Mandriva brings Centrino into the Linux fold

Mandriva has launched the 2006 version of its Linux platform, claiming the 'only' Linux distro to offer official support for Intel's Centrino platform. It includes the Kat desktop search utility that searches both filenames and file contents and an interactive firewall that feeds live information on attempts to access the system. Rather than fixed rules, the firewall can adjust the level of protection depending on the status of computer. ...more

i-mode to move beyond Japan next year

Japanese telecom company NTT DoCoMo is planning to roll out its i-mode mobile Net service in the US next year, according to reports. The Associated Press says that the firm will partner with US firm AT&T Wireless Group to launch the service in Seattle initially and nation-wide within two years. I-mode has had runaway success in Japan with over 20 million users, and some observers have said it could supersede Wap as the wireless Internet technology of choice for US and European mobile users. ...more

Researchers highlight a router route to pharming

Researchers at Symantec, along with Sid Stamm and Markus Jakobsson of the Indiana University School of Informatics, have uncovered an almost trivial means of hijacking web browsing. The attack involves little more on the victim's part than simply visiting a web page. The attacker's web page runs a piece of JavaScript code which attempts to log in to your router in the background and reconfigures the settings, including the DNS servers. ...more

BT upgrades its broadband to 2Mbps as standard

BT is upgrading its broadband customers to 2Mbps, free of charge. All Broadband Basic subscribers should notice the new speed by today, while new customers will receive it as standard. Broadband Basic is BT's capped service, with a 1GB monthly usage allowance. ...more

Dark days for Ericsson

Ericsson revealed gloomy first quarter figures today, with a continued weak market in Europe and Japan and operators deserting TDMA for GSM networks putting orders for mobile systems down 40 per cent. There was even less to smile about with the announcement of a pre-tax loss of 5.4bn Swedish Kronor (?363m) and job cuts to the tune of 10,000. ...more