Frankly Speaking: Game changer

Will the GooglePhone matter? Last week, Google officially unveiled its long-rumored mobile phone software. Dubbed "Android," the Linux-based software stack is being backed by more than 30 partners, including handset makers Motorola, Samsung, LG and HTC, and service providers Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile and NTT DoCoMo. But no Nokia. No AT&T or Verizon. No Apple or Palm. No Symbian, Microsoft or RIM. Without them, will Android matter at all?

Japanese ditch PCs for smart phones, big-screens TVs

In Japan the use of the general purpose PC at home may be in steady decline. Will the U.S. follow? Japanese college students are opting for the latest gaming, entertainment and mobile phone technologies in lieu of buying a new laptop or desktop computer, according to a recent Associated Press story. One reason may be that other technologies are taking away functions that used to run exclusively on a PC, such as instant messaging/text messaging and e-mail. Another reason is the general feeling that there's no reason to upgrade older machines. Meanwhile, students are finding more compelling technologies on which to spend their money. In Japan, desktop shipments dropped 4.8% and laptops dropped 3.1% last year. Sony, NEC and Apple have all seen declines since 2006 and Hitachi has thrown in the towel and exited the market, according to the story.

Zune 80GB Media Player - Black

Wireless syncing, good sound quality, and a nice touch control make this affordable player a good choice.

Zune 8GB Red

Wireless and video support may be overkill on a device this size, but the 8GB Zune offers some interesting options as a flash player.

New Microsoft Zune Players: Finally Some Real Contenders

PC World's first look at Microsoft's new wireless-syncing Zune portable media players reveals an intuitive new touch control and some clever updates to the Zune's online presence.

Microsoft Zune 8GB (Red)

Wireless and video support may be overkill on a device this size, but the 8GB Zune offers some interesting options as a flash player.

Microsoft Zune 80GB Media Player (Black)

Wireless syncing, good sound quality, and a nice touch control make this affordable player a good choice.

New Microsoft Zune Players: Finally Some Real Contenders

PC World's first look at Microsoft's new wireless-syncing Zune portable media players reveals an intuitive new touch control and some clever updates to the Zune's online presence.

Google, mobile alliance partners provide 'early look' at Android SDK

A week after announcing a new mobile software stack called Android, the Google-led Open Handset Alliance released an early version of a software development kit for the technology.

Apple patches security hole with iPhone update

Apple has released a patch to close the widely reported TIFF bug that provided an entry point for potential ne'er-do-wells, as well as a toehold for developers of third-party apps for the device.

Security and the One Laptop Per Child sensibility

Simplified, post-desktop computing models such as those embodied by the One Laptop Per Child project look like the future to our columnist, who's seen plenty of everything-plus-the-kitchen-sink systems (hello, Vista?) lead to security mayhem.

Security and the One Laptop Per Child sensibility

Simplified, postdesktop computing models such as those embodied by the One Laptop Per Child project look like the future to our columnist, who has seen plenty of everything-plus-the-kitchen-sink systems (hello, Vista?) lead to security mayhem.