Dell said that it plans to launch ARM based servers and computing centers for developers, customers and partners. The move comes as more server makers are looking at ARM architecture for so-called hyperscale data centers, which are used for Web companies and other businesses looking to save power. HP also said it will focus on ARM servers with “Project Moonshot” and AMD bought SeaMicro, an earlier pioneer of the microserver movement.
Mozilla whisked the covers off Webmaker yesterday, a new development initiative intended to encourage Web-based development across the globe. The company stated that Webmaker's goal is to, "move people from using the Web to making the Web," in a blog post. Mozilla is encouraging people to participate in a series of coding events it's calling the Summer Code Party, and has partnered with some notable organizations and individuals to further its agenda.
For the first week in history, Google Chrome is the most-used browser in the world, according to Statcounter. While Chrome has been leapfrogging the incumbent Internet Explorer on weekends for some time now, the week of May 14th–20th marks the first time Chrome has averaged a higher traffic share over a full seven-day stretch.
Facebook yesterday announced the App Center, a new place to find apps — but not just Facebook apps like FarmVille. The App Center includes both free and paid Facebook apps, as well as HTML5 apps that exist within the Facebook app itself. Android, iOS, and "desktop" apps will also be included as long as they integrate with Facebook. The App Center launches in a few weeks, but developers who want to beta test paid apps can get started right the way.
As expected, the first version of OpenOffice under new management — the Apache Software Foundation — has been released. Apache OpenOffice 3.4, which had been in incubation since Oracle donated the code to the ASF mid last year, offers improved performance and a number of new features and enhancements and is available on Windows, MacIntosh and Linux and in 15 languages as of yesterday.
At a press conference at CTIA in New Orleans, MasterCard introduced PayPass Online, a version of its PayPass service that lets you buy things using your smartphone, or with a single click on the web. The system sounds like Amazon's "One-Click Buy" extended to other sites, or like PayPal — you have a single, secure login in MasterCard's system, and can use it to shop on any site.
Samsung didn't name a U.S. wireless carrier or the price for the smartphone, but said the U.S. version will run over LTE and HSPA+, an indication it could run on AT&T's or T-Mobile's network. A white version of the Galaxy S III was unveiled by Samsung's president of mobile communications, J.K. Shin, at a crowded London media event that featured a live orchestra and was also webcast.
Security vendors have discovered a new piece of malware that attacks both PCs and Macs. It uses the same Java security vulnerability exploited by the Flashback malware that infected hundreds of thousands of Macs. While the attack vector is the same as in Flashback, this Java applet checks which OS it is running on and downloads suitable malware for it.
Despite big name tech companies - such as Facebook, Microsoft, and Oracle - supporting the controversial Internet surveillance bill that passed in the House last week, Mozilla has come out against the legislation. "While we wholeheartedly support a more secure Internet, CISPA has a broad and alarming reach that goes far beyond Internet security," the tech company wrote to Forbes reporter Andy Greenberg. "The bill infringes on our privacy, includes vague definitions of cyber security, and grants immunities to companies and government that are too broad around information misuse."
Skype for PS Vita was released to the PlayStation Store yesterday, falling alongside other third-party apps like Facebook and Netflix and marking a notable expansion to the device's voice, text, and video chat capabilities. While the app offers many of the same features found on other platforms, it has been custom tailored to match the Vita's unique interface and take advantage of the device's gorgeous five-inch OLED display and built-in cameras.