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Mac OS X Java security hole exposed
You know, it's fine to make the argument that "Macs are safer than Windows-based PCs," because in real-world usage, this is generally true. Nothing does more to undermine that argument, however, like a five-month old unpatched Java vulnerability. As Landon Fuller has pointed out, a potentially nasty Java exploit remains unpatched in Mac OS X, including last week's OS X 10.5.7 update. Essentially, this exploit can allow malicious code to run outside of the confines of Java, and run arbitrary commands with whatever user permissions the logged in user has. So just by visiting a website, you could be allowing malicious software access to running commands on your system. Not cool. Not cool at all. Although the exploit was initially discovered and filed back in August of 2008, Sun issued its own fix addressing the exploit back in December. So, five months, two point OS updates, one Java update in February and stil, Apple hasn't patched the exploit on their end. Can I just say, "WTF?" I mean, seriously, get on the ball Apple. You only have $20 billion in cash, maybe investing in a bunch of full-time security patchers for your operating system would be a worthwhile investment! Julien Tinnes has some excellent commentary on the exploit here. As Landon says on his blog, all users are advised to disable Java applets in their browsers and disable "open safe files after downloading" in Safari. You should also consider using a SSB (site-specific browser) for any Java-crucial web work (see below). Of course, being forced to disable Java applets just so one can ensure safety kind of puts Mac users who, I don't know, use a web-based SSL VPN client to connect to work systems or e-mail in a bind. And, let the flogging from the Apple-haters commence.
Funcom reveals first details on its free-to-play MMOs
Funcom, who are probably better known for Age of Conan, have started spilling the details on several free-to-play MMOs. According to Gamasutra, the company is currently working on not one but two titles, one based in Java and the second in a web browser. Funcom outlined the plans as part of their latest financial report, outlining some of their short and long-term goals which included branching into free-to-play MMOs.While neither of the two titles has a confirmed release date, Funcom did go into a little more detail about the logistics involved. For example, the Java-based game has a team of seventeen people and is being aimed at a young demographic, possibly tweens or teens. From the images they have released, the game appears to have a traditional fantasy setting and the ability to ride animals. Meanwhile the browser-based title is being aimed more at gamers and has fourteen people working on development. The company has also stated that they hope to reach a 'combat milestone' this summer.
Funcom's Q1 2009 report shows solid revenue
Funcom has released a report detailing their financials for the first quarter of 2009. They brought in over US$7 million in revenue for the period, and although this figure is slightly less than the previous quarter (but without the disastrous US$23 million depreciation loss), they are pleased with the stability of their earnings during the economic turbulence of recent times. The report also mentions some positive trends in their flagship game Age of Conan: Longer average subscription periods, demonstrating customer loyalty The number of new customers per month is much higher than Q4 '08 (the introduction of free trials helped here) A solid and stable customer base for the quarter Higher levels of activity in game than in previous periods Not to be left out, The Secret World made it into the report as well, mostly just to say that the recent reveal was well-received, and the project is on track. Anarchy Online only really had a one-line entry in the report, and it was to say that revenues from the game were slowly declining. The casual and free-to-play games that Funcom referred to in their Q4 '08 report are also keeping to their development schedules -- the screenshot above is from a java-based MMO that is currently in the focus-testing and gameplay tweaking stages. For now though, with TSW and the other casual games still on the horizon, the overall success of Q2 '09 will once again hinge on the performance of AoC.
Apple releases security, Java updates
Start your engines -- er, Apple menus -- it's Software Update time! Apple has just issued two security updates today. The first is aimed at Java for OS X 10.5.6 and the Java Web Start and Java Applet components. The second update is for both Mac OS X 10.4.11 and Mac OS X 10.5.6 is a broader security update that addresses the Safari RSS vulnerability we discussed last month, as well as a number of other components (including perl, AFP Server and Remote Apple Events). You'll need to restart your system after installing the security update -- but we recommend you do so, this stuff looks important! Thanks Vivek! Postscript: Brian Mastenbrook, who discovered the Safari RSS vulnerability has posted a blog entry detailing how he discovered the problem, why he issued a warning and how long it ultimately took Apple to respond (6 months!). It's good reading and a good discourse on how our favorite company handles security threats and how they might want to improve.
Skype lite comes to Android, loads of other Java-enabled mobiles
Check it, VoIP lovers -- Skype has just announced a "lite" version of its calling software that can be downloaded on Android-powered devices and over 100 other Java-enabled mobiles. We're told that the lite version delivers just the core Skype capabilities including Skype-to-Skype calling, sending / receiving instant messages, seeing when your Skype contacts are online and receiving calls to your online personal phone number on Skype. That's all we've got for details, but it's supposedly available worldwide for those who care.
The best thing you'll play today: Left 4K Dead
Normally we'd save this for Free Game Club, but it's Christmas Eve and we know a lot of you are reading this with family, away from your gaming PC and / or console of choice. If you need an outlet to vent your frustration, check out Left 4K Dead, an entry into the 2009 Java 4k Competition and, as the name suggests, a project no larger than 4KB in size. Unlike its high-end Valve doppelganger, however, you must face the zombie horde by your lonesome and armed with only one nondescript gun. The Director AI is also a bit loopy here, so think of the zombie and power-up placement as being ... random. And if you end up ignoring your loved ones today, don't say we didn't warn you. [Thanks, Josh]
XMind goes open source
XMind -- a powerful, Java-based mind mapping and charting application -- has been open-sourced (it's free!) with version 3.0. While it's not my absolute top pick for mind mapping, it ranks up there. I did have a license for the paid version, and I can tell you that it packs plenty of punch. It has all of the extra features I like: boundaries, relationships, summaries, notes, markers, outline view, floating topics and more, as well as intuitive keyboard navigation for rapid-fire brainstorming. One of my favorite features was the drilldown; pressing F6 focuses in on the current topic, displaying only it and its descendants. Shift-F6 takes you back up. It's similar to MindManager's "Focus" feature, but faster (and more limited in scope). And for those who want (or need) to, just set all of the shapes to underline, turn on multiple branch colors and tapered lines and presto, you've got an honest-to-goodness Tony Buzan-style mind map ... or as close as you'll get without buying Buzan's software (which, despite it being relatively expensive and lacking in system integration, I am regularly tempted to do) or breaking out the colored pencils. You can also create Org and Fishbone Charts with XMind. It imports FreeMind and MindManager maps as well as Marker Packages, and can export to HTML, image, Marker Package or Text. The HTML export is ... okay. FreeMind actually creates more useful HTML pages, but it works. Overall, it's great stuff, and it's exciting to see it open sourced. So, how did software that once cost $299 end up being free? It appears to be a change in the business plan, with a subscription model for "XMind Pro" replacing retail sales. I'm a little sketchy on the details, but the Pro version seems to include online collaboration for XMind users, Gantt charts and a Presentation mode (among other features), with a range of subscription prices: $6USD for 1 user/1 month, $400USD for 10 users/1 year, and everything in the middle. It's not necessary to have a subscription, however, to use XMind. Just download a copy (or even the source code) and let the brainstorming begin. Oh, and tell your PC friends, too; like many Java apps, XMind also comes in Windows and Linux flavors.
Vizio emerges from the tanning bed with copper-toned LCDs
Okay, Vizio, we're fine with your jostling upward in the TV product space, but please do it through improving product performance rather than slapping copper-colored bezels on your wares. The "J" in the VOJ320F and VOJ370F model numbers is for "java," and you can guess that the rest of the alphabet soup calls out 32-inch and 37-inch sizes and 1080p resolution (Full HD). You'll also get 2 HDMI inputs on the 32-incher and 3 on the 37-inch model. Who knows, maybe these will play well alongside champage colored gear in Asia, but we'll stick with black for the bezel and keep the copper in our chassis, thanks. But if you think brown is the next black, vote with your wallet to the tune of $649 or $849 for the 32-inch or 37-inch models, respectively.
Perilar brings Ultima-style RPG to the iPhone
Man, for all of the great games on the iPhone already (I've been really enjoying Lexitron lately), what we really need is a good old-fashioned, both complex and charming RPG. Arcade games are fun and all, and they just keep getting better, but what the iPhone really needs is a sink-your-teeth-in fantasy world, complete with dragons to slay, swords and magic to wield, and XP to earn.Perilar might just be that. It's based on the old Ultima-style turn-based RPGs, and the tiled graphics aren't much to look at these days, but it sounds like good (Net)hacking, slashing, and exploring fun. We're still not talking about the peak of the iPhone's potential as an RPG machine, but Perilar looks like a good first step.And the best part is that there's a Java version out right now, so you can try before you smack down the $4.99 price. I'm definitely planning on picking it up. Until we get a great original, and solidly addictive fantasy RPG on the iPhone, Perilar seems like it'll help scratch that itch.[via Touch Arcade]
Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 2
Apple has just released Java Update 2 for Mac OS X. According to Apple, this update "delivers improved reliability and compatibility for Java SE 6, J2SE 5.0 and J2SE 1.4.2 on Mac OS X 10.5.4 and later."You can find more information about this update by visiting the release notes. You can download this 136.4MB update by opening Software Update (Apple menu > Software Update) or by downloading the installer package from Apple's support website.
Samsung LN52A650 firmware said to be hackable
We aren't self-proclaimed 1337 Linux hackers or anything, so we didn't exactly check on the hackability of Samsung's LN52A650 when we had it in for review. One fearwall has apparently figured out that there's more than meets the eye with this set, though, as he points out that the latest firmware is Linux-based and can "easily" be hacked for all sorts of fun. Interested in custom bitmaps, sounds and text strings? Hit up the read link and try to make sense of it, then.[Thanks, Caesar]
S60 gets a better calculator -- thanks to Series 40
Hey, S60 owners, have you had this nagging sense over the past year or two that you're somehow getting slighted by Nokia, but you haven't been able to put your finger on why? No worries, we've figured it out: it's the calculator. Nokia's mainstream dumbphone platform has featured a far better and more capable built-in calculator app than S60 for a while now, which really doesn't make a whole heck of a lot of sense; granted, you can get better ones from third-party developers, but the point is you shouldn't have to. Thankfully, Nokia agrees, and they've started to toy around with the idea of replacing the S60 calc with its little brother's -- a relatively easy process, since the latter is written in Java. On one hand, it'd be a shame to see a core S60 app move from native code to Java, but on the other hand, if it's a better app and the JVM is transparent, who really cares? Anyway, the ported app is chilling in Nokia's Beta Labs as we speak, just waiting for customer feedback before the higher-ups make a judgment call on whether to integrate it into future S60 releases. The power's in your hands, people, so you may as well take advantage.
Java homebrew devkit for the PS3 emerges, nobody cares
PSP hacker "FreePlay" has turned his gaze to the PS3, and come up with a method for the first PS3 homebrew outside of Linux and that little "hello world" proof of concept a few months back. The minimal devkit doesn't seem built to take advantage of the PS3's wiles, however, and is instead working with the Java prowess built into the Blu-ray playback end of the PS3. Who knows how much power that'll lend to homebrew developers, but it's Java, so we're not expecting great things either way. Wake us when we can play PS2 games, would you?
Wurm Online releases rockin' trailer
Last month we reported on a contest thrown by the developers of Wurm Online regarding lyrics needed for the racial theme songs. If that competition didn't quench your inner bard, head on over to their main site and check out the game's new trailer just released this weekend. It shows off some of the features in the game including grouping, building, fighting monsters and generally lots and lots of landscape panning. Plus, you'll have that theme song in your head the rest of the day, whether you want to or not./airguitarDespite the release of this trailer now, the game has actually been around for awhile. Earlier this month they celebrated their two-year anniversary. This feat is highlighted by the fact that it is basically run by one person and a team of global volunteers. Their funding comes almost entirely from premium subscribers (there is an option to play for free), but their low overhead has helped the game thrive for this long.
Programmable NeuroLED lighting solution has brains, man
Joining the elite club of intelligent lighting solutions that are sophisticated enough to not be laughed at is NeuroLED. Truth be told, we're pretty far from understanding exactly how this contraption works, but we are told that the system is controlled by software written in Java and that it can be altered to react in different ways via toggle switches or wall-mounted touch panels. From what we can tell, the system can be used for pure entertainment, educating or even spicing up a nightclub, and considering that it can play nice with WiFi, remote access is also within the realm of possibility. That's about all the explaining we can do -- click on through to let the vid do the rest of the yappin'.
Interview with Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz on Engadget Mobile
We recently got a chance to briefly sit down with Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz, who definitely ranks among the geekier and more sincere CEOs we've had the privilege to meet. We discussed the long-missing JavaFX Mobile platform Sun promised a while back, as well as Java on the iPhone, and doing battle with Microsoft as an open source software vendor. Check it out over on Engadget Mobile!
The Engadget Mobile Interview: Jonathan Schwartz, CEO of Sun
We recently got a chance to sit down with Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz, who definitely ranks among the geekier and more sincere CEOs we've had the privilege to meet. We discussed the long-missing JavaFX Mobile platform Sun promised a while back, as well as Java on the iPhone, and doing battle with Microsoft as an open source software vendor. Read on! Thanks so much for meeting with us.Hey, you bet.So I'm curious, what kind of phone do you carry?As of yesterday, an iPhone.Really? So you just got one?Yesterday!Well I guess that's as good as any place to start with as any. What's up with porting Java to the iPhone?It's still going on. So you guys are still working on it?Absolutely, why would we not?
Java-based client spreads Skype far and wide
Why should smartphone and 3 Skypephone users have all the fun? Skype has finally released a client written for mobile Java, enabling the ubiquitous VoIP pipe to be used on a wide, wide variety of phones (Skype says they've tested it on about 50, but it's likely to work on far more than that). Though it's naturally scaled down a bit to fit in its tiny target footprint, the client still manages to pack in support for Skype-to-Skype and SkypeOut calls, chat, group chat, and your buddy list -- pretty much everything you need to make it functional. If you're going to have a go at it, just make sure you're on a sufficiently generous data plan, k?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Update: Turns out the data plan doesn't have to be that generous. Straight from Skype: "Tom has 20 Skype contacts and signs in twice a day for a total of 90 minutes. He IMs for about 25 minutes each day and makes 20 minutes of Skype calls. Tom would use just under 1 MB of data in one month." Thanks, everyone!
How Lila Dreams was able to do a lot with a little
Here at Massively, we're slowly becoming bigger and bigger fans of Lila Dreams, a tiny little MMO with some big ideas so far. The latest post over at the dev blog talks about how they made the best use of things that would normally be thought of as limitations in MMO design, and actually came out of it with more creativity than if they'd used more traditional MMO technology. The game is built in Java and Flash and is only 2D, but instead of settling for cheap animation, the designers actually used the drawback as a benefit, and designed a 2D scheme that lays down a set of bones, which can then be customized with any art that the designer wants to put in. What that means for players is customization -- the animation is designed around movement, not specific art, so lots of clothing or items or shapes can be put in their places, and the animation will still work.It also means, they say, that anyone can be designing animation, since instead of drawing frames or creating movement, you're just dragging keyframes around until they look right. The idea itself isn't necessarily new (lots of designers have used this "paper doll" philosophy, and of course letting anyone do animation doesn't guarantee that Lila Dreams will be anything special), but it's a good sign of the creativity of the Lila Dreams team that they took what most MMO developers would see as a negative (the limitations of Java and Flash), and made something interesting out of it. Can't wait to see they game they're cooking up.
Move over, Opera Mini: TeaShark to offer desktop-quality browsing, too
We're not sure what money there is to be made in the mobile browser game at this point -- especially with giants like Opera and Firefox throwing their hats fully into the ring -- but that's not really our problem, now, is it? TeaShark borrows the same basic concept as Opera Mini, offering full-fledged desktop style browsing while requiring nothing more than Java MIDP 2.0 support to get the job done. It also supports tabs, two levels of zoom, and an integrated RSS reader -- in other words, just about everything a modern mobile browser's gotta have to survive. If you give it a go, drop us a line and let us know what you think, k?[Via Phone Scoop]
