Plugged In
Stay plugged in to technology news. Cox staffers across the country and around the globe bring you breaking tech news and other high-tech tidbits and explain what it all means to you and your community -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Only with "Plugged In."RSS feed
What's on this page →
All the entries posted on June 26, 2008.
Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F
Recent entries
Home > Plugged In > Archives > 2008 > June > 26
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Coming soon to the Internet: .(younameit)
At a meeting in Paris today, the organization that oversees Internet domain names gave preliminary approval to what it says will be “the biggest expansion to the Internet in 40 years.” Meaning, the biggest expansion ever.
Right now there are about 21 “top-level domain names” on the Internet - including the most common we all know about - .com, .net, .org, .gov and so forth.
Under the plan approved by the board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers - better know as ICANN - Web site operators would be allowed to basically pick whatever they wanted - within reason and with the exception of blatantly offensive ones (where’s George Carlin when we need him?).
That means someday there might be a .austin, .atlanta or .palmbeach domain name, for instance, or perhaps .hotel or .newspaper. Already, according to ICANN, several groups have proposed new top-level domains such as .nyc (for New York City) and .berlin and .paris.
Previously, ICANN declined to create a new .xxx domain for sex-related sites. Today’s ruling would seem to effectively reverse that decision.
The idea still faces some hurdles, but ICANN says it is working toward accepting applications for the new names beginning in the second quarter of next year.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
A bit more on Dell’s new video chat software
We got a little more information on the new video chat software Dell is loading on its freshly launched Studio line of computers. (Dell plans to eventually load the software on other models as well.)
As we reported today, pretty much any computer owner can download a version of the software from SightSpeed, the program’s developer, and connect with other Dell Video Chat users.
But Dell’s version can reach out to folks without the downloaded software, too. It works like this: A user sends a personalized Web address to the person(s) they want to reach. Recipients simply click the link to establish the video chat session through their Internet browser.
Users of Dell’s version also can send video messages via e-mail. In both cases, recipients need neither the downloaded software nor any other chat program.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Internet access from the backseat
Cup holders? Satellite radio? Wi-Fi?
Chrysler and supplier Mopar announced today that it will offer buyers a new option with that new Town and Country minivan or Sebring: Wireless Internet access.
Called “Uconnect web,” the system is an industry first, according to the car maker, combining a Wi-Fi router with 3-G cellular connectivity and turning vehicles into mobile hot spots.
Whenever and where ever cell service is available, passengers can connect to the Internet with laptops, iPhones, game players or other devices, according to the companies. And since the rolling hot spot has a 100-foot range, mom or dad can surf the Web while siting on the sidelines of a soccer game or kids can check their MySpace or Webkinz accounts from the campground (unfortunately).
Chrysler says the system, which will be available in August, will cost about $450 for an in-vehicle router.
Wireless service, through a company called Autonet Mobile, will run another $29 per month, plus a one-time $35 activation fee.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Movie downloads coming soon to PlayStation 3
Need something else to do with your PlayStation 3? This summer, you’ll be able to download movies and TV shows.
While a rumor for a while, Sony confirmed the news early this morning at a news conference and in a corporate strategy document for investors.
Sony plans to debut the video service on its PlayStation Network this summer in the United States, with later launches in Japan and Europe.
Sony says the PS3 is leading the way for a bigger expansion of video download services that eventually will include LCD TVs, the PlayStation Portable and Walkman media players.