disgo goes corporate with Xkey USB stick

A little USB stick contains everything most mobile workers might need. The Xkey from disgo is a USB stick initially in 256MB or 512MB capacities, that has all the software on it you need to connect to your corporate Microsoft Exchange server via a secure VPN channel from any computer in the world, according to the company. disgo says it believes the product to be the first of its type and could free mobile workers from their laptops - all they need to do is stick the Xkey into a USB slot in any Net-connected computer, enter their password, and start work. ...more

New modems for old

ADSL broadband supplier Pipex is offering to swap old external dial-up modems for a brand new ADSL modem - for free - if you sign up to their broadband service. The old modems won't just be thrown away, they will be given to the Computer Aid International charity which will then send them to new computer users in the developing world. Pipex is currently offering free ADSL connections to the first 40,000 to sign up and there are still around 20,000 spaces left. ...more

Sony steps up involvement in S-LCD venture

Sony is to take a more active part in the development of LCD flat panels by S-LCD, its joint venture with Samsung. Currently Samsung is responsible for all the development work in the ?1.1bn operation, but Sony is hoping that by taking a more active part it can bring down costs, according to a Japanese business newspaper. ...more

Judge kills off SCO claims

SCO has had the lion's share of the examples it put forward as evidence of the 'misappropriation' by IBM ripped from its case. Judge Brooke Wells issued an order granting an IBM motion to dismiss SCO's claims due to lack of specificity: from a list of nearly 200 claims contested by IBM, just 10 remain - essentially removing two-thirds of SCO's contention. Aside from lack of specificity as to what exactly the code in question is, the straw that broke the Judge's patience is that SCO required far greater levels of specificity from IBM when requesting materials for evidence throughout the discovery period: a level of exactitude to which it was unable, or unwilling, to rise itself. ...more

Tougher anti-spyware legislation gets US approval

US lawmakers are looking to impose new requirements on software developers and advertisers to protect users from spyware. The House of Representatives has approved an anti-spyware bill that would require software distributors to clearly notify and obtain consent from consumers before programs can be loaded onto a computer. The bill passed on a vote of 368 to 48. ...more