Motherboards now available via VIA

Chipset manufacturer VIA Technologies is to introduce own-branded Pentium 4-compatible motherboards. Initially the boards will sport the controversial P4X266 chipset, which supports Intel's Pentium 4 processor and DDR RAM, but the new VIA Platform Solutions Division will later produce boards for Web-pad and set top box-style computers. Other standard sized PC boards will also be launched. ...more

Nvidia-powered Ultra cards from Creative

Two new high-end graphics cards from Creative are based on Nvidia GeForceFX chipsets. Its new top-of-the range offering is the 3D Blaster 5 FX 5900 Ultra, which Creative boasts can 'handle any gaming challenge'. At £499. ...more

UPDATED: Palm unveils new PDAs

Palm has unveiled the latest additions to its range of handheld PDAs - the MP3-playing and picture-taking Zire 71 and the wireless-enabled and super-secure Tungsten C. The Zire 71 follows in the wake of its highly-successful, albeit much cheaper namesake, the Zire. But while the ?75 Zire was a basic model, with limited features, no expandability and a low-res mono display, the 71 boasts the latest version of the Palm OS (5. ...more

Nokia claims patent dispute hampers 3G uptake

Nokia's ongoing patent battle with Qualcomm may work against the uptake of 'third-generation' mobile technology, believes the mobile phone giant. Nokia is putting its focus for 3G mobile phones on higher-end models, chief technology officer Tero Ojanpera said, despite moves by smaller rivals to lower device costs for the high-speed wireless service. The company, which makes more than one in three of the mobile phones sold globally, is mired in a legal dispute over patents with US mobile phone chip maker Qualcomm after part of a major cross-licensing agreement expired last month. ...more

Computer users warned over US daylight saving hours

Computer users are being warned to make sure that they are ready for a change in US daylight saving hours, to be introduced in 2007. A new energy bill passed by the US Congress and due to be signed by President Bush today will bring daylight saving - the equivalent of the UK's British Summer Time - forward by three weeks in order to cut energy consumption. Any programme or process that's set to begin at a certain time, may find itself running an hour late. ...more