Acer announces Turion-tuned laptops

Acer is leading the way in the use of AMD's new 64-bit laptop processors. The Acer Aspire 5000 (pictured) and 5020 series are based on the Turion, which clocks up to 2GHz, and ATI X600 and X700 graphics, mid-range chips that support PCI Express. According to Acer, the laptops are designed for 'sophisticated users', to offer a perfect balance between performance, weight, extended battery life, enhanced security, and compatibility with the latest graphics and wireless solutions. ...more

Microsoft and Apple face patent lawsuit for auto Web updates

Microsoft and Apple are looking down the wrong end of a patent suit over infringements of a patent on web-enabled software updates. UK company BTG is the worldwide exclusive licensee for the patent, owned by New-York-based Teleshuttle Technologies, whose president and founder Richard Reisman is claimed as the inventor. BTG says that the software giants' operating systems, as well as Microsoft Office, infringe patent number 6,557,054, which was granted 29 April 2003 (although the patent claim originated in the early nineties). ...more

Royal Mail turns stamps to barcodes for online project

The Royal Mail has launched a new service that lets anyone buy virtual stamps online. Users simply selct the appropriate amount for their letter or parcel and pay with a debit or credit card or via a pre-pay account. A unique barcode is then generated which can be printed directly onto an envelope or label. ...more

Korean portal drops antitrust complaint against Microsoft

A South Korean Internet portal has dropped its antitrust complaint against Microsoft in return for $30m. Daum Communications will receive a third in cash, a third in an advertising commitment and the final third via miscellaneous business agreements, such as Daum content appearing on MSN. Oliver Roll, Microsoft's general manager for marketing in Asia, said that the two companies have 'become friends'. ...more

UK games chart: Super Mario reigns in Mushroom Kingdom

Nintendo's New Super Mario Bros, for the DS, holds the top spot in this week's ELSPA games chart, with old Super Mario still travelling across Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Peach. Completing the top three is Activision's movie spin-off, Over the Hedge (DS, GBA, GC, PC, PS2, Xb), up from four to two, and EA Sports' FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 (PC, PS2, Xbox and Xb360). Another movie making an impact on the chart - straight in at five - is Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. ...more