More Delays For the A380 Jet

More Delays For the A380 Jet
For those patiently waiting for a ride aboard the massive double-decker Airbus 380, it seems like you are going to have to keep waiting. Airbus has said they are expecting new delays of at least six months. They still plan to deliver the first plane to Singapore Airlines but wiring problems with the A380 will mean that they will produce only nine planes next year instead of 27. The delays may force some companies to cancel their orders or lease other planes.

Bill Gates Retires

Bill Gates Retires
Yesterday, Microsoft presented one shocking news: Bill Gates will retire and leave Microsoft.

Set for July 2008, Bill Gates who is now chairman of Microsoft will retire to spend more time on his global health and education work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Still, after July 2008 Gates would continue to serve as the company’s chairman and an advisor on key development projects.

Since 1975 when together with his friend Paul Allen started Microsoft, Bill Gates was a key figure to the Redmond giant.

The company announced that Chief Technical Officer Ray Ozzie will immediately assume the title of chief software architect and begin working side by side with Gates on all technical architecture and product oversight responsibilities, to ensure a smooth transition. Similarly, Chief Technical Officer Craig Mundie will immediately take the new title of chief research and strategy officer and will work closely with Gates to assume his responsibility for the company’s research and incubation efforts; Mundie also will partner with general counsel Brad Smith to guide Microsoft’s intellectual property and technology policy efforts.

“Our business and technical leadership has never been stronger, and Microsoft is well-positioned for success in the years ahead. I feel very fortunate to have such great technical leaders like Ray and Craig at the company,” Gates said. “I remain fully committed and full time at Microsoft through June 2008 and will be working side by side with Ray and Craig to ensure that a smooth transition occurs.”

“This was a hard decision for me,” Gates added. “I’m very lucky to have two passions that I feel are so important and so challenging. As I prepare for this change, I firmly believe the road ahead for Microsoft is as bright as ever.”

Ballmer and Gates noted that Microsoft has been steadily expanding its senior leadership in recent years, and that today’s announcement continues a transition process that has been underway for several years. In January 2000, Gates assumed the role of chief software architect and Ballmer assumed the role of CEO, responsible for all day-to-day operations and company business strategy.

In the last time, Bill Gates main purpose was Vindows Vista. He was involved in every aspect of development. He also considered XBOX project as one of its child. Since July 2008, Gates will still remain chairman but he won’t be involved in any technical or development aspect. Maybe with advices or knowledge but he will mostly leave Microsoft to continue without him.

To continue with its actual CEO, Steve Ballmer. But until Bill Gates will leave, Ray Ozzie, a close friend of Bill Gates will stay close to him to learn and to continue its work.

After the retirement, Bill Gates will continue its work at the foundation that him and his wife have, foundation that is one of the largest in the world and which gave away until now almost $30 billion for actions like diseases, cancer and AIDS.

Well, that’s about all. Bill Gates will leave and Steve Ballmer era will start.
Source: News.Soft32.com

Questions surround the wireless network deal between Google/EarthLink and San Francisco

Questions surround the wireless network deal between Google/EarthLink and San Francisco
Came across this blog post which says that the San Francisco wireless network that Google and EarthLink are developing was basically a sweetheart deal between the city and the companies. There are mentions of secret panels and secret negotiations that gave Google and EarthLink the ability to build the network with little resistance.

You'd have to read it further to get a true grasp of what is being discussed. Of course, this is from an "alternative" news site, so the tendency to bring forth conspiracy theories and accusations from these sources has to be considered. In any event, it's interesting reading, and may be worth further discussion down the road.

Mosquito-based ringtone not ready for adult usage

Mosquito-based ringtone not ready for adult usage
In more interesting wireless phone news today, the "Mosquito" ringtone service provided by www.mozzytones.com is a "kids-only" ringtones service meant to be heard only by kids. This is possible since the ringtones are made in the 1KHz sound spectrum, a frequency many adults cannot hear from a distance due to age-related hearing loss. Say what?

Yes, a ringtone service meant to be used exclusively by kids to ensure parents and teachers can't hear what's going on and if calls are being received. In the grand tradition of Spy kids, perhaps this service will take off, if music clip ringtones give up some market share. Mozzytones is apparently pretty large in the UK -- but will it make its way to the U.S. anytime soon? Be listening for that eerily-chirping ringtone, that is, if you can get close enough to a teen with a cellphone packed.

GSM approaches 2 billion users

GSM approaches 2 billion users
Twelve years for the first billion users, two and a half years for the second billion. Those are the staggering statistics being flaunted by the GSM Association this week as they prepare to sign up their two billionth customer, driving home the exponential growth mobile carriers worldwide have enjoyed as of late. Although China represents by far the largest single user base with over 370 million, Latin America and the Caribbean brought their "A" game last year, holding the titles for largest subscriber growth rate (97%) thanks to numerous carriers selecting GSM as their CDMA / TDMA upgrade path. So, how many peeps worldwide are toting cellphones, regardless of technology? According to the GSMA, there are 2.29 billion, making GSM the overwhelming standard of choice; we're guessing you can figure out who slots in at number two.

Panasonic rolls Cingular HSDPA for ToughBook CF-18

Panasonic rolls Cingular HSDPA for ToughBook CF-18
It's a rough world out there, and no one should be without 3G nowadays -- especially not anyone whose job requires them to carry a Panasonic CF-18, one of their iron-clad ToughBook class laptops strong enough to take a bullet (ok, maybe not really). Looks like Panny landed a deal with Cingular to incorporate HSDPA into the CF-18 by way of a Novatel Wireless Expedite EU730 UMTS / HSDPA card, presumably a Mini PCI add-on. Nope, it's not the first shot the ToughBook has had at having 3G in its lifetime -- and we assume it won't be the last -- but this does add Panasonic to the short list of HSDPA laptop makers, as well as to the growing list of companies offering help in the way of laptop-internal 3G while remaining relatively (though never entirely) carrier agnostic.

Did Abramovich Give Away Le Grand Bleu?

Did Abramovich Give Away Le Grand Bleu?
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has yachts to spare but did he really give a friend his 328-foot yacht Le Grand Bleu? The Sun reports that Abramovich handed the yacht, which is worth over $138 million, over to his business lieutenant Eugene Shvidler as a thank you. Abramovich had problems with the yacht last fall but surely that's no reason to ditch this beauty and while I'm sure Shvidler is a fine man and a good friend, I still sense there is another reason. There can only be one answer, Abramovich needs room in his stable for an even grander ship.

Rare A-20 Rare War Plane For Sale

Rare A-20 Rare War Plane For Sale
You are looking at the only Douglas A-20 capable of flight is for sale. This rare plane, which has been exhibited in several flight museums, was impeccably restored. This plane was part of three different Air Force units as a trainer but was never in combat. After World War II, it was part of the 474 military planes sold to Paul Mantz, one of Hollywood's most famous stunt pilots, for use in movies and as camera planes. The plane was later sold, abandoned and then bought and restored by William J. Farah in 1970. It has bounced in and out of museums including the National Air & Space Museum, the Liberal Flight Museum and the Lone Star Flight Museum. It is selling for $1,150,000 through Courtesy Aircraft.

via General Aviation News

Miami Penthouse, Estate of the Day

Miami Penthouse, Estate of the Day
This beautiful penthouse in Miami is an amazing 9,080 square feet of space with amazing views of Miami and the ocean. This amazing apartment has all sorts of contemporary architecture features and fine finishes that give it the feel of a luxury mansion in the sky. There are floor to ceiling windows, high ceilings and amazing staircases. There are five bedrooms, a theater and a gym.The roof top terrace has travertine floors, a pool, Jacuzzi and heart-quickening views of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is listed at a whopping $16.9 million but looks to be a truly extraordinary place. After the jump, is it possible to fall in love with a staircase?

iPod U2 Special Edition

iPod U2 Special Edition

This new special edition iPod is a tribute to the band U2. The casing is black and it has a black steel back, which is engraved with the signatures of the band members. Differentiating it from other black iPods is the distinctive red click wheel. The iPod has 30GB of storage, with room for up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 photos, or 75 hours of videos. The black U2 iPod is $329. Included with purchase is an exclusive 30-minute U2 video from iTunes.