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2nd July 2008 Archive

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  • TSA says 'checkpoint friendly' laptop bags on the way

    One less thing to strip down at the airport

    US airline travelers may have an opportunity to skip one particular round of manhandling by Transportation Security Administration agents this year. The agency says passengers using new specially designed "checkpoint friendly" laptop bags won't need to remove their portable from its case when passing through x-ray inspection …

    Bootnotes 2 Jul 2008, 00:32

  • Is SproutCore worth the Flash and Java iPhone snub?

    Shows promise, reveals limitations

    A little-known open-source project became the subject of intense interest recently, following a session at Apple's developer conference in San Francisco, California. That project? SproutCore. Apple offered to show WWDC attendees a way to deliver a "first-class user experience and exceptional performance" in web applications …

    Software 2 Jul 2008, 05:02

  • How to beat AVG's fake traffic spew

    Updated A header to save the internet

    As the AVG LinkScanner continues to spew fake traffic across the internet, web masters say they've uncovered a reliable means of filtering these rogue hits from their log files. Bundled with AVG's newest anti-virus engine, AVG 8, and used by roughly 20 million people worldwide, LinkScanner checks search engine results for …

    IT Director 2 Jul 2008, 05:20

  • DoJ to probe Google Yahoo! deal

    While Microsoft seeks partners for renewed bid

    The US Department of Justice is to open a formal investigation into Yahoo!'s partnership with Google, fearing it will reduce competition in the online advertising market. The DoJ is preparing demands for information for executives at both companies and also from rival online advertising firms. The department was already …

    Financial News 2 Jul 2008, 08:54

  • Observers criticise London e-count

    Too many issues for full confidence

    The body which provided official observers to the London elections has said it was given insufficient evidence to feel confident in the results. The Open Rights Group (ORG), which was accredited by the Electoral Commission to provide observers, has released a report that identifies a number of shortcomings in the electronic …

    Government 2 Jul 2008, 09:08

  • Leaked AMD southbridge details yield 'Fusion' CPU snippets

    Deep sleeper with Dash

    AMD's next-gen southbridge chip, called the SB800 and revealed yesterday, is being designed with the company's 'Fusion' processor in mind. Details of the part have just appeared on Spanish-language site ChileHardware. It posted an AMD slide that provides a run-down of the SB800's features. Most are the customary speed and …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 09:32

  • El Reg procures OGC mousemat

    LogoWatch exclusive Cracking stuff

    We're absolutely delighted this morning to bring readers concrete proof of the Office of Government Commerce's rebranding folly, in the form of this splendid mousemat: When we first reported the OGC logo outrage, our inside source claimed the government tentacle had already spunked a not inconsiderable sum on rebranded knick- …

    Bootnotes 2 Jul 2008, 09:47

  • AMD records Q1 marketshare gain

    Nothing to stress Intel out, though

    AMD fanboys today jumped on figures from market watcher iSuppli highlighting marketshare gains made by the chip maker, but the picture's not as clear as they would like. The researcher's latest numbers, for the worldwide microprocessor market and focusing on the year's first quarter, show AMD's share rose from 10.9 per cent in …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 09:48

  • What's going to power Small, Cheap Computers?

    Atoms, dragons and Windows?

    Between the mobile phone and the laptop computer a new class of device is emerging, and control of it is up for grabs - it appears the next battle will be fought between seasoned industry scrappers and young bloods over the 'armtop'. Mobile phones are becoming more and more like computers - link one to a Bluetooth keyboard and …

    Mobile 2 Jul 2008, 09:53

  • Yes! It's the Star Wars Nintendo DS stylus!

    'I see you have made yourself a new lightsabre'

    If your Nintendo DS’ stylus doesn’t deliver enough 'schvvvvoom' when you swing it, then why not pimp it up with a Star Wars lightsabre? Minature lightsabres for the Nintendo DS Both Nintendo and Lucas Arts have officially licensed the production of miniature Star Wars lightsabre packs, which gamers use to control on-screen …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 10:08

  • Cable and Wireless left cableless by double line break

    Double and quits

    Several of Cable and Wireless' large corporate customers were booted offline on Moday night when its Leeds data centres fell to an unlikely double cable break. The two breaks were more than 100 miles apart, in the Northampton and Runcorn areas. They cut off two data centres Cable and Wireless picked up when it bought Energis …

    Telecoms 2 Jul 2008, 10:22

  • Blockbuster withdraws $1bn Circuit City bid

    Help me, Ob-Icahn Kenobi, you’re my only hope...

    Blockbuster Inc. yesterday backed away from its $1bn bid for consumer electronics retailer Circuit City citing gloomy “market conditions”. The movie rental chain’s CEO James Keyes said in a statement: “We have determined that it is not in the best interest of Blockbuster's shareholders to proceed with an acquisition of Circuit …

    Channel Register 2 Jul 2008, 10:37

  • Olympus creates 360° camera lens

    I see you

    Wet Wet Wet sang that "love is all around”, but Olympus thinks that photography should be too. That’s because the firm claims to have developed the world’s first camera able to snap full 360° images. Olympus' lens can see all around While the unique shooter has a horizontal snapping angle of 360°, it also has a vertical ' …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 11:00

  • Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Disc player

    Video Review The BD box to beat the PS3?

    This Sony is a particularly fine example of a sub-£300 Blu-ray machine. Dubbed the BDP-S300, it costs just £200 if you shop around online. That’s super-cheap - but can it actually deliver on performance? Can't see the video? Download Flash Player from Adobe.com More video reviews at ChannelFlip.com Special Feature HD TV in …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 11:00

  • Land Warrior wearable war-smartphone survives Iraq baptism

    Txt-happy grunts in virtual-keyboard iPhone bitchslap

    The world's first unit of digitally networked foot soldiers returns from combat in Iraq this week. Reports have it that the American troops' controversial "Land Warrior" wearable-node technology has changed in both role and configuration during its 15-month baptism of fire. Indications are that the equipment - slated for …

    Government 2 Jul 2008, 11:02

  • Nintendo cans DVD Wii plan

    Gaming film fans left fretting

    Plans to let Wii owners play DVDs through the console have, for now at least, been shelved by Nintendo, according to a Japanese report. News source Nihon Keizai Shimbun has reported that Nintendo recently chaired a meeting with its shareholders at which the firm’s President, Satoru Iwata, said that continuing Wii supply …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 11:08

  • eBay Australia faces PayPal fury

    Aussies unconvinced by PayPal-only policy

    eBay Australia's attempt to force all sellers to use PayPal is failing to win over users and still faces a competition investigation. The online auction house has suspended introduction of the scheme while the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission investigates it. The ACCC has already said that it is concerned that …

    Small Biz 2 Jul 2008, 11:18

  • Virgin Media ads throttled by peak time bandwidth squeeze

    BT snipe on target

    The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has rapped Virgin Media for making dodgy claims about its download speeds after a complaint by rival BT. The "Hate to Wait" campaign, which ran in national newspapers, trumpeted the times it estimated Virgin Media broadband subscribers to download songs and TV shows. The ads failed to …

    Telecoms 2 Jul 2008, 11:41

  • Asus readies iMac attack with all-in-one Eee

    Hello, Steve...

    Asus' attempt to conquer the world with its Eee family continues with the appearance this week of an iMac-alike all-in-one desktop model. Asus' Eee Monitor: iMac styling The original desktop Eee, the Eee Box, will be joined by the dully named Eee Monitor - as a variety of sites are dubbing the new machine - which is …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 11:42

  • 90 per cent of Sony devices to be networked by 2010

    But do we need another standard?

    Sony intends to have 90 per cent of its products networked up by 2010, though how many of them will be using the company's proprietary TransferJet technology remains to be seen. Stan Glasgow, president of consumer sales at Sony, mentioned the figure to a group of journalists in San Francisco including tech-blog Gizmodo, …

    Wireless 2 Jul 2008, 11:43

  • Microsoft turns up volume with new licensing agreement

    Drowned in sound

    Microsoft yesterday announced that it has revised its volume licensing agreements – effectively shackling its mid-size and large business customers to lengthy new contracts. Under the new program, dubbed “Select Plus Volume Licensing”, customers will be able to buy multiple volume packages of products using a solo ID across an …

    Channel Register 2 Jul 2008, 11:49

  • Court rules 90s UK.gov wiretaps violated human rights

    Home Office: What's it got to do with RIPA?

    Liberty called for an overhaul of RIPA yesterday after the European Court of Human Rights slapped the UK government over the way it applied the UK's previous interception legislation. But the Home Office today said it did not see that the judgement had any implications for the UK's current suite of laws covering covert …

    Law 2 Jul 2008, 12:00

  • $5.8m payout draws line under FBI's anthrax screw-up

    Seven years and a bioterror defense industry later...

    When the US Department of Justice agreed to pay Steven J. Hatfill $5.82 million in damages for trashing his life and reputation late last week, it was another big low in the mess that's been the Amerithrax 2001 case. With the de facto exoneration of Hatfill, who had been dubbed a "person of interest" by the FBI, bystanders can …

    Government 2 Jul 2008, 12:19

  • Chillblast Fusion Juggernaut gaming PC

    Review A wolf in sheep’s clothing

    UK-based gaming PC specialist Chillblast is a master in the art of overclocking, producing systems that perform blisteringly fast - yet entirely stable: its latest desktop creation is the Fusion Juggernaut. The plain case gives nothing away about what’s been built inside it, namely an overclocked quad-core processor, 4GB of …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 12:29

  • Xbox 360 pricing downed Down Under

    Aussie gamers to be better off?

    Australian gamers have become the latest console fans to benefit from Microsoft’s ongoing series of regional Xbox 360 price cuts. The firm today confirmed that the basic Arcade model, which doesn’t feature any built-in storage, will cost A$349 ($335/£168/€211) instead of A$399 ($383/£192/€242). The mid-range Premium console, …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 12:37

  • Top airline bosses launch assault on airport ID card plan

    And can we mention your border plans are rubbish too?

    The bosses of the UK's major airlines have attacked plans to force airport workers to enrol in the national ID card scheme, claiming that "the UK aviation industry is being used for political purposes on a project which has questionable public support."* If anything the move, they say, could reduce security by adding a "false …

    Government 2 Jul 2008, 13:06

  • Google's Street View spycar clocked in London

    Lock up your daughters

    It's time to lock up your daughters, and here's why: The roving spycar of Google's Street View has been spotted prowling the mean streets of London... Good work there by the undercover missus of El Reg reader Ziad al-Hasso. Doubtless she'll soon be exposed on Street View, as will the poor bloke on the left who's talking to …

    Bootnotes 2 Jul 2008, 13:24

  • Alan Sugar leaves Amstrad

    You're retired?

    Sir Alan Sugar is leaving Amstrad a year after he sold the set-top box maker business to BSkyB. The man who introduced the world - or at least the UK - to the joys of the twin VCR, the hi-fi separates system that is actually one big card-boardy box, and of course the PCW has relinquished the chairmanship of the company, which …

    Financial News 2 Jul 2008, 13:41

  • Court slaps UK BitTorrenters with landmark damages award

    Copyright ambulance chasers open up new market

    The Central London County Court has ordered four BitTorrent users to pay a video games company £750 interim damages following a landmark victory by no win, no fee copyright lawyers. The final damages could run to £2,000, plus costs of up to £1,500, the Evening Standard reports. The decision will cause salivating among …

    Law 2 Jul 2008, 13:41

  • Super-safe storage surfaces

    The HDD that can be soaked and burnt

    If you thought that viruses were one of the most likely things to damage your data, then think again - it could well be fire and water. Thankfully, there’s a solution. Manufacturer SentrySafe has launched what it claims is the world’s first and only fire-resistant and waterproof hard drive unit. It claims the storage unit can …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 13:47

  • HP VP charged for trying to pass on IBM trade secrets

    'For Your Eyes Only'

    A former Hewlett-Packard vice president has been charged by US federal prosecutors for allegedly attempting to pass trade secrets from his previous employer, IBM Corp, to senior HP execs. According to a US District Court indictment filed last Friday in San Jose, California, Atul Malhotra obtained “confidential” pricing details …

    Law 2 Jul 2008, 14:36

  • Asahi premiers pint-pulling robo-barman

    Video Report Oy, you're barred... BZZZT

    Friends, does life get any better than this? It’s a robot. It grins. It serves you beer. Watch - and drool. Hands up if you want one? Can't see the video? Download Flash Player from Adobe.com More video reviews at ChannelFlip.com

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 14:38

  • UK.gov launches data mash-up competition

    Not f*ck-up - they can do that already

    The UK government is starting a competition to find funky, Web 2.0 ways to mash up its data, man. Suggestions like "put it on an unencrypted CD and lose it" will not be welcome. Or leave it on a laptop on a train. Or dump a file on a train. Or so on ad nauseum. Instead, cabinet office minister Tom Watson is offering a …

    Government 2 Jul 2008, 14:45

  • AT&T: pay-as-you-go iPhones will be locked

    AT&T has revealed that non-contract, unsubsidised 3G iPhones will be tied to the network, dashing hopes that PAYG models might be more portable than the cheaper, subsidised versions of the handset. According to an Associated Press report, an AT&T spokesman confirmed yesterday that contract-free iPhones will remain locked and …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 15:23

  • Acer punts £199... er... £220... er... Linux laptop

    Price clarified upwards

    Acer has clarified its pricing plan for the eagerly awaited Aspire One sub-notebook - and it's clarified the price upwards. At launch, the company stated the basic version of the Eee PC rival would run Linux, pack in 8GB of solid-state storage and 512MB of memory, and sport a £199 price tag. Company officials stressed that …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 15:51

  • Microsoft targets online Office bundle at US cheapskates

    Software for Hard Times

    Microsoft has tied up with ailing US retailer Circuit City to launch its Office and security subscription service which hits the market bearing the moniker "Equipt". The software giant said that it has handed Circuit City the new product line, with plans for the retail chain to start punting Equipt from mid-July. It will carry …

    Channel Register 2 Jul 2008, 15:56

  • Chinese cops opt for Segways

    Counter-terrorist taskforce gets mobile

    Chinese authorities are going high-tech and have begun equipping elite crime fighting units with motorised Segway scooters. China's police are getting mobile According to the front page of daily newspaper The First, Chinese armed forces were recently spotted using Segways during a counter-terrorist exercise called “Taishan …

    Reg Hardware 2 Jul 2008, 16:09

  • IBM rids world of mainframe up-start PSI, inherits Itanium server biz

    If you can't beat them, buy them

    Platform Solutions Inc. (PSI), the upstart mainframe house that's been leading international anti-trust charges against IBM, has today been bought by, er, IBM. IBM refuses to disclose how much it paid for the start-up at this time. It did, however, confirm that the two companies have dropped their legal charges against each …

    Servers 2 Jul 2008, 17:46

  • Parallels forms Windows containers on HP's Itanium servers

    Renewed vows

    Parallels is giving some delayed attention to Hewlett-Packard's Integrity servers today. The OS virtualization house has now certified Virtuozzo Containers to run in tandem with Windows on the Integrity server line — a healthy three years after Parallels (then SWsoft) did the same for Linux. This is not what coach calls good …

    Servers 2 Jul 2008, 18:13

  • The9 exposed as China's supercomputing powerhouse

    Exclusive The ninth mode of art runs on HP clusters

    For more than six months, a list ranking the top supercomputers in China has been floating around, but no one has managed to solve its riddle. The list begins much like any other supercomputer ranking. IBM built the top system, which is a cluster of servers running on Xeon chips from Intel. An oil company - China Petroleum and …

    Servers 2 Jul 2008, 19:25

  • Midwestern data pimping alive and well

    WOW! ignores Congress

    Though the head of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet has urged American ISPs to "hold off" on the use of so-called behavioral ad systems, it seems at least one company has yet to heed the suggestion. According to a forum post at Broadband Reports, the Midwestern ISP known only as WOW! continues to …

    Telecoms 2 Jul 2008, 19:25

  • Google a broken hell for five-year-olds

    Ex employees embrace life after beta

    So, everyone and their brother is yapping about a recent blog post from Microsoftie Dare Obasanjo, who says he knows lots o' people who've forsaken Larry and Serg for Big Steve. "Recently, I’ve been bumping into more and more people who’ve either left Google to come to Microsoft or got offers from both companies and picked …

    Applications 2 Jul 2008, 21:59

  • Bill Gates battles Kermit the Frog in the name of open source

    Radio Reg Twittering Shuttleworth's gas

    Every time Mark Shuttleworth farts an angel gets its wings. Or at least that's what his girlfriend told me. If only Bill Gates enjoyed the same enthusiasm for his bowel actions. Instead, Microsoft's Chairman is just pounded with ridicule and hatred by dolts who fail to understand his greater contribution to the human race. We …

    Open Season 2 Jul 2008, 22:38

  • Jobs and Apple board fingered in backdating civil lawsuit

    SEC may forgive, but lawyers won't forget

    The US Securities and Exchange Commission may have washed its hands of the Apple stock option backdating affair, but Steve Jobs and company aren't quite clear of the dirt yet. Jobs, along with ex-financial chief Fred Anderson, ex-general counsel Nancy Heinen, and four members of Apple's board of directors have been fingered in …

    Law 2 Jul 2008, 23:02