Dell moves further towards AMD

Dell's contract suppliers have already begun building PC kit for AMD processors, according to sources quoted by the Economic Daily News Taiwan suppliers Foxconn Electronics (the registered trade name of Hon Hai Precision Industry) is believed to be manufacturing servers using AMD chips; Asustek Computer is building AMD-based motherboards; and Quanta Computer is designing notebooks. The news comes shortly after it was discovered that Dell had begun selling AMD processors from its website after some 20 years as an Intel-only shop. The suppliers have set about building stock ready for an announcement from Dell on the launch of an AMD portfolio of devices in the imminent future. ...more

US intelligence to embrace Semantic Web for surveillance

According to the New Scientist, the US authorities may be looking into how they can combine personal data from social networks with data harvested from comms networks to help them with their intelligence work. A research paper delivered at the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) WWW2006 conference in Edinburgh last month on how to detect conflicts of interest between people based on their participation in social networks was part-funded by a body known as the Advanced Research Development Activity (ARDA). It turns out that ARDA, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service early this year, has the specific remit of funding research to help 'solve some of the most critical problems facing the US intelligence community' with money from the coffers of the National Security Agency (NSA). ...more

Wireless broadband service is UK first

Bulldog Communications has launched what it claims is the UK's first fully-installed wireless network and Internet access package. The ?399.99 (including VAT) package comprises a broadband connection with a combined ADSL modem, router and wireless access point (base station) and connectivity for up to 15 computers. ...more

NTL sees broadband value in local loop unbundling

NTL is planning a major expansion of its ADSL broadband services by unbundling 300 of BT's busiest exchanges. The cable provider has decided that since BT cut the cost of local loop unbundling by 70 per cent DSL is now a more cost effective way of growing the business than widening cable coverage. On completion of the LLU programme, NTL will have added around two million potential customers to the eight million homes currently within reach of its cable network. ...more

Skype extends Cloud cover to Skype-badged phones

Skype has teamed up with Wi-Fi hotspot provider The Cloud to offer mobile roaming phone calls via Skype handsets across the UK and Europe. Anyone with an SMC Networks' WiFi phone for Skype will be able to automatically make Internet-based Skype phone calls when they are within range of one of The Cloud's hotspot. Calls to and from other Skype users are entirely free, while calls to fixed and mobile users can be made at what Skype says is a substantially reduced cost via the purchase of SkypeOut minutes. ...more