There's really no question what the most popular, free antivirus program for Windows is here at Download Squad. You, our readers, make it pretty clear whenever we post about the topic that Microsoft Security Essentials is at the top of the heap -- and we tend to agree. With detection rates every bit as good as some competing paid products (and better than many), MSE might just be the best piece of free software Microsoft has ever released.

And it's just gotten better, with the official arrival of Security Essentials 2. The upgrade adds several key improvements, not the least of which is a heuristic scanning engine. One of the big knocks against its predecessor was that MSE's protection relied too heavily upon definitions -- and in today's ever-changing threat landscape, definitions just aren't enough. Still, I never had a single machine at home become infected while running MSE 1, so now that version 2 includes heuristic kung-fu I'm even less concerned about the safety of my Windows PCs.

MSE 2 also offers improved defense by better integrating with existing Windows features. The updated app adds muscle to the Windows Firewall and Internet Explorer to offer increased protection against network and Web-based threats. There's also a new network inspection feature which uses the Windows Filtering Platform in Vista and Windows 7 -- XP users won't benefit from this feature, obviously.

If you're already running MSE, check your update tab for an upgrade notification -- your system tray icon may also be orange if the update is available. You can also download Security Essentials 2 manually from this page and install over the old version.

Microsoft Security Essentials 2 available for download, now an even better free antivirus for Windows originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/17/microsoft-security-essentials-2-available-for-download-now-even-better/

SYKES ENTERPRISES INORATED SYBASE SUN MICROSYSTEMS

At long last, Microsoft has given plug-ins for Windows Live apps their own home. You'll now find enhancements for Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, and Live Writer at plugins.live.com -- rather than at gallery.live.com, where they were nestled in amongst the sidebar and sideshow gadgets.

The new site makes it easier to search for and browser plug-ins, though it's only helpful in the Live Writer section which has nearly 200 offerings. Movie Maker and Photo Gallery muster just over a baker's dozen combined, so you likely won't need to browse by tag to find what you're looking for. Tags are now displayed as well -- but again, they really only come in handy if you're looking for Writer enhancements.

This baby's as spartan as they come, offering only text listings, download totals, last update datestamps, and a single bold, red featured label on Inkubook's Photo Uploader -- though even that disappears when you click in to its detail page. There are no screenshtos, no user comments, and no ratings to help you decide whether or not a particular plug-in is worth an install.

Windows Live Writer, Movie Maker, and Photo Gallery get a new, no-frills plug-in site originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/16/windows-live-writer-movie-maker-and-photo-gallery-get-a-sparta/

AMAZONCOM AMERICA MOVIL AMKOR TECHNOLOGY

Over at ZDNet, Mary Jo Foley has been speculating about the future of Windows Phone 7. According to Foley, a major update is due around Jan/Feb 2011, adding copy/paste functionality and two major browsing enhancements: HTML 5 support and a Silverlight plug-in. Foley also wonders whether enterprise tweaks might be part of the game plan as well. Microsoft, of course, doesn't comment on rumors -- so we'll have to wait for someone to score some hands-on time with the WP7 update.

Despite the update's appetizing codename, Microsoft doesn't seem to be converging on a single food-related theme for its Windows Phone OS. The next release, Windows Phone 8, is codenamed "Apollo". We can only hope 8.5 will be codenamed "Starbuck".

Bear in mind this is all sheer speculation; however, after Windows Phone 7's somewhat lackluster launch, any sort of improvement could be exciting.

Windows Phone 7 "Mango" may add HTML5, Silverlight support to WP7's browser originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/16/windows-phone-7-5-mango-may-add-html5-better-silverlight-supp/

SI INTERNATIONAL SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY SCIENTIFIC GAMES

The British government has joined China, Iran and Australia in seeking to actively restrict access to certain portions of the Internet. Communications officials have revealed plans to ask Internet service providers in the UK to restrict access to pornographic websites, especially for minors.

Source: http://www.technewsworld.com/rsstory/71498.html

AMPHENOL ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL APPLE COMPUTER

Most people around the globe have heard of the iPad by now, even in areas where it’s not yet being sold. The iPad no longer needs an introduction but it will become available in 9 more countries this Friday. Apple’s trend setting gadget, tablet computer, or whatever you’d like to refer to it as, is [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ipadbuzzblog/~3/Mv6_uydNX1c/

PROGRESS SOFTWARE PLANAR SYSTEMS PEROT SYSTEMS

Adobe, the software giant behind the monstrously-successful Creative Suite, Reader and Flash, has just racked up its first billion-dollar quarter. Up from $757 million in the same period last year, this represents a 33% year-over-year revenue growth, which is pretty damn massive. Over the entire year, Adobe enjoyed a total revenue of $3.8 billion, up from $2.9 billion in 2009.

With all of the negative press over Flash, people often fail to realize just how big Adobe is. If you take a quick look at the Forbes 2010 list of the world's largest software companies, Adobe would place just outside the top 10, with revenues just behind Yahoo! and CA Technologies. This year's excellent performance, whether you like it or not, is almost certainly because of Flash's continued dominance -- and the excellent Creative Suite 5, of course!

Adobe revels in first ever billion-dollar quarter originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 06:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/21/adobe-revels-in-first-ever-billion-dollar-quarter/

MAXIMUS MANTECH INTERNATIONAL MANHATTAN ASSOCIATES

Motorola has updated its Android software upgrade news page, and it's not pretty.  Besides no mention of Gingerbread for the Droid X (say yes Moto, you have to), there's a slew of lower-end handsets that look to be stuck on Android 1.6 (or even 1.5 in the case of the Wal-Mart StraightTalk Cliq XT), and the T-Mobile branded Cliq XT has had it's upgrade date pushed back for additional testing.

It's worth noting that Moto's newer Android offerings aren't even listed on this page, so we don't really expect any Gingerbread news at this point.  It is pretty disheartening to see phones with capable hardware being held back though, and we don't like any more than you do. [Motorola Android Software Upgrade News; Motorola official Cliq XT support] Thanks, Tim,!

Motorola updates Android OS roadmap; some of you won't like it posted originally by Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/JVS_ClH0gIk/motorola-updates-their-android-os-roadmap

SPANSION SONUS NETWORKS SONIC AUTOMOTIVE

Back in April 2009 ? before the incredible rise of Android had really picked up steam ? Google's mobile operating system faced a challenger that had almost nothing to do with cell phones. Erich Specht, a man who ran a data company called Android Data from 1998 through 2002, came forward to say that Google was infringing on his trademark by using the name 'Android', and he wanted a payout of $94 million from Google, Android Inc, and the Open Handset Alliance. Last week, Google got some good news: a judge granted Google's Motion for Summary Judgment to throw out the case. The judge has also canceled Specht's original trademark, on the grounds that it could result in confusion with Google's mark, and because Specht has already used it "as a sword" against Google.:

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/WpvStOTaxUk/

EARTHLINK DST SYSTEMS DISCOVER FINANCIAL SERVICES

The early numbers are in for Microsoft’s brand-new phone operating system Windows Phone 7: 1.5 million handsets sold to date. However, that number requires some explaining. Microsoft on Tuesday morning published a faux interview with Achim Berg, vice president of business and marketing for Windows phones, who says Windows Phone 7 is growing fast. The “sales” number [...]

Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/12/windows-phone-7-6/

UNISYS TRIQUINT SEMICONDUCTOR TRIMBLE NAVIGATION LIMITED

Viliv to debut Android-based X7, X10, Windows 7-based X70 tablets at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 19:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/21/viliv-to-debut-android-based-x7-x10-windows-7-based-x70-tablet/

DIRECTV GROUP ELPIDA MEMORY EMC