XplanaZine

Mozilla Says Firefox 3 Ready for Prime-Time
A new version of Mozilla’s popular Firefox Web browser is ready for download with improved security and memory use as the tiny company takes a stab at Microsoft Corp’s dominant Internet Explorer. The program’s creators announced that the privately-held company’s trial version of Firefox 3 browser is ready for the masses to use after months of development. Additions boost security and allow users to run Web sites when they are not connected to the Internet. Mozilla also says Firefox 3 uses less computer memory than Firefox 2. — Reuters

Intel Cheap Laptops Expanding to U.S., Europe
Intel announced that their sub-$300 laptops initially designed for poor children will soon be available to U.S. and European consumers in a move that could further push down computer prices. While the machines are intended for children, analysts said the launch will add momentum to the low-cost computing movement — and will likely mean this year’s bargain-basement laptops will have more power than in previous years. — Reuters

Verizon and AT&T Dominate Airwaves Auction
Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T Inc, the two largest U.S. mobile phone companies, grabbed the lion’s share of a $19.12 billion auction of airwaves being vacated by television broadcasters. The companies plan to use the airwaves to enhance existing voice and data services, as well as underpin a new wave of wireless technologies. — Reuters

Windows Vista SP1 Flunks Out at Penn
University of Pennsylvania tech staffers are advising faculty and students not to upgrade their computers to the new service pack for Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system. Troubles reported by Vista SP1 users ranged from a simple inability to download the software from Microsoft’s Windows Update site to sudden spikes in memory usage. — Information Week