HP mobilises scanning

Hewlett-Packard (HP) announces new mobile scanner HP's Photosmart 1200 scanner measures just 26x18x3cm, but offers 36-bit colour scans at up to 1200dpi. It can process an image within 14 seconds, claims HP, and images can be stored on CompactFlash or SD cards that slot into the unit. The device can be powered either by standard AA batteries or via USB (2. ...more

Microsoft puts Windows into Fiat cars

The first four-wheeled fruits of the partnership between Fiat and Microsoft, to co-design and build a telematics platform, are to emerge at the Geneva motor show later this month. The two companies initially shook hands on the project in July 2004, and the result which boasts the moniker Blue&Me, will be fitted to the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Commercial Vehicle ranges. The first models to sport the new system will be the Grande Punto, Alfa Romeo 159, 159 Sportwagon, Brera and Spider. ...more

S3 Graphics pledges support for PCI Express

3D graphics accelerator specialist S3 has announced it will launch a new generation of GPUs based on the upcoming PCI Express in the second half of 2004. The announcement by the company, which is part owned by VIA technologies, follows hard on a similar announcement made by Nvidia. S3 says that the chips will be for both desktop and notebook computers across the whole range of segments from the low to high end of the market. ...more

Tesco brags about PS2 stocks

The company that brought us a series of very irritating commercials starring Prunella Scales and Jane Horrocks, puffs up its chest and crows about a shipment of PlayStation 2s. If you haven't got your name down for one of these all-singing, all-dancing consoles and you are intent on getting hold of one for the kids this Christmas, then you might want to break out the sleeping bag and a thermos flask of hot, sweet tea because it is going to be a long, cold night. The supermarket, which seems to be trying desperately to break into the consumer electronics market, has announced that it has managed to import 2,500 of the units into the country. ...more

Servoy bids for database market

Servoy R2 is a new database development suite which, it claims, offers a powerful alternative to FileMaker and 4D, and can extend right up to enterprise-level mainframe use. Dutch developer Servoy said its product is the first to make it possible to develop quick data-entry systems on desktop machines which can then be deployed on the highest level of corporate server for cross-platform use, without any re-coding. According to Servoy CEO, Jan Aleman, Servoy R2 can connect to multiple data sources simultaneously, and work with all major databases including MySQL, SyBase, Oracle, Informix, IBM DB/2 and more, on any platform. ...more