IBM bags most US patents in 2006

Big Blue has topped the patent pile once again, earning 3,621 patents in the US in 2006. IBM outdid its own previous records and topped the patent list for the fourteenth consecutive year. While IBM was awarded 3,651 patents, Samsung was second with 2,452 and Canon was third with 2,378. ...more

BT sets 185 broadband dates

BT has announced its biggest batch of ADSL ready-for-service dates, with 185 exchanges to go online between August 2004 and June 2006. The dates and exchanges are as follows, although by June 2006 we hope that ADSL2 and other truly fast broadband technologies will be on the agenda. That aside, the latest exchanges and RFS dates are as follows: 2004 •: 4 August: Billesdon, Brailsford, Headley, Sulgrave •: 11 August: Aberlour, Alves, Alyth, Blanefield, Bunwell, Bythorn, Bere Regis, Carrbridge, Carnwath, Cawdor, Chapelton, Clawdd Newydd, Cropredy, Cuckoo Oak, Dorrington, Drymen, East Bergholt, Escrick, Fauldhouse, Finchfield, Frant, Freckleton, Hampton Heath, Honley, Horns Cross, Kinoulton, Kyre, Lilliesleaf, Marcham, Nantyderry, North Benfleet, Philipstoun, Ribchester, Rilla Mill, Saxmundham, Shottisham, Stadhampton, Staverton, Stillington, Stockland, Strathpeffer, Sutton Veny, Washingborough, West Mersea, Whatton, Winterton on Sea, Wix, Worthen, Ynysowen •: 1 September: Barwick in Elmet, Flookburgh, Kirkby Thore •: 8 September: Ardersier, Timberscombe •: 15 September: Witherslack •: 22 September: Bainton, Bishops Caundle, Cwm, Dent, Gaddesby, Lonmay, Memsie •: 29 September: Blockley, Harting, Hilmarton, Lochcarron •: 13 October: Fowlmere •: 20 October: Alness •: 27 October:   Blagdon, Broadhembury, Eastriggs, Fosdyke, Halfway House, Invergordon, Kingussie, Lamphey, Spean Bridge, Suckley, Uley, Welford on Avon •: 3rd November: Leitholm, Tain, Wickham Market •: 24 November: Aysgarth, Blaina, Chapel St. ...more

SIM card to credit card

Edinburgh-based software company Aspects Software has secured ?12m in funding to develop secure SIM cards allowing mobile users to pay for things using their handsets. The SecureSIM card is a product of mobEcom, a subsidiary of Aspects Software, and boasts a security level meeting the European standard ITSEC E6(H), which brings it in line with other credit, debit and charge products such as MasterCard and American Express. Users will not only be able to buy products at the touch of a button, but also pay their own phone bills and put credit on the handset they are using. ...more

Tablet PCs to hit their stride in 2005

Tablet PCs will have to wait until 2005 before they hit their stride, according to analysts. Industry analysts In-Stat/MDR reckon the cast of Microsoft and its hardware partners, such as Acer and HP, have achieved only partial success with the Tablet PC show, since its launch in October 2002. The firm reckons that as the prices of the pen-based computing devices breaks down through the $2,000 barrier, they will broaden their appeal to a much wider audience. ...more

A lowdown on... Java

Java. Java. Java. ...more