Mozilla released Firefox 1.5.0.5, which includes several security fixes and stability improvements over previous versions. It is also expected to be the last version of Firefox before developers turn their attention to Firefox 2.0, due out September 26 according to the latest roadmap.

The latest version of the browser fixes some 12 issues; seven rated "critical, 2 "high," and three "moderate" by Mozilla. Mozilla also released Thursday an alpha version of Thunderbird 2.0, the company's e-mail client.

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Microsoft Creates Prototype Mobile Phone PC

At its Financial Analyst Meeting, Microsoft demonstrated FonePlus, an operating system for third-world countries where thye design is a mobile phone into which a TV and keyboard can be plugged, converting it into a desktop computer.

It runs a version of Windows CE and includes software to let users exchange email, do word processing and spreadsheets, surf the Web, and watch streaming video.  The target is to create a computer that meets the needs of people living in developing nations at a price they can afford.

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Google to Host Open Source Projects

Google announced plans at the O'Reilly Open Source Convention in Portland, Ore. to provide hosting for open source projects.  The project hosting service would be available through Google Code, the company's repository for various APIs and developer tools that can be used to add Google services to applications.

Hosting with the service will provide users with a project workspace, version control, issue tracking capabilities, and a mailing list provided by the Google Groups service. Unlike many of Google's beta products, anyone would be allowed to apply for an account immediately.

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Kazaa Settles Piracy Suits for 5M

Sharman Networks, owner of the Kazaa P2P program, said Thursday that it had reached a settlement with the record industry that would immediately drop all pending litigation against the company. Sharman will also pay the industry more than 0 million and immediately go legal as a result of the agreement.

The settlement resolves lawsuits filed by the world's four major music companies -- Universal Music, Sony BMG, EMI and Warner Music -- in Los Angeles and Australia. Kazaa's owner Sharman Network also agreed to introduce a "legitimate" service and stop the illegal distribution of copyrighted files by its users.

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Nokia Begins Testing Wi-Fi Calls

Nokia started its very first public Unlicensed Mobile Access pilot over Wireless LAN in the city of Oulu. This live trial will last at least two months and is being conducted under real life surroundings and conditions.

The Nokia 6136 was among the first Nokia mobile phones to offer UMA capabilities. UMA technology makes it possible for users to seamlessly roam and handover between local area networks and wide area networks using the same dual-mode device. Instead of constantly communicating with a base station, UMA allows the phone to also make calls through WLAN internet networks. In turn, this will also make it easier and cheaper for operators to expand their area coverage by implementing WLAN hotspots instead of costly base stations.

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Skype Releases New Toolbars

VoIP-based calling service provider Skype introduced three new toolbars for Web, e-mail, and desktop applications to ease Internet calling. The new Skype toolbars will allow users to easily initiate voice and video calls, and instant messages (IM) directly from computer applications such as Microsoft Outlook and Internet Explorer.

Skype introduced the Skype Toolbar for MS Office, the Skype Toolbar for Outlook Express and the Skype Toolbar for Thunderbird. The company also announced upgrades to two existing toolbars for Web browsers including the Skype Toolbar for Internet Explorer, the Skype Toolbar for Firefox and an upgrade to the Skype Toolbar for Outlook.  Skype also released a new version of its communications software for Mac, the Skype for Mac OS X 1.5.

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