Patent spat casts shadow over RIM results

Settling patent litigation has hit RIM - maker of the Blackberry push email device - in the pockets. The Canadian company has announced fourth quarter results that disappointed Wall Street with a dent in profits. For the three months ending 4 March, revenue was $561. ...more

Microsoft's aQuantive deal signals Web video fight

Microsoft's $6 billion acquisition of Internet marketing firm aQuantive is just a beginning, according to industry executives and experts. As well as capturing a bigger role in the nascent Web video market it will increase pressure on competitors to make acquisitions of their own. AQuantive will likely have fetched the largest price in a wave of online ad consolidation, but as many as eight more deals are likely for smaller, niche ad plays, with a range of $300 million to $500 million, believe industry sources. ...more

Shoulder surfing threatens data security

Maybe people aren't just being nosey when they look over your shoulder. They could also be doing it to get a glimpse at your corporate data, warns 3M. Users of laptops and smartphones in public places need to be more aware of the risk of being 'shoulder surfed' by strangers spying on their private business communications, suggests new research. ...more

Wanadoo to offer 8Mbps broadband next month

Wanadoo has unveiled detailed plans for its LLU strategy in the UK with initial standard speeds of 8Mbps. The division of France Telecom is not the first to offer such services. Bulldog and Plusnet have them, as do UK Online and EasyNet. ...more

Google intros Desktop Search 2

Search engine king, Google has introduced a new version of its Desktop Search tool. The new version combines the indexing features of the earlier version with a new sidebar offering instant access to a number of features, including instant access to Gmail files, news headlines, recently accessed web pages and, almost inevitably, the weather and share information - at least for the US. Google introduced its Desktop search tool in October of last year. ...more