New anti-trust judge makes first order

The new judge in the Microsoft anti-trust case has made her first ruling, but it is only to set the timetable for a status meeting on the case. Newly-appointed District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, has ordered the two sides to report on the remaining issues by 14 September and set a meeting on the status of the case for the following week. Earlier today, the US Department of Justice again filed a motion to request that the court expedite the schedule of the case. ...more

The virus done good?

The word from the world of viruses is that UK programmers have unleashed a virus that supposedly hunts down paedophiles and reports them to the relevant authorities. The "Noped" virus is based upon a Visual Basic application and arrives as an attachment on an e-mail with the subject line "FWD: Help us all to end illegal child porn now". When the application is executed, it searches for any . ...more

Researchers claim atomic memory breakthrough

Scientists at Philips' research labs have developed a new technique for storing data in RAM that, they claim, could revolutionise mobile phones and digital cameras. The technology uses a material called antimony telluride to store data as an arrangement of atoms, rather than current RAM chips which hold electrons in 'on' and 'off' states. The advantages of the method - known as Ovonic memory - is that it does not require power to maintain its state. ...more

Sony to recall own batteries - report

It seems likely that Sony will now recall batteries for its own laptops, following a global replacement programme that has seen most major manufacturers recall Sony-made units except for HP and Sony itself. The company's VAIO subsidiary has now decided to act, and it intends to recall 90,000 of its Vaio brand laptop computer batteries in Japan and China, reports Reuters. The details emerged as part of announcement that it may change its full-year's earnings forecast, because the long-running issue will obviously affect Sony's bottom line. ...more

Broadband connections shoot up

The number of homes with broadband in the UK has risen by more than 60 per cent in the past three months, according to new figures. The latest research from industry regulator Oftel shows that 13 per cent of homes are broadband enabled, nine per cent with cable modem and four per cent with ADSL. Overall Internet usage in the UK remains steady, with 42 per cent of UK homes connected and 50 per cent of adults going online. ...more