0

Welcome

Welcome to another edition of the Prompt Newsletter.

This week, we look at Microsoft’s new Office Web service, and also the latest on its Yahoo bid. As well as this, we’ve got reports on exploding laptop batteries, Europe’s biggest security show, and a new video service for the Playstation 3.

If you enjoy reading this newsletter, then why not visit our blog?

Hazel Butters, CEO - Prompt Communications

Technology News

Microsoft kick-starts SaaS trials for Office
By Dave Wilby

In a departure from decades of selling application software pre-configured on systems or as installable licensed disks, Microsoft announced this week that it would begin trialling its Office suite as an online Web Service for a monthly fee. This potential move to a Software as a Service distribution model, codenamed ‘Albany’, would see consumers storing and accessing the documents they create using popular apps such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as the Windows Live OneCare security suite, directly from Microsoft servers rather than their own local disks.

No indications of likely monthly fees have yet been mentioned, although the move is likely to reduce the purchase cost of new computer systems, now shipping without installed Microsoft applications. TimesOnline believes Microsoft is responding to a growing threat from online rivals in the apps space, notably Google, but said there was no indication of a similar model being employed for Windows itself as yet.

"A flaming mac please"
By Ellie Turner

Remember a few years ago there were reports of Sony and Apple laptop batteries bursting into flames? Even though, at the time, it raised a laugh amongst many computer users, it was still a cause for concern. Commuters suddenly took notice of which laptop was being used by the guy sat next to them on the train.

A Japanese couple has received a payout of 1.3 million yen (that’s £7,000 or $12,000) by the two mega-brands. When the couple’s Sony battery in their Apple Mac caught fire in 2006, it prompted a recall of 9.6million batteries.

The couple, from Osaka, had wanted a significantly larger payment after arguing that part of their home was wrecked by the flames, the husband had suffered burns and the wife’s health deteriorated due to ‘the shock of the incident.’

Although agreeing to fork out the cash (and let’s face it, it’s hardly a damaging sum), Sony still maintains there was no link between the fire and the battery but does admit to “occasionally unstable” batteries.

Europe’s biggest security show opens its doors
By Dave Wilby

Infosecurity Europe 2008, Europe's leading security technology event, took place in London’s Olympia exhibition hall this week. Infosec attracted over 320 exhibitors, 140 new product launches and 11,500 delegates looking for fresh answers to their latest strategic and technical security issues.

ZDNet UK had a high profile at this year’s event, compiling an online special report featuring all the more interesting talking points, including: Facebook security chief Max Kelly admitting increased attacks to his service by spammers and phishers; information commissioner Richard Thomas confirming spot data-protection compliance checks for UK businesses later this year; and former White House adviser and security strategist Howard A Schmidt discussing the hype of mobile security attacks and new risks introduced by virtualisation.

Apprentice UK quote of the week

“Another point that came across was that I was quite cold.”

Jennifer Maguire, discussing feedback from the board meeting. This statement was followed by one of the most awkward moments of silence we've ever seen.

US Media News

By Tarryn Morley

US eWeek has had to make sudden and drastic staff cuts to its editorial team, following the recent announcement of a significant drop in quarterly revenues by its owners, Ziff Davis Enterprise. As of April 15, senior security editor Lisa Vaas, editor at large Steven Vaughn-Nichols, senior news writer Renee Boucher Ferguson, and senior editors Paula Musich and Peter Galli will no longer work for the company. No replacements have been announced.

eWeek has also launched NewsGang, a new blog covering Web services, social media and enterprise issues. Steve Gillmor, a technology editorial veteran, hosts the blog.

Marcus Brauchli has reportedly resigned as managing editor of the Wall Street Journal. His departure comes only four months after Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp took over the WSJ and Dow Jones. Brauchli, who joined the WSJ in 1984 as a copy editor, was appointed managing editor a year ago to replace Paul Steiger. No replacement for Brauchli has been announced.

Susan B. Glasser has reportedly been removed from her position as an assistant managing editor in charge of national news at The Washington Post and will be reassigned to a new role. Glasser joined the Post in 1998 as deputy editor for investigations and went on to serve for nearly four years as co-bureau chief in Moscow with her husband, the Post reporter Peter Baker, and as correspondent in Iraq and Afghanistan. She was named an assistant managing editor in November 2006.

Mike France recently left his role as senior editor at BusinessWeek. France joined BusinessWeek in 2003 and has also served as an associate editor and senior writer at the publication.

UK Media News

By Tarryn Morley

The Financial Times is revamping the FT Weekend in order to compete with the Sunday newspapers. The makeover includes a redesign of the main newspaper title, the relaunch of FT Weekend Magazine, and refreshing a number of sections in the newspaper. The revamp of FT Weekend is the latest in a series of product changes by FT owner Pearson. The FT is currently one of the few quality newspapers to experience an increase in circulation.

Tim Bradshaw has joined the media team as digital media correspondent as part of a series of editorial appointments at the FT. In the newly created post, Bradshaw will cover the digital initiatives of UK media, technology, telecoms and marketing companies. Prior to joining the FT, Bradshaw served as technology and telecoms reporter at Investors Chronicle.

Tim de Lisle has been promoted from deputy editor to editor at Intelligent Life, the Economist’s quarterly lifestyle magazine. He replaces Edward Carr, who has been promoted to editorial director of the magazine. De Lisle has been with the magazine since September 2007 and has previously served in a variety of roles at The Times, the Independent on Sunday, the Daily Telegraph, and the Guardian.

Tech Totals

By Zachariah N. Hofer-Shall

458,000
New Apple computers sold in the first quarter this year

67%
Growth of Apple sales since the company introduced the ability to boot in both Mac and Windows

12%
Rise in PC sales for Q1, 2008

51%
Rise in Apple computer sales in Q1, 2008. The highest growth rate in almost 20 years

Yahoo / Microsoft update
By Oliver Greaves

As you may know, Yahoo and Microsoft have had their antlers locked for some time now over the potential merging of the two companies.

Cnet news reports that the three week deadline Microsoft gave Yahoo earlier this month ends on Saturday. Even so, Yahoo continues to resist the offer. Chief executive of Yahoo Jerry Yang stated, "Our results this quarter demonstrate we are on the right track. We are pursuing the right strategy and it’s beginning to bear fruit.”

Yahoo continues to hold its cards very close to its chest. "Our board and management team continues to be open to any and all alternatives including a sale to Microsoft," Yang said. "We will not enter into any transaction that does not recognize the full value of this company."

In a conference call to analysts this week, Chris Liddell, Microsoft’s chief financial officer said, “We've yet to see tangible evidence that our bid substantially undervalues the company. In fact, we have seen the opposite."

This sentiment is echoed by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "I wish Yahoo all the success with its results, but it doesn't affect the value of Yahoo to Microsoft," he said.

So it looks like those antlers are remaining locked.

OMG! E-text not real writing
By Duncan Heaney

Kids all over the world use instant chat and text messages to communicate, but is this writing? A newly published study from the US asked children aged 12 to 17 if they considered this electronic communication the act of ‘writing’. The majority of respondents did not.

The study, which comes from the Pew Internet & American Life Project and the National Commission on Writing, revealed that 60 per cent of the kids questioned did not view electronic texts as writing. Even so, a significant percentage of those questioned admitted to incorporating some of the traditions of digital text (for example acronyms like LOL and OMG and bad punctuation) into their school work.

The survey also revealed that the vast majority of teens (86 per cent) believed that good writing skills were essential to their future success.

Pew generated its results from focus groups in a number of US cities, and phone interviews with 700 children, also examining how the kids use computers when writing. Researchers found that 57 per cent of the teens questioned revise and edit more when using a computer, and 63 per cent believe that use a computer makes no difference to the quality of their work.

The Playstation Vision
By Oliver Greaves

Sony is claiming that by summer time this year, its Playstation3 video network will be available for download. This will mean that PS3 owners will be able to download and watch films and TV shows. The Xbox 360 already offers a video service, but charges paid subscription for internet access in contrast to the PS3's free service.

This will be the third time that Sony has tried to create an online service. Movielink.com was sold to Blockbuster last year while Sony Connect - Sony’s answer to Apple’s iTunes - was shut down in March.

"They've got to get a win in the digital, and I'd say on the electronic delivery side of the business," said Kurt Scherf, an analyst with Parks Associates who studies technology in the home. "That's where the future is. They've got to establish a toehold in that space."

Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing for Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. wrote, "While I don't have any new announcements . . . it's already been confirmed that we'll be offering a video service for PS3 in a way that separates the service from others you've seen or used."

Let’s just hope that Sony doesn't mess this one up as well.

Website of the Week

With Duncan Heaney

http://www.kongregate.com

What better way to spend an afternoon than playing some of the free games available on Kongregate.com. Users upload games to the site, making them freely available to all. The games are largely Flash-based, so just click to play and you’re away.

Special mention must go to a game called Filler. The aim of the game is to fill a grey box with white balls. By holding down the mouse button, the player creates a slowly expanding ball. Create enough white space and it’s on to the next level. Of course, it’s not that simple as the player is forced to contend with fast-moving enemies that, if touching an expanding ball, will cost them a life.

Like all the best games it’s very addictive, so play at your own risk.

We hope you find the Prompt Communications newsletter an interesting read. For any feedback on our newsletter, or to discuss how we can help you with your technology PR, marketing, social media/blogging initiatives, copywriting or surveys, please contact us using the details below. We are always delighted to hear from you.