IBM brings Sonoma technology to its small business notebooks

IBM has brought the new mobile Centrino processors to its R-series of notebook PCs, which are aimed at small businesses. The ThinkPad R52 is the first in this particular IBM line to feature the Intel Pentium M 'Sonoma'-based processor, chipset and wireless networking comms (IEEE 802.11a/b/g). ...more

More security woes for Vista

A report raises concerns about the security features built into the upcoming version of Microsoft's flagship Windows Vista operating system. The report by the Yankee Group says that while a strong emphasis on security is welcome, many of the features are intrusive and likely to be bypassed by users and IT staff. It also predicts lean times ahead for certain sectors of the PC security industry. ...more

Research backs plane mobiles ban

The body which oversees all air traffic in the UK has published the results of tests which confirm what has long been suspected, that the use of mobile phones while flying 'can interfere with aircraft equipment'. The Civil Aviation Authority noted that phone use can cause 'significant errors on instrument displays and background noise on audio outputs'. It also backed up pilots who have reported the following effects from mobile interference: false notification of unsafe conditions, such as incorrect baggage compartment smoke alarm warnings; malfunction of aircraft systems; interrupted communications due to noise in the flight crew headphones; and distraction of crews from their normal duties due to increased work levels and the possibility of having to invoke emergency drills. ...more

Regulators reconsider ban on FM transmitters for iPods

European telecoms regulators have begun reconsidering the current ban on FM transmitters for iPods. UK regulator Ofcom is among those looking at the possibility of legalising devices, such as Griffin Technology's iTrip (pictured), which transmits the playback from an iPod to a nearby radio receiver, in a car for example. Currently these devices are banned in the UK under the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949 as they could interfere with licensed radio stations. ...more

DTI allocates ?30m broadband cash

Although 13 million homes in the UK are connected to broadband-equipped exchanges the service has just 160,000 users, leaving the UK languishing ninth in the European table of broadband Internet coverage. In an attempt to rectify this, the government announced earlier this year that it would be making ?30 million available to Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to develop schemes to make rolling out broadband services in rural areas financially attractive for operators. Douglas Alexander, E-Commerce Minister, announced today where the money will be allocated. ...more