New and Noteworthy: DowJones speculates on Intel introduction; Microsoft's executive savior in Internet: Round 2

DowJones speculates on Intel introduction The DowJones Newswire reports that Shaw Wu, an analyst at American Technology, said in a research report issued Dec. 9 that one of Apple's computers, based on Intel's architecture, could be available in the first quarter, ahead of expectations. "We believe products that will likely move to Intel first include current PowerPC G4-based Macs, including PowerBook, iBook and Mac mini, and its Xserve G5 enterprise server, arguably weaker members of its product line that would benefit moving to Intel," Wu wrote. "We believe one of these product families may be ready as early as 1Q 06," with subsequent roll-outs in the following quarters. More.

Microsoft's executive savior in Internet: Round 2 A New York Times piece looks to Ray Ozzie as the Microsoft executive who will make or break the company in round 2 of the Internet wars, as the company tries to pull a Netscape on Google and other competitors. "Think back to Round 1 of the Internet, when things really got rolling in 1995. The computing landscape was shifting, and a cool, fast-growing young company symbolized the new order: Netscape. At the time, Microsoft looked to be a lumbering old war horse, trapped in the yesteryear of desktop personal computer software, word processors, spreadsheets and operating systems. It seemed, in other words, so 1980's. But, of course, Microsoft emerged a winner. It embraced the Internet and vanquished the Netscape threat with hard work, ingenuity and strong-arm tactics that a federal court ruled violated the nation's antitrust laws. Microsoft's shares soared to a record high at the end of 1999. The Internet, Round 2, is now under way. Again, the computing terrain is changing remarkably, helped along by free software like Linux and the spread of high-speed Internet access." More.

Previously on MacFixIt

• Mac OS X not asking for password when exiting screensaver, waking from sleep (#2): More causes and fixes
• Problems mounting burned DVDs under Mac OS X
• Mac OS X Intel transition special report: Many apps a simple re-compile, some more involved; Compatibility issues; Outlook; more
• VersionTracker Pro 4.0.1 released

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