All eyes were on Apple earlier this week, thanks to the company’s eagerly anticipated launch iPhone 3.0, its third generation of software for operating the popular smartphone. And the company delivered, with improvements like cut-and-paste function, and improving search capabilities.

Microsoft, meanwhile, mixed things up in the middle of its so-called Mix confab for Web designers, running Internet Explorer 8, and talking up the next version of its Flash competitor, Silverlight. Talks about the possibility of acquiring IBM Sun Microsystems also made some major headlines.

Improving iPhone
Apple on Tuesday released the next version of its operating system, iPhone, called version 3.0, on the invite only event of its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters.

As general director Steve Dzhobs on temporary leave, Apple in Scott Forstall, head of iPhone software development, has assumed the leading role, and did so successfully. He kept the focus on new software, demonstrating the ability to gently explain complex topics with confidence and a sense of humor.

Of the 100 new features Apple iPhone with the promise of 3.0, key improvements include a much-awaited copy-paste functionality, system-wide search, a landscape keyboard, MMS, push notifications, and P2P.

Apple to competitors, of course, quick to point out that the most prominent features introduced with iPhone 3.0 are features that are found on many other smartphones.

iPhone 3.0 was obtained immediately for developers and will be available to all the other “this summer.” This is a free update for users of iPhone; who owns IPod Touch again to pay for the upgrade.

Photo: Apple iPhone OS 3.0, copy and paste the included
      Developers are likely those who will be most excited about the new iPhone OS. The ability to use background notifications, for example, would be far more attractive to iPhone and IPod Touch applications, as is evident from some of the demonstrations on Tuesday.

In addition, developers will have the new 1000 interface API (application programming interfaces) to play that will unlock the iPhone parts previously closed or inaccessible to third-party applications. Apple did not get all of them, but talked about how the developers are now able to stream audio and video, send e-mail within an application, and use the iPhone sensor, which means, Google will again be in accordance with the Software iPhone Development Kit.

It will not take long for developers to get cracking on iPhone OS 3.0. IPhone Dev-Team has recognized that it can be jailbroken but issued a warning to some 3G users want to get that shine a new copy paste function.

The developers also began to turn, interesting tidbits about the possible future devices. Two vague references in the beta may be an indication that Apple is planning for this software, which is bound for the iPhone or IPod Touch. And later this week, it was confirmed that AT & T plans to offer $ 599 and $ 699 iPhones with a two-year contract starting next week. There, in the catch, however, these numbers will continue to be locked to AT & T network.

In other news Apple, Psystar, Apple Least favorite clone Maker, has a new desktop that comes with Mac OS X preinstalled for $ 599.

Microsoft Mix-es his
Microsoft argued Spotlight later this week in Las Vegas at Mix, its annual confab for Web designers, where he launched Internet Explorer 8 and the new version of their web tools, notably its rival Adobe Flash, Silverlight.

Software giant on Thursday began to IE 8, which was within a few months of testing. The new browser adds security improvements, the private viewing options, as well as the opportunity to save up to a certain “pieces” in a web page for immediate viewing.

But perhaps the biggest change in the browser, one made behind the scenes - a decision that the browser is better to adhere to web standards. This should make life easier for web developers in the future, but also creates problems for the compatibility of sites optimized specifically for older versions of IE. As part of the solution to this problem, Microsoft has a “compatibility” mode, which lets you specify web sites if they would be run by an engine that is more like the old browser version.

Installing Internet Explorer 8 - Photo
      In addition to launching the browser, Microsoft kicked off its campaign that consumers actually use it instead of Firefox or other rivals. The release of IE 8 comes at a critical time for Microsoft, which faces its steepest competition in years, facing competition not only confidence in Firefox, but also from Apple and Google, and others. Global market share of Internet Explorer, which was more than 90 per cent in 2004, ended last year at just above 70 percent, relative to pure applications.

CNET staff took a closer look at the browser, and came to the conclusion, took a big leap forward. But it was still there enough to do on Firefox, Chrome, and Safari fan switch.

And an interesting twist, JavaScript - a scripting language so that the long lurked inconspicuously through the web site ‘code - the main battleground in this second era of Web browser wars.

Back in the Mix 09, Microsoft corporate VP Scott Guthrie said Silverlight, noting that so far there are 350 million units and said Microsoft believes is now 300000 targeting developers Silverlight.

Among the new features Silverlight 3 is the ability to use your computer as a graphic processor offers hardware acceleration of video (both PC and Mac). The company made the beta version is available Wednesday.

Also presented to the mix had a conversation with the computing pioneer Bill Buxton, who started with the chat, which is the UN Microsoft feel. He ran back and forth on the stage, gesturing wildly and talking passionately about the need to create a better experience. Buxton urged the crowd not to hung on the programming at first, but only sketch their ideas on paper.

“These things are very important to take seriously,” he said. “We must be able to play.”

CNET PollShould News IBM buy Sun?
Big Blue reportedly is negotiating with Sun Microsystems to buy for $ 6.4 billion. Should it?
   Yes. Sun products complement IBM’s.
   Yes. Keep some assets and sell the remaining scrap.
   The rooms are too many coincidences product.
   Number sun brings too many problems.

    

View results
Buxton also sat down for an interview CNET News reporter Ina Fried.

Will the sun shine IBM help?
IBM, is reportedly in talks to buy Sun Microsystems for $ 6.5 billion in cash, which received industry observers said this week that such a step is a good idea.

At ZDNet, Larry Dignan, for example, noted that the positioning in the market for servers and open source resources are just a few reasons for the seizure of the deal makes sense for IBM.

Adds a CNET Matt Asay, Sun is trying to revive their financial prospects in the light of decline in interest in its Solaris operating system and related equipment. Open source was a big bright spot on the Sun, but Sun the opportunity to recoup losses hardware with free software was a suspect.

On the other hand, however, CNET News’ Stephen Shenklend highlights some potential difficulties Big Blue may encounter, ranging from the duplication of hardware and software assets to cultural differences: Sun, based in Silicon Valley, is the engineering center, free circulation of company is ready to try out many ideas and see which of these Stick. IBM is more conservative, and on the initiative of business problems.

Meanwhile, this week, Sun announced its entry into the cloud business in the public cloud computing service for developers, students and beginners. He also detailed plans to open its cloud-computing infrastructure for public or private clouds.

It should also be noted
Networking giant Cisco buys creator Flip video gadgets and more consumer goods than you think … The lessons for big media at SXSWi … Hundreds of the respondents gave the new Facebook redesign fingers down … Google deal brings classic books Sony Reader … Safari uses the hole in the second contest of hacking.