Creative adds a Sleek MP3 player to the Zen family

Creative has released a Sleek version of its Zen MP3 player. Headline features of the aluminium finished Zen Sleek include: 20GB storage (which equates to roughly 10,000 songs in WMA format), an FM tuner with 32 presets, a built in microphone with support for direct recording, and a newly designed LED backlit touchpad. The Zen Sleek is described by Creative as a 'compact, high-end player', with playtimes of up to 16 hours from the rechargeable battery. ...more

Sophos warns of black dog virus

Cidu-A and Randon-R are trying to spread to a network near you. Unlike the most recent batch of viruses these two new threats do not use email for spreading themselves. Instead, they rely on network shares, with peer-2-peer swapping environments such as KaZaA helping to do the work. ...more

Gowers copyright report calls for UK right to private copying

A right to private copying should be enshrined into UK law, a Government-sponsored review of intellectual property has concluded. The report, by former Financial Times editor Andrew Gowers, also recommends that the current 50-year limit for copyright on sound recordings is retained, rejecting music industry arguments for it to be extended, and proposes exemptions to IP law for libraries and educational establishments. Gowers recommends a strengthening of the law in some areas to tackle commercial counterfeiting and piracy and called for new powers and duties for Trading Standards to take action against infringement of copyright law and tougher penalties for online copyright infringement - with a maximum 10 years imprisonment. ...more

IBM embraces wireless technology

IBM is to launch the first laptop with in-built antennas for wireless Internet connections. The idea is that this technology will replace current Ethernet connections used by office and school computer networks. The wireless technology has been available for some time, but this is the first time that it has been adapted and built into a laptop. ...more

Charity ISP gives unmetered access

An Internet Service Provider is offering unmetered access for just ?9.99. Even though the offer might seem too good to be true, the company has also taken the step of donating 20 per cent of its subscription revenues to charity, making it a charity ISP. ...more