Microsoft executives came to their senses and today they told Yahoo to take a hike. Finally.

The interaction between the two companies is evidence of Yahoo greed and after Yahoo announced deals with Google, Microsoft was left with an obvious choice.

In the end, Yahoo is a dying company and Microsoft would have gained nothing.

Would you like to be able to just jot a word or two rather than frantically trying to type or write comprehensive notes in a lecture, meeting, or seminar? How about this Pulse Smartpen from Livescribe.

This handy gadget records the audio as you make your notes on the magic paper that digitizes your scribbles. You use what looks like a regular college-ruled paper notebook. Each page is embedded with dots that make it capable of handwriting recognition.

The pen, powered by a Samsung ARM processor, will keep track of at which point in the recording you made each note. Later when you run your pen over a rather vague note--"research and verify this fact" for instance--the audio will play, letting you know just what you were hearing when you made that note. It makes
taking notes efficient and fast. Shorthand has stepped into the world of technology.

Livescribe intends to develop translator and Internet-related applications for the Pulse in the future.

The Pulse is available for pre-order in 1GB size for $149 and 2GB for $199.

Microsoft does not seem interested in completing projects. Instead, something new is announced and out of the oven pops a new acronym. Consider the ULCPC naming convention announced on April 3. What exactly does this mean? Are Ultra Low Cost PCs different from Low Cost PCs? Should we all worry about LCPCs? Are these Mobile systems? In which case, why are they not called ULCMPCs? Are they mobile and pocketable? How about ULCMPPCs?  

Taipei, Taiwan, 1 April 2008 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced the new VIA VX800 Series of digital media IGP chipsets featuring the latest video, graphics and connectivity performance in a single chip measuring just 33 x 33mm.

Asustek's Kevin Lin, vice president of the sales department, has released the information that the second-generation Eee PC lineup will offer touchscreen panels and possibly GPS support. They hope to ship up to five million Eee PCs in 2008.

The base model will ship with 1GB of RAM, rather than the current 512MB, and a larger SSD will be available: 8-12GB rather than the current 4-8GB.

Shipments are expected to begin in May or June, and the price is expected to be about $500. Asustek is also planning to ship its E-DT priced at $199 at the same time.

The fire at an LG Chem plant earlier this month has created a shortage of batteries, but Asustek plans to have that problem solved by the second quarter of this year.

This game looks like a lot of fun--not to mention addictive. I may have to get a PSP just to try it. For one thing, it incorporates rhythm into the play, and I think I'd be good at that--I'm pretty musical. Of course, there are those who say you can't get all that rhythm out of your head once you've played the game, but I'd risk that, I think.

And it's CUTE. Those little Patapon critters are adorable. The artwork is cheerful and quirky. It's done by a French artist named Rolito. I visited his site and was charmed. There's something so whimsical and lighthearted about even the fiercest creatures that I get no "dark" feeling from this game at all. Now that may seem like a disadvantage to some people, but it's a huge plus for me. Have you tried this game? What's your verdict?

What do you do with old technology?

Source: Suitep

No seriously. Stop laughing.

Mobile PC markets continue to expand despite uncreative digs against Tablet PCs (read paragraphs 2+3 and skip the rest of the crap).

Dell enters the market after 5 years and some people are still smashing the technology. What will it take to convince people that digital ink is far superior to no ink?

Linux acceptance
Even the Linux enthusiasts have Mobile PC envy. Why else do we see the Nokia tablet and Asus Eee touted? These PCs are not fully functional but cheap. It is the envy and ego that propels someone to buy half a machine.

Mass appeal
Most people see my slate and immediately want one. As I sit in Barnes and Noble and work on my dissertation - some people wonder quietly why I am writing on the screen - other people come over and ask. Yes, there is mass appeal.

What's next?
The real strength of the Tablet PC and UMPC is the fact they represent the future. These Mobile PCs are the future.

Now, what will be the headlines when Dell starts showing off a slate?

PS. I have not touched a keyboard in 5 days because everything is done through the Vista TIP. My hope is to not use the keyboard in my personal life for the next year (the work machine is not a tablet - grrr.). I challenge all Mobile PC enthusiasts to give up the keyboard. Can it be done?

Even if you think Vista is better than Apple, you must admit these commercials are funny.

If you are in a hurry to find out the latest top stories, you've probably given up on television. Years ago, headline news was a good start but has morphed into garbage entertainment. Now you need a replacement. I tried Google News but something was missing. I finally gave up on Google because the technology section only points to corporations and "old" stories. The search continued - until now.

Newser is my latest "first to go to" news website. Newser is an Internet site providing short summaries of stories, large photos, and links to the original content. Rather than cluttering a page with text, the site provides an artistic design that is pleasing and customizable. For example, the hover feature allows me to use my pen to scan summaries quickly. Even the categories are easy to find and scan.

I am a true Newser convert. Compared to Google News - Newser is the clear winner.