12th June 2006 Archive

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PC-less VoIP Wi-Fi phone

Computex 2006 The easiest way to VoIP yet?

A little-known company called BCM used Computex to show a multi-format VoIP Wi-Fi phone based on the Windows CE kernel. The WLAN800I is compatible with Skype, SIP services, MSN Talk and MSN Messenger. There’s no need for a PC for it to function, all you need is an 802.11b/g wireless access point connected to the internet. …

Reg Hardware 12 Jun 2006, 08:02
DVB-H on display

Computex 2006 Telly on your phone

Philips ran live DVB-H demos during Computex, showing just how close the technology is to entering at least a test phase with operators. The picture quality on the devices was impressive, but far more interesting was the fact that Philips has an SDIO solution for devices without a built-in tuner. The SDIO cards weren't …

Reg Hardware 12 Jun 2006, 08:58
Nvidia talks Purevideo HD

Computex 2006 GeForce 7950GX2 first HDCP enabled Nvidia card

Nvidia was talking up Purevideo HD at Computex last week, saying you can now purchase machines that support the Purevideo HD technology. Nvidia's GeForce 7950GX2 seems to be its first product that is universally enabled for HDCP. The reason for this is quite simple. Nvidia has had HDCP compliant GPUs for some time and most …

Reg Hardware 12 Jun 2006, 08:58
Working dual X1600XT from GeCube

Computex 2006 Single slot solution

GeCube joined Asus in showing a dual X1600XT at Computex, but says its card could hit the streets as soon as next month. Reg Hardware was informed that GeCube's design (which differs to that used by Asus) means the card can actually work in CrossFire mode, something the Asus card currently can't do. Interestingly, the GeCube …

Reg Hardware 12 Jun 2006, 08:59
Teacher-proof ringtone hits the US

Cunning kids...

A noise designed to drive kids out of shopping malls has been re-engineered as a ringtone which parents and teachers cannot hear. A Welsh security company markets Mosquito - a loudspeaker which emits an irritating high-pitched sound designed to drive kids away. Because the ability to hear high-pitched sounds declines with age, …

Mobile 12 Jun 2006, 09:23
NetApp targets high performance

Spinnaker ship comes in with ONTAP GX

NetApp is finally unleashing the first fruit of its 2003 acquisition of Spinnaker today. Its new OS, Data ONTAP GX, incorporates Spinnaker's global namespace technology for running high performance Linux NAS arrays. Running on its new FAS6070 and FAS3050 series arrays, NetApp is hoping to flog GX to its most performance- …

Storage 12 Jun 2006, 09:28
Court says US gov can keep on snooping on VoIP calls

Bush listens to Skype..

US courts ruled last week that authorities can continue tapping VoIP calls and that providers must give them access to their networks. The Court of Appeals of the district of Columbia supported the Federal Communications Commission, which said VoIP companies have the same responsibilities as traditional phone companies. The …

VoIP 12 Jun 2006, 09:30
Brangelina pics were 'fair use'

Gossip website denies copyright infringement

A gossip website which still carries disputed pictures of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's baby says that its publishing of the pictures constitutes 'fair use'. Time Inc, publishers of People magazine, and Getty Images, which took the pictures, pursued websites all over the world in attempts to stop the publication of the …

Music and Media 12 Jun 2006, 09:59
Adata shows solar powered USB memory key

Computex 2006 At least, it powers the LCD screen

So you'd thought there wouldn't be any new ideas for USB memory keys...think again. Adata showed off a solar powered model at Computex, though the solar cells only power the small LCD display - but as this only draws tiny amounts of power to show you how much capacity you've got left, there's no need for a battery. Besides …

Reg Hardware 12 Jun 2006, 10:02
E-tailers can still shop for best VAT regime

EU fails to reach consensus

A bid to stop ecommerce companies shopping around for the best VAT regime has failed to win support at European Union level. The EU is trying to make VAT rules more suitable for internet trading, but opposition has scuppered the deal. Though the discussions came close to an agreement, objections from Germany, Luxembourg and …

Financial News 12 Jun 2006, 10:06
McAfee hit by SEC investigation

Feds scan share options scheme...

McAfee has confirmed that it received notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission of a probe into its share options scheme. The anti-virus company received warning of the formal investigation last Wednesday. It settled a previous action brought by the SEC by paying $50m, but the firm did not admit guilt. McAfee …

Malware 12 Jun 2006, 10:22
BT and Sky in chase for AOL UK - report

Price a bit steep though

BSkyB and BT are reportedly close to making a bid for AOL UK although both firms are understood to be unhappy at the £1bn price tag. The Sunday Times reports that the deadline for offers could be as early as this week after AOL UK parent Time Warner called in bankers Citigroup to conduct a strategic review of its European …

Telecoms 12 Jun 2006, 10:30
Boys' book on conkers and catapults tops Amazon hit list

Not a PS2 in sight - huzzah!

Here's some refreshing news for those parents who increasingly despair of their sons ever ungluing themselves from their consoles: a book containing vital information on playing conkers, constructing paper aeroplanes and climbing trees is currently topping Amazon.co.uk's Hot 100 Books. According to UK paper The Mirror, sales of …

Music and Media 12 Jun 2006, 10:35
Buy tech book, get free Stob tome

Cash'n'Carrion Tasty offer from APress

Here's a tempting offer for those of you looking for programming and related literature: while stocks last, purchase of any APress or APress Academic tome down at Cash'n'Carrion will earn you a free copy of The Best of Verity Stob - normally going out for £17.99. It's all pretty simple - once your order is placed, the system …

Site News 12 Jun 2006, 10:40
Top tat - the five worst World Cup gadgets

Tech Digest Just add that cross of St George

The World Cup - a great time for football, an even better time for flag sellers and for manufacturers of gadgets. Yes, for the last couple of months, manufacturers big and small have been scouring the warehouse, looking for products they couldn't sell at Christmas, before repackaging them at a premium price, adding those …

Bootnotes 12 Jun 2006, 10:51
Scientists breed allergy-free moggies

$3,950? We'll get a goldfish

A San Diego-based biotech firm has started selling hypoallergenic cats. Allerca's kittens have been selectively bred to reduce the amount of a protein called FEL D1, which causes adverse reactions in allergy sufferers. As New Scientist reported back in 2004, the firm publicly announced plans to genetically engineer cat DNA to …

Biology 12 Jun 2006, 10:52
AverMedia shows Mac USB TV-tuner

Computex 2006 Drivers coming soon

AverMedia is one of the first companies to pick up on the increasing ease of making Mac-compatible products, and announced it will soon have drivers ready for one of its USB TV tuners to allow it to work with Macs. AverMedia claimed the product is the smallest USB TV-tuner to date. It looks much like any other USB based TV- …

Reg Hardware 12 Jun 2006, 11:02
Sony unveils its first D-SLR, the Alpha 100

What next, the beta?

Sony's new D-SLR Alpha 100, or α100 if you prefer, takes over where Konica Minolta left off when it pulled out of the camera business earlier this year. The Alpha combines a Sony 10 megapixel APS sensor with a stack of technologies including Super SteadyShot which is mounted in the body of the camera, rather than the lens. …

Reg Hardware 12 Jun 2006, 11:22
Vantage point for .NET

Pushing code maintenance 80:20 towards 50:50

Where would the world be without the "80:20 rule" and the IT industry's attempts to fix its many and varied applications? Two fixes are being attempted with one package with the introduction of Compuware's implementation of Vantage for .NET at Microsoft's TechEd today. Vantage is an established service management suite with a …

Developer 12 Jun 2006, 11:35
IT outfit neutralises carbon emissions

Greener, cleaner client consciences

Tech consultancy appiChar has gone carbon neutral, and is offering to offset a year's worth of carbon emissions for all computers it sells. The company has signed a deal with co2balance that will see enough trees being planted in reclaimed farmland to absorb the carbon dioxide produced by the company's offices and business …

Channel Register 12 Jun 2006, 11:40
Microsoft WGA row continues

Letters What's the advantage?

Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) - what's the actual advantage? Microsoft has sort of reacted to the continuing customer uproar over WGA - its "anti-piracy" software which checks your software and phones Redmond. The sneaky software will now phone home once a fortnight rather than every day. The software giant also released a …

Small Biz 12 Jun 2006, 11:45
Trend Micro sees resellers grow

One stop for small shops...

Since launching its "Worry Free" bundle of services in late 2005, Trend Micro has seen improved interest from the channel - it has signed up 50 per cent more resellers since launch. The package is aimed at smaller businesses. It provides a bundled package and simple maintenance. It will protect servers, clients and messaging …

Channel Register 12 Jun 2006, 11:48
Wi-Fi crypto - China calls foul

'Amoral' standards group in 'conspiracy' claim

China says the international standards group IEEE is engaging in a 'conspiracy' and 'amoral behaviour' to defeat its home grown encryption technology for wireless networks, WAPI. A Chinese delegation walked out of a meeting on Thursday last week in Prague, claiming unfair treatment. The standards committee, dominated by Western …

Wireless 12 Jun 2006, 11:59
Watercooled motherboard from Asus

Computex 2006 For enthusiast boards only

Asus has managed to find a cooling solution for its next generation high-end motherboards, using a very small integrated pump and water reservior. The rather large radiator also works as a heatsink for the MOSFETs, which are part of the power regulation on the motherboard and generally get very hot. The list of upcoming …

Reg Hardware 12 Jun 2006, 12:02
RTE trials mobile TV in Dublin

Hooks up with BT Movio

RTE - Ireland's public service broadcaster - is conducting technical trials of a mobile TV service. Based on BT Movio, BT's wholesale mobile TV service that piggybacks on the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) network to broadcast pictures to handsets, the service is due to be made available in Dublin. Those behind the trial …

Mobile 12 Jun 2006, 12:02
Acer pushes three huge TFT displays

Boosts value and office lines

Acer has announced three enormous TFT displays – two in its Value Line and one in its Office Line. The additions to the Value Line are a 22 inch and 26 inch model, while the Office Line is boosted by a 24 inch offering. The 22 inch Value Line AL2216W has a resolution of 1,680x1,050, contrast ratio of 700:1 and a 300cd/m2 …

Reg Hardware 12 Jun 2006, 12:08
Spyware dominates malware production efforts

Numbers game

Malware authors are shifting their production efforts towards cranking out more Trojans and spyware programs instead of more traditional computer viruses. Last year witnessed a 213 per cent growth in spyware, invasive programs that either spy on users' surfing habits or steal sensitive information, and a 142 per cent growth in …

Malware 12 Jun 2006, 12:59
Panasonic camcorder supports SDHC media

4GB on an SDHC card

The new SDR-S150 is an update of the SDR-S100 camcorder which records to SD card, rather than DV tape, hard disk, or DVD. The SDR-S100 uses conventional SD media which has a maximum capacity of 2GB, while the SDR-S150 supports both SD and the brand new SDHC (SD High-Capacity) card. SDHC is the same physical size as SD but …

Reg Hardware 12 Jun 2006, 13:07
Nokia makes the mobile 'a full member of the internet'

Adopts PC techniques for smartphone

Nokia may be the most unlikely convert to the open internet model, but it is becoming one of the most enthusiastic. Fresh from placing key aspects of its Series 60 software architecture, including the all-important mobile browser, into the open source process, it has now ported the Linux-based Apache web server, which powers …

Mobile 12 Jun 2006, 13:34
UK first battleground for European convergence

Gauntlet laid

The UK is shaping up to be a key battleground as the major operators start to put their convergence theories into practise. As Vodafone casts around for a way to add broadband access to its mixture of services, the wired-wireless incumbents have put the elements of the quadruple play in place already and are now taking their …

Mobile 12 Jun 2006, 14:12
'Rude' councillor hangs up his hat

PC generation takes another scalp

The 70-year-old councillor who got barred from Chichester District Council for being rude to IT staff has given up his chance to appeal. Councillor Taff Davies, a former Navy captain and software entrepreneur, has conceded his office to a new generation of politically correct tenderfoots. Old salt Davies had 28 days notice to …

Public Sector 12 Jun 2006, 14:24
Brits hit rock bottom at 2.16pm

Low water mark for joie de vivre

The average Brit loses his or her va-va-voom at precisely 2.16pm, a poll sponsored by tea outfit Typhoo has revealed. According to The Telegraph, 2,022 adults were asked when they felt at their least inspired. The average pointed to the aforementioned moment of inertia, when "respondents had least enthusiasm for doing tasks of …

Biology 12 Jun 2006, 14:27
NASA's green science budget slashed and burned

Environment makes way for man

NASA has been hacking away at its budget for environmental research projects in a recent round of book balancing, but says its Shuttle programme is still on track. The agency has cancelled at least two satellite research programmes to free up cash for manned space missions, according to reports, and is delaying others. A $200m …

Space 12 Jun 2006, 14:35
NpfIT responds to Reg criticism

Letter Doing it differently would have been more expensive...

The Register always welcomes letters on any subject. We received the following missive this lunchtime in response to this story: Sir I wish to respond to the story you published on 6 June 2006 ('NHS IT costs hospitals dear'). The scheme under which NHS staff are provided to our suppliers (known as the Managed Authority …

Public Sector 12 Jun 2006, 14:41
Lucent signs six new disties

VAD? Value Added Distie of course...

Lucent Technologies has signed up six new "value added distributors" to resell its security products. Exer Datacom (France), Micro BR (Spain), Redco Telematica S.p.A (Italy), Vercomp SA (Poland), VUMS DataCom spol s r.o.(Czech Republic) and Wick Hill from the UK all made the grade. Lucent hopes moving to a two-tier channel …

Channel Register 12 Jun 2006, 15:13
Commissioner overrules DWP on ID report

ID cards' benefits a matter of public interest

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has ordered the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to publish a report on the risks and benefits of identity cards (ID). The department, which drew up the report on how the cards will fight identity fraud, had refused a request by the Liberal Democrats to release the report …

Music and Media 12 Jun 2006, 15:24
JavaScript worm targets Yahoo!

Malware latches onto unpatched flaw

A JavaScript worm that takes advantage of an unpatched vulnerability in Yahoo!'s webmail service has been discovered on the net. The JS-Yamanner worm spreads when a Windows user accesses Yahoo! Mail to open an email sent by the worm. The attack works because of a vulnerability in Yahoo! Mail that enables scripts embedded within …

Malware 12 Jun 2006, 15:28
Gigantic fireball spotted on galactic rampage

Goodness gracious...

Astronomers have identified a massive comet-like structure - spanning a whopping three million light years - that is tearing through a distant galaxy cluster at more than 750 kilometres a second. Yes, you read that right. A great ball of fiery gas*, some five thousand million times the size of the solar system. Fortunately, it …

Space 12 Jun 2006, 15:31
YouTube owns YourStuff

So does YouTubeTwo

Never trust a hippy - John Lydon The latest attempt to rebrand the web, "Web 2.0" has been evangelized as a platform for sharing - but it's increasingly looking like a platform tilted steeply in one direction. Millions may be about to discover what singer Billy Bragg found out recently - that "community" hosting web sites can …

Music and Media 12 Jun 2006, 16:13
Taiwan fingered as the hub of spam distribution

Botnet epicenter

Almost two thirds (64 per cent) of servers controlling spam traffic are located in Taiwan, according to a survey by email security firm CipherTrust. Such servers, used by internet low lives to relay spam and phishing emails through zombie, compromised PCs, are also commonly located in the US. The US accounts for 23 per cent of …

Spam 12 Jun 2006, 16:16