LaCie unwraps 18in LCD display

LaCie has announced a new 1280x1024 pixel 18in LCD display. Designed with space-saving and ergonomics in mind, the photon18vision is mounted in a thin frame housing on a compact stand. It has a 160 degree viewing angle with high contrast and brightness ratios which, says LaCie, enable users to see the finest details with true-to-life colour, clarity and sharpness. ...more

Internet helps keep the taxman happy

Almost two million British taxpayers filed their self assessment returns before the 31 January deadline this year - representing almost a quarter of all returns. This is a 38 per cent increase on last year. According to figures released by the HM Revenue and Customs website processed 719,913 self assessment returns during January as people rushed to avoid being fined for late returns. ...more

Google turns to Europe to flesh out Book Search

In its mission to build the world's largest library of printed works, Google is expanding its controversial Google Book Search programme in Europe with an aim to scan every page of hundreds of thousands of non-English language books on library shelves and in publisher's archives. But the megalithic search engine is treading with a rare bit of caution. Stung by lawsuits in the United States from authors and publishing houses who claim the programme violates copyright protections, Google is still weathering questions about its intentions for the 18-month old initiative. ...more

California's senate set to ban gathering information from emails

The California State Senate is expected to pass a bill banning companies from scouring emails for use in marketing, according to the LA Times. However, an amendment to the bill will allow companies to search messages without getting the writer's permission. The amendment is vital to the success of the proposed Google Gmail service which would otherwise have been scuppered. ...more

Google goes Solar

Google is to make a multimillion dollar investment in solar-powered panels to generate electricity for the Googleplex in California. The company says it will begin installation of 1.6 megawatts of solar photovoltaic panels at our Mountain View campus 'soon'. ...more