Virgin to launch UK version of digital music store

Virgin is to launch the UK version of its Virgin Digital online music store 2 September. Already a year into existence in the US, the new store takes over from the UK's existing Virgin.Net service and ties in closely with the company's MegaStore chain. ...more

Office workers sick of passwords

Office workers are sick and tired of passwords and would much rather log on to their IT systems using a smart card, fingerprint reader, or other biometric authentication device. According to a survey by the organisers of the Infosec security conference, 80 per cent of those surveyed said they were fed up with using passwords and would prefer some kind of smart card or biometric device for authentication to secure systems, whether at home or home. Claire Sellick, Event Director for Infosecurity Europe 2004, said: 'Clearly the workers are fed up with having to remember multiple passwords, and would be happy to replace them with alternative identification technology such as biometrics or smartcards. ...more

Telewest trials 2Mbit broadband

Claiming the UK's fastest unlimited home Internet service, Telewest is trialing a 2Mbit service to launch later this year. Telewest's 2Mbit blueyonder broadband service is currently being tested by 1,500 customers with a view to launching this year. Although no pricing has yet been set, as a guide the company's 1Mbit service is currently ?39. ...more

Fighting continues by other means

As the conflict in the Middle East continues, a new battleground has been found - the Web. According to Israeli officials, several Web sites containing the Israeli government's official view on the conflict crashed after Islamic groups jammed them. The first shot in the "cyberwar" was, however, apparently fired by some Israeli teenagers who, according to a local newspaper, boasted that they had sabotaged a Web site belonging to the Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon. ...more

BT leaps back into wireless

Less than half a year after BT spun off its wireless arm as mmO2, BT announces it is to re-enter the wireless market and set up the first WLAN public network in the UK. BT has revealed its plans to launch a range of Mobility Services products in June targeted at business users and to set up a new BT-branded Service Provider buying airtime off mmO2 in much the same way Virgin operates with One2One. BT says it already is a market leader with 'more than 20 per cent of subscribers among major business customers'. ...more