12th February 2008 Archive

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Blue-laser alternative to Blu-ray, HD DVD launched

Mobile World Congress And it's mobile friendly

It's based on blue-laser technology, but that's where the similarity between the V Media disc and both HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc ends. V Media holds just 1GB of data on a disc with a diameter of about an inch and a half and a casing reminiscent of Iomega's ill-fated Clik. Developed by US company V Media Research, VM discs use …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 00:02
Hitachi shrinks VTL bundles for mid-size folk

In SMB de-duper stupor

Hitachi Data Systems is introducing three pre-configured midrange Virtual Tape Library (VTL) packages to help coax the mainstream towards its de-duplication wares. Like HDS's enterprise-sized VTL offerings, the new bundles consist of a server, an array, some HBAs, and software (and in the two larger flavors, a switch). The mid …

Storage 12 Feb 2008, 01:42
Hands on with the blingest flagship phones

Mobile World Congress Haptic feedback - it's the new herpes

I'm only here because of a terrible misunderstanding. When the News Editor asked if I wanted to go to "Mobile World Congress", I naturally jumped at the chance. Pictures of caravans, camping equipment and motorized Zimmer Frames swam before my eyes. You know - really useful stuff. Some of the best design and technology goes …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 01:55
Citrix gets around to XenServer update

Missing Symantec love and price war

A few months ago Citrix told us it would use XenSource as a weapon, pushing prices of virtualization software down far below what VMware currently offers. Now we're wondering what happened to Citrix's guts. Citrix this week issued a fresh release of XenSource's old flagship code. It's now shopping a beta for Version 4.1 of …

Servers 12 Feb 2008, 02:27
Thievin' teen bot herder admits to infecting military computers

I was a teenage zombie master

A young hacker accused of helping to corral more than 400,000 computers into a money-making botnet has pleaded guilty to criminal charges in connection with the scheme, which he admits damaged US military computers. The defendant was identified only by the the initials B.D.H. because he was a juvenile when the crimes were …

Crime 12 Feb 2008, 03:13
Chinese smartphone ~~imitates~~ sincerely flatters Palm Centro

Mobile World Congress Qwert keyboard offered as standard

We can understand Asian companies nicking paying homage to Western smartphone designs, but why risk demo'ing them just a few minutes' walk from the original manufacturer's booth? Enter Chinese handset maker Sim Tecnology, which at Mobile World Congress this week showed off its N8 Windows Mobile smartphone - a short distance …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 05:02
Mobile World Congress Toshiba premieres Portégé G810

Toshiba has unveiled a Windows Mobile-based smartphone that, as technically advanced as it may be, has unfortunately been released with the same product number as a rival Samsung handset. Toshiba's Portégé G810: 2.8in touchscreen The good news for Toshiba though is that its Portégé G810, to give its full name, doesn’t blur …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 08:02
El Reg collectible pops up on eBay

First and last paper issue

Those of you who can remember when it was all fields round here and kids respected their elders and you could leave your front door open without getting burgled by crack-fuelled hoodies may have a vague recollection of a paper version of El Reg - the first and last issue of Vulture Central's foray into the print media market. …

Bootnotes 12 Feb 2008, 08:34
Dodgy affiliates use malware to flog Symantec and Check Point

Malvertisement break

Unscrupulous affiliates are using malware to advertise security software from legitimate firms. The practice is the brainchild of people who make a commission for every sale they generate - and not security vendors themselves. The practice raises serious concerns about the integrity and policing of affiliate programs from big …

Malware 12 Feb 2008, 08:57
Boozing boffins contribute less to science

More beer, less research

A Czech researcher has stayed out of the pub long enough to demonstrate that those scientists who don't follow his shining example produce fewer papers, attract fewer citations per paper, and fewer citations overall. Thomáš Grim's grim findings, reported in the Journal of Unlikely Science, will certainly come as a terrible …

Science 12 Feb 2008, 08:58
Mobile World Congress HTC premieres mass-market GPS smartphone

The newest addition to HTC's Windows Mobile 6 Professional line-up,the P3470, will offer sat-nav software and a touch interface via its 2.8in LCD screen, the company said this week. Measuring 108 x 58.3 x 15.7mm, and weighing 122g, the P3470 comes with 128MB RAM of internal memory, 256MB of Flash memory and is capable of …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 09:02
Robot carrier planes start work early with Navy SEALs

Cellphone Topguns catapult from commando speedboats

A capable robot aeroplane has been successfully catapult launched and recovered using an arrester hook by a US Navy warship - and the ship was only 25 metres long. The USN trials - noted at the Ares blog - took place last week off San Clemente Island on the Californian coast. A Mark V Special Operations Craft operated by …

Science 12 Feb 2008, 09:51
Star Wars animation heads for the silver screen

August cinema debut for The Clone Wars

US aficionados of Star Wars can on 15 August enjoy a cinematic launch of forthcoming animated TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Variety reports. The silver screen release is the fruit of a deal between Warner Bros, Turner Broadcasting and Lucasfilm, which described this "marrying [of] TV series and theatrical release" as " …

Entertainment 12 Feb 2008, 09:55
BlackBerry takes Monday afternoon off

Second outage in a year

BlackBerry users got some time yesterday to smell the flowers and talk to their families and friends - the company's email servers went down just after 3pm Eastern Standard Time. Full service was not restored until about 11pm, although there was intermittent uptime. Users could not check emails or browse the web. It is likely …

Mobile 12 Feb 2008, 10:00
Gates pumps up Office, slaps down Yahoo!

Office System Developer Conference Man your APIs

A "brilliant, powerful - and let's face it, sexy and good looking - leader of men and women who just doesn't believe in paying more than seven dollars for a haircut". That's the way Brian Williams, respected news anchorman for America's NBC, described Bill Gates in a video spoof on the Microsoft chairman's pending semi- …

Developer 12 Feb 2008, 10:14
Europe hails foothold in space

Columbus lab finally clamped to ISS

Europe finally gained its long-awaited foothold in space yesterday when astronauts attached the Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station, Reuters reports. The $1.9 billion, ten-tonne cylinder (in pic, centre) took off aboard space shuttle Atlantis last Thursday following years of delays to its original 2002 …

Space 12 Feb 2008, 10:20
Optical media shrunk for mobile phones

DVD for handsets?

Optical media manufacturer Vmedia Research has launched a UMD-esque miniature disc that’s designed to allow everyone to watch films from a single source, whether its on their mobile phone or their home entertainment system. Vmedia's discs already work on a Spice Corp handset The single layer optical discs, which are encased …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 10:52
Sarko calls for global Mars exploration gig

We must all work together, says French prez

Newly-wed French president Nicolas Sarkozy called yesterday for the world's space powers to work together in a global programme to explore Mars, New Scientist reports. Sarkozy, speaking on a trip to the Ariane rocket launch site in French Guiana, declared: "I am convinced that an exploration programme can only be global, …

Space 12 Feb 2008, 10:53
LG quietly launches KT610 Symbian smartphone

Mobile World Congress VGA screen and Qwerty keypad, anyone?

Seoul-based phone maker LG has quietly shown the latest addition to its smartphone range - the LG-KT610, a clamshell handset with a 2.4in, 640 x 480 flip screen and Qwerty keypad. Details on this handset have been sketchy, but we can say it runs on Symbian 9.2 and the S60 user interface. According to LG, the KT610's users can …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 11:03
BSA sinks teeth into US dentists and door makers

Companies pay $172,000 over unlicensed software claims

Two US firms have agreed to hand over significant piles of cash to the Business Software Alliance (BSA) to settle claims they had run unlicensed software on their computers. Denver-based TruStile Doors will settle BSA claims that it had unlicensed copies of Microsoft and Symantec software on its PCs by shelling out a hefty $92, …

Channel Register 12 Feb 2008, 11:23
Consumers warned on data loss compensation packs

'Little chance for success'

Victims of Government data loss are being encouraged to buy packs claiming to help them claim compensation. Thousands have paid out, but privacy lawyers have warned that success is very unlikely. One arbitration company is selling £5.99 packs that it claims will help some of the 25 million victims of the HM Revenue and Customs …

Law 12 Feb 2008, 11:30
Mobile World Congress World's first expandable USB Flash drive launched, sort of

Want a USB Flash drive that has a capacity that can grow? How about Kingston's DataTraveler Micro Reader? It's a 1GB drive that'll also hold Micro SDHC and Memory Stick Micro - aka M2 - add-in cards. OK, so Kingston's pitching it at mobile phone owners who want an easy way to connect their handset's memory cards to a computer …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 11:33
Calls to ban hoodie-busting sonic weapon

Campaigners tell Mosquito to 'buzz off'

Campaigners are calling for hoodie-busting sonic weapon the Mosquito to be banned, claiming it targets innocent young 'uns and is an "infringement of their human rights", the Telegraph reports. The Mosquito emits a high-pitched whine inaudible to the majority of adults over 30, while causing yoof ne'er-do-wells a level of …

Policing 12 Feb 2008, 11:36
Plantronics talks-up military grade headset

Always know what you've been told

Plantronics has declared war on the Bluetooth headset market. It’s launched a military grade unit that it claims stands up to the rigours of the communications adventurer. Plantronics' Explorer 370 talks tough Dubbed Explorer 370, the headset has been certified by the US Army’s Developmental Test Command division. As a …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 11:47
Hannspree glams up the desktop monitor

Beauty, for a price

Designer display manufacturer Hannspree has designed a stylish monitor, crafted to help users recognise the pitfalls of bland and uninspiring screens. Hannspree's Verona XM has a piano black finish The 22in widescreen display, which sits in its existing XM range and is cunningly dubbed Verona, boasts a 1680 x 1050 …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 11:50
iPhone-friendly mobile digital telly tuner demo'd

Mobile World Congress DVB-H retransmitted over Wi-Fi

Digital video playback software specialist PacketVideo this week introduced a matchbox-sized gadget capable of picking up DVB-H digital TV broadcasts and streaming them to any Wi-Fi enabled player - including the iPod Touch and iPhone. DVB-H is a version of the DVB-T digital broadcast standard re-engineered to make it easier …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 12:01
Motorola MOTO U9 mobile phone

Review Fashion-conscious design can only get you so far

Motorola has refreshed the PEBL concept with the MOTO U9, another stylish clamshell with a glossy front and external music player touch controls. But is this tune-playing mobile the one to get Motorola back on track with the fashion phone crowd? Motorola’s been here before with the rounded look, smooth-feel mobile, when it …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 12:10
DARPA continues military AI air-traffic project

Handy for flying cars, machine genocide against fleshies

DARPA, the US warboffin bureau which curls a supercilious lip at established wisdom and tweaks the nose of consensus opinion, has decided to press ahead with its automated artificial-intelligence air traffic control system. The move is doubly welcome here at Vulture Central: not only is it a tasty tech-news nugget, but the …

Science 12 Feb 2008, 12:12
ISPs demand record biz pays up if cut-off P2P users sue

Money meets mouth on file-sharing legislation threats

ISPs are calling on the record industry to put its money where its mouth is on illegal file-sharing, by underwriting the cost of lawsuits brought by people who are wrongly accused of downloading or uploading music. ISPA told The Register today it is worried about the cost to its members if users targeted by rights holders for …

Law 12 Feb 2008, 12:28
US hospitals launch Wiihabilitation

Console proves medical hit

The Wii is proving a hit across the US medical scene. Several US hospitals have admitted using the Nintendo console as an additional method of post-injury patient rehabilitation. Dubbed 'Wiihabilitation', the treatment has already been used in various US-based hospitals to treat patients recovering from a wide scope of …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 12:43
GCap reaches for DAB off switch

Cans digital-only radio format

GCap Media said it will axe the home of Planet Rock and theJazz because the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) platform has not been a money spinner for the firm. The UK's largest commercial radio broadcaster will close the doors on Digital One's remaining stations and sell its assets to its partner Arquiva, which will take GCap' …

Music and Media 12 Feb 2008, 13:04
When poor people pollute - the Tata Nano and eco-crime

But come in, little car, the modellers have been expecting you

It's small, it's cheap, it's low emission so... the arrival of the Tata Nano, India's new 'people's car', has been greeted by a wailing and a gnashing of the teeth from the environmental aristocracy. The prospect of millions of the global peasantry driving, emitting and pushing up 'our' gas prices is a nightmare. It promises to …

Environment 12 Feb 2008, 14:20
T-Mobile and Orange hook up video trial

Mobile World Congress Londoners to get mobile video, Reding to get annoyed

Orange and T-Mobile are to try broadcast TV in London, using MBMS technology over the existing 3G infrastructure to provide 24 channels of video and ten of audio, all at "high resolution". The companies will try this out for six months to see if the service can be made economic. Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) is …

Mobile 12 Feb 2008, 14:34
Vodafone CEO finds wireless too complicated

Mobile World Congress Why can't things be more simple like when I were a lad?

Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin today called for wireless unity, saying it's now so complicated it would be better if everyone just stopped using different operating systems and network technologies. In his keynote, he pointed out that we're currently using between 30 and 40 different operating systems on mobile phones, and if …

Networks 12 Feb 2008, 14:43
Intel and Dixons raided by Competition Commission

Anti-trust allegations

Officials from the European Competition Commission, accompanied by local officials, raided Intel offices in Munich and those of Dixons Store Group International in the UK today as part of an investigation into alleged illegal collusion - that Intel and retailers worked together to fix prices. A spokesman for DSGI told the Reg …

Channel Register 12 Feb 2008, 15:00
Feds, NASA bracelet space shuttle spies

And Huawei says 3Com espionage accusations are 'bullshit'

The US Department of Justice yesterday announced further high profile arrests of Americans alleged to have acted as technology spies for communist China. Justice Dept (DoJ) spokesmen said the accused - including a former Boeing engineer and a Defense Department official - had passed the secrets of the Space Shuttle, among other …

Space 12 Feb 2008, 15:07
Trolltech delivers Qt WebKit

Mobile World Congress Web beautification for mobile

Cross-platform tools specialist Trolltech has updated its popular Qt framework by integrating the WebKit browser engine. The move opens up the possibility of easy transfer of popular web applications such as Google Earth and iTunes to millions of mobile devices, particularly Nokia handsets that support WebKit. It also broadens …

Mobile 12 Feb 2008, 15:52
Mobile subscribers showered with spam

Nuisance messages speeds up customer churn

Mobile operators are being warned to brace themselves for a global upsurge in mobile messaging abuse. The growth of mobile messaging, reductions in message delivery costs, inherent network vulnerabilities, and new mobile marketing initiatives are converging to create a perfect storm for abuse, according to mobile security firm …

Security 12 Feb 2008, 16:10
P2P uploader hoaxes leading BitTorrent blog

2 + 2 = 10 for Torrentfreak

A German record label has been forced to deny it wants people to pirate its music after a blogger cooked up a story that it had uploaded its entire repertoire to Pirate Bay. The story was first published by the BitTorrent fan blog Torrentfreak and written by its founder "Ernesto". His sole source for the fanciful tale, of how …

Music and Media 12 Feb 2008, 16:33
i-mate expands Ultimate range by two

Mobile World Congress The latest PDAs

Handset manufacturer i-mate has stepped out of the cold and unveiled two PDA devices at this year's Mobile World Conference in Barcelona, Spain. i-mate's Ultimate 9502 The two handsets, dubbed 8502 and 9502, both fall under the manufacturer’s Ultimate series, from which three forthcoming devices were believed to have been …

Reg Hardware 12 Feb 2008, 16:36
Yahoo! debuts! mobile! creepware!

Camping World Congress The Hive Mind Sees All

If you thought Facebook's Beacon ad program had FAIL written all over it, wait until you see what Yahoo! has in store for you. Like Beacon, the new "OneConnect" program follows Web 2.0's logic to its natural conclusion – you see what everyone else is doing, even when you don't want to. OneConnect is essentially a single sign- …

Mobile 12 Feb 2008, 16:43
Wind River claims Android 'first'

Mobile World Congress Mobile rivals compete for Texas

The jockeying for dominance in mobile Linux developer platforms has taken a fresh twist with key announcements from two leading players arm wrestling for advantage. Mobile Linux vendor MontaVista said it has joined forces with mobile user interface developer Movial to offer a developer toolkit for mobile web applications. …

Mobile 12 Feb 2008, 16:57
London Congestion Charge becomes CO₂ tax

~~Red~~ Green Ken makes bid for recycled lentil votes

London mayor Ken Livingstone yesterday announced a comprehensive shift in the capital's "congestion charge" road-pricing policy, reorienting the tolls much more towards green issues and away from actual congestion charging. The mainstream charge remains the same, with ordinary cars charged £8 for a day's access to the …

Public Sector 12 Feb 2008, 17:59
Sun nabs innotek's 20MB of open source, virtualized goodness

I believe you have my stapler

Sun Microsystems has gone very granola by buying desktop virtualization software player innotek. (The small 'i' stands for big innovation or something like that.) Innotek pushes software called VirtualBox (less than 20MB) that lets developers run multiple operating systems and display them side-by-side on their screen. So, you …

Servers 12 Feb 2008, 18:01
Google won't support you - Symbian

Caravan World Congress Not paranoid about Android

Google Android phones aren't even on vapourware yet, but already Symbian is already welcoming the challenge. We asked Symbian executives how they propose to fight a free, or even an ad-subsidized, OS rival from Google. It's a question everyone's asking of vendors who go to market with an OS that costs real folding stuff. EVP …

Mobile 12 Feb 2008, 18:22
SaaSy Dell 2.0 buys MessageOne for $155m

Dell on Dell on Dell on Dell

Anyone confused by exactly what Dell 2.0 means should have a look at today's acquisition of MessageOne. Most of the media reports so far have centered on MessageOne's ties to Michael Dell's brother Adam Dell. The "other" Dell founded MessageOne way back in 1998 and once served as Chairman of the e-mail backup service provider. …

Servers 12 Feb 2008, 19:45
NetApp SnapManager blows VMware a virtual kiss

Takes de-dupe to primary storage gear

Network Appliance is giving its SnapManager software a virtualized twist and introducing automated storage provisioning along with a handful of product and service announcements today. The company is also expanding its de-duplication wares to primary storage in V-Series and MultiStore systems with an upgrade of NetApp's OnTap …

Storage 12 Feb 2008, 20:00
Portly HP fires up double-wide Itanium blade

Four-sockets 'O Fun

A long time ago, in a data centers far, far away, blade servers ran on laptop chips from Transmeta. These days companies such as HP pop double-wide, scorching hot Itanium-packed blades into their chassis. HP today rolled out the four-socket BL870c blade server. This puppy complements the existing two-socket BL860c rolled out …

Servers 12 Feb 2008, 20:39
Rogers wraps 'unlimited' mobile browsing in small print

The True North not so free

In announcing its unlimited mobile data plan, mega Canadian telco Rogers Communications has redefined the word unlimited. As revealed by the folks at the metro-blog The Torontoist, Rogers' new data plan is completely unlimited except where it's limited. First off, the seven-Canadian-bucks-a-month plan applies only to "on- …

Mobile 12 Feb 2008, 21:06