Australia to challenge DVD regional coding

The only downside to the Digital Versatile Disc format is the fact that the movie companies have insisted on a regional lock-out scheme, which means that if you buy a film on import from the US, you can't play it on any other player than one bought in the States. There are ways around this (most of them involving modifying your machine), but it is heartening to hear that one country is fighting against Hollywood and is calling for the regional coding system to be dropped. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) claims that its consumers are paying 20 per cent more for DVD movies and the commission is asking the US film companies to explain themselves. ...more

Intel terminates low-cost integrated processor

Intel has stopped development of its Timna chip, originally intended for the low-cost market. The processor would have contained integrated graphics and memory control in one unit, allowing the construction of smaller and less expensive PCs. But Timna is no more, after Intel announced late last Friday that it was to be discontinued due to the good availability of budget alternatives as well as technical difficulties with the embryonic chip. ...more

PC Pro: JAL upgrades Silent PCs group test winner

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HP packs wireless iPaq

HP has launched a raft of new iPaq PocketPCs - one of which incorporates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPRS wireless capabilities. 'The new line of iPaqs sets the standard by which all other mobile devices should be judged, and includes the flagship h6300, which takes full advantage of the rich digital services that today's wireless networks provide,' said Alex Gruzen, senior VP at HP's Mobile Computing GLibal Business Group. The HP iPaq h6340 (?479 inc VAT) automatically connects to the fastest wireless data network it finds and can switch to another available network on the fly should an existing connection no longer be available. ...more

Facebook opens up for Web applications

Facebook.com has unwrapped its highly anticipated makeover. Instead of being a members-only club, it is aiming to become an operating system for all sorts of Web applications and Internet media. ...more