Intel takes the tablet

Microchip maker Intel has announced the technical specifications of its new web tablet machine. The device was first previewed at the CES 2001 as a concept product and now the company has fleshed out the details. The Intel Web Tablet is based on the StrongARM SA-110 processor and uses Intel StrataFlash memory. ...more

US army starts to tool up with cyber weaponry

There have been many column inches written about the escalating cyber war involving Israeli and Palestinians Web sites. But now the US is officially entering the realm of cyber weaponry. The new initiative has been backed by President Clinton and Secretary of Defence William Cohen and it sees the military superpower turning its sights away from conventional weaponry to cyber weapons. ...more

Europe warned not to follow US into patent court chaos

The US Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has sent a letter to MEPs warning against adopting a system of patent courts similar or worse than its beleaguered US counterpart. Such a court would operate outside of the jurisdiction of the European Commission and would be overseen by the European Patent Office and national patent offices. Even in the US, rulings made in the patent courts of the Federal Circuit can be escalated to the Supreme Court or Congress for appeal. ...more

BT starts 'fast Internet' satellite trials

BT Wholesale is to start trials of a new satellite-based 'almost broadband' Internet service, which is aimed at small businesses and high-use residential customers. Users will be connected to the Web at up to 256kbit/s via a receive-only satellite dish providing always-on email and Internet, though return messages, such as outgoing emails and requests for Internet pages, will be carried down a conventional phone line. Speeds up to 4Mbit/s will be available on a pay-as-used basis as the trail progresses. ...more

Microsoft appoints Chief Security Strategist

Scott Charney, from Pricewaterhouse Coopers' Cybercrime Prevention and Response Practice, has been chosen to lead Microsoft's security efforts. With a serious CV of tackling computer crime, Charney has been welcomed as an 'essential member of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing leadership team'. He will be responsible for security strategies for software and services, and generally beefing up Microsoft's performance in this increasingly-sensitive area. ...more