WWDC: Apple unveils new aluminium displays - up to 30in

Apple has unveiled a range of new TFT displays, clad in PowerBook- and Power Mac-matching aluminium. The range includes a huge 30in Cinema Display, in addition to 23in and 20 models. The 30in requires requires a new Nvidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL graphics card, capable of supporting two displays each with a 2560 by 1600 pixel resolution. ...more

HP memo highlights Microsoft threat to open source software

A two year old memo from a senior executive at HP has been uncovered which reveals the company's growing fear that it might be on the wrong end of a broad legal assault against companies selling open source software. The email, dated 3 June 2002, was sent by Gary Campbell, then vice president of strategic architecture, to a number of other HP execs, following the completion of a cross-licensing deal with Microsoft. 'Basically Microsoft is going to use the legal system to shut down open source software,' he wrote,' Microsoft could attack Open Source Software for patent infringements against OEMs, Linux distributors, and least likely open source developers. ...more

Microsoft bids to improve Wi-Fi Hot Spot access

Microsoft has signposted the release of new Windows software for managing user interaction with Wi-Fi Hot Spots. Essentially, the software allows wireless network providers to send configuration information to clients seeking to connect. The idea is to make the 'sign-up' process seamless, if not automatic, and generally make the user's experience more uniform. ...more

Think tank recommends compulsory use of e-Government services

A new report from The Work Foundation recommends that Net-savvy users should have to use some e-services in order to boost the use and the money-saving benefits of paperless transactions. The report, SmartGov - renewing Electronic Government for Improved Service Delivery, says the government's current target of getting all services online by 2005 should be downgraded, with priority given to getting people to use them. Co-auther James Crabtree said: 'Some of the services Government has to put online to meet its 100 per cent target - from burial at sea to potato seed classification - begin to look a little peculiar when barely 3 per cent of those eligible are filling in their tax returns online. ...more

Aiming for two-dimensional sound

Electronics giant Philips has unveiled a new technology to optimise sound quality from compressed audio files. The Sound Agent 2 software takes a 'two-dimensional' approach to decoding and analysing sound files. It looks first at the source file - whether MP3, WMA, WAV, DVD or a game for example - and then at the where the sound is going to be played - speakers or headphones. ...more