'Racetrack' wires gain on hard-disk storage

A German scientist is claiming a major breakthrough in research that could eventually lead to wires replacing spinning hard disks for storing data. IBM's Almaden Research Center in San Jose, California, first came up with the idea of what it called 'racetrack' storage in 2004. As opposed to hard disk drives (HDD), where the disk or disks move to enable a head to read data in a fixed location on the disk, 'racetrack' moves the data itself using a pulse of electric current along a fixed wire. ...more

LineOne investigated by ISPA

The Internet Service Provider's Association (ISPA) has confirmed that LineOne is being investigated as a result of withdrawing its unmetered service. LineOne received an enormous amount of criticism in the press in July when it closed down its flat-rate access service, allegedly due to overwhelming customer demand. Much of the anger originated from the fact that LineOne was the first to close down its service. ...more

FileMaker Pro 5.5 unveiled

FileMaker has unveiled the latest version of its database application, the first software to be, "native for Mac OS X and logo-certified for Windows 2000". The application enables the creation of databases that can hold any kind of digital data, from simple words and numbers to images and video, databases that can be managed and accessed locally or worldwide via the internet. The new version acknowledges the increased emphasis on Web usage, enabling databases to be automatically published on the Internet via the click of a button and a built-in web server. ...more

Google loses Gmail rights in UK

Google has lost the right to the Gmail name in the UK after a protracted legal tussle. From tomorrow all new users who sign up for the email service will get addresses ending in googlemail.co. ...more

Sony slices 400 jobs off UK operations

Hot on the heels of yesterday's announcement that Sony was rethinking its European production plans due to a weak euro, its plant in south Wales is to shed 400 jobs despite assurances that there are no plans for closures. Blame is put at the feet of the strong pound and weak Euro, diminishing profits converted to Japanese yen. Sony also added that fuel costs and business taxes were further squeezing profitability. ...more