BetaNews Picks

AT&T will add more HD content to U-verse

AT&T announced today that its U-verse TV package will include eight more high definition channels, bringing the service a total of 40 HD channels.

Newer, sleeker Treo comes to Verizon Wireless

Palm announced the online availability of its newest Treo today, the 755p. Will this device be a strong opening to 2008 for the company that has recently been faltering?

US to drop WTO Internet gambling objection, open new markets to EU

The Internet gambling industry was dealt another lousy hand this morning in Geneva, as trade negotiators decided they're okay with US objections to Internet gambling as long as it takes measures that could privatize the Post Office.

Senate votes to consider FISA bill with telco immunity

A procedural hurdle that would have stopped debate on a controversial amendment to the FISA law failed in the US Senate early this afternoon.

Act IV: Nortel drags Vonage back to court

The networking company says that Vonage is violating nine of its patents, including those related to emergency and information calls, as well as click-to-call functionality.

Can start-up Ribbit conquer 'unified voice' before Google & Verizon?

A small, Silicon Valley-based start-up with an AT&T heritage is now working side-by-side big partners such as Salesforce.com and Adobe in an effort to revolutionize voice calls as we know them today.

Alltel to convert voice to text messages

Alltel Wireless Corp. will launch a new feature on Friday that allows voice messages to be converted to SMS text messages.

Amazon Kindle selling on eBay for over $1,000

Those wishing to receive an Amazon Kindle book reader before Christmas are resorting to auction site eBay, and paying a 200 percent premium in the process.

More Google users interested in cricket than iPhone, Paris Hilton

If the world's interests can truly be encapsulated by the end-of-year Google Zeitgeist rankings, then perhaps it's time for the media to re-evaluate its priorities as British sports appear to outrank some American celebrities.

GameStop to offer rainchecks for Wii consoles

While it might not be as good as actually getting a Wii for Christmas, Nintendo and GameStop have joined forces to help consumers get their hand on one...eventually.

Ohio finds more vulnerabilities in voting systems

In another indictment of the reliability of electronic voting systems, a report released Friday shows some Ohio tallies could be rendered inaccurate using tools as simple as a magnet.

Can 11 million PS3s bring Sony CE back into black?

In an interview published over the weekend, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kazuo Hirai said he expects global PS3 sales to top 11 million by the end of March.

Will powerline home networking finally sizzle at CES?

With iPod- and MP3-enabled home networked audio systems now launched by multiple vendors, and a major test by DirecTV reportedly set for early in 2008, will networking on powerlines actually start to shine at this year's CES?

Palm layoffs follow disappointing quarterly revenue

The same week it announced sharply lower revenues for its second quarter, embattled handheld device maker Palm laid off 10 percent of its workforce.