Dixons launches Internet phone service

The Dixons Group which revolutionised the ISP business with the launch of Freeserve in 1998, now hopes to play the same trick with the telephone business. The company is launching a 'Freetalk` all-in-one unit which is aimed at transforming the telephone business. Freetalk, which will be sold in DSG 1000 PC World, Dixon, Currey and Link stores throughout the UK is based on VoIP technology developed by 8x8 Inc, one of the US's leading suppliers. ...more

Doubled-sided scanning comes to the UK

Ricoh's new Aficio 1060/1075 copier/printers can print, copy and scan, and boast a 1,200dpi print resolution and an Automatic Document Feeder that enables double-sided scanning in one pass. The 'world-first' double-sided copier/printers process documents at speeds of 60ppm and 75ppm respectively. They have a range of networking capabilities: scanned documents can be stored on the Aficio's hard disk, allowing users to access them from their desktops as thumbnails. ...more

Sun GPLs Java

Sun Microsystems is to release its key Java platform under the same licence used for Linux and other open-source software. The first parts of Sun's Java Platform Standard Edition and Mobile Edition will be available today under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Additionally, Sun's Enterprise Edition for Java will be released under the GPL, having previously been licensed under Sun's OSI-approved Common Development and Distribution Licence. ...more

DRAMeXchange: Spot price likely to fall below US$3 this week

Spot prices for 256Mbit DDR are set to fall below US$3, making it difficult for DRAM makers to raise contract prices. Meanwhile, module makers are reducing purchases, and motherboard shipments should bottom out in May. Motherboard shipments to drop 10% in May The impact of SARS, particularly in China, will accentuate the traditional bottoming out of motherboard shipments in May. ...more

VIA to release dual DDR KT880 chipset

VIA Technologies will release another chipset supporting the K7 platform from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), according to the company. The KT880 chipset, supporting a 400MHz FSB (front-side bus) and dual-channel DDR400 memory, will be the latest and last entry in VIA's K7 chipset line. Shipments are to begin in late September or early October, the company disclosed. ...more