USB goes wireless

The proliferation of wireless technologies continues apace with the completion of the Wireless USB 1.0 standard. Based on one of two competing Ultrawideband (UWB) technologies, the standard will enable cable free connections between computers and devices at the same speed as USB 2, 480Mbit/sec. ...more

UPDATED: Security company defends Linux-is-vulnerable survey

A UK security company has published an open letter following a furore in the Linux camp after a study claimed that nearly two thirds of successful Internet-based attacks occurred on the open source operating system. The mi2g Intelligence Unit study found that nearly 60 per cent of all successful breaches were against Linux computers. However, an article on the Linux pipeline website cast doubt on the findings, and open source leaders such as Bruce Perens, among others, lambasted the report as 'ludicrous'. ...more

Google claims victory over DoJ

As expected, a US Judge has ordered search engine Google to hand over a random 50,000 URLs in its database to the Department of Justice. However, Google managed to scale down the original request and Judge Wade has also ordered that any request by the Government to disclose the search queries of any users would be denied. Originally the Department of Justice had demanded access to the company's search logs running into billions of URLs and two month's worth of search queries. ...more

MeanFiddler to sell downloads of live music performances

The UK's biggest live music venue owner has begun selling downloads of recordings of live performances. Music from artists signed to Universal records - such as Dido and the Scissor Sisters - will be available, subject to the performers' consent, following a deal between the label and the Mean Fiddler. The music promoter is set to launch MeanTunes. ...more

Hitachi reveals buttonless prototype

Leading Japanese electronics specialist, Hitachi, has developed a prototype information device that is completely buttonless and allows the user to interact with it using motion. The Waterscape device is a rounded, handheld "information terminal" with a colour screen. The unit has a motion sensor, which allows the user to tilt and shake the Waterscape in order to navigate their way through the menus. ...more