Google launches mini Mini

Google has a new Mini. Its range of hardware search appliances - Google in a box - gets a new entry-level model, aimed at smaller businesses Costing ?700 with one year of support, the smallest Mini searches up to 50,000 documents. Others in the range already have 100,000, 200,000 and 300,000 document capacities. ...more

THUS pulls plug on 118 service

ISP Thus plc is to close its 118 directory of enquiries service. The company says this is in response to a poor report by Oftel that claimed that only 61 per cent of calls to the Thus 118 service were answered correctly on business number enquiries and only 33 per cent of home numbers. Thus, which didn't take part in the advertising spree which accompanied the launch of 118 services this summer, says it handled around 25,000 calls a month. ...more

FTC pops $1m fine at social network site

Social networking site Xanga has agreed to pay a fine of $1 million after allegations that collected, used and disclosed the personal details of children under 13. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claimed that despite a policy that banned anyone under 13 joining, the website knowingly allowed the children to create accounts. This, said the FTC, is an offence under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). ...more

Vodafone introduces revolutionary 'simple' mobile phone

Following what is doubtless years of research, Vodafone is to introduce a radical new concept in mobile phones. The world's biggest mobile operator is to launch a mobile phone, which - get this - only makes phone calls. The Vodafone Simply range is aimed at the techno baffled who find the endless complexity of the modern mobile simply too complicated, or just don't feel the need to play Snake on a train or take pictures of their mates falling out of a club at closing time. ...more

BBC to broadcast World Cup games online

The BBC is to broadcast its World Cup 2006 games live on the Internet. The Corporation has signed what it describes as an exclusive deal with Infront Sports & Media, which is the company responsible for the worldwide marketing and sales of the broadcast rights to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, having been appointed by FIFA. The deal means Internet users, in the UK only, will be able to watch all of the BBC World Cup games online. ...more