S3 opens up Frontpath

The once mighty graphics chip manufacturer S3 has tried a number of joint ventures to hold on to its struggling profits. Now it's doing it for itself as it plans a super PDA for its new subsidiary Frontpath. Utilising Transmeta's super cool, low power mobile Crusoe chip and running Linux, the three-pound wireless information appliance (WIP) is Bluetooth-enabled and promises remote web browsing on a large colour screen at 11Mbits/sec. ...more

Windows Vista launched - and now children don't need anti-virus software

Microsoft has announced that the Windows Vista code has been finalised, with Jim Allchin declaring it so safe that his seven year-old son doesn't need anti-virus software. He also confirmed that businesses would have the code by the end of November, while consumers would have to wait until 30 January 2007. Allchin, who is co-president of Microsoft's platforms and services division, made security a key focus of his speech to journalists during the Vista launch press conference. ...more

Intel gets into the movie business

Intel is getting into the movie business. The chip giant has announced that it is to create a new digital entertainment company called ClickStar with Revelations Entertainment that will distribute films over the Internet to viewers around the world. ClickStar will offer a pay per view online service in which consumers can download and watch first-run, pre-DVD-release films. ...more

Five Download investigates CSI

Channel Five is following the lead of Channel 4 by supporting video on demand. Dubbed Five Download, CSI is the main element of the service, whether it be CSI, CSI: New York or CSI: Miami. Five Download 'enables you to download each episode in high-quality, reliably and securely to your computer,' states the company's website. ...more

BT jumping into the virtualisation pool

BT is jumping wholeheartedly into the virtualisation pool, powered by grid computing (where computer resources are pooled and made available on-demand to a range of applications). Speaking at a UK grid computing seminar, BT Group's Innovations Delivery Manger, Frank Falcon highlighted the role of delivered services to the telco's long term future. Identifying network connectivity as the key issue in realising the potential of virtualisation, he sees this as playing to the strengths of a telecomms provider. ...more