Twitter acquires web security firm Dasient

Twitter has acquired web security firm Dasient, which could result in a more secure micro-blogging service with fewer malware messages.

Dasient said that it will be able to apply its technology and team to Twitter, including its URL scanning software, which detects and blocks malware. This will be particularly useful for all those shortened links on Twitter, which can often hide the nature of the website behind.Another particularly interesting about this merger is Dasients “anti-malvertising” service, which protects ad networks and publishers from malicious ads. While Twitter has barely tapped its advertising potential, compared to Facebook, it still suffers from fake ads that present a security threat to users. Adding a protective layer around these ads could be just what it needs, and other social networks might follow suit.The deal means that the Dasient brand will be winding down and wont be accepting new customers. Its not clear if Twitter will charge users for this extra protection or just tack it on for free and rely on advertising revenue, the latter of which seems more likely.The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

ViewSonic plans tablet device, dual-boots between Windows and Android

For some, multiple OSes may be an annoyance, but for others, the ability to choose between operating systems at boot is a feature worth putting money on.And apparently, ViewSonic is targeting the latter with a new tablet which it plans to launch some time soon.

Known as the ViewPad 7 (because of its 7-inch screen) ViewSonic's dual-booting tablet will come with both Windows 7 and Android pre-installed. On the hardware side, the device will have the standard range of capablities such as 3G connectivity, WiFi, accelerometers, USB ports and GPS. However, no other details have been released, such as processor speed and available memory.

Of course, the ability to dual-boot will sound great on paper. After all, choice is always a good thing, or at least, that is what some people like to claim. However, we just cannot help but wonder about the feasibility of dual-booting on a tablet. Sure, most tablets usually come with generous amounts of onboard flash storage (or hard disk capacities for HDD-based models), but how often a user would feel the urge to switch between Windows and Android on a whim is really anyone's guess.

More importantly, there is also the issue of compatibility: as of now, we have no idea whether the version of Windows installed on the ViewPad is the desktop-grade Windows 7 or a smaller, stripped down Windows Embedded. But we will probably have to wait for such details after its official launch.

Spurce: TechRadar

Samsung's New PDP TV Is Just 29mm Thick- Finger Slim

(Akihabara News) We know you might possibily be looking at the gals rather than the TV but spare the TV some seconds as this Samsung PDP (plasma) TV is just 29mm thick as well as being 40% more power efficient that Samsung's previous Generation TVs and 20% lighter (26kg).

Available in 50 and 58 inch models, the PAVV PDP TV feature Samsung’s Full HD Crystal Engine, DLNA Support, USB 2.0 support, giving you the possibility to watch DivX videos, photos, or play your MP3 directly from an external HDD or USBflash driveto your TV.

SMC ADSL2+ Barricade acirc; cent; Modem Routers

SMC Networks (www.smc-asia.com), leading provider of networking solutions forthe SMB network, today announced the launch of three new ADSL2+ Barricade鈩?ModemRouters: the SMC7901BRA2, with one Ethernet and one USB port; the SMC7904BRA2with four Ethernet ports; and the SMC7904WBRA2 with four Ethernet ports and802.11g wireless capability. All three modem routers deliver support for the newADSL2+ technology, and incorporate leading-edge performance and quality ofservice features, ideal for end users and internet service providers. The threeADSL2+ Barricade鈩?Modem Routers, SMC7901BRA2, SMC7904BRA2, SMC7904WBRA2 arepriced at MSRPs of S$ 89, S$ 119 and S$ 159, respectively. SMC7904WBRA2 isavailable now while SMC7901BRA2 and SMC7904BRA2 will be available in November2006.

Based on a new chip set, the SMC ADSL2+ Barricade鈩?routers combine an ADSL2/2+modem, router, a one-Ethernet/one USB port or a 4-port 10/100 Local Area Network(LAN) switch, and an Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) Firewall with amplesupport for key service provisioning and end user requirements. And, theSMC7904WBRA2 adds 802.11g wireless access to the capabilities list, forcable-free connectivity.

鈥淭hese new Barricade routers are enhanced to excel with higher-bandwidthapplications like VoIP, with support for the new ADSL2+ services and quality ofservice,鈥?said Desmond Soo, SMC Product Manager for Asia Pacific, 鈥淭he new chipset used in these SMC Barricade modem routers allowed us to deliver a productthat provides more features at a lower price point than the competition.鈥?br>
For end users, the addition of new quality of service features such as Wi-FiMultimedia (WMM) in the wireless version of the product and support for Diffserv(differentiated services) for IP allow the unit to automatically optimize andprioritize real-time applications like voice and video.

For service providers, the inclusion of ANNEX M support allows the voice portionof a connection to transmit upstream data at up to 3.5MB, while ANNEX L supportincreases the geographical reach of ADSL connectivity past the current 5kmbarrier. To help reduce implementation and ongoing management costs for ISPs,SMC also developed an optional software module to allow service providers totake advantage of the TR-069 WAN management protocol.

Desmond Soo adds, 鈥淭he new features we have built into the unit cater to thecurrent needs of the market while supporting the next generation of ADSLtechnologies to provide investment protection to our customers.鈥?br>
In response to the growing concern around endpoint security, the new SMC ADSL2+Barricade Modem Router incorporates a NAT firewall with Stateful PacketInspection (SPI), Intrusion Detection System (IDS) and Denial-of-Service (DoS)modules to provide robust security from hackers. VPN pass-through is alsoprovided for connecting securely to an office or corporate network.

All three of the SMC ADSL2+ Barricade鈩?Modem Routers (SMC7901BRA2, SMC7904BRA2and SMC7904WBRA2) are made available to Internet Service Providers. Each iscovered by SMC Networks鈥?comprehensive warranty to protect consumers, and isRoHS-compliant, to protect the environment.

Vantec Serial ATA EZ Swap Mobile Rack

Vantec is going to release SATA EZ Swap mobile Rack in September.

Serial ATA EZ Swap Mobile Rack

Unlike standard IDE hard drives, Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives feature fasterspeeds, easier configuration, and the ability to change hard drives withouthaving to turn your system off first. Thus, Vantec introduces the Serial ATA EZ-SwapMobile Rack. The SATA EZ-Swap Mobile Rack combines the features of our IDE EZ-Swapwith the convenience of SATA. The SATA EZ-Swap is hot swappable, features akeyed lock for security, a built-in fan for cooling, and a built-in LCD thatdisplay hard drive up-time, temperature, and fan status.

Features:

Compatible With 3.5" SATA Hard Drives (HDD)
Swap HDDs w/o Turning Off Or Opening Your PC
Aluminum Case w/ Additional Cooling
Temperature Display w/ Alarm
SATA Interface
Blue LCD Display
Anti-Dust Hard Drive Casing
Easy And Secure Three-Step Key Lock.
Up To 150 MB/sec Data Transfer Rate
40mm Rear Cooling Fan
Power/HDD Access Indicator

Model: MRK-200ST-BK (Black) - Full Kit
MRK-200ST-BL*C (Black) - Cartridge Only

Item Descriptions MSRP

MRK-200ST-BK Serial ATA mobile rack w/LCD display & fan/Black/Full Kit :$ 47.99

MRK-200ST-BK*C Serial ATA mobile rack w/LCD display & fan/Black/Cartridge only :$ 39.99

http://www.vantecusa.com/p_mrk200st.html