Texting positively

The sky is leaden, the rain is pouring and you're slumped at your desk back at work after the Jubilee holiday. What you need is an inspiring text message.. ...more

Bill Gates outlines an Era of Seamless Computing

Bill Gates has outlined another vision for the future of computing - an Era of Seamless Computing. This involves smart devices, software and services work all working seamlessly together - how people schedule their time, store their photos, play music, etc. Speaking at the start of Comdex 2003 in Las Vegas, he also announced the next version of the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system, showed off Microsoft's new anti-spam SmartScreen Technology and demoed a new version of Microsoft's next-generation Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server. ...more

Via locks down Java

Via is strengthening the security of Java through the use of its PadLock Security Engine, which is part of VIA C7-M and VIA C7 processors. Via has announced its implementation of the Java Cryptography Service Provider - confusingly dubbed the 'JCP' - to strengthen the encryption of Java-based applications, whether they concern online banking, e-commerce or email. 'Java plays a pivotal role in enabling rich, dynamic and secure Internet-based applications, so we believe it is essential to be proactive in developing technologies that enhance the security of our processor platforms,' said Via's VP of Corporate Marketing, Richard Brown. ...more

BT Vision signs up Universal movies

Launching at the end of July, the deal will allow both video-on-demand and download-to-own services. The latter is an extension of a service announced by Universal in March: movies are available simultaneously with the DVD release. For your money, you get the movie download, which can be watched on a PC or transferred to a portable device (but not burned to disc), as well as a DVD in the post. ...more

Borland spinning Web Services for Linux

Borland is looking to provide Web Services to the Linux operating system. Following in the wake of Kylix, which Borland claims to be the first Rapid Application Development (RAD) environment for Linux - the Web Services will build on the Apache Web Server to help put systems up on the Web. "Extending business processes and systems to the Internet is a high-priority for corporate enterprises," asserts Simon Thornhill, VP of Borland's RAD business unit. ...more