Toshiba develops speech-recognition middleware

Phone your oven from the car. Toshiba has developed speech-recognition middleware targeted specifically at mobile devices. The company has developed an advanced algorithm that effectively cancels out extraneous noise in typical mobile environments such as in a car or busy street. ...more

Palm launches new handhelds

With Handspring only announcing its new Visor Edge range a fortnight ago, Palm has followed suit with a successor to the Palm Vx. There are two new models in the M500 series; the M500 itself - featuring a monochrome screen, an ultra-slim design, Internet access via a mobile phone and an expansion slot for Secure Digital cards - and the M505, which has a similar spec to the M500 but with a 16-bit colour screen. Both devices are incredibly light with the M500 weighing only 99 grams (15 per cent light than the Palm Vx) and the M505 weighing 128 grams (30 per cent lighter that the Palm IIIc). ...more

AMD and ATI chiefs outline acquisition benefits

AMD and ATI chiefs, Hector Ruiz and Dave Orton, have fleshed out more details of the merger announced this morning in a press briefing this afternoon. Repeating the mantra of 'growth, innovation and choice', Ruiz expects to see cost savings worth $75m in 2007 and $125m in 2008 and no major lay-offs. He insisted the deal was about gaining share in new and existing markets rather than reducing customer choice. ...more

FBI investigates a case of cyber-extortion

The FBI is investigating a case of online extortion after hackers went ahead and published credit card details on the Internet after a demand for money wasn't met. The company involved, the Los Angeles-based Creditcards.com, manages online credit card transactions on behalf of other companies. ...more

PlusNet takes broadband pricing into the realm of dial-up

PlusNet has announced the UK's first 512Kbit broadband service costing less than ?15. Of course there is a trade-off, a 1GB per month download limit, but unless you have a particular desire to stream lots of video or download thousands of MP3s this is sufficient for most home users' needs. Home Broadband Lite takes ADSL into the realm of dial-up pricing, although you will have to stump up the activation fee of ?70. ...more