News Short

Top 10 IT News Stories of the Week

Qualcomm and the US ITC, peer reviews of tech patents, Apple's new MacBook Pro, Palm and Bono, and more.

June 08, 2007 — IDG News Service —

1. "U.S. ITC Bars Some Qualcomm Imports"
June 8, CIO.com

The U.S. International Trade Commission barred some future models of phones using Qualcomm third-generation (3G) chips as part of its intellectual property legal slugfest with Broadcom. New phone and PDA models on the market after Thursday including some Qualcomm chips won't be allowed into the United States under an ITC order, which represents a compromise by barring only future devices instead of all phones. The larger ban would have imposed a "great burden" on companies that might not then have enough other options to pick from. On the other hand, banning just chips and not phones wouldn't give Broadcom legal relief because not that many chips are imported. So, the ITC's aim was to both offer Broadcom the relief it sought from patent infringement and also help make sure companies have choices in phones.

2. "Stealthy Attack Serves Malicious Code Only Once"
June 4, Computerworld

A new hacking method using special JavaScript coding serves a helping of malicious code to any given IP address just once as a way to avoid the attention of security researchers. The method uses a hacked website that hosts the malicious code and infects unpatched PCs of users who visit the site. The code can record keystrokes and steal financial and other private data. The method is a "quantum leap for hackers in terms of their technological sophistication," security vendor Finjan said in a report. Amid the unease this presents, we can take some comfort in the fact that security researchers are aware of and watching the new approach by cyber miscreants.

3. "Patent Office to Test Peer Review of Computer Tech Patents"
June 7, Computerworld

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is starting a one-year peer review pilot program on June 15 aimed at letting computer technology experts send technical references for claims of published patent applications before those applications are reviewed by examiners, who are pressed for time. They have particular issues with technologies related to software because code isn't easily accessible and often isn't dated or well documented, the director of the patent office said in announcing the test program. Technical experts will be used to review and submit information on applications submitted by people who volunteer to participate in the project—regulations require that the patent office have the permission of applicants to obtain public commentary.

4. "Apple Launches 'Greener,' Faster MacBook Pro"
June 5, CIO.com

Lest anyone think for a minute that Apple is really only working on the iPod and the iPhone (due out June 29, it was finally officially confirmed this week), Apple refreshed its line of MacBook Pro laptops this week, boosting CPU speeds and memory, and improving graphics. The new laptops are the first from Apple to run on Intel's Santa Rosa chipset. The 15-inch MacBook Pros are the first to have mercury-free LED-backlit displays. CEO Steve Jobs had made mention of that new display in an open letter last month talking about the company's environmental initiative. The new laptop line is shipping now.