The chaps at Microsoft (or Micro$hit as some of you prefer) have been busy securing their XBox360; which the Free60 Project aims to crack and port an open operating system to (Linux, Darwin, BSD come to mind), so far they’ve gathered a lot of useful and detailed information on the inner workings of the XBox360, which seems to be seured down by:

• The flash is encrypted with a per-box key
• The key is stored inside the CPU
• The boot ROM is stored inside the CPU
• Also inside the CPU is a hypervisor that verifies the running state of the kernel, making sure there is no modification (RAM checksums), else the Xbox360 panics and blows up!
• The CPU contains ROM inside of it to store the checksums
• All interrupt/exception handling is done by the hypervisor
• All code runs in kernel mode
• The emulator for first generation games can be updated via an official Microsoft download burned to CD by the user, though the CDs’ content will be encrypted and signed with public key cryptography.The boot ROM is stored inside the CPU

This will be an interesting project to watch over the next couple of months. The XBox360 will make a rather handsome tripple core server. I’m positive, impenetrable as it may seem, some rather geekish bloke will be able to circumvent this, as they did with OSx86. I’m betting apple will use the same technology to protect against Mac OS X for intel running on regular PCs

[read more]

On a side note, Sony will demonstrate their PS3 at CES 2006

Yazan Malakha takes Linspire FIVE-O for a spin

If you’ve missed it, the people at Linspire (Previously Lindows) are giving away free digital download version of their latest operating system, a $49 USD value, for a limited time. After countless attempts to register on their website; I finally managed to download and install the much-hyped-about Linspire 5.0 (For some reason or another their Linux based servers has difficulties coping with 250 concurrent users, what a bummer).

Downloading frustration aside, I was actually impressed by how lucid and unbelievably simple their installation is. The CD offers 2 options, a live feature which allows you to run the operating system directly off your CD Drive. And an installer option similar to the one you’d find on Windows XP CD, it took approximately 10 minutes to install the software on VMWare, and less than 2 minutes to configure it, although booting was unusually slow for a Linux system. Hardware support was trouble-free: all my peripherals (except for the webcam and satellite card) were detected and worked without a hitch, in both VMWare and Native mode.

Now before I go on, I should point out that I’m all about Gnome; I’ve used KDE in its early stages, but never long enough to form an opinion. What struck me upon booting the system was the resemblance this system bears to Windows XP! Aside from using Windows XP naming conventions like (“My Computer”, “My Documents”, “My Music” and so on); everything has been copied or mimicked. The login screen almost looks identical, the green start menu button, bookmarks in the file explorer, some of the icons are a complete knock-off. It also starts off with an audio tutorial demonstrating all of the OS features.

On the other hand the system does have a close resemblance to Mac OS. The curvy look of windows, the circular shaped minimize/maximize buttons, the inclusion of multimedia programs such as Lphoto and Lmusic (iPhoto and iTunes anyone?), not to mention the Load Screen, which reminded me of OS 8/9 days. I should mention that it comes with instant messaging software and open office, making the system ready for an average user.

One of the most impressive features was CNR, which stands for Click-N-Run; it takes exactly one click to install an application, again quite similar to Mac (a click and a drag). They offer a CNR library that spans hundreds of Linux programs that provide alternatives to just about any Windows application you’ll ever need.

So what impact can Linspire cause in a world full of Linux Distros? Can Linspire live up to it’s goal of delivering a system that won’t make Linux users wish they had paid their Windows tax? I think so, although I think there’s still room for improvement. The clean interface, simple installation, and resemblance to windows, makes switching to linux a breeze, even for the novice user.

No more will Linux be reserved for the technically-advantaged. At a fraction of the cost of Windows XP; you get an operating system that includes all the tools you need to perform any type of computer work. In a simple and user-friendly interface. Perfect for a newbie or a bargain-hunter.

Some Screen Shots

Tags: [Linux] [Linspire] [Freespire] [Windows] [MacOS] [OSx86] [Lindows]

Does Apple Even Own iPod?
Earlier on I’ve blogged about Microsoft patenting iPod Interface; Creative Technologies decided to raise another legal threat to the iPod music player, and has been awarded a U.S. patent for a song-navigation technology it claims is used on Apple Computer’s market-leading devices.

“Apple tried to claim invention, but this patent dispels that,” said Craig McHugh, president of Creative Labs, a Milpitas-based subsidiary. “We are going to look at all the alternatives that the patent provides. We can look at legal remedies.”

No word yet on how Creative intends on enforcing it’s patent.

More iPod Related Stories:
[Apple's Secret is Out] [iPod Phone] [Microsoft Patents iPod Technology]

Google Maps Update New Orleans
Google Maps has updated its service by adding a ‘Katrina’ button alongside the current ‘Map’, ‘Satellite’, and ‘Hybrid’ options. Satellite images were taken on August 31. In order to view the new images enter “New Orleans” in the search bar. To view a “before & after” click the satellite button to view older images.

More Katrina Stories:
[In the Wake of a Storm] [Katrina in the News]
More Google Related Stories:
[Google Eying Talent] [Google Talk] [Google Knows]

FreeSpire, a free copy of Linspire (Limited Time)
The people at Linspire are giving Linspire 5.0 away for free (digital download only) until September 6th. Simply go to purchase the $49.95 digital edition, and then enter coupon code ‘freespire’ to receive a $49.95 discount.”

More on Freespire
[Freespire Press Release] [Linspire]

Intel’s Disruption
Trying to repeat the success of its Centrino brand for notebook computers, Intel said it will launch a set of technologies geared specifically for entertainment PCs. Look out for “Intel Viiv” sticker, coming to a computer near you. Intel also seems to have bought a stake in the in internet phone phenomenon Skype

Tags: [iPod] [Linux] [Freespire] [Google Maps] [Technology News] [Intel] [Skype]