California software company VirnetX Inc. has files suit against Microsoft Corporation, alleging the software giant’s VPN technologies infringe on two VirnetX patents, one of which describes a method for establishing a secure communications link, and the other describes transparently creating a virtual private network. VirnetX’s suit seeks both injunctive relief and damages; the suit was filed in the patent holder-friendly United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
VirtnetX’s brief statement does not specify which Microsoft products infringe on its patents; Microsoft’s Internet Security and Acceleration Server offers VPN capabilities.
VirnetX recently entered into a merger agreement with PASW (formerly Pacific Softworks), which developed Internet communication tools and protocols; eventually, PASW shifted to embedded systems but by 2003 was a licensing-only operation.
Neither Microsoft nor VirnetX have commented on other aspects of the patent infringement suit.
Mozilla is giving Firefox’s Smart Window two new tricks. If you haven’t tried it yet, Smart Window is an optional AI mode in Firefox with a built-in chat that helps you get things done while you browse. With this update, it can fill out online forms using details from your tabs and keep an eye on websites for you.
Tired of typing the same details into every form?
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.