Google launches four new tools

Google has introduced another set of online tools aimed at improving the search process for its visitors. The four new tools launched yesterday build on Google's strategy of providing ways to allow developers to add their own applets to the services but also building on the growing trend towards community shared information. A new version of Google Desktop 4 introduces Google Gadgets. ...more

Lycos steals march on Google with world's first 1Gb email storage

Lycos Europe has scooped both Google and Yahoo by launching the first email service offering up to 1Gbyte of storage. Unlike the Google 'Gmail' service, the service won't be financed by contextual ads but by hard cash. The 'Lycos Personal` service will cost ?3. ...more

Mac OSX launch date revealed

OSX will be launched on 24 February, according to reports today. Apple boss Steve Jobs will make the announcement at the MacWorld Expo in Tokyo, more than five weeks later than the rumoured-to-be San Francisco launch. Industry insiders suggest that Jobs will use the San Francisco expo to reveal the final shipping date. ...more

Ubuntu chief: Microsoft will lose patent war

On the day that Dell starts to sell PCs pre-loaded with Ubuntu, the Linux company's chief has warned Microsoft that it faces certain defeat if it attempts to start a patent war. Dell will offer three systems in the US with Ubuntu 7.04 pre-loaded, with prices starting at $599 (around ?300). ...more

UK Online takes orders for ADSL2+ broadband

UK Online has begun taking orders for its ADSL2+ broadband service. Offering speeds up to 22Mbps, the service costs ?29.99 per month; usefully the ISP's website includes a line checker so that you can find out whether you are close enough to your exchange to get the higher speeds. ...more