DigitMemo.com

Dell joins Apple, Sony and Gateway with a Core 2 Duo-based all-in-one design

All-in-one computers have been quite popular with Mac users since the introduction of the original iMac back in 1998. Apple continues to sell its iMac computers which now feature Core 2 Duo processor and 20” or 24” LCD screens. On the PC side of things, however, all-in-one designs haven’t fared so well.

That hasn’t stopped companies such as Sony with its VAIO LT and Gateway with its “One” from trying to test the waters Intel Core 2 Duo based machines — with 22″ and 19″ LCD displays respectively.

Dell too is looking to throw its support behind all-in-one PC designs with the XPS ONE. The machine features a 20″ WSXGA display and Intel Core 2 Duo power — base machines come with an E4500 processor while higher-end units get the E6550.

Click for more on Dell Launches XPS ONE All-in-One PC »

A major upgrade to Gmail is getting the thumbs down from users who complain that the new version is extremely slow, often fails to load pages and even crashes their browsers.

Discussion forums have been flooded with complaints since Google Inc. began “upgrading” users about two weeks ago to the new version, popularly referred to in the blogosphere as Gmail 2.0.

Ironically, Gmail 2.0, which features an upgraded contacts manager, is designed to be faster and more stable. Gmail 2.0 is based on what a Google spokesman calls “a major structural code change” upon which new features will be launched in coming months.

Click for more on Users complain new Gmail version slow, crashes browsers »

Also fixes flaws that made researchers call the firewall ‘a mess’

Apple Inc. today issued the first update for Leopard, its three-week-old operating system. The update fixes a wide range of out-the-gate bugs and patches three security-related design flaws in the revamped firewall.

The update to Mac OS X 10.5.1 includes changes to a host of Leopard features, including some that have given early adopters fits, such as a gaffe that cripples some software, including Skype, when the firewall is set to the most flexible option. It also tackles problems formatting drives before they can be used with Time Machine, the integrated backup and restore software.

Click for more on Apple releases first Leopard update »

Over 1000 patches and all-new features, and a new activation model.

Following our coverage of the Windows XP SP3 beta leak almost a month ago in August, here’s some more info on the official beta, which just had its first authorized distributable released earlier today. Say hello to Windows XP SP3, build 3205!

Along with the standalone installer redistributables, Microsoft also provided the usual release notes and a list of all the hotfixes included in this release. Contrary to popular belief, Windows XP SP3 does ship with all-new features - not just patches and hotfixes, most of them backported from Windows Vista:

• New Windows Product Activation model: no need to enter product key during setup. Thank God for that!
• Network Access Protection modules and policies have been brought to XP after being one of the more-well-received features in Windows Vista. You can read more about NAP here.
• New Microsoft Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module - the Windows XP SP3 kernel now includes an entire module that provides easy access to multiple cryptographic algorithms and is available for use in kernel-mode drivers and services.
• New “Black Hole Router” detection - Windows XP SP3 can detect and protect against rogue routers that are discarding data.

Click for more on Windows XP SP3 Build 3205 Released w/ New Features »

Starting from $239, works on old AM2 motherboards

Besides the recent launch of new Radeon GPUs, AMD is also preparing for a Monday launch of its new platform created around the new Phenom processors and the 700 series chipsets. While we are hearing nice things about the flagship 790FX chipset that will also be launched next week, the expectations are all about the processors, especially because it will give current AM2 socket motherboard owners the possibility of swapping and upgrading to the new generation of CPUs without having to change additional components.

According to sources close to AMD distribution channels we got word that volume pricing for these processors would look like this next Monday:

Phenom X4 9700 / 2400MHz / 4MB Cache / 2000MHz HT / 125W - $279
Phenom X4 9600 / 2300MHz / 4MB Cache / 1800MHz HT / 95W - $269
Phenom X4 9500 / 2200MHz / 4MB Cache / 1800MHz HT / 95W - $239

Click for more on AMD Phenom X4 processor pricing update »

ASUS to bring more to the table with the Eee PC 8G

ASUS’ new Eee PC 4G is undoubtedly a hit with consumers and reviewers. The device is small, lightweight and performs quite well despite its aging processor and chipset.

The Eee PC 4G, however, hasn’t been without its criticisms. Many consumers have pointed to the device’s limited 4GB solid-state disk (SSD). That problem can be mostly alleviated, however, with the addition of a high-capacity SD or SDHC card to be used as secondary storage.

Click for more on 8GB, 10" ASUS Eee PC Slated for 2008 »

Seagate Maxtor Basics Personal Storage 3200 external HDDs get hit with the Virus.Win32.AutoRun.ah virus

The hard disk drive (HDD) market is a relatively boring one. Sure, there are capacity increases in the mobile and desktops sectors every once in a while, but spindle speeds have stayed relatively the same — HDDs don’t exactly have the same sex appeal as quad-core processors or high-end graphics cards.

Seagate, however, is making news these days not for how fast or capacious their new drives are; but for what’s included on them from the factory. Seagate is warning customers that a small batch of its 500GB Maxtor Basics Personal Storage 3200 external drives shipped with the Virus.Win32.AutoRun.ah virus. The company blames a Chinese sub-contract manufacturer for the problem.

Click for more on Seagate Serves External HDDs with a Side of Virus »

The November security updates fix the so-called URI problem, a critical Windows bug that has been exploited by online criminals.

Microsoft has released its November security updates, fixing a critical Windows bug that has been exploited by online criminals.

Microsoft released just two security updates this month, but security experts say that IT staff will want to install both of them as quickly as possible. The MS07-061 update is particularly critical because the flaw it repairs has been seen in Web-based attack code, said Amol Sarwate, manager of Qualys’s vulnerability research lab. “This was a zero day [flaw] that was being used in the wild by hackers,” he said

Click for more on Patch Tuesday: Microsoft Fixes Critical Windows Bug »

And of course, it’s absolutely free and can be totally anonymous

The iTunes Store allows you to buy songs, albums, videos, audiobooks, movies, TV Shows, etc. For me, the best thing is, over 65,000 podcast to twiddle around and, grab those nice album covers for my music collection.

All looks great but before all these bells and whistles, you’ll need to create an iTunes Store account, with a credit card/paypal account or gift card. The account itself is free as long as you don’t make any purchase(and can still enjoy those freebies).

So here is the way for those don’t have credit card/paypal or just want more privacy:

1. Get a free iTunes gift code

Click for more on HowTo: Create iTunes Store Account without Credit Card/Paypal »

Hurry, free anti-spyware protection from ZoneAlarm, a $29.99 value. Promotion runs till Nov 14th 5pm PST.

Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (Nasdaq:CHKP - News), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet, is today advising PC users to immediately update their Microsoft Windows operating systems, Internet Explorer 7 browser and all security programs to thwart new vulnerabilities that may allow a hacker to gain control of a PC. The company also announced a special 24-hour promotion whereby consumers can download ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware, a $29.95 value, for free at http://www.zonealarm.com/patchtuesday .

For the next 24-hours, Check Point will give away ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware free of charge. Users must provide a valid email address (one product per email address). The offer expires at 7 a.m. PST 5 pm PST on Wednesday, Nov. 14. The company also is currently offering a free download of its brand-new ZoneAlarm ForceField virtual browser, another layer of protection available to consumers.

Click for more on Free ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware for 24-Hours »