Internet telephony the key to the automated home?

The fledgling Net telephony service Skype has received a boost from one of Europe's biggest electronics companies. Siemens has announced a wireless handset for the service with the aim of becoming a (very) remote control for your heating, lighting and other domestic services. The Skype service is still in its beta form with the commercial launch date still months away. ...more

Videophones on the horizon

Nokia and RealNetworks team up for 3G mobile video and audio. As one of the first stories to emerge from this year's CeBIT show in Hanover, the two companies will form an alliance to integrate Real's digital media technology in Nokia's next-generation devices. What is on offer is the ability for mobile phone users to have on-demand access to information and entertainment in audio or video form. ...more

Microsoft updates home user security

Microsoft has added an email alert service for home users, to keep non-technical types up to date with the latest security alerts and patches for Microsoft products. Starting this month, the Microsoft Security Update newsletter will be sent out to subscribers to give them timely information in a 'clear and concise format'. 'We are pleased to see an increased interest in computer security among our customers. ...more

Post Office to launch consumer broadband

The Post Office will be offering a broadband service to the public later this year. The broadband offering will be merged with its existing telephone service, HomePhone. The Post Office will be rebranding a BT Wholesale package, but exact pricing and bandwidth details of the service have not been revealed, ahead of the autumn launch. ...more

AMD tweaks Athlon XP prices

AMD has tweaked the pricing for its desktop Athlon XP processors. The top of the range processors (such as the 3200+) remain unchanged, but mid-range offerings see cuts of up to 10 per cent. Specifically, the 2600+ is reduced by 9. ...more