Sky signs up Google services

Sky users to get Sky-branded Google Mail email accounts, a user-generated video portal, plus Google search and ad services Sky has announced a multi-year agreement with search giant and YouTube-owner Google to offer Sky users a range of Sky-branded Google services. As owner of YouTube, Google will help Sky set up and run a video service for its subscribers, allowing them to upload, edit and share video clips via PCs and mobile phones. YouTube is already run on Google's video technology and, while Sky's video portal will be based off the same platform, increasingly more YouTube technology is expected to be integrated down into Google. ...more

Denial of Service attacks used in protection racket.

High tech blackmailers are using Denial of Service (DoS) attacks to extort money from websites. The story appearing in the Financial Times, alleges that a number of sites have been attacked in this way. The people behind the attacks then demand thousands of pounds to 'guarantee' that such attacks won't happen again. ...more

Analyst ups Apple earnings targets

In the wake of Apple's recent financial results and the strength of both iPod and Mac sales, a leading investment bank has raised its estimate of Apple's share price for 2005. Bear Stearns analyst Andrew Neff raised the target price for Apple stock - the estimate of how high the company's share price should reach before the end of the year - to $97 from $87. Neff also raised his estimate of the company's total earnings from $2. ...more

Samsung unveils Internet phone

In May of this year, Samsung Electronics completed an adaptation test of its ITP-100 Internet phone. It hopes for trial service to commence in August so that units can be shipped to the North American market in September. The Internet phone can make and receive calls as well as send and receive data. ...more

The Internet of Things is nigh

A report issued by the ITU last week claims society is on the verge of a new era, where smart, chip-enabled and networked devices aren't limited to computers, but encompass everyday objects such as toothbrushes and tyres. The Internet-fridge has long been a possible example of this new age, with its ability to download recipes according to what RFID-tagged food it contains, as well as ordering fresh supplies when items are used up or go off. But it remains an idea waiting for development, for someone to pick up and run with the technology available. ...more