(InfoWorld) - ASNA (Amalgamated Software of North America) announced a new version of its Monarch suite that makes it easier for businesses to extend or migrate RPG-based IBM iSeries/i5 applications and data into Microsoft's .Net for integration into service-oriented architectures (SOAs) and Web services. Monarch, introduced in the fall of 2004, lets developers migrate RPG-coded "green-screen" applications to browser-based applications in .Net. No Java, C++, or C# code is generated, making it maintainable by existing RPG programmers. Monarch also allows the modernized apps to seamlessly communicate with iSeries/i5 and SQL Server databases. Monarch 2.0 offers new application segmentation capabilities, higher levels of printing support, object grouping, and an expanded framework that supports third-party controls.

Apple replaces head of China office
August 19, 5:10 a.m. PDT
Apple Computer replaced the managing director of its China unit and made other changes aimed at increasing growth in the country, a spokesman said Friday. The company named Simon Hong the new managing director of Apple China, and said the company's Asia Pacific operations will all report directly to Apple Vice President John Brandon from now on. The spokesman declined to comment on local news reports that Apple had replaced several key managers in what would amount to a complete overhaul of its China office. The final assembly of virtually all of Apple's portable products, including its PowerBooks, iBooks, and iPods, is done in China, the company has said.

First companies pass SAML 2.0 interoperability testing
August 17, 8:15 a.m. PDT
The Liberty Alliance Project announced that products from eight companies have completed testing at Liberty's recent interoperability conformance event hosted by the IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization (IEEE-ISTO). The event marked the first time Liberty has tested for SAML 2.0 interoperability. The organizations demonstrated interoperability of products that incorporate Liberty's Identity Web Services (1.1) and SAML 2.0 OASIS Standards specifications. Passing marks for SAML 2.0 interoperability were awarded to the Electronics & Telecommunications Research Institute, Ericsson, Novell, Oracle, Reactivity, Sun Microsystems, Symlabs, and Trustgenix. A list of all products and services that have passed testing procedures is available at http://projectliberty.org/activities/conformant_products.php.

IBM contributes open source code to Firefox
August 17, 8:15 a.m. PDT
IBM this week announced it is contributing software to the Mozilla Foundation's Firefox Web browser to make it easier for the elderly and users with disabilities to navigate the Web. The code will make it possible for Web pages to be automatically narrated or magnified, and to be navigated more easily with keystrokes rather than mouse clicks. IBM is also contributing Dynamic HTML (DHTML) technology to Firefox Version 1.5 that will allow software developers to build accessible Rich Internet Applications (RIAs), which are particularly visual and interactive.

EasyAsk enhances its e-commerce search capabilities
August 3, 7:10 a.m. PDT
EasyAsk, a division of Progress Software, has released the latest version of EasyAsk for Commerce, which adds more than two dozen new features.  EasyAsk for Commerce's synchronized natural-language search and navigation capabilities are used by customers to drive advanced merchandising. The enhancements allow companies to better promote relevant products through the use of metrics such as shopping history, product inventory, or special business-sponsored promotions.  EasyAsk was acquired by Progress Software last month.

MCI acquires Totality
August 2, 9:30 a.m. PDT
MCI on Tuesday announced it is acquiring Totality, a provider of remote managed services for business-critical applications and infrastructure. The terms of the transaction, which is expected to close within 45 days, were not disclosed.  The acquisition extends MCI’s managed hosting capabilities to provide application management support outside of MCI-managed hosting centers.  MCI will now be able to manage customers' applications no matter where they are hosted, enabling MCI to deliver more fully integrated communications services to customers.

Vodafone shows new 3G phones from Sharp
July 28, 8:00 a.m. PDT
Vodafone Group's Japanese arm unveiled on Thursday two new 3G cell phones from Sharp. The 703SH clamshell, at 107 grams, will be the lightest 3G handset in Vodafone's line-up. It's also relatively compact for a 3G phone, measuring 47 millimeters by 99 mm by 23 mm. Features include a 1.3 megapixel main camera and secondary 110,000 pixel resolution camera that faces the user and can be used for video telephony. The 903SH includes a 3.2 megapixel camera with 2X optical zoom. It has a 2.4-inch main LCD based on the same technology that Sharp uses in its Aquos LCD televisions. The 903SH also has stereo speakers. Common to both phones is support for MiniSD cards, Bluetooth, and USB. Both phones are compatible with WCDMA and tri-band GSM so should work almost anywhere. The 703SH and 903SH will be launched in Japan in August and will go on sale in Europe later in the year.

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