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Ars Technica
Root inside: researchers claim crack for Intel's vPro
A pair of security researchers claim to have cracked Intel's trusted execution technology (TXT), a critical part of the vPro platform. Few details on the attack are available, so it's hard to suss out what, if anything, this means for the chip giant's plans.
WiMAX goes live in Portland; Chicago delayed into 2H 2009
Clearwire opens its second WiMax market in Portland, Ore., but future deployment plans are murky. Clearwire's service competes on price and speed with wireless and wireline sevices.
Indie dev suggests peers should support OS X, Linux gaming
An independent developer from Wolfire Games has made the case that his peers should be supporting OS X and Linux with cross-platform games for a number of easy to grasp reasons. In the face of heavy competition, this simple strategy could be the key to success.
Inside assisted GPS: helping GPS help you
Ever wonder how your mobile phone can find your location quickly, even on a cloudy day where a satellite signal is hard to come by? The answer is that many of these devices use assisted GPS (AGPS). Ars brings you an in-depth look at how this technology works.
"Skanks in NYC" blog post leads to lawsuit against Google
Bloggers that wish to retain their anonymity may be watching an otherwise farcical case that's been filed in New York, where a model has claimed that a blog has defamed her and is suing Google in an attempt to discover who's behind it.
Kiwis rally opposition to NZ copyright bill
Two controversial provisions of a New Zealand copyright law, slated to take effect next month, are stirring opposition. Artists and ISPs say the law will result in the disconnection of users and deletion of content on the basis of mere allegations of copyright infringement.
Free Nine Inch Nails albums top 2008 Amazon MP3 sales charts
Nine Inch Nails' Ghosts I-IV topped Amazon's digital download charts in 2008, despite being offered to fans free of charge. Creative Commons touts the project as a new model for music.
Feds note gaming DRM woes: FTC to hold town hall meeting
DRM has become a contentious issue in the gaming world, and now the Federal Trade Commission may be stepping in. The agency will hold a town hall meeting on March 25. Ars explores why the government may need to get involved, and how to get your voice heard.
Study: nature > cities as mental restorative
A recent study suggests that viewing natural scenery—even if only a photograph of it—can help restore some advanced cognitive functions. Unfortunately, it's not clear that the theory behind this makes any sense.
Judge: transcoding doesn't block Veoh "safe harbor" defense
Universal Music Group says that user-generated content sites like Veoh can't dock in a "safe harbor" if they do anything except store videos—even transcoding destroys immunity. A judge is having none of it.
Apple, labels both win with DRM-free iTunes, tiered pricing
Apple has apparently crafted a compromise with the major record labels, dropping DRM and introducing tiered pricing.
Judge doesn't buy state secrets privilege, OKs wiretap suit
An Islamic charity has established its right to sue the government over warrantless surveillance, a federal court ruled Monday.
AMD's Neo processor debuts in HP notebook
AMD talked up its new ultra-portable lineup in November and is partnering up with HP to showcase actual products at CES this year. The companies have designed an ultra-portable that's gunning for the narrow space between netbook and notebook, with features they hope will appeal to users wanting just a bit more power, or those wanting to save money without compromising weight, screen size, and features.
Apple reveals 17" MacBook Pro, iTunes going DRM-free
Apple today announced a handful of new products at Macworld Expo '09 in San Francisco. It may be the company's last time attending the trade show, but Apple had a collection of both new software and hardware products to show off on stage.
Comcast starts new year with new network management system
As promised, Comcast has turned off its "P2P specific technique" throughout its network, the company says. Now, it will handle congestion by identifying the problem, not the protocol.
Macworld.Ars: Macworld 2009 Keynote live on Ars
Ars Technica will be reporting live from the 2009 Macworld Phil Schiller keynote. A full running transcript of the event will appear here once the event starts.
MediaSentry may be gone, but RIAA tactics will live on
While the RIAA has dropped long-time P2P investigator MediaSentry, the music industry actually needs such services now more than ever. Denmark-based DtecNet will be handling the P2P identification chores in future.
Debian 5 release approaches... binary blobs included
The developers behind the Debian Linux distribution have voted to proceed with the release of the next major version despite ongoing controversy over the inclusion of binary firmware in the kernel.
Constable HaX0r loose in the UK? Well, yes and no
ZOMG, did you hear about how British cops are elite haxx0rz in ur base killing all ur d00dz!!!1! Let's all take a deep breath, shall we?
Fair Warning: Ars Technica at CES 2009
We're headed out to CES in Vegas this week, so here's a quick heads-up on what to expect. And as always, we'd love your input as we roam the show floor looking for the ultimate gear.