Apple recalls 28,000 PowerBook batteries due to fire hazard

Apple is recalling 28,000 PowerBook batteries after it was discovered that the batteries could overheat, posing a fire hazard. Apple has so far received four reports of these batteries overheating and no injuries have been reported. Nonetheless it urges users to stop using your battery and to order a replacement battery immediately. ...more

Microsoft submits new email authentication system for approval

Microsoft has made another move to tackle the problems of spamming and phishing. It has announced that it will converge its Caller ID system with the Sender Policy Framework (SPF), which was devised by Meng Weng Wong, co-founder and CTO of Pobox.com. ...more

MSN Messenger targeted by Funner.A virus

A new virus has been discovered that targets the MSN Messenger instant messaging application. Funner.A has no destructive properties, although it will make a nuisance of itself by sending a copy of itself as funny. ...more

Palm signs sports star to sell units

At the beginning of the week, it was announced by Palm that it is to produce a special edition of its handheld computer branded with the name of Michael Jordan, a US basketball star. This is not the first time the company has used a celebrity to hawk its products, it has previously released a Claudia Schiffer Palm and, with the fortunes of the company taking a downturn, this is probably not the last marketing ploy up its sleeve. Jordan, a retired basketball star, has done very well out of the deal, receiving 12 per cent of the sales or a minimum of $3. ...more

Handspring bucks PDA trend

Handspring was the only major PDA manufacturer to increase its sales in the last fiscal quarter, as worldwide shipments of handhelds fell by nearly 10 per cent over the three-month period. Handspring shipments grew by more than 17 per cent, while market-leader Palm's fell by just over 14 per cent. Both platforms run Palm's PalmOS software. ...more