AltaVista, MSN beef up search sites

Two of the Internet's leading search sites have been upgraded this week. AltaVista has improved its multimedia search while MSN has streamlined the beta of the next version of MSN Search. AltaVista has expanded its multimedia index to include 240 million still images, video clips and audio files. ...more

Google trials free WiFi service

Search giant Google is expanding its services still further with an embryonic trial of a free wireless service. Google WiFi is currently being trialled in a few locations close to its San Francisco Bay Area headquarters. The free service supports encryption through a downloadable utility as well as connections to corporate networks through existing VPN channels. ...more

GiftCom worm emerges as festive threat

Instant messaging security company IMLogic has warned of a festive threat affecting users of AIM, ICQ, MSN, Windows Messenger and Yahoo! IM services. The IM.GiftCom. ...more

HP reveals five new notebooks but keeps quiet on Microsoft's Ultra Mobile PC

HP today announced a broad swathe of notebooks and mobile technologies at its second annual Mobility Summit in San Francisco. But it was notable that amidst all the glitz and glamour of HP's new marketing campaign, Microsoft's Ultra Mobile PC initiative - codenamed Origami - didn't get a mention. In the UK, the most notable new products are five business notebooks, and it was the lightweight tc2400 that stole most of the limelight. ...more

Champions League football proves online draw

There's still life in the old game of football. Amid all the Ashes glory and the new-found popularity of leather on willow - with cricket-related terms topping Internet searches and BBC releasing MP3 downloads of the series coverage - UEFA is claiming record traffic figures for the return of its 2005/6 Champions League. The site has been redesigned, with broadband fully in mind. ...more