Microsoft acquires virtualization vendor

Microsoft Corp. has acquired Softricity Inc., a provider of software to virtualize applications or stream them on demand to client PCs, for an undisclosed price. Microsoft said it will use the Softricity tools to reduce application incompatibilities that arise, for instance, if a user running Windows Vista needs access to an application that runs only on Windows 2000 or XP.

RFID standards to receive update

AT&T Inc. has signed agreements with BEA Systems Inc. , Symbol Technologies Inc. and Intel Corp. to create a reference architecture for radio frequency identification readers and sensors. The effort is supported by several standards groups, including the Internet Engineering Task Force and EPCglobal US, an affiliate of EPCglobal Inc. The vendors said the effort aims to make RFID more manageable for users.

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