desktop software

PCs are so 2008. Computer users are warming to personal computer alternatives, including netbooks, handheld mobile devices -- and in a growing number of cases, machines that work in tandem with so-called virtual desktop software, a technology that makes it possible to deliver desktop software and files from another location like a data center.

IBM has joined with Virtual Bridges and Canonical to release a Linux desktop solution that aims to drive significant savings for corporations that rely on collaboration tools.

Big Blue is promising cost savings over Microsoft's desktop software by amplifying Lotus collaboration tools and Ubuntu Linux to a larger user base through virtualization. IBM has launched several Microsoft alternative desktops in 2008.

Megatechtronium is pulling the plug on its microblogging social-network site that allowed users to send music, photos and messages to friends using the Pownce Web site or desktop software.

Megatechtronium, a San Francisco-based company created by Digg founder Kevin Rose along with Leah Culver and Daniel Burka in June 2007, says Pownce will disappear on Dec. 15, less than a year after its service was made available to the public.

Microsoft Corp. is giving an early holiday gift to people who pay for all-you-can-listen access to the Zune digital music store: 10 songs to keep each month, included in the $14.99 monthly subscription fee.

One of Google's most popular programs, Google Earth, has been released for the iPhone and iPod touch (2.0 and up). The application can be downloaded for free from Apple's App Store.

"The world just got a little bit smaller," said Peter Birch, Google Earth product manager. "Google Earth is now available for the iPhone and iPod touch, allowing you to fly to the far reaches of the world from the palm of your hand."

Birch said that more than 400 million copies of Google Earth have been downloaded since the desktop version of the program was released just three years ago.

The beta version of Office Live Workspace has one million users just six months after launch, Microsoft announced Wednesday as it released some minor improvements to the service.

"It takes companies years to attract a strong customer base such as this," boasted Microsoft Office product manager Kirk Gregersen. The rapid pace of adoption is a sign of a pent-up market for online access to documents, Gregersen said. Users are "looking for ways to resolve the complexities of their work, school and home projects through a range of choices," he said.