Mac OS X

Version 4.0 of the operating system for Apple's iPhone, iPod touch, and the forthcoming iPad will represent a major overhaul of the software and will feature a "full-on solution" to one long-standing gripe about Apple's devices -- their inability to multitask.

At least that is the latest rumor making the rounds, as reported by the AppleInsider blog. The site attributes the report to "people with a proven track record" in predicting Apple's next moves.

Dear Action Line: How do I keep track of all the computer software vulnerabilities floating around the Internet? I can't really trust the sellers to keep me informed of their latest glitches and don't see it in the newspaper or on TV. -- H.E., Tulsa.

Two sources of "cyber security news" are US-CERT and Help Net Security.

Fifteen months ago, Google introduced its Chrome browser promising speed, stability and security. Google also amped up the browser wars with established players like Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla's Firefox, and Apple's Safari. The latest monthly numbers show Google is making progress in its quest to become the browser of choice.

You've had sound reasons for postponing the purchase of a new computer for much of 2009. The economy is in shambles. You wanted to make sure any kinks were addressed before taking the plunge on machines with new operating systems from Microsoft and Apple.

But months after their arrival, there've been no major blowups with Windows 7 or OS X Snow Leopard. And while your budget isn't exactly overflowing, you're finally thinking about replacing your Vista clunker or aging Mac.

After more than a year of legal wrangling, Apple has come to terms with its Mac cloning nemesis Psystar. On Monday, Apple at least partially settled its copyright lawsuit against the Doral, Fla.-based company that has been building hardware that runs Mac OS X.

The Wall Street Journal reports Apple will dismiss all its trademark, trade-dress and state-law claims against Psystar in exchange for unspecified damages. Other reports set the damages at $2.7 million.

Apple is getting more aggressive against a Mac clone company it has been battling in court. The technology giant asked a federal judge to close Psystar's Mac clone operation and ante up $2.1 million in damages, court documents reveal.

Apple has been silent since U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup ruled in favor of Apple in a copyright suit against Psystar. In his Nov. 13 ruling, Alsup also ruled that Psystar violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by installing Apple's Mac OS X on the cloned computers it sold.

Apple has won its lawsuit against Psystar, which has been selling Mac OS X in Mac clone computers. The decision in Apple's favor is expected to pave the way for Apple to argue its copyright-infringement case against future violators.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based software maker's claim against Psystar was granted, according to U.S. District Judge William Aslup's decision, and Psystar's anticompetitive claim against Apple was denied.

Laptop-toting road warriors who don't want to commit to a long-term mobile broadband data plan might be interested in a new offering from Verizon Wireless. On Thursday, the wireless carrier rolled out three new mobile data plans as part of the company's prepaid portfolio.

The plans let customers tap into the mobile broadband speed they need on Verizon's 3G network with daily, weekly or monthly pay-as-you-go access. The plans will be available beginning Nov. 15.

An Éclair in your cell phone. That's Google's vision of the future for its Android open-source operating system, with its announcement Tuesday of a software development kit for the new Android 2.0, whose code name is Éclair.

SDK revision 3, which is required for building applications for Android 2.0, supports coding using the Ant build system or Mac OS X 10.6. Additionally, Google is releasing its Android Development Tools as a plug-in for the Eclipse development environment.

2.0 Update By Year-End

Businesses, schools and individuals are gearing up for the Oct. 22 launch of Microsoft's new operating system, Windows 7. While Microsoft prepares for the rollout and users prepare for changes, Apple is preparing to cash in.

Apple has been mocking Microsoft's Vista operating system in marketing campaigns for more than a year in its Mac-versus-PC advertisements. Now with the anticipated rollout of Windows 7, Apple is planning to boost marketing to slam its rival's new operating system while pushing Mac OS X Snow Leopard.