High copper prices prompt BT rethink on fibre optics

BT is considering changing its policy on the installation of fibre optics, having previously rejected them as an alternative to its copper-based network. Bob Cowie, chief engineer of BT Openreach, said that the rising price of copper had prompted the telecoms company to reconsider. 'The most significant change in the last 12 months has been the price of copper on the world market, Cowie, told journalists in Tokyo. ...more

In-store kiosks to offer Palm-based software

Software kiosks to sell Palm apps over the air. A joint venture between PalmSource, maker of the Palm operating system, Handango and WideRay will put kiosks in high street shops from which you can buy new applications and transfer them to your handheld or smart phone wirelessly. Bearing the Trekky moniker 'Beam-Me-App', the kiosks will feature software from Handango's catalogue of Palm-based applications and each application can be activated by a code that is sent to the device. ...more

RIAA cracks down on dead file-sharing grannies

In its crusade to stamp out the practice of illegal file sharing the RIAA has made it plain that no-one is beyond its reach. However, the organisation may have trouble securing a conviction for one person it has sued for illegal downloading. Gertrude Walton, an 83-year old grandmother not only hated computers but is now, unfortunately deceased. ...more

Intel finally cancels Digital TV screen project

In another development in what is becoming a depressing year for Intel, the company has announced that it has finally abandoned plans to get into the digital TV screen business. The company now says that it has formally cancelled the project and disbanded the team working on it. Earlier this year, Intel had already postponed the commercial roll out of Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) technologies which would have held out the promise of a new generation of flat screen televisions. ...more

Brand name Centrinos to slip under ?1,000 price point after Christmas

Toshiba says that it expects Centrino based machines to dip under the ?1,000 mark by the time of the January sales, so if you want to buy Centrino, it may be worth your while to wait a month or two. Toshiba says that it expects Centrino based machines to dip under the ?1,000 mark by the time of the January sales, so if you want to buy Centrino, it may be worth your while to wait a month or two. If you can't wait, the Satellite M30 - 15in display, with Nvidia graphics support at the higher end - is among the machines destined for the Christmas market. ...more