Microsoft Smartphones show the way

A new GPS navigation suite provides real-time directions for Microsoft-powered smartphones. ALK Technologies' CoPilot Live GPS uses Bluetooth wireless technology to turn a Microsoft Windows Mobile-based phone into an in-car sat-nav system. Using GPS, the software already knows your location - you just have to tell it where you want to go to. ...more

Toshiba opens new NAND flash memory plant

Toshiba and its partner SanDisk have opened a new flash memory fab in Japan. Due to begin commercial production in the second half of this year, the plant is expect to turn out some 10,000 300mm wafers a month by the end of 2005. The plant, 50. ...more

UK public against investment in wider access for e-Government services

The UK public want the Government to focus on rolling out useful e-Government services rather than worry about means of access. Research carried out by NTL shows that two-thirds of the UK public would like to make simple transactions such as tax and fine payments online. However, we're not bothered about creating alternative means of access other than via a PC. ...more

Sharp puts LCDs into perspective with simultaneous dual displays

No smoke but a few mirrors. Sharp has been showing off its new LCD technology and uses mirrors to demonstrate the clever things that can now be done with viewing angles. As well as a monitor that can switch its viewing angle from wide to narrow - to ensure the private display of information - the Japanese electronics giant has also developed a screen that can display one thing when viewed from the right and another when viewed from the left. ...more

Microsoft cash for Passports

Scandalous as it seems, Microsoft is offering to write out cheques to US MSN users that sign up to a Passport account and make a $100 or more purchase. Sadly a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the promotion was not open to UK users, but it confirms how far the company is prepared to go to ensure the adoption of the Passport, which retains and authenticates your personal data, such as account details and delivery address. The offer promises to write you a cheque for $20 when you spend between $100 and $199, $40 when you spend between $200 and $299 and so on up to a maximum of $100 for $500 and over. ...more