CES: Blu-ray rules out merger with HD-DVD camp

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BRDA) flexed its muscles at the Consumer Electronics Show by announcing four key new members to its group. It dismissed suggestions that its technology could merge with the competing HD DVD format. A spokesperson from Blu-ray said several CES visitors had suggested the two technologies should come together to ease the transition to a ubiquitous next-generation DVD standard. ...more

Apple and U2 to unveil black iPod

Apple is holding another of its special events - for which read high-profile product announcement - next week, where CEO Steve Jobs will be joined by U2' Bono and The Edge to unveil U2-themed iPods, pre-loaded with the band's new album. US business website Forbes.com reports that, 'Sources close to the group say the U2 edition of the popular digital music player will come preloaded with the band's new album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, along with portions of the Irish supergroup's 25-year catalogue. ...more

F-Secure patches against critical flaw

Finnish security vendor F-Secure has released a patch to counter a critical flaw in its software for Windows and Linux. The company says that systems left unpatched are open to exploitation by the use of specially tweaked archive files (Zip and Rar formats) which can be used to create a buffer overflow and allow an attacker to run code remotely on the affected system. In addition, the files designed to exploit the flaw can be modified so that they are not scanned by security software potentially duping users into believing they are not at risk. ...more

UK owner of Gmail trademark keeps up legal fight

The UK company that claims ownership of the Gmail trademark is preparing to take further legal action against Google after talks between the two companies failed to reach an agreement. Independent International Investment Research (IIIR) began negotiations with Google 16 months ago after the US search company unveiled its Gmail Web-based email service. IIIR claims a prior right to the trademark as the name of the webmail component of its Pronet software suite, which was first released in May 2002. ...more

Sony announces budget digital camera

With digital cameras getting smaller and more powerful, Sony has tossed its hat into the budget market. The new Sony DSC-P20 is a stylish digital still camera with MPEG video and animation features. The new CyberShot model has a 1. ...more