31st January 2006 Archive
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Fourth DRAM cartel member fined $84m
Elpida takes the bullet
Elpida, a Japanese joint venture set up between Hitachi and NEC, has become the fourth memory maker to pay a penalty for fixing memory prices. The company admitted to taking part in a conspiracy to set the price it charged to customers, including Apple, Hewlett Packard, Dell and Sun, between April 1999 and June 2002. The case …
Channel Register 31 Jan 2006, 02:35
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VMware's Chief promises to play nice with Microsoft and Xen
Interview If they ever catch up
VMware has become one of the most successful x86 server software franchises around, and proprietary and open source rivals have taken notice. They would love to eat away at the more than $100m in revenue VMware does per quarter - a figure that's been doubling year over year. But Microsoft and XenSource, VMware's two main …
Servers 31 Jan 2006, 04:16
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ATI licenses HDMI technology
Getting kit ready for HD era
ATI's plans to add HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) support to future chipset and graphics card products took a step closer to fruition yesterday when the company announced it has licensed HDMI technology from Analogix. Neither firm disclosed the terms of the deal, which comes almost a month after ATI showed an …
Channel Register 31 Jan 2006, 09:41
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MS posts Xbox 360 update
Minor tweaks
Microsoft posted its latest Xbox 360 update last night, which makes a handful of tweaks to the console's system software, according to the brief list of fixes posted by Microsoft. The update adds improvements to Xbox Guide and to the Dutch Xbox Live network configuration. It also provides more detailed information on unreadable …
Reg Hardware 31 Jan 2006, 10:23
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Free the DB2
Another database freebie for developers
Free is suddenly becoming a fashion statement in the database world. As predicted, IBM has decided to join Microsoft in launching a cut-down, free version of a large, mainstream database with the arrival of DB2 Universal Database Express-C, or DB2 Express-C in its snappy, shortened version. Snide jibes aside, however, this …
Applications 31 Jan 2006, 10:42
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Japan gets USB-connectible SD card
Slide'n'slot
Japanese peripherals maker Keian has launched the latest attempt to make SD memory cards sit comfortably in computers' USB ports. The company's PSB (Personal Storage Disc) product replaces past SD/USB cards' complicated folding panels with a simple removable wedge that, once gone, allows one end of the card to be fitted into a …
Reg Hardware 31 Jan 2006, 10:44
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AT&T boss warns on bandwidth
Mistakes egg for chicken
The boss of AT&T yesterday warned content companies they might have to pay for access to broadband networks. AT&T chairman and chief executive Ed Whitacre told the FT: "I think the content providers should be paying for the use of the network - obviously not the piece for the customer to the network, which has already been paid …
Networks 31 Jan 2006, 10:44
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Cable & Wireless restructures and warns on profits
And watches shares fall
Cable & Wireless watched its share price fall more than 15 per cent this morning after it warned that profits would be lower than expected and waved goodbye to its chief executive. Francesco Caio is to leave the company at the end of the financial year because there will no longer be a post of group CEO. The company is being …
Financial News 31 Jan 2006, 11:03
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Scientists formulate Indian vulture rescue plan
Urgent action required
Scientists have found a solution to the vulture crisis in India where large numbers of the birds are being wiped out by eating cattle carcasses contaminated with the anti-inflamatory drug diclofenac. As previously reported, the Oriental white-backed vulture is particularly affected. A report by the British Royal Society for the …
Science 31 Jan 2006, 11:11
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Nvidia ships HD TV transmission-friendly Quadro card
SDI support for live telly
Nvidia has begun shipping its Quadro FX 4500 SDI broadcasting workstation-oriented graphics card, the company said yesterday. The card builds on the existing FX 4500 board, adding a pair of Serial Digital Interface (SDI) component video connectors. It allows users to output uncompressed SDI data in the 2K digital cinema format, …
Reg Hardware 31 Jan 2006, 11:16
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Imation wraps 256MB Flash round wrist
Worth the wrist?
Worried about losing your USB Flash drive? Concerned that if you keep it on a key ring it'll get scratched? Bothered wearing it round your neck will make it seem you're wearing a cheap iPod Shuffle knock-off? Imation has the answer: the Flash Wristband. Yes, it's modelled on those irritatingly ubiquitous 'I CARE, HONEST I DO' …
Reg Hardware 31 Jan 2006, 11:34
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Google's data minefield
Search engine vs Government
The US Government's broad subpoena to search engines effectively seeks to mine the data of the internet. While Google has resisted the subpoena, there may be little they can do to protect our privacy from many prying eyes. Moreover, the Government subpoena makes Google and other search engines or ISPs the source of first resort …
Music and Media 31 Jan 2006, 11:44
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MessageLabs launches archiving service
Total recall
Web security firm MessageLabs has launched a message archiving service to complement its existing web and email filtering services. The MessageLabs Archiving Service will offer backups of both instant message and email traffic as a hosted service designed to help firms meet growing compliance and corporate governance …
Spam 31 Jan 2006, 11:48
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Pre-op transsexuals favoured with twin IDs
One card per gender
Many people in the UK don't want an ID card, but one group of people is getting stuck with two. Last week, Baroness Scotland of Asthal let slip that transsexuals awaiting surgery would be entitled to an ID card displaying their "birth gender" and a separate card with their "gender of designation". So transsexuals, already …
ID 31 Jan 2006, 12:13
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Fortinet settles anti-virus patent dispute
Done and dusted
Fortinet has settled a long-running legal dispute with Trend Micro over its alleged infringement of Trend's patent for server-based anti-virus technology. Financial terms of settlement, announced Monday, were not disclosed. As part of the deal, both firms agreed to dismiss US International Trade Commission (ITC) proceedings and …
Channel Register 31 Jan 2006, 12:35
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BenQ ships P50 Wi-Fi smart phone
Better late than never, apparently
BenQ's P50 PDA phone has begun shipping in Europe - almost two years after the company first showed the device to the public. The keyboard-equipped P50 made its debut in March 2004 at the CeBIT show. BenQ showed it again the following May at Taiwan's Computex show, where we saw it for the first time. The company formally …
Reg Hardware 31 Jan 2006, 13:08
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Elonex readies 40in all-in-one Viiv media centre
Lumina 3 shipping shortly
UK PC maker Elonex will soon ship its upgraded Lumina TV-like media centre system, adding a 40in model to the 32in screen it currently offers and moving the line-up from the Pentium 4 to Intel's dual-core Core Duo chip - and stamping the range with the chip maker's Viiv brand. The Lumina 3 series attaches the Windows XP Media …
Reg Hardware 31 Jan 2006, 13:18
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Samsung preps four-hour fuel cell for portable video players
Double the capacity of rechargeables
Samsung has developed a fuel cell capable of powering a personal media player for four hours - almost double the video playback time of the rechargeable batteries that usually ship with such devices. For now, that is. Samsung said the fuel cell won't go into mass-production until 2008, by which time rechargeable battery …
Reg Hardware 31 Jan 2006, 13:45
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Google at work on desktop Linux
Search engine giant preps own version of Ubuntu
Google is preparing its own distribution of Linux for the desktop, in a possible bid to take on Microsoft in its core business - desktop software. A version of the increasingly popular Ubuntu desktop Linux distribution, based on Debian and the Gnome desktop, it is known internally as 'Goobuntu'. Google has confirmed it is …
Operating Systems 31 Jan 2006, 13:46
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Mobile security: who's responsible?
Reg Reader Studies Get yer survey results here
The results of our probe into the dark heart of mobile security are in - and the conclusions are, well, here are some of the the fundamental points: Mobile security policies are described as "vital" but largely not well implemented. Users are recognised as a problem, with attitudes that are often irresponsible and careless. …
Tech Panel 31 Jan 2006, 14:00
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HP - more than ink... water too...
Extra-cold for data centres
HP is to start selling a water-cooling system for servers in data centres. The product attaches to HP's G2 racks and triples cooling capacity - it allows use of up to 30 kilowatts of energy, three times the usual amount. The company says it is making energy savings of 25 per cent in its Palo Alto data centre since introducing " …
Servers 31 Jan 2006, 14:56
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IBM names day for new blades
Feb 8...put it in your diaries
Big Blue has named the day for the release of its second generation blade servers - and the big day is February 8, according to CNet. IBM will show off the JS21 blade server - the first with a PowerPC 970MP chip. It will also use the event to bang the drum for blade.org - an attempt to make blade an industry standard. It is …
Servers 31 Jan 2006, 14:57
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Centeris scouts for Euro dealers
Switzerland of software mounts invasion
Windows to Linux start-up Centeris is hunting for channel partners in the UK and Europe after launching its flagship Likewise product. Likewise allows administrators to manage Linux servers using Windows-based tools. It also offers single sign-on across Windows and Linux systems. The company aims to position itself above the …
Servers 31 Jan 2006, 15:11
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Spyware probe couple deported to Israel
Corporate espionage suspects rounded up
Spyware-for-hire suspects Michael and Ruth Haephrati arrived in Israel on Monday to face industrial espionage charges following their extradition from Britain. The couple, alleged masterminds behind a spyware-linked industrial espionage program, face trial in their native Israel after dropping an appeal against deportation. …
Malware 31 Jan 2006, 15:35
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Terry Schiavo's hospital gown appears on eBay
Updated Feeding tube too. Nice
Here's one eBay auction we don't think will be around for too long: your chance to secure Terry Schiavo's hospital gown: Oh yes, you get her feeding tube, too. As the seller puts it: Own this one-of-a-kind piece of history. I purchased this from a person who worked at the Hospice Center in Pinellas Park, Florida. The winner …
Bootnotes 31 Jan 2006, 16:04
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Doctor Who reads out your TXTs
'Stuck in vortex, home l8'
Send a text message to a UK landline and the recipient will now hear the missive read out by Doctor Who. Well, one of 'em, anyway. Yes, Tom Baker - for many, the definitive incarnation of the Time Lord - is the voice of BT's new text-to-speed system. Well, for three months, anyway. In 2005, UK mobile users sent, on average, 82m …
Mobile 31 Jan 2006, 16:21
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Relisys reassures on warranties
It ain't over yet...
Relisys may be in administration but it will continue to honour warranties. A statement from the company said: "Relitec Holdings can confirm that Relisys Limited, the monitor arm of Relisys, has been placed into administration. Relisys Digital Ltd, the AV arm of Relisys, and a sister company of RELISYS Ltd will assume warranty …
Channel Register 31 Jan 2006, 16:26
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Winamp exploit poses hacker risk
Clear and present danger
Hackers have created an exploit targeting a serious security vulnerability in Winamp, the popular media player. Users are strongly urged to update their software to Winamp version 5.13 to guard against attack. A remotely exploitable buffer overflow bug in version 5.12 of Winamp creates a means for hackers to take over machines …
Enterprise Security 31 Jan 2006, 16:31
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Dell to betray Intel with AMD mobile chip embrace - analyst
Beware the Ides of March
Dell's embrace of AMD processors will turn from myth to reality by March, according to a financial analyst. Dell will begin by slotting AMD's chips into its notebook product line and then "likely" move to use AMD chips in servers and desktops as well, American Technology Research analyst Doug Freedman said in a fresh note to …
Servers 31 Jan 2006, 18:12
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NetApp finds time to tempt SMBs with Cisco SAN switch
In Brief Follows rivals' lead
Network Appliance has added a new Cisco Fibre Channel switch aimed at the SMB market as an option with its arrays. The Cisco MDS 9020 Series Fabric Switch will plug into NetApp's storage area network (SAN) gear and is meant to serve as a cost-effective, 20-port option. Other storage vendors such as EMC, IBM and HP had already …
Storage 31 Jan 2006, 22:46
