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Although Microsoft has denied it, an increasing amount of Xbox 360 owners are complaining that their new Kinect systems are causing their consoles to get the dreaded RROD (red ring of death).

In the earlier years of the console, RROD was a major problem for 360 owners, as the lights mean the console needs to be replaced. Microsoft has curbed the problem with recent iterations, which use more efficient boards.

Console owners are now complaining that shorty after connecting their Kinect motion control systems, their Xboxes are beginning to fail, with some saying the death light came within a week.

Says one upset youth, Adam Winnifrith (via BBC):

We plugged it in the day we got it but only played it a few times before we got the red lights. The next day when we tried it again we still had the red rings of death and haven't been able to use it since. It is quite a shame as we got loads of new games for the Xbox too and I never had a chance to play them.

Qualcomm, the largest mobile phone chipmaker in the world, has confirmed today that they are purchasing Atheros, one of the top Wi-Fi networking hardware companies.

The deal will have Qualcomm pay $45-a-share for Atheros, totaling $3.2 billion.

With the acquisition, Qualcomm should cement its footprint in the competitive smartphone and tablet markets, where all new devices require Wi-Fi support.

Qualcomm should now have a leg up on rival Broadcom, says analyst Gary Mobley of Benchmark Company. "What Qualcomm would gain is having the full suite of connectivity offerings."

The deal still requires regulatory approval but should close without issue by Q2 2011.

After a federal judge effectively killed LimeWire in a decision in October last year, the company is now determined not to go down quietly.

Instead, LimeWire wants to turn its case into a much larger analysis of the market for music online, dragging in all kinds of players in the field. Since LimeWire was found responsible for copyright violations, the next part of the case is to determine the amount of damages the company is liable for.

Record companies reckon the figure ought to be north of a billion dollars, but LimeWire's attorneys have been fighting tooth and nail to force the record companies to prove every loss that it claimed. A judge previously ordered record companies to provide information regarding costs such as royalty payments on some of the music content allegedly infringed through LimeWire software.

LimeWire's attorneys do not believe that the court's requests are nearly enough however, and has gone after third-party licensees to produce documents that range from royalty payment information to internal company communications related to negotiations with record companies.

One target in LimeWire's sights is online heavyweight Amazon.com. LimeWire's attorneys have requested a Washington judge to compel Amazon to cooperate with its discovery. Amazon however feels that, going by the guidance of the New York District Court, such documents should be handed over by the record companies instead.

StatCounter has revealed that Mozilla's Firefox browser is now in pole position in the European market.

This is the first time that Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser has lost the top spot in a major market, according to the analytics firm. The figures show that during December, Firefox claimed 38.1 percent of the market while Internet Explorer fell to 37.5 percent.

Firefox's jump to the top was actually helped along by Google's Chrome browser, which saw its share in Europe rise from 5.1 percent last year to 14.6 percent this year. Ironically, the Firefox browser only seems to have managed to maintain its share from the previous year.

The major losses for Internet Explorer in Europe have come after Microsoft began pushing out a "Browser Choice" screen to European users under an agreement with the European Union to settle an antitrust case. The screen lists other web browsers as an alternative to Internet Explorer (in random order), and directs the user to the alternative browser's homepage.

Globally, Internet Explorer is still clinging on to the top spot with 46.9 percent of the market, followed by Firefox with 30.8 percent of the market. Microsoft hopes to reverse the downward trend with Internet Explorer 9, which the software giant has tuned up for better performance and enhanced security compared to its predecessors.

Microsoft has issued a security advisory detailing a new code execution bug in some of its Windows operating system iterations.

The publicly disclosed vulnerability resides in the Windows Graphics Rendering Engine and could be exploited by cybercriminals to run arbitrary code on a victim's PC. The code would be run in the security context of the logged in user, so would be less threatening under a limited account than one with full administrative rights.

The flaw does not affect Microsoft's latest major operating systems, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, but does affect the following installations.

• Windows XP Service Pack 3
• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 2
• Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2
• Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition Service Pack 2
• Windows Server 2003 with SP2 for Itanium-based Systems
• Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2
• Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 1 and Windows Vista x64 Edition Service Pack 2
• Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems and Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems Service Pack 2**
• Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems Service Pack 2**
• Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems and Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems Service Pack 2

**Server Core installation not affected

Microsoft is working with its partners through the Microsoft Active Protections Program (MAPP) to keep an eye on the threat. MAPP's 70 partners include providers of anti-virus and anti-malware products that provide protection for an estimated one billion customers worldwide. So far, Microsoft is not aware of any attacks that try to use the reported vulnerability, but is monitoring for them and will take action against any malicious sites that attempt to.

TOM Group, Skype's partner in the Chinese market, has said that the Internet calling service is fully complying with laws in the country amid fears that a crackdown could adversely affect the service.

On December 10 last year the Ministry for Information and Industry Technology announced a crackdown on what it called "illegal VoIP telephone services". It said it was collecting evidence against the services, but did not specify what services or holding companies it was referring to.

The announcement sparked fears of a possible Google-like showdown with the Chinese government involving Skype, and also fueled cries of protectionism from some in the market. "The operation of Skype in China is compliant with local laws and regulations," a TOM Group spokeswoman told Reuters on Tuesday. "Currently, it is business as usual while service provision stays normal."

Skype and UUCall dominate the VoIP space in China, offering free or much cheaper options for long distance communication than the three main carriers in the country. China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom all make a loss on their long-distance call services.

Samsung and RealD have announced they are developing a new 3D display that will greatly increase the sharpness of 3D images.

The tech will work with 3D stereoscopic glasses, the same ones that are readily available in movie theaters and are very cheap to make.

This is notable, as current 3D HDTV glasses are expensive, with most selling for over $100 a piece.

Says RealD president of consumer electronics Bob Mayson (via LAT):

RealD is focused on delivering a premium 3-D experience on screens of all sizes, from motion picture theaters to consumer electronics, and we look forward to working with Samsung LCD to develop this new 3-D display technology.

All current 3D TVs "cut resolution in half or diminish brightness," said Samsung. The new display will not.

Dell has announced today that it will be purchasing firm SecureWorks in an all-cash deal.

The purchase will give Dell its first managed security service.

SecureWorks sells remote services including security management, security assessment, network monitoring, Web application scans and all manners of compliance assistance.

Both companies had been partners since 2009.

The financials of the deal were not disclosed but Dell Services president Peter Altabef added (via IW): "It was just an outstanding opportunity that, quite frankly, was too good to pass up."

SecureWorks has increased revenue from $1 million in 2001 to $120 million in 2010.

The security company says they process 13 billion potential security threats for 2900 clients each day.

The Seattle Times has reported today that Microsoft will launch a Windows-powered HDTV set-top box at the ongoing CES event.

Microsoft, which showed off the software (Media Center running on Windows Embedded Compact 7) earlier in the year, will release the set-top later this year, pricing it at around $180-200.

Says the paper:

They'll pose a serious challenge to the new Apple and Google TV devices, largely because the Windows boxes have a polished and familiar TV-program guide that makes it easy to blend and navigate both online and broadcast content.

The device will directly rival Google's Google TV, and Apple's second-generation Apple TV, both of which were introduced this year.

Top TV maker Vizio has announced today that they will be integrating the cloud-based gaming system OnLive with all new Vizio HDTVs, as well as Blu-ray players and the new Via Tablet and Via Phone devices.

Anyone with an upcoming Vizio product will not need to purchase the pictured OnLive console, meaning the company has integrated the gaming console into the devices.

Says OnLive CEO Steve Perlman:

"Today's OnLive/VIZIO announcement marks a major milestone: for the first time in the history of video games, consumers will be able to enjoy premium video games directly on a TV, no console or computer needed. VIZIO's innovative and cutting-edge technologies are ideally aligned to complement OnLive's vision for the future of entertainment and together we look forward to providing a wealth of rich-media, interactive content to consumers this year."

Rental prices can range from $3 for older titles to $50 for new titles, and OnLive will eventually begin a subscription package, as well.

According to Bobby Cha, managing director of Korean consumer electronics firm Enspert, Google's upcoming Android 3.0 software, dubbed Honeycomb, will have a number of hardware requirements.

The tablet-optimized OS will require a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor at minimum, as well as 1,280x720 resolution.

As of writing, the only processor with that power is the Nvidia Tegra 2, although a few have been promised for 2011.

Although it will require 720p resolution, Cha made sure to note that "Honeycomb does not require 10-inch [screens] ... it's going to go as small as 7-inches."

Motorola's upcoming tablet will be the first on the market with 3.0, adds Cha.

Toshiba and LG will also have Honeycomb tablets out in the coming months.

Amazon has announced today that they have "tailored" new Kindle apps for Android and Windows tablets, giving those device owners a chance to access the Kindle e-book store.

The e-tailer has already created Kindle Store apps for the Kindle, PCs, Macs, Android smartphones, BlackBerrys and iOS devices including the iPad.

Says Dorothy Nicholls, Director of the Kindle (via press release):

"Kindle is light weight, easy on the eyes with a paper-like Pearl e-ink display, and has a full month of battery life. It's purpose-built for reading. Many people are buying both a Kindle and an LCD tablet computer. We're very excited to support the upcoming Android and Windows LCD tablet computers with free Kindle apps that we'll tailor for the particular devices. Our Whispersync technology makes it simple to move back and forth between devices. Read on your Kindle, read on your tablet, read on your phone. We'll keep track of your last page read, and make it easy."

Purchased Kindle books, thanks to WhisperSync, are available across any platform you may own that has a Kindle app.

Nintendo has revealed that its DS family of handheld consoles has sold more than 47 million units in the United States since its original launch back in 2004.

Nintendo of America claims that the figures show that the Nintendo DS is the country's best selling video game system of all time. As for Nintendo's Wii home console, the company is reporting sales of more than 7 million in the U.S. for the 2010 calendar year.

The company claims that the 7 million sales in 2010 represent a feat never before accomplished by a home console in the country. The Wii console has sold more than 34 million units in the United States alone in its lifetime.

"When we look back at 2010, we see consumers time and again turning to the value and enjoyment of our products," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "When we look ahead to 2011, we see new portable technology and more great Wii games that need to be seen to be believed."

Nintendo is set to release its new Nintendo 3DS hand-held system in the United States in March. The portable system lets players see 3D content – without the need for special glasses.

Reuters is citing a source close to News Corp in reporting that there are no ongoing talks regarding the future of the social entertainment site.

News Corp has revealed that it is open to a sale of the social entertainment site that still attracts 60 million users a month. CNCB reported on Monday that News Corp is on track to sell the website by mid-2011, but Reuters cites a source in reporting that there are no talks with any potential buyers at this time.

The company is to lay off more than half of its staff in its continued efforts to turn around the loss making venture. Following a successful relaunch of MySpace as a social entertainment site, rather than a competitor to $50 billion giant Facebook, Reuters reported that News Corp was open to a sale.

Netflix has announced today that it has made deals with HDTV and DVD/Blu-ray player makers in an effort to put one-click "Netflix Buttons" on remote controls starting this Spring.

The button would lead users directly to their Netflix accounts, making the process easier than clicking through other menus.

Says Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey (via WSJ):

"We’ve always regarded ubiquity on devices as our strategy, and we want to be present there as simply and visibly as possible."

Sony, Sharp, Toshiba, Panasonic and Samsung have all made deals with Netflix to include the button on remotes for new Web-connected HDTVs and Blu-ray players.