CD Predator set loose

Predator, Iomega's USB and FireWire compatible CD writer, has just been released in the US, with a European launch expected in February 2001. The drive's eyecatching, sleek design is typical of recent Iomega products and should certainly appeal to the design-conscious user. As should its speed. ...more

Stones' new record sells on secure memory card

The Rolling Stones' latest album, A Bigger Bang, will be the first to be released in the new flash memory card format developed by SanDisk. The TrustedFlash format combines SD flash memory cards with a proprietary DRM technology that enables the contents of the card to be played on any compatible device - a phone, computer or PDA for example - but prevents any copying. The same DRM will allow paid-for music downloads to be saved directly to the card, and the technology already has the backing of Yahoo!, as well as record labels and device makers. ...more

Nintendo recalls DS adapters, exchanges Wii straps

Following reports of broken controller straps, Nintendo has said it will voluntarily exchange, globally, some 3.2 million straps for its Wii game console with stronger versions. Nintendo also said it would recall about 200,000 AC adapters for its hot-selling DS and DS Lite handheld game machines in Japan, because they may overheat and cause burns on rare occasions. ...more

Microsoft improves spam filtering in Office 2003 update

As well as bug-fixes, Microsoft has incorporated new features into the Office 2003 Service Pack 1, which has just been made available. New features for the all-dominant productivity suite include improved spam control in Outlook (junking messages on the basis of country codes), support for InfoPath developers (those using managed code, digital signatures and form sharing via e-mail) and end users (additional handwriting support for Tablet PCs), and improved OneNote integration with other Office 2003 components (for example, to import meeting details from Outlook 2003, create contacts and appointments, and to copy notes directly from a Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC or Smartphone). Note that the OneNote changes have already been previewed in an update from April 2003 - Microsoft takes note of OneNote changes Microsoft states that the same error reporting tools and feedback mechanisms that helped with the beta programme have been used to prioritise features and fixes for the service pack update. ...more

The e-mail virus hits FBI and companies all over Europe

The latest e-mail virus to hit the Internet (and Outlook Express users everywhere) is spreading fast. Readers of this Web site include those who have been infected, even if they don't know it yet. We know who they are, though, because we're getting messages sent as the virus' payload. ...more