Stories by Katherine Noyes

Ubuntu 10.10 'Maverick Meerkat' is now official

Canonical on Thursday took the official wraps off Ubuntu 10.10, the latest version of its Linux-based operating system, and confirmed that it will be available for download starting on Sunday.

Fring could beat Skype for low-cost Android calls

Skype may finally be available to all Android users after months of Verizon-only exclusivity, but so is FringOut, an alternative contender that offers many features Skype doesn't.

Google's Blind Type buy will benefit Android users

In what could be a considerable boon for Android users, Google on Friday acquired Blind Type, a San Francisco-based maker of touch-typing software for smartphones.

Android's openness doesn't mean it's less secure

It's a sad fact of human nature that when we're confronted with something different or new, we tend to attribute its success or failure in the world to the feature that most sets it apart. President Obama's legacy, for example, will always be inextri...

5 things Linux does better than Mac OS X

Were it not for Windows' long-standing installed base and overwhelming market dominance, it seems unlikely that anyone would argue seriously for the merit of the operating system, plagued as it is by high prices, security problems and vendor lock-in.

Ubuntu 10.10 approaches with 'Meerkat' Release Candidate

Ubuntu 10.10, or "Maverick Meerkat," is just one step away from its final version, thanks to the release on Thursday of the Linux software's official Release Candidate.

Linux roundup: Fedora 14 gets MeeGo, Madriva is reborn

There's never a dull moment in the land of Linux, and recent weeks have been no exception. Since no outlet can hope to give full coverage to every development that occurs, here's a roundup of some of the key events.

Linux kernel exploit gives hackers a back door

Linux is well-known for its security advantages over many other operating systems, but that doesn't mean it's immune to problems.

Android app offers new flexibility for IT admins

Information workers are increasingly demanding to use consumer-friendly Android and iOS devices on the job, so it stands to reason that IT administrators would value such flexibility too.

Galaxy Tab to use Chrome OS, not Android?

Samsung's Galaxy Tab may have just barely arrived at the starting gates, but the rumor mill is already gearing up with speculation about what changes may be in store for the wildly anticipated "iPad killer."

Galaxy Tab will soar on Android's key strengths

As the details of Samsung's Galaxy Tab are gradually revealed, it's becoming increasingly clear that many of the tablet's most desirable features derive from its use of Android--or Linux, that is--which, after all, is the basis for Google's winning m...

Why Android is good for business

It's lonely at the top, as the old saying goes, and that appears to be just as true for technologies as it is for people.

Steep price drop for T-Mobile's new G2 Android

When T-Mobile announced its Android 2.2-powered HTC G2 phone last week, it made no mention of pricing.

Firefox 4 revs its JavaScript engines with JägerMonkey

Microsoft may be on the verge of releasing the public beta version of Internet Explorer 9, but Mozilla has been busier than ever fortifying its Firefox browser with upgrades and new additions designed to keep it ahead.

Linux Wi-Fi gets easier with new Broadcom driver

Wireless chip maker Broadcom on Thursday announced good news for Linux users in the form of a fully open wireless driver that's compatible with the operating system.