrast ratio. This is not exactly bad (for an 8 incher), but it's not fantastic either, since there are several superior model available on the market.

However, the most important selling point of the SPF-83V is represented by the 802.11b/g wireless connectivity, which means that the photo display can be connected directly to a PC or the Internet (via an access point) in order to receive automatic photo updates via a Windows Live Space or one of the many photo-sharing websites that offer RSS feeds.

Beside the aforementioned wireless connectivity, the device also comes packed with some more "traditional" data transfer solutions. Thus, the SPF-83V has been equipped with a memory card reader, which works with the CompactFlash (CF), MultiMediaCard (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), Memory Stick and xD-Picture Card formats, as well as 2 USB ports (1 Type-A and 1 Type-B), for higher versatility.

The SPF-83V also incorporates 64MB of flash memory, which can be used for storing the user's favorite photos. Furthermore, a new ball hinge mechanism using an elastomer ball allows fluid movement and a more natural viewing angle, while the wall mounting system frees up space and creates an elegant look.

Unfortunately, no pricing details are available for the time being, but since this thing sells internationally for around 250 US dollars, that's what you should probably expect.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC1 Will Expire on June 30, 2008

The first Release Candidate of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is available as a free download from Microsoft. The final SP1 will also be delivered at no extra charge to all Windows Vista users, as it is the practice with service pack releases. But, another tradition over at Microsoft is to time-bomb the testing releases of upcoming software products. In the perspective of the Redmond company, the testers are able to access the bits in the early stages of building and get a sneak peek, without dropping a single cent. Of course, that the true transaction comes in terms of the feedback generated, so in the end, it is still a case of Quid Pro Quo, even if financial matters are put aside.

On December 12th, 2007, the company dropped the first public version of Vista SP1 with the
RC build via the Microsoft Download Center. Vista SP1 RC1 was previously accessible only through Connect, and by MSDN and TechNet subscribers. But, as it was forecasted following the initial introduction of the first pre-beta variants of Vista SP1, the service pack went to the general public by the end of 2007. Users that will implement Vista SP1 RC1 into their copy of the operating system will be able to run it for a little over half a year. Vista SP1 RC1 is scheduled to expire on June 30th, 2008.

"Windows Vista SP1 Release Candidate is time-limited software. It will no longer operate after June 30, 2008 and should be uninstalled prior to that date", revealed Nick White, Microsoft Product Manager. "If you install the Service Pack 1 Release Candidate, it is strongly recommended that you also plan to install the final version of Windows Vista SP1 when it is released in the first quarter of 2008. To do this, you will be required to uninstall this pre-release code. You must have a genuine copy of Windows Vista installed on the computer prior to installing the Windows Vista SP1 update."

White failed to inform what will happen to the operating systems from which SP1 RC1 will not be removed past the expiration date. In this context, it is interesting to see if the expiration of the Release Candidate of the Service Pack will cause the end users to experience problems with Windows Vista RTM on which the refresh was deployed.

Windows Vista SP1 RC1 "is pre-release code and will change before the final release. This pre-release software is provided for testing purposes only. Microsoft does not recommend installing this software on primary or mission-critical systems. Microsoft recommends that you backup your data prior to installing any pre-release software. Support is through self-help and peer support via the Windows Vista SP1 forum. Assisted support (phone, email and online chat) is not available from Microsoft Support for this RC release of SP1", White added.

That's It! No More Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta for You!

That's it! No more Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta for you! Windows Live Messenger 9.0 is designed to be the successor of Windows Live Messenger 8.5. The latest, finalized release of Microsoft's instant messaging client dropped at the beginning of November 2007,
the application being tailored on Windows Vista. Version 8.5 was released into beta earlier this year, on the heels of the launch of Windows Live Messenger 8.1, which introduced support for Vista as the latest Windows client hit the shelves.

But, the past month brought with it the release of an early, pre-beta development milestone for Windows Live Messenger 9.0. Microsoft sent out the invitations and then opened up the testing program. In the process, the Beta release of Windows Live Messenger 9.0 was leaked to the Internet, and became widely available for download, although it was intended for only approximately 5,000 testers. Starting on November 2007, Windows Live Messenger has also been available for download via Softpedia.

This is no longer the case. As a direct consequence of a request from Microsoft, we have discontinued the download of Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta. Users will not notice that the download link is no longer functional. This situation is temporary and will last until the Redmond company will make available the first official release of Windows Live Messenger 9.0 opened to the general public.

Users will simply have to hold in there for a little longer, but from what we have seen out of Windows Live Messenger 9.0 Beta, it will surely be worth the wait. We only hope that the testing and development process of Windows Live Messenger is not affected in any way, as Microsoft informed that it would consider shutting down access to development milestones of the next iteration of its instant messaging client in the eventuality of a leak. For the time being, users will simply have to do with Windows Live Messenger 8.5 and Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista.

Deploying Windows XP SP3

With a pre-Release Candidate build of Windows XP Service Pack 3 available for download, the imminence of the final version of the refresh is starting to take contour. Until this point, Microsoft has flailed to point to the official availability date for the third and final service pack, and is still just offering the abstract first half of 2008 as a deadline. However, the intimate connection
between Vista SP1 and XP SP3 indicates the possibility of a concomitant release for the two service packs in the first quarter of 2007. When it comes down to the deployment of Windows XP SP3, the similitudes with that of Vista SP1 are indisputable. However, it still remains to be seen if Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista SP1 will be joined at the hip early next year.

"Fundamentally, deploying Windows XP SP3 works the same as deploying SP1 and SP2 for Windows XP. SP3 is cumulative, so users can install SP3 on top of Windows XP SP1 or SP2. Windows XP SP3 supports the same languages as Windows XP did in its initial release. You can run the SP3 update package on any SKU of Windows XP SP1 or SP2. For example, you can run the SP3 update package on a computer running the Windows XP Media Center Edition with SP1", Microsoft added.

According to Microsoft, the standalone packages of Vista SP1 weight in at 450 MB (5 language package) and 550 MB (full 36 language package). The variant of the Vista Service Pack 1 served via Windows Update will be just 65 MB. The Redmond company will additionally offer Vista SP1 via Connect, MSDN, TechNet, pre-loaded on original equipment manufacturers computers and through new copies of the operating system. The same is valid for XP SP3.

"Windows XP SP3 will be available through Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center. The service pack will also be available to Volume License customers, TechNet subscribers, and MSDN subscribers. Through Windows Update, the download size varies, but it is typically 70 megabytes (MB), depending on the computer's configuration. Through the Download Center, the download size is approximately 580 MB", Microsoft revealed.

Vista SP1's File Sharing Subsystem to "Benefit" from Thousands of Inbound Concurrent Connections

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are "aligned" operating systems despite the client and server side separation. In this context, the first service pack for Windows Vista, directly dependent of Windows Server 2008, will feature evolution in various aspects, as generated by the development of Microsoft's last 32-bit server operating system. The two platforms share the same core, but the similitudes stretch well beyond kernel-level. Discussing the alignment of Vista and Windows Server 2008, in terms of files common to the two platforms, Microsoft revealed that modifications introduced to such files in Windows Server 2008 would catalyze similar changes in Vista SP1, even if, ultimately
they would deliver an impact only in server scenarios. An illustrative example is Vista SP1 file sharing.

"The file sharing subsystem on Windows Vista only allows 10 concurrent inbound connections. Windows Server 2008 must scale to support thousands of concurrent connections. During the testing and customer feedback phase of Windows Server 2008 development, the file sharing subsystems are tuned and refined to optimize the file sharing stack for performance, scalability and reliability. This level of tuning and refinement are not typically applicable on a 10-connection limit client, but are critical to a file server role. Changes like this are done primarily for the server scenarios, although these changes may also benefit Windows Vista SP1", Microsoft explained.

But, the file sharing subsystem on Vista SP1 is not the sole affected. The Redmond company will integrate the changes synonymous with the evolution of IIS 7 components into Vista SP1. Some editions of the latest Windows client do feature IIS, a move designed to facilitate the building and testing of web applications on the platform. But, Vista does not have IIS7 installed, unlike Windows Server 2008 where IIS has a server role. However, since IIS7 has grown from the release of Vista to that of Windows Server 2008 early next year, Microsoft will integrate the changes in SP1.

"Key subsystems such as the Windows Logon process and the core kernel need only support user-switching scenarios on Windows Vista. However, on Windows Server 2008, where a Terminal Server may have thousands of users logged in simultaneously, these subsystems must be tuned for maximum performance and reliability. Changes like this are done primarily for the server scenarios, although they may also benefit Windows Vista SP1", Microsoft added.

Shenzhen Tongfang Comes with Good Features but Crappy Name

So, uh, what happened? Since when do crappy names hide cool features?! Well, there was a Tomato, an Onion and now there Shenzhen Tongfang! I am not going to discuss the trends in media player names. With so many players popping out on the market like mushrooms after a warm April rain, it would be impossible to have only commonly named electronic items.

As I mentioned before, this media player's name is Shenzhen Tongfang, but besides its silly name, you might want to know the item comes from the same fellows who brought you the PMC-V800 media device. Dubbed PMP 11, or "Aqua Pad" as some engraved letters below the controls propose, this player looks weirder that other devices of its kind...in a good way.

As we continue to stare in amazement at its humble 2 inch 176 x 220 TFT LCD Mediterranean-blue screen, we can easily notice the makers have bundled the device with lots of features that would make you want to dive deep inside its buoyant body casing.

Regarding the player's specs, it can deal with a bunch of popular file formats on the market, such as MP3 and WMA for the music content, as well as AVI for the video one and JPG and BMP for the photo files. As for its extra stuff, the player features a built-in FM radio and games capabilities. The player's file transfer is done using the USB 2.0 interface.

Sadly, there isn't any price tag attached to this player, so there's no way of telling how much of this is functionality and how much is appearance.