Windows

Mozilla has unleashed its third beta release of Firefox 3.1 to testers. Available in 64 languages as well as separate builds for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, Firefox 3.1 Beta 3 includes several new features and enhancements for boosting browser performance, Web compatibility, and speed.

The sheer volume of work that has already gone into the development of Firefox 3.1, which is code-named Shiretoko, makes the new browser feel like much more than a small, incremental improvement over Firefox 3, said Mike Beltzner, Mozilla's director of Firefox development.

The European Commission has granted Microsoft's request for an extension to the software giant's deadline for responding to allegations that it misused its market-dominating position to stifle competition for Web browsers.

On Jan. 17, the EC sent Microsoft a statement of objections that presented the evidence behind the preliminary determination by European antitrust authorities that the software giant's method of linking Internet Explorer to Windows "harms competition between Web browsers, undermines product innovation, and ultimately reduces consumer choice."

Microsoft on Tuesday issued three security bulletins that address a total of eight vulnerabilities, one of them rated critical. Two are rated important.

"This month's critical vulnerability affects the Windows kernel and can allow an attacker to gain complete control of a user's machine simply by the user viewing a Web site infected with a malicious .WMF or .EMF picture file," said Alfred Huger, vice president of development at Symantec Security Response.

The number of mobile phone operating systems is on the rise, with Apple and Google the most notable entrants of late.

While Apple, BlackBerry maker Research In Motion and Palm develop their own operating systems just for themselves, the following systems battle for handset makers and consumers in the open market:

Symbian

Symbian leads the market for software platforms, but has lost much ground over the last year to Apple and RIM.

It's a simple checkbox, but it has big implications. During a detailed examination of a recent beta build of the forthcoming Windows 7 operating system, Aeroexperience bloggers Bryant Zadegan and Chris Holmes discovered an option to turn off Internet Explorer 8. Last week, the pair posted screen captures of the new off switch, along with a step-by-step description of the removal process.

A Windows enthusiast blog has discovered that Internet Explorer 8 can be turned on or off in a recent Windows 7 build, and Microsoft is now admitting it.

The news of such divorce-ability between the browser and the operating system would be good news for regulatory agencies, especially the European Commission, which reportedly has been considering requiring such a split.

The Catch

The AeroXperience blog found that, in Windows 7 build 7048, the dialog box for turning features on and off includes a checkbox for Internet Explorer 8. It did, however, note a catch.

Microsoft plans to deliver three security updates -- including one critical fix -- for the March Patch Tuesday. However, Redmond will not issue a patch for an Excel flaw that attackers are actively exploiting.

Tuesday's updates will address vulnerabilities in Windows. The critical update plugs holes in editions of Windows the company still supports. The update ranked "important" will protect against spoofing bugs in Windows and Server 2000.

Palm is reaching out to business consumers with both hands. The company announced Thursday that its Palm Treo Pro smartphone will be available through Alltel Wireless. That announcement comes just one day after Palm said the device will be available through the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network on March 15.

Apple's iPhone platform and Safari browser, along with Google's search engine, are kings in the mobile world of Web browsing. That's the conclusion of the new monthly report by industry watcher Net Applications.

Microsoft Corp. is slashing overtime, hours and pay for U.S. temporary workers as part of an overall push to curb expenses during the recession.

Microsoft will cut what it pays the staffing agencies by 10 percent for current projects and won't raise the rate it pays for temporary workers who return after a mandatory annual 100-day break. The company also plans to reduce overtime and the total number of hours clocked by temporary workers.

In a statement Thursday, the company said it talked with some employment agencies before making the decision.