Vista under attack as illegal in Europe

A coalition of companies - rivals to Microsoft - allege that Microsoft's new Vista operating system will perpetuate practices found illegal in the European Union nearly three years ago. The group, which includes IBM, Nokia, Sun Microsystems, Adobe, Oracle and Red Hat, said its complaints made last year are yet to be addressed just days before Vista is due for release. The European Commission found in 2004 that Microsoft used its dominance to muscle out RealNetworks and other makers of audio and video streaming software and that it made its desktop Windows deliberately incompatible with rivals' server software. ...more

Consumers get Ombudsman to sort out telco grievances

Oftel has set out a final timetable for the introduction of a Telecoms Ombudsman, to be established in the first half of next year. The service will attempt to resolve disputes between consumers and telecommunications companies by offering an independent and impartial service that will hopefully avoid costly court proceedings. Only residential consumers and small businesses will have access to the Ombudsman scheme and the maximum payout will be limited to ?5,000. ...more

Samsung demos 4G mobile communications

Korean electronics giant Samsung is showing off its 4G technology at its annual industry forum. The company claims that it is the world's first practical demonstration of the possibility of fourth generation mobile telecoms. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) defines 4G technology as one that will allow data transfer rates of 1Gbit/sec at nomadic circumstances and 100Mbps at mobile circumstances. ...more

Mandrake 9.2 announced

Mandrake's latest Linux version is now available, with an officially stamped consumer desktop offering. Fran?ois Bancilhon, CEO of MandrakeSoft, said: 'Mandrake 9.2 marks a new step in MandrakeSoft's quest to offer easy-to-use Linux products for all computer users. ...more

Hitachi to double one inch hard disk production

Hitachi has announced plans to double production of the 1in hard disk drives used by Apple in its iPod minis. The Japanese manufacturer will also treble output of its new 1.8in Travelstar drives, which it says have generated 'tremendous interest'. ...more