Year: 2001

Microsoft may lose as much as US$1 billion on its forthcoming Xbox video game console before the company breaks even, according to a Morgan Stanley analyst. The company will reach that break even mark in 2004, assuming the console is a success. Microsoft’s ambitious foray into the video game console market is backed by a $500 million marketing campaign.

4D Inc. has announced reduced pricing on its 4D WebSTAR Server Suite V, US$299, for all Mac OS X Server 1.x and Mac OS X Server 10.x users, as noted by MacCentral. The initial license provides one year of updates and support; additional support and updates are available for a membership fee of $179 per year. While unrenewed licenses will not expire, they will not accept updates, which are currently in development and add key new features to the suite.

Epson has posted a number of Mac OS X printer drivers, as noted by VersionTracker. Version 1.0 drivers are now available for the Stylus Photo 870, 875D, and 1270, and for the Epson Stylus Color 900.

In an effort to improve security, Comdex, the computer tradeshow that draws as many as 200,000 attendees, has banned visitors from carrying laptops on the showfloor. Bags, briefcases, and other items are also being prohibited.

Hamrick Software has released VueScan 7.2.2, a new version of its alternative driver for a number of flatbed scanners on both OS 8/9 and Mac OS X, as noted by VersionTracker. The new version adds support for automatic image sizing and cropping with flatbed scanners, improved automatic cropping, support for the SprintScan 120 and Epson 2450, and additional bug fixes. The software is available for US$40 shareware.