Intel Xeon takes aim at blade market

Chip giant Intel is making a concerted effort to win back market share in the lucrative blade server market with the introduction of a new energy efficient dual core Xeon processor. The new chip, known as the Xeon LV, is claimed to be have two- to four-times the performance-per-watt of previous generations of Xeon processors and platforms with a total dissipated power (TDP) of just 31 watts. Intel says the low heat generated makes the new dual core Xeon ideal for a range of high density server configurations including single-height (1U) chassis and blade servers, SAN and NAS solutions and other network infrastructure equipment. ...more

EU calls for harmony on mobile TV

A lot of industry attention is being devoted to mobile TV - television broadcasts to a handheld device - and now the EC has stepped in to urge adoption of Europe-wide standards. The European Commission is warning of the need to harmonise rules and regulations for mobile television before 2012 when sufficient radio spectrum will become available, reports Reuters. According to the news agency, the prolific EU Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding - speaking at CeBIT - said that important decisions should be taken in the next year. ...more

The phone is the PC - Bill Gates

Microsoft has revealed details of its telephone-to-Exchange connection plans, adding 15 new devices and more manufacturers. Microsoft has unveiled its future plans for business unified communications, allowing companies to integrate their existing PABX systems with Office Communications Server 2007 and the Office Communicator client in conjunction with IP phones. But it is not just IP phones - USB phones, wired and wireless headsets, speaker phones, monitors with built-in cameras and microphones are also involved. ...more

UPDATED: Samsung makes colourful claims for new monitor

Samsung has introduced its latest 19in, 1,280x1024 LCD monitor - the SyncMaster 931C. Other aspects of the display's technical specification include a 2000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 2ms response time, 160? viewing angle and 250 cd/m? brightness. It's the claims for colour reproduction, however, that Samsung is pushing hardest. ...more

PlusNet shows off fuller subs figures

PlusNet has announced a 77 per cent increase in broadband subscribers, attributing it in part to its policy of traffic management. Put simply, the system prioritises certain types of Internet usage during busy periods. So people who are using the Web or sending and receiving emails take priority over heavy-use activities sush as p2p file sharing and usenet downloads. ...more