Halifax Online fails again

Halifax has been forced to postpone its online banking service for a third time after its Intelligent Finance (IF) banking arm suffered another troubled start. The postponement was made after doubts arose over the stability of the computer systems. The telephone banking side finally got underway without any problems. ...more

German companies create the wall of sound

A group of German companies claim to have built the first commercial wall of sound. They say they have produced a material which at just 7mm thick can become a wall mounted speaker. Bayer MaterialScience, Siemens and polyurethane specialist Puren say that the new 'pursonic' material can be fitted to walls, carpets and ceilings. ...more

Overture Launches 'Content Match' contextual ad service

Leading pay per placement company Overture Services has jumped on the contextual advertising bandwagon with Content Match. The new product places the company's search results - which have been paid for by advertisers - on relevant content-based pages of its distribution partners' Web sites. The first 'distribution partner' to roll out the new service will be MSN with others to follow. ...more

Sony PSP handheld debuts in Japan

Sony has made its long awaited challenge to the dominance of Nintendo's Gameboy with the launch of the PSP in Japan, with immediate success. Shops in Japan have already declared that they have almost sold out the initial stock of some 200,000 machines. Sony's target is half a million by the end of this year and aims to shift some three million by the end of March 2005. ...more

Sony breaks 4 megapixel barrier with new Cyber-Shot

Sony has launched its Cyber-shot DSC-S85 digital camera, complete with 4.2megapixel CCD. The new addition to the Cyber-Shot stable continues the tradition of using Carl Ziess lenses - this time with a 3x optical zoom. ...more