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EU antitrust commission charges Microsoft over browser selection 'breach'
European regulators have charged Microsoft for not giving Windows 7 users a choice of internet browsers when they install the OS. Although this is only an initial step towards a fine for the software maker, Microsoft agreed with the European Commission to offer browser choices to its Windows users over three years ago, avoiding a heavy antitrust penalty. Unfortunately, while Microsoft acknowledged the "technical error", this wasn't before the European Commission picked up the issue -- the EU's antitrust watchdog said in July that Microsoft had not complied with the order from February 2011. According to a Reuters report earlier this year, and echoed in the EU's statement below, the fine could amount to as much as 10 percent of the Redmond company's global turnover. Update: Microsoft has issued a statement on the EU charge, received by The Verge. "We take this matter very seriously and moved quickly to address this problem as soon as we became aware of it. Although this was the result of a technical error, we take responsibility for what happened, and we are strengthening our internal procedures to help ensure something like this cannot happen again. We sincerely apologize for this mistake and will continue to cooperate fully with the Commission."
Aereo opens its streaming TV to Mac and Windows web browsers
If you'd wanted to watch Aereo's unique antenna-to-internet TV streaming until today, you had to tune in from an iOS device or Roku box. That's not a lot of choice for placeshifting, is it? A fresh update to the company's streaming service has widened the choices considerably for New Yorkers to include all the major browsers on Macs and Windows PCs. As long as you're using a recent version of Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera or Safari, you can catch up on Ion or Telemundo while you're checking email. About the only restrictions left are the continued lack of Android support and occasional lawsuits from traditionalist broadcasters.
Internet Explorer 10 preview coming to Windows 7 semi-Luddites in mid-November
For all of Microsoft's talk of Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 8, we've heard precious little about the Windows 7 version beyond the certainty that it was coming. Eventually. Someday. The company is partly putting that anxiety to bed with word that IE 10 should be available for the Metrophobic in mid-November, but only in a preview version -- a possible sign that Microsoft's Windows 8 RTM deadline prevented the concurrent platform releases we've grown accustomed to in recent years. The team in Redmond is hinging its launch of a finished Windows 7 build on the feedback it gets, so we'd suggest that those willing to experiment with a new browser (but not a new OS) still give IE 10 a shot next month.
Fall 2012 Xbox dashboard update rolling out to all today
Today marks the rollout of the Fall 2012 Xbox 360 dashboard update for non-beta participants – that's you guys! Regular ol' Xbox 360 users should discover a mandatory update sometime today.Among the changes to the UI and the addition of Internet Explorer for Gold subscribers, this latest dashboard refresh adds tailored recommendations based on your gaming habits, the ability to pin individual items to the home screen and enhanced searching functionality. SmartGlass support should be coming later this month, once Windows 8 arrives on October 26.
Engadget Giveaway: win an exclusive Atari 2600 with PC components!
We're not going to beat around the bush here: this is one of the most exciting contests we've hosted in a long, long time, and you'll definitely want to enter. Our friends at Atari were kind enough to give us an extremely limited-edition (there are only two in existence) Atari 2600 gutted with modern PC components and signed by Atari founder Nolan Bushnell -- and one lucky soul will be able to call this beauty their very own! The gaming company is doing this to promote the 35th anniversary of the 2600's original release, as well as its latest creation, arcade.atari.com, which is an HTML5-driven, multitouch-supported hub that lets you play eight classic Atari games online (including Pong and Centipede). Not only that, the team -- consisting of Atari and the Internet Explorer team -- put together an SDK to help you build your own games on the classic platform. After you enter to win (all you have to do is leave a comment below), make sure you head over to the Arcade to spend countless more hours in the land of nostalgia. Note: For bragging rights, feel free to post your high score as your comment entry.
Video walkthrough: Xbox 360 Fall 2012 dashboard update
Microsoft is preparing to update your Xbox 360's UI, but we thought it'd be good to give you a look-see at the Xbox 360 Fall 2012 dashboard update ahead of time – you know, let you get used to all the changes. And granted you're a Gold subscriber, when the update drops to the public you'll finally be able to read Joystiq on your Xbox 360 using Internet Explorer, which we're well aware has been something you've wanted for a long time. For, like, maybe six years. Enjoy!
PSA: Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update rolling out today
Your chance to shout voice commands at Engadget is coming today, as Microsoft is rolling out its Fall Dashboard update to the Xbox 360 today, headlined by the inclusion of Internet Explorer. The update also adds a version of its popular "pinning" functionality, a variety of specialized sports apps (NBA, NHL, and Monday Night Football from ESPN), the ability to recommend and rate content, and some UI tweaks across all of the 360 Dashboard's categories. Xbox Music is also in there, as is SmartGlass support, though the latter won't have any functionality until October 26, according to Microsoft's Major Nelson. The update may not come immediately, as it's being rolled out gradually across various regions. 3 million folks get in this week, while others may not see it until a week or two from now, says Microsoft. We've got a full hands-on right here for you to read in the meantime, of course.
Xbox 360 Dashboard update hands-on (fall 2012)
Is it Fall again already? Must be time for another Xbox 360 Dashboard update. Every year Microsoft Drops the console a little bit of code to match the descending leaves, delivering new features, interface tweaks and additional content to hide behind the Xbox Live Gold paywall. Redmond's latest update isn't quite the overhaul it gave the gaming rig last year, but minor changes can have big effects. Join us after the break to see the machine's latest update, and what it means for you. %Gallery-168426%
'Contre Jour' is now playable in the browser, one third of the levels require IE 10
Say it with us: Developers! Developers! Developers! That's Steve Ballmer's mantra and indeed, it says a lot about the way Microsoft has gone about promoting Internet Explorer. In addition to a series of prime-time ads (maybe you've seen 'em), the company has been using certain HTML 5 apps to show devs what they can do using IE 10's deep multitouch support. Now the outfit's back, this time with a game: Contre Jour is coming to the web, and while it runs in any modern browser, you'll need IE 10 and a Windows 8 machine to play a third of the levels (it shouldn't make a difference if you have a touchscreen or a multitouch trackpad). That's because in some parts of the game, you'll be required to use as many as three fingers at once to pull off certain maneuvers. In IE 10 you can do this, so you get access to all 30 levels; if you're using a different browser that doesn't support these gestures, the levels will remain locked. Hit up the source link to play the game for free, and if a game based on "The Little Prince" doesn't do much for you, at least check out the Behind the Scenes section -- coding geeks should appreciate the deeper explanation as to how the web app was built.
European Commission set to fine Microsoft over 2009 browser compliance breach
The European Commission is planning to fine Microsoft for its failure to adhere to a 2009 ruling that required the software giant to offer customers a choice of default web browser. The EU Competition Commissioner, Joaquin Almuni, advised the press that a formal proceeding into the breach -- which Microsoft itself acknowledges -- has begun. Reuters reports that should Microsoft be found on the wrong side of the law, that the resulting fine could be as much as 10 percent of its global turnover. Whether the end sum would be as high as this remains to be seen, but given recent events, you can expected some hurried shuffling of paper in Redmond's accounts department.
Microsoft issues security patches for Flash vulnerabilities in Windows 8 and Internet Explorer
As promised, Microsoft is issuing a security patch for a Flash vulnerability on Windows 8 in Internet Explorer 10. Though the operating system has yet to see its official public release, researchers testing the RTM version found a bug that could cause Flash to crash and allow for attackers to take control of a user's machine. Additionally, the company is rolling out an update to address a security hole in Internet Explorer versions 7 and 8 on Windows XP -- and IE 9 on Windows 7 and Windows Vista -- which left the door open for hackers to spread malware via a specially designed Flash animation. Both security patches are available via Microsoft's Windows Update service.
Google Apps to shed support for Internet Explorer 8, your Windows XP machine won't cut it
Google has been aggressive about keeping Google Apps owners on the same (web) page. The company's cloud platform typically won't acknowledge any browser more than one version out of date, and it's about to put that rapid upgrade strategy to the test by dropping support for Internet Explorer 8. On November 15th, shortly after IE10 arrives in sync with Windows 8, Google will leave IE8 web app users to fend for themselves -- and, by extension, Windows XP users without an alternative browser. While the cutoff doesn't amount to a full-fledged block, Google Apps users still stuck in 2009 will be reminded that they're on their own until they upgrade. Is it the end of the world for web apps on older PCs? No, but it's clear that their days are numbered.
Google plays privacy catch-up, adds Do Not Track option to Chrome
Google's had one foot in the web privacy door for a while, offering Chrome users the Keep My Opt-Outs extension in its browser's Web Store since 2011. Still, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari already offer a Do Not Track option directly in their browser settings. Mountain View is now working to close that gap by bringing that same privacy configuration to Chrome. Do Not Track will let users opt out of tracking cookies and targeted advertising (from ad networks that comply with the standard, that is), and is currently live on Chrome's developer channel. The option will reportedly be baked into the stable version of the browser by the end of the year.
Square Enix Coreonline offers top-tier games on the web for free -- if you feed the ad meter
It's not hard to see that offering high-quality games through the cloud has its pitfalls, not the least of which is getting customers to pay. Square Enix may have licked that last problem through its new Coreonline web gaming service. Players can still pony up for the full-priced games or even single levels if they want unfettered access, but the cleverness comes through Coreonline's parking meter approach to ad-supported free play: the more ads you watch and the longer they run, the longer you'll get to play without spending a single coin. As our colleagues at Joystiq found out, however, the current level of OS support is inconsistent. Windows gamers can use Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer to start playing, but their Mac-owning friends have to lean on Chrome for some games and can't even consider running the marquee title, Hitman: Blood Money. Square Enix's library of eligible games will start expanding in October; while there's no guarantee the Final Fantasy series or many other dream games will make it to the roster, Coreonline's approach might just be viable enough to spare us a few raids on the bargain bins.
Samsung SGH-T899 for T-Mobile emerges on the web with potential Windows Phone 8, LTE
User agent profiles on the web aren't always guarantees of what you'll get in a future device, but this is one of those moments where we'd like the details to be true. A Samsung-made Windows Phone 8 device for T-Mobile, the SGH-T899, lines up closely with the higher-end Odyssey we'd previously only seen in a purported roadmap. Along with alluding to the OS itself through the presence of Internet Explorer 10, there's a reference to the hinted-at 1,280 x 720 screen that you won't find on any Windows Phone 7 gear. The profile even contains a suggestion of LTE support, although we're still wondering whether or not this would be very aggressive futureproofing or just an incidental aspect of the possible Snapdragon S4 chip -- Magenta isn't flicking the LTE switch until 2013. At least the rumored fall release date gives us a comparatively short wait before we learn whether the Odyssey and T899 are one and the same, or real at all.
Pulse Reader launches browser-based app, you'll need IE 10 for certain gestures
Until now, if you've wanted to use the Pulse reader app for browsing Engadget your favorite blogs you had to own an Android or iOS device. Now, though, the startup is launching a browser-based version of the service, making it accessible on desktops and mobile platforms for which there's no standalone Pulse app. The site will run in any browser, including mobile ones, but there are certain gestures you'll only be able to pull off in IE10, like using two fingers to expose the reading pane. For that reason, Microsoft is promoting this announcement almost as enthusiastically as Pulse (see the source link below if you don't believe us). As for the new website, we could go on about the slick UI and brisk performance, but it's probably easier if you just check out the screenshots below and then peek the quickie demo video after the break.%Gallery-162029%
Windows 8 RTM will include 'do not track' by default for Internet Explorer 10
Many advertisers weren't thrilled when Microsoft proclaimed that 'do not track' would be the default for Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 8, but that reaction hasn't made the folks in Redmond flinch. Brendon Lynch, the company's Chief Privacy Officer, announced that the 'do not track' default is already baked into the code of the October-bound operating system that has been released to manufacturers. Upon booting Windows 8 for the first time, users will be greeted with a choice between "Express Settings" or "Customize," the former of which has "do not track" enabled. IE 10 on Windows 7 will receive a similar treatment, with a "prominent notice" about the setting being switched on appearing alongside a link to additional information. Despite Microsoft's efforts, it's possible that advertisers could ignore the web browser setting if they feel their negotiations have been for naught. Considering the response to Microsoft's initial default announcement, we suspect this won't be the last development in the saga. [Image credit: Tomas Fano, Flickr]
Google Chrome claims one-third of global browser share, according to StatCounter
Google's Senior Vice President of Chrome & Apps Sundar Pichai confirmed to the crowd back at D10 that Chrome browser use was soaring -- particularly in the consumer space -- and StatCounter's latest data most definitely backs that up. The newest report, ending July 2012, shows the Chrome creeping up to 33.8 percent worldwide from 32.8 percent in June. Internet Explorer is sitting at 32 percent, while Firefox is seen slipping a bit to 23.7 percent; meanwhile, Apple's Safari picks up the Participation Award with 7.1 percent. As The Next Web points out, it's also worth nothing that Chrome is doing particularly well in Europe, South America and Asia, while IE is still charging in the UK, US and Down Under. Granted, StatCounter is hardly the end-all when it comes to browser usage; that said, it's definitely useful to get a general idea of which browsers are moving in which direction, and it's certainly astonishing to see a piece of software that didn't exist four years ago already claiming such a significant piece of the pie.
Microsoft kicked off public beta for 2012 Xbox Live update, but quickly ran out of space
And just like that, it was all over. Shortly after the well-known, always-informative Major Nelson announced that this year's upcoming Xbox Live update had officially opened its beta doors to the public, he soon followed up with a note saying it was already "full and no longer accepting sign-ups." For the lucky ones, though, the public beta will give them early access to a slew of anticipated Xbox Live features, such as personalized dashboard recommendations, improved category / discovery features and, best of all, a look at Internet Explorer on Microsoft's entertainment console. Sadly, Major Nelson didn't say whether or not there's going to be more spaces opening up soon, but we'll keep you in the loop if anything changes.
Want to test the next Xbox Dashboard update? Now's your big chance [update: it's full!]
You probably want to be one of the first people to explore the internet on your Xbox 360, right? Well, Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb just posted up instructions for how to be that dude – all you have to do is sign up for the upcoming Xbox Live Dashboard update beta.Beyond the opportunity to explore the internet from the comfort of your couch, you'll also get "personalized dashboard recommendations" (whatever that means), and "enhanced category search and discovery features."Like with so many betas, participants won't be able to write about their experience or take pictures or anything like that until the required non-disclosure agreement expires. But hey, you'll be part of a super secret club, so there's something.Update: Looks like the beta's full up, y'all. Congrats to those who got in!
