Sony links up in-car music

Sony has introduced a car stereo that can play music stored from portable MP3 players and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and laptops. The CDX-GT410U features both a USB port on its front control panel as well as Bluetooth connectivity and is compatible with any similarly enabled players, including an iPod. It can play all the major digital formats, including MP3, AAC, WMA and Sony's ATRAC. ...more

Intel introduces Pentium D processor and new PC platforms

Intel has made its long awaited announcement of new PC platforms. The company has unveiled two such platforms for the home and the office. The platform strategy, combining both hardware and software, is part of a general reorganisation dating from the beginning of the year. ...more

Hyper-Threading: best thing since sliced thread?

When Intel starts adding the initials 'HT' to its Pentium 4 stickers, you know that Hyper-Threading is going to be a mainstream buzzword in no time. Hyper-Threading has been doing the rounds for a few months already, but was previously an exclusive possession of Xeon servers and workstations. We first saw it in the 2GHz Xeon-based Armari RX860HT (see Reviews, issue 90, p113), but you can now buy it in a mainstream PC from Evesham or Dell. ...more

Electrical goods in the EU to include cost of recycling

The European Commission has endorsed the European Parliament's vote yesterday that puts much of the responsibility for the collection, recycling and disposal of electrical goods on the shoulders of the manufacturers. The mandatory disposal of electrical goods in this manner could see electrical goods in the EU incorporating an extra charge to cover the recycling and disposing of the materials once they have finished their useful life. The parliament also voted to allow manufacturers of goods already on the market before the directive comes into force to be able to display a 'visible fee' indicating what contribution that manufacturer was making to the collection of its goods. ...more

Linux PDA looks Sharp

Sharp is planning to bring out the first Linux-based PDA in the autumn. The machines will run Sharp's proprietary operating system Zaurus, going up against rival software Palm OS and Microsoft's Pocket PC. The first models will be available in the US and Europe in October, said Sharp. ...more