By Aidan Malley
Published: 06:50 PM EST
The sequel to Windows Vista will include touch input that outperforms the iPhone, Microsoft claims. Also, the iPhone's buyers are no longer faced with a two-unit cap, and a rumor claims that TomTom is producing a GPS unit for the Apple handset.
Windows leaping to multi-touch for next upgrade?
Microsoft test engineer Hilton Locke drew attention on Wednesday by
touting that the next major upgrade to Windows, currently dubbed Windows 7, will outshine any of Apple's current efforts in multi-touch interfaces.
Those who know the iPhone will be "blown away" by what's possible, Locke says.
The company has also expanded into multi-touch hardware of its own as of late and is planning to debut its
Surface touch table at hotels and other public spaces next year.
Apple raises limits on iPhone purchases
iPhone buyers in Britain and the US can now buy as many as
five iPhones at once, according to Apple.
The phone maker temporarily imposed a limit of
two per person in late October both to maintain healthy stock for the holidays and, unofficially, to curb bulk purchases of iPhones destined for unauthorized unlocking attempts.
Rumor: TomTom prepping iPhone GPS receiver
A Dutch tipster has submitted a
photo to
Engadget of what he claims is evidence of a GPS receiver in the works by TomTom for the iPhone.
According to the rumor, the device would attach to the iPhone's dock connector and provide real-time navigation for the Apple handset, which today has no GPS of its own and relies on the user to find their position using Google Maps.
TomTom is one of the most popular GPS device producers in the world and is based in the Netherlands, supporting the alleged scoop. No evidence has been found of support for GPS in Apple's phone, however.
NBC refunding advertisers due to writer's strike
In a move that has not been seen for years, the TV network NBC is
compensating its advertisers as ratings drop during the ongoing writers' strike, say media buyers.
Companies that bought advertising space are seeing an average of $500,000 for their troubles, which began in early November but may only get worse in January. Other major networks are also experiencing a shortfall but are faring better, the according to reports.
The payout compounds NBC's existing drops in revenue, which included abandoning
iTunes TV show sales worth at least $15 million over the past year in favor of its web-only, ad-sponsored Hulu service. The broadcaster's service is still in a closed beta test and not yet open to the public at large.
