Microsoft Security Essentials Now Protecting Over 31 Million PCs

By Mohan 11:21 AM Microsoft

Antivirus vendors went on the offensive when Microsoft announced it was dropping its Windows Live OneCare in favor of offering a free security suite, Microsoft Security Essentials. One year later and with 31 million installations now under its belt, Microsoft is free to serve up a slice of humble pie to the competition.
'It's been a busy year for Microsoft Security Essentials. As we observed right after the first week of release, Microsoft Security Essentials had already detected threats on over half a million computers,' the Redmond outfit said in a TechNet blog post. 'As Microsoft Security Essentials enters into its second year with over 31 million installations, 27 million of those computers have reported infections to the Microsoft Malware Protection Center (MMPC).'
In other words, MSE isn't just popular, it's also working (you can read our review of Microsoft Security Essentials right here). It's also a global hit.
'The country with the most installations is the United States, but the next 10 countries with the most installs show that Microsoft Security Essentials has a global install base,' Microsoft points out. 'It is available in 27 languages – so language shouldn’t be a barrier to good security. Money is no problem, either – Microsoft Security Essentials is available at no cost!'

Goo.gl URL Shortener Available to All

By Mohan 11:09 AM Google

You might have heard of the Goo.gl URL shortener late last year when it was made available to those using the Google Toolbar. Now Google has created an easy to use web page where you cancreate shortened links using Goo.gl. Just type Goo.gl into your address bar to get started.

Google is touting their near 100% uptime since launching the service late in 2009. As they have expanded it into other services, Goo.gl has remained rock solid. Though, now that it's available to everyone, we'll have to see how it goes. The service will also have auto-detection of spam using Gmail's excellent filtering technology.

Perhaps the most interesting feature is that if you are signed into your Google account, you can see a list of all your shortened links, along with real-time analytics data. Google says they will be making a public API for the service soon, so expect apps to start offering Goo.gl as a URL shortening option.

3D Notebook Shipments Off to a Slow Start

By Mohan 11:06 AM HP

Everywhere you turn it's 3D this and 3D that, but despite the marketing blitz, 3D technology isn't winning over consumers in droves. That includes the mobile PC market where 3D is having a tough time getting established.
According to reports, global sales of 3D notebooks in 2010 will only reach 150,000 to 200,000 units, which is partly the result of targeting mainly high-end gamers. For example, HP just recently introduced a 17.3-inch Envy 3D notebook that sells for between $1,500 and $2,000. With or without 3D, that's a tough sell with sub-$1,000 notebooks sporting respectable specs these days.
There are a handful of lower-end 3D notebooks in the pipeline too, most of which feature passive polarization glasses rather than Nvidia's active shutter glasses. As 2011 rolls around, we expect to see vendors targeting mainstream audiences with 3D notebooks, and we wouldn't be surprised to see a handful of 3D tablets emerge.
At what price point would you consider a 3D notebook, if at all?

Image Credit: HP

AT&T to Launch Windows Phone 7 Devices on November 8

By Mohan 10:57 AM Microsoft

Citing 'people familiar with the launch plans,' The Wall Street Journal reports Microsoft will officially unveil a handful of Windows Phone 7 devices on October 11, 2010, with AT&T offering them for up sale four weeks later (November 8, 2010).

AT&T will initially be the exclusive carrier of Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 series and will help Microsoft market the devices in return. At launch, AT&T will offer three handsets provided by Samsung, LG, and HTC.

It isn't a big shock that AT&T scored an exclusivity deal with Microsoft, giving that the Redmond outfit named the carrier its premier Windows Phone 7 partner in the U.S. back in February. But it's at least interesting considering AT&T also carries Apple's iPhone.

Chrome Gains Market Share, IE Slips a Tick

By Mohan 10:55 AM Google. Mozilla, Microsoft

The latest browser market share statistics are out from Web analytics firm Net Applications, and of all the browsers, only Google's Chrome made any kind of notable gain.

Chrome bumped up its position from 7.52 percent in August to nearly 8 percent in September, which is more than twice the market share it held one year ago.

Microsoft's Internet Explorer continued to slip, dropping from 60.40 percent to 59.65 percent in that same time frame. Both Firefox and Opera held steady by increasing their share a nominal 0.03 and 0.02 percent, respectively, while Apple's Safari browser continued its slow but steady climb, rising from 5.16 percent to 5.27 percent.

Released in the middle of September, Microsoft's IE9 Beta accounted for 0.25 percent of browser usage in the last two weeks of the month.

Image Credit: jhonlara.com

Live FM

By Mohan 9:09 AM FM, Online FM, Online Radio, Radio

Gone are the days when music entertainment was confined to old analogue tuners. All they could offer was poor sound quality and shallow reach. 21st century corrected this sorry state by offering improved sound quality, better accessibility and a global reach. A new phenomenon called online FM radio was born. Now you could listen to previous shows, make online playlists and download songs. You did not have to turn your tuner on anymore to listen to terrestrial broadcast. It was all accessible by your personal computer. The era of digital media had just begun!

Here are the Online FM URLs:

Hyderabadi Live FM: http://www.voicevibes.net/