Samsung frees printers from PCs

Samsung has launched its first range of photo printers that don't need to be hooked up to a computer. The SPP 2040 and 2020 use a dye sublimation printing technique that uses heat to transfer ink to the paper, resulting in prints superior to those produced by inkjets. Connectivity comes courtesy of Bluetooth for wireless, PictBridge for direct connections to imaging devices and a 7-slot memory card reader. ...more

All hands on DeCCS

The DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA) Appears to have given up its quest to have the DeCSS software that decrypts the data on commercial DVDs declared a trade secret. The organisation had feared that publishing the software would make it easier for programmers to illegally copy and distribute movies. The DVD CCA is now seeking dismissal of a four-year-old legal action against Andrew Bunner who republished software which allowed DVDs to be played on a computer running Linux. ...more

Gates to crack open the Corona

The official public beta release of Windows Media 9, formerly code-named Corona, will be made by Bill Gates in Los Angeles on 4 September. It probably deserves the Corona moniker more, as it looks to be far more than a nudge along from Windows Media 8. For example, it will be the first codec with the ability to deliver six-channel audio, streamed over the Internet at CD quality (24-bit/96kHz sampling). ...more

LaCie clocks 128MB of storage in a timepiece

LaCie has joined the burgeoning flash storage market, but rather than unveil a new keyfob-style device it has embedded 128MB in a watch. Although not the first such timepiece, at ?58 it is keenly priced, and is the first we've seen to provide USB 2 connectivity. LaCie claims data transfer rates of up to 7. ...more

Broadband buoys Tiscali half year results

Tiscali has posted a 17 per cent year on year increase in revenues for the first half of this year and upped the outlook for its broadband business with more than 750,000 subscribers expected for the full year. In comparison, the end of March saw Freeserve-owner Wanadoo post figures of 1.6mn ADSL customers and 8. ...more