9th June 2008 Archive

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Small, awkward and looking for love: Delphi for PHP 2.0

Review Dreams of past Windows glory

The intent behind Delphi for PHP from CodeGear, last month acquired by Embarcadero Technologies, is clear: to provide an integrated development environment for PHP that matches the speed of development regular Delphi offers for Windows applications. First released in February 2007, the initial version fell far short of the …

Developer 9 Jun 2008, 05:02
Ofcom slices up the digital dividend

Hurry, before Brussels finds out!

Ofcom, the UK regulator, has published its first consultation on how to carve up the digital dividend – the spectrum released in 2012 when analogue TV is switched off. And if you've found previous auctions confusing you ain't seen nothing yet. In total there is 144MHz of spectrum coming onto the market: 112MHz from the …

Networks 9 Jun 2008, 08:56
Wii Remote helps wheelchairs create virtual art

A virtual canvas, that is

The Wii's Remote can already direct a disco, but it can also now be used to paint a virtual canvas, thanks to one intrepid student’s adjustments to the controller . ’ A overview of Digital Wheel Art Digital Wheel Art is designed to allow wheelchair-bound people to express themselves through drawings. Essentially, the user …

Reg Hardware 9 Jun 2008, 09:09
US nuke boffins smash petaflop barrier with 'Roadrunner'

Cell/Opteron chimera supercomputer whups 44 mouse brains

The US nuclear weapons programme has revealed a new supercomputer made from consumer processors, which has broken the petaflop barrier just about in line with projections. The machine, known as "Roadrunner", uses both Cell and Opteron based technology. The New York Times reports this morning that Roadrunner - named in an …

Servers 9 Jun 2008, 09:10
Samsung sneaks out snazzy 3G iPhone rival

Omnia first phone to integrate Windows Mobile, haptics

In a bid to steal some of the anticipated 3G iPhone's glory - Apple's expected to announce it today - Samsung has launched Ominia, its Windows Mobile 6.1-based touchscreen handset. Samsung's Omnia: 3G iPhone rival Based around a 3.2in, 240 x 400 display, the Omnia also packs in GPS, and FM radio, A2DP wireless stereo, …

Reg Hardware 9 Jun 2008, 09:38
Vendor punts coin-operated Wi-Fi base-station

Slot machine

People rarely need coins to make a call these days, but don’t ditch your coppers just yet because manufacturer Handlink has designed a coin-operated Wi-Fi access point. Handlink's Wi-Fi point is coin-operated The bizarre creation supports 802.11b/g connections, but this wireless wonder won’t just let you connect to the web …

Reg Hardware 9 Jun 2008, 09:40
HP settles patent row with Acer

Buries hatchet in secret deal

Acer today confirmed that it has finally settled an ugly ongoing patent spat with Hewlett-Packard. The Taiwan-based computer maker said in a statement: “The confidential settlement agreement resolves all claims asserted in three federal court lawsuits and two United States International Trade Commission investigations between …

Channel Register 9 Jun 2008, 09:55
Yahoo!'s latest letter warns of letters

irritating lack of capitals ahead

Yahoo!'s chief executive, Jerry Yang, has written to his fellow yahoos telling them what to expect from the forthcoming proxy contest over the company's board of directors. The email went to all Yahoo! staff and was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It first explains what a proxy contest is - when a …

Financial News 9 Jun 2008, 10:00
Police probe pirate-DVD detecting dog's demise

The dog it was that died

A dog trained to track down pirate DVDs has been found dead. The cause of death is not yet known. Police named the disc-sniffing mutt as Manny, one of a pair donated to Malaysian anti-piracy authorities by the Motion Picture Association of America, the New Straits Times reported yesterday. Manny and companion Paddy arrived in …

Reg Hardware 9 Jun 2008, 10:13
Replicator maker highlights buoyant Blu-ray demand

German disc replicator maker Singulus today said that demand for dual-layer capable Blu-ray Disc production equipment is higher that it was for DVD manufacturing machines. Singulus said it received orders for 21 dual-layer BD machines during Q1. When dual-layer DVD technology was at a similar stage in its development, Singulus …

Reg Hardware 9 Jun 2008, 10:32
Third ISS space walk done and dusted

Home stretch for mission STS-124

Mission specialists Michael Fossum and Ronald Garan yesterday completed their third and final spacewalk outside the International Space Station - a six-and-a-half hour jaunt which ended at 20:28 GMT. The pair's main task was to replace a 249kg nitrogen tank which pressurises the station's ammonia cooling system. While Garan …

Space 9 Jun 2008, 10:33
Blighty admits 'national shortage' of nuke engineers

Hello, is that the Pyongyang job centre?

British immigration authorities have re-classified a range of nuclear-power specialisations as "national shortage occupations" and will thus ease applications for work permits. The move reflects a widespread perception that the somewhat moribund UK nuclear workforce will be unable to handle the planned renewal - and possible …

Government 9 Jun 2008, 10:57
XM-I X-Mini capsule travel speakers

Review Small, cheap and the sound's not at all bad

Ask most people what they look for in a pair of travel speakers and they are likely to say they want something small and cheap but which nonetheless sounds like the stacks at Donnington. Once you take them out of the plastic tube they come in, it's hard not to be more than a little impressed with XM-I's X-Minimax active “ …

Reg Hardware 9 Jun 2008, 11:02
Best compact camera with a viewfinder?

Q&A

I'm looking for an easy-to-use budget-priced compact camera with viewfinder as well as an LCD screen? Any suggestions, folks?

Reg Hardware 9 Jun 2008, 11:16
Phoenix chokes on 'clumpy' Martian soil

Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer glitch

NASA's Phoenix Mars lander has hit a glitch in its first attempt to sample Martian soil - the Red Planet's surface may have proved too "clumpy" for one oven in the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA). Phoenix recently scooped up a cup-sized sample of material for the "high-temperature furnace and mass spectrometer" TEGA, …

Space 9 Jun 2008, 11:41
Browser makers throw up drive-by download barriers

Security wrappers

Opera has partnered with Haute Secure in a bid to defend surfers from drive-by download attacks. Haute Secure's technology will be bundled in Opera 9.5, bolstering the Norwegian firm's existing Fraud Protection technology with software designed to block malware downloads from compromised websites. Opera 9.5, codenamed Kestrel …

Malware 9 Jun 2008, 11:55
Labour isn't working for IT contractors

Leave my heap of cash alone

Outraged contractors have slammed Labour’s policies on freelance work in the UK and claimed that the government’s stance threatens their livelihoods. A new survey from ContractorCalculator revealed the somewhat unsurprising findings that 88 per cent of freelancers, of which a large portion work in the lucrative IT sector, were …

Small Biz 9 Jun 2008, 12:20
Chinese 419er punts a whopping $8

Get not-very-rich quick opportunity

We're much obliged to Dave Appleby for sharing with us the following once-in-a-lifetime offer from the Lads from Lagos: Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2008 21:13:57 +0200 From: peterwong2@tiscali.cz Subject: Att To: undisclosed-recipients I am peter-wong from Bank hang seng hong kong, I have a late client funds of $8 USD in my bank and …

Bootnotes 9 Jun 2008, 12:50
Competition watchdogs urged to act on 'commercial iPlayer'

'snot fair

Competition watchdogs are probing Project Kangaroo, the commercial web TV venture set to carry BBC, ITV and Channel 4 programming, amid claims it could suffocate rivals. Sky has told the Office of Fair Trading it is worried that Kangaroo's backers could use their positions as public service broadcasters to promote and cross- …

Telecoms 9 Jun 2008, 12:53
Man accused of using LinkedIn to steal clients

Ex-employee must disclose online contacts, rules UK court

An ex-employee of recruitment firm Hays has been ordered to disclose details of his profile at social networking site LinkedIn. Mark Ions set up a rival agency and is accused of using LinkedIn to steal clients. He says Hays encouraged his use of the site. Ions worked for Hays Specialist Recruitment for six and a half years …

Law 9 Jun 2008, 12:57
Taxing times for Hungary's porn inspectors

NSFW Tax allowance claim grumble flick marathon

A group of Hungarian tax inspectors is apparently "protesting" at being forced to watch hard-core grumble flicks in an attempt to decide if the filmmaker has legitimately claimed £10,000 in allowances for set-dressing his DVD romps. According to Ananova, Northern Hungary tax supremo Maria Nagy bemoaned the probe into Ferenc …

Bootnotes 9 Jun 2008, 14:03
Lunar mini-mole missile probes tested against Welsh target

Moon darkside to be penetrated by crustbuster barrage

Penetrator probe missiles designed to be fired from an orbiting, robotic space mothership into the dark side of the Moon have been tested on targets in Wales. The moon harpoons are expected to confirm the exact makeup of the lunar crust, possibly by the deployment of robotic moon-tunnelling mole cruisers. It's all about how …

Space 9 Jun 2008, 14:07
US stops Optimus Prime at the border

Comments 'We've already filled our giant robot quota'

Air travel was a major theme last week, starting with the news that the US is to require those travelling under the Visa Waiver Program to register their details at least 72 hours prior to leaving for the States. At present citizens of participant countries can enter the US without first obtaining a visa, but from January next …

Letters 9 Jun 2008, 14:14
Grand Theft Auto IV Xbox extras delayed

Released knocked back a quarter

Rockstar won't be releasing downloadable extras for the Xbox 360 version Grand Theft Auto IV quite as soon as rather a lot of gamers were anticipating. There are at least two downloadables coming. The first chunk of this "episodic content" was expected sometime this coming autumn, but Rockstar's publisher, Take-Two Interactive …

Reg Hardware 9 Jun 2008, 14:27
Trend withdraws from 'irrelevant' VB100 anti-virus test

So last century

Trend Micro plans to withdraw its software from the Virus Bulletin 100 (VB100) tests after criticising them a poor way of deciding how well security products defend against contemporary internet threats. Virus Bulletin's VB100 tests aims to assess how security products fare in detecting a set of viruses from the WildList, an …

Channel Register 9 Jun 2008, 14:43
Toshiba Cell-based GPU trounces quad-core CPU

SpursEngine 1, Intel Core 2 Quad 0

Graphics chip buffs sceptical about Toshiba's attempt to muscle in on the market with its Cell-derived SpursEngine chip may need think again: the chip last week heartily thrashed an Intel 3GHz Core 2 Quad. The head-to-head was hosted by Corel, TGDaily reports, which had Toshiba's SE1000 and the general-purpose processor both …

Reg Hardware 9 Jun 2008, 14:49
Manchester's congestion charge: pay-to-leave

New Order promises Confusion

Manchester council looks set to pick up a big pile of cash from central government in exchange for setting up a two-tier congestion charge system to tax drivers who enter or leave the city. The congestion zone covers most of Manchester. You will pay to go into the centre in the morning and pay again to leave in the evening. …

Government 9 Jun 2008, 15:04
AMD pitches latest Opterons at swollen boxen

Time to ~~roll~~ scale up the data centre

AMD today pushed out its latest round of quad core Opteron chips, this time designed for four-socket and eight-socket x86 server beasts. The Sunnyvale, California-based chip maker said it has already begun shipping processors, which are in its 2300 and 8300 models and aimed squarely at the enterprise market, to Hewlett-Packard …

Servers 9 Jun 2008, 15:11
Icahn spews green ink at Yahoo!

Enough with the letters Carl, get yourself a penpal

Carl Icahn has written an open letter in reply to Yahoo!'s latest press release on his attempted hostile takeover of the company. And it looks a bit like one of our "Flame of the Week" emails . Or like a dipsomaniac shouting at the bins in a neglected alleyway. The letter, addressed to Yahoo!'s chairman Roy Bostock, begins by …

Financial News 9 Jun 2008, 15:27
Sun SOA launch sucks in open source

JavaCAPS 6.0 released

You remember SeeBeyond Technologies? Rather successful application integration company? Lots of really big customers and $140m in annual revenue? Purchased by Sun Microsystems in 2005 for the knockdown price of $387m. Yes, well, Sun has released Java Composite Application Suite (CAPS) 6.0, an updated version of SeeBeyond's old …

Developer 9 Jun 2008, 18:10
Apple to charge iPod Touch owners for new OS - again

WWDC Can you spare $10 for a cup of Cocoa?

Apple will release version 2.0 of the iPhone operating system in early July, CEO Steve Jobs has revealed. Existing iPhone owners will get it for free - iPod Touch owners, however, will have to cough up $10. iPhone 2.0 offers the ability to view and edit iWork documents - files from Apple's own Pages, Numbers and Keynote apps. …

Reg Hardware 9 Jun 2008, 18:39
Apple under the gun to master the iPhone's 'second album'

Comment We know near. Show us far

When your band scores its first big hit album, your work isn’t finished. No, sir . . . your troubles have just begun. You and the other three members of Lower GI had seven years to put together your smash CD, “Negative For Lupus.” And you got to do it with the benefit of no expectations or attentions from the record industry, …

Mobile 9 Jun 2008, 18:41
FCC free wireless scheme trapped in lobby limbo

Interference hits 'lifeline broadband'

The US Federal Communications Commission has backed off its plan for a free nationwide wireless broadband network. For the moment. As we reported last month, the commission was set to vote on this free wireless idea at its June 12th meeting. But after complaints over proposed content filters and possible interference issues, …

Networks 9 Jun 2008, 18:49
Apple's 3G iPhone to launch 11 July

WWDC Price halved

Yes, he did it. Apple CEO Steve Jobs has just unveiled the 3G iPhone, doubling the handset's talk time in the process - and halving the price. Last year, Jobs said Apple wouldn't connect the iPhone to 3G networks because of the communications technology's battery demands. Apple's clearly licked the problem: the new iPhone is …

Reg Hardware 9 Jun 2008, 19:09
EMI hires the Biggest Brain in Sadville

Why?

How desperate is EMI? Desperate enough to hire the co-founder of Sadville? Amazingly, yes. Not only is a graphics programmer joining the storied British music group as head of "digital strategy" - he cheerfully admits he doesn't know anything about the music business. And he doesn't even like music - he's only bought five albums …

Music and Media 9 Jun 2008, 19:15
Silverlight 2 beta 2 - Go Live if you dare

Review Tires hard against Adobe, must try harder

Microsoft has released beta 2.0 of Silverlight 2.0, complete with a Go-Live license that permits commercial deployments for those sufficiently brave. Silverlight 2.0 is the make-or-break release for Microsoft's would-be Flash killer, since it includes the .NET runtime. While .NET has succeeded as a web platform, it has never …

Developer 9 Jun 2008, 19:17
US Supremes limit royalty double dippage

That's like putting your whole mouth right in the patent!

The US Supreme court has overturned a lower court ruling that let South Korea's LG Electronics double-dip on royalty licensing. In a unanimous decision today, the court favored Taiwan's Quanta Computers, delivering a ruling that will limit a patent holder's ability to collect royalties from companies at different stages of the …

Law 9 Jun 2008, 19:31
Country mice oppose Yahoogle

'A threat to the dusty back roads of the information superhighway'

Even rural America takes issue with this Yahoogle idea. Today, six organizations representing "the dusty back road of the information superhighway" shot a letter to John Conyers and Patrick Leahy - heads of the US House and Senate judiciary committees - calling for public hearings on a potential search tie-up between the world …

Music and Media 9 Jun 2008, 21:21
Dell touts Windows XP to 2009 - and 'likely longer'

No deadline like the present

The official June 30 cut-off date for Windows XP is getting even fuzzier, with Dell vowing to sell PCs running the operating system until "at least 2009". The company has told customers Windows XP Professional will be available for OEM installation on PCs "through at least 2009 and likely longer", Neowin reports. All is not …

Operating Systems 9 Jun 2008, 21:56
AMD inks aid for HPC parallel code hounds

Deals in multiple multi-threaded apps

AMD is making deals with a pair of multi-threaded code wranglers today in a move to help high performance computing applications shine on multi-core chips and graphics cards. First is a pact with Rogue Wave Software, maker of products that let developers run their single-threaded apps concurrently on multiple cores without …

Servers 9 Jun 2008, 22:06
Bots to blame for Amazon.com outages?

New glitches add to intrigue

Amazon.com suffered a fresh round of outages on Monday amid speculation that it was under a denial of service attack. Disruptions hit Amazon's US and UK sites Monday morning California time and lasted for about an hour, according to Keynote Systems, which monitors website performance. People who tried to visit the sites …

Enterprise Security 9 Jun 2008, 23:35