IE patch leaves a hole

Infoworld reports that the recent patch issued by Microsoft to defend against attackers exploiting the Download.Ject vulnerability does not fix a similar attack that simply targets a different component. Dutch security expert Jelmer Kuperus has published code barely hours following the release of the patch that shows how a patched PC can still be vulnerable. ...more

Mac users get Spring date for Office 2007 compatibility

A Mac converter for the new file formats in Microsoft Office 2007 will not be available until Spring 2007, the company's Mac Business Unit has confirmed. Office 2007, released last week to business users, uses Microsoft's new Open XML to save documents by default. However the resulting Word . ...more

Philips, Microsoft in Windows Media and consumer electronics agreement

Philips and Microsoft have announced plans to begin integrating Windows Media technologies, including digital rights management, into a range of Philips' consumer electronics products based on its Nexperia programmable system-on-a-chip. Philips initially plans to support Windows Media Audio and Video and Windows Media DRM 10 in digital media receivers, personal video recorders, portable audio players, IP set-top boxes and video phones. These will be followed by in-car entertainment systems and 'next generation' digital TV. ...more

A world-first portable DVD player

Panasonic's forthcoming DVD-LA95 has two firsts within its brushed silver shell: the industry's largest 9in LCD display, and a world-first capability of DVD-RAM playback. Weighing in a smidgen less than a kilo, the DVD-LA95 can play back DVDs at 4:3 or 16:9 ratios and supports DTS (Digital Theater System) and Dolby Digital audio as well as a TV tuner. Battery life is clocked at 2. ...more

Alliance & Leicester to offer mobile banking in the New Year

The banking giant will use the Monilink network to mobilise account services for customers Alliance & Leicester plans to offer millions of customers the ability to securely access their current account information on the move using their mobile phones from next year. The institution will use the Monilink phone-based financial transaction platform to enable account holders to access services such as mini statements and balance enquiries using a password protected application. Other services are planned for the future, such as the ability to pay bills, transfer money or access other accounts. ...more