More movies head to Sony's PSP
Movies Open Water and Saw are among those to be made available for Sony's PSP games console. Film studio Lions Gate entertainment has announced an ini…
UK broadband gets speed injection
Broadband's rapid rise continues apace as speeds gear up a notch. An eight megabit service has been launched by internet service provider UK Online. I…
Napster offers rented music to go
Music downloading, for those that have rejected the free peer to peer services, can be a costly business. The cost of paying even as little as 70p per…
Game firm holds 'cast' auditions
Video game firm Bioware is to hold open auditions for people to become cast members for future games. The company, which makes role playing games such…
Britons growing 'digitally obese'
Gadget lovers are so hungry for digital data many are carrying the equivalent of 10 trucks full of paper in "weight". Music, images, e-mails, and text…
US state acts to stop 'spammers'
US state Texas has filed a lawsuit against two men believed to be among the world's top five spammers. It is seeking millions of dollars in damages in…
US duo in first spam conviction
A brother and sister in the US have been convicted of sending hundreds of thousands of unsolicited e-mail messages to AOL subscribers. It is the first…
TV's future down the phone line
Internet TV has been talked about since the start of the web as we know it now. But any early attempts to do it - the UK's Home Choice started in 1992…
Gamers could drive high-definition
TV, films, and games have been gearing up for some time now for the next revolution to transform the quality of what is on our screens. It is called h…
Games firms 'face tough future'
UK video game firms face a testing time as they prepare for the next round of games consoles, the industry warns. Fred Hasson, head of Tiga, which rep…
Argonaut founder rebuilds empire
Jez San, the man behind the Argonaut games group which went into administration a week ago, has bought back most of the company. The veteran games dev…
Games win for Blu-ray DVD format
The next-generation DVD format Blu-ray is winning more supporters than its rival, according to its backers. Blu-ray, backed by 100 firms including Son…
Online games play with politics
After bubbling under for some time, online games broke through onto the political arena in 2004. The US presidential election provided a showcase for …
France starts digital terrestrial
France has become the last big European country to launch a digital terrestrial TV (DTT) service. Initially, more than a third of the population will …
Gangsters dominate gaming chart
Video games on consoles and computers proved more popular than ever in 2004. Gamers spent more than £1.34bn in 2004, almost 7% more than they did in 2…
PlayStation 3 processor unveiled
The Cell processor, which will drive Sony's PlayStation 3, will run 10-times faster than current PC chips, its designers have said. Sony, IBM and Tosh…
What price for 'trusted PC security'?
You can now buy "trusted computers", but can we really trust the PC vendors, asks technology analyst Bill Thompson. If you have recently bought an IBM…
Xbox 2 may be unveiled in summer
Details of the next generation of Microsoft's Xbox games console - codenamed Xenon - will most likely be unveiled in May, according to reports. It was…
Digital guru floats sub-$100 PC
Nicholas Negroponte, chairman and founder of MIT's Media Labs, says he is developing a laptop PC that will go on sale for less than $100 (£53). He tol…
Camera phones are 'must-haves'
Four times more mobiles with cameras in them will be sold in Europe by the end of 2004 than last year, says a report from analysts Gartner. Globally, …
Cyber criminals step up the pace
So-called phishing attacks that try to trick people into handing over confidential details have boomed in 2004, say security experts. The number of ph…
Anti-spam laws bite spammer hard
The net's self-declared spam king is seeking bankruptcy protection. Scott Richter, the man behind OptInRealBig.com and billions of junk mail messages,…
California sets fines for spyware
The makers of computer programs that secretly spy on what people do with their home PCs could face hefty fines in California. From 1 January, a new la…
Doors open at biggest gadget fair
Thousands of technology lovers and industry experts have gathered in Las Vegas for the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The fair showcases the …
Mobile multimedia slow to catch on
There is no doubt that mobile phones sporting cameras and colour screens are hugely popular. Consumers swapping old phones for slinkier, dinkier versi…
Portable PlayStation ready to go
Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP) will go on sale in Japan on 12 December. The long-awaited handheld game playing gadget will cost about 19,800 yen (1…
When technology gets personal
In 2020, whipping out your mobile phone to make a call will be quaintly passé. By then phones will be printed directly on to wrists, or other parts of…
Freeze on anti-spam campaign
A campaign by Lycos Europe to target spam-related websites appears to have been put on hold. Earlier this week the company released a screensaver that…
Games enter the classroom
Video games could soon be transplanted from their natural habitat to the more academic atmosphere of the classroom. With violent titles continuing to …
Fast moving phone bugs appear
Security firms are warning about several mobile phone viruses that can spread much faster than similar bugs. The new strains of the Cabir mobile phone…
Mobiles 'not media players yet'
Mobiles are not yet ready to be all-singing, all-dancing multimedia devices which will replace portable media players, say two reports. Despite moves …
Mobile TV tipped as one to watch
Scandinavians and Koreans, two of the most adventurous groups of mobile users, are betting on mobile TV. Anders Igels, chief executive of Nordic opera…
Consumers 'snub portable video'
Consumers want music rather than movies while on the move, says a report. Produced by Jupiter Research the analysis of the portable media player marke…
Screensaver tackles spam websites
Net users are getting the chance to fight back against spam websites Internet portal Lycos has made a screensaver that endlessly requests data from si…
IBM puts cash behind Linux push
IBM is spending $100m (£52m) over the next three years beefing up its commitment to Linux software. The cash injection will be used to help its custom…
Microsoft releases patches
Microsoft has warned PC users to update their systems with the latest security fixes for flaws in Windows programs. In its monthly security bulletin, …
DVD copy protection strengthened
DVDs will be harder to copy thanks to new anti-piracy measures devised by copy protection firm Macrovision. The pirated DVD market is enormous because…
Microsoft debuts security tools
Microsoft is releasing tools that clean up PCs harbouring viruses and spyware. The virus-fighting program will be updated monthly and is a precursor t…
Joke e-mail virus tricks users
A virus that disguises itself as a joke is spreading rapidly across the net. Anti-virus firms are issuing high-level warnings about the new version of…
Mobiles rack up 20 years of use
Mobile phones in the UK are celebrating their 20th anniversary this weekend. Britain's first mobile phone call was made across the Vodafone network on…
Nintendo DS aims to touch gamers
The mobile gaming industry is set to explode in 2005 with a number of high-profile devices offering a range of gaming and other features such as movie…
Looks and music to drive mobiles
Mobile phones are still enjoying a boom time in sales, according to research from technology analysts Gartner. More than 674 million mobiles were sold…
Yahoo moves into desktop search
Internet giant Yahoo has launched software to allow people to search e-mail and other files on their PCs. The firm is following in the footsteps of Mi…
Nintendo handheld given Euro date
Nintendo's new handheld console, the DS, will launch in Europe on 11 March, the company has announced. The portable games machine, which features touc…
Bush website blocked outside US
Surfers outside the US have been unable to visit the official re-election site of President George W Bush. The blocking of browsers sited outside the …
Games win for Blu-ray DVD format
The next-generation DVD format Blu-ray is winning more supporters than its rival, according to its backers. Blu-ray, backed by 100 firms including Son…
Call for action on internet scam
Phone companies are not doing enough to warn customers about internet "rogue-dialling" scams, according to premium phone line regulator Icstis. It has…
New consoles promise big problems
Making games for future consoles will require more graphic artists and more money, an industry conference has been told. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo …
Nintendo DS makes its Euro debut
Nintendo's DS handheld game console has officially gone on sale in Europe. Many stores around the UK opened at midnight to let keen gamers get their h…
Bond game fails to shake or stir
For gaming fans, the word GoldenEye evokes excited memories not only of the James Bond revival flick of 1995, but also the classic shoot-em-up that ac…
Who do you think you are?
The real danger is not what happens to your data as it crosses the net, argues analyst Bill Thompson. It is what happens when it arrives at the other …
UK gets official virus alert site
A rapid alerting service that tells home computer users about serious internet security problems is being launched by the UK government. The service, …
Europe backs digital TV lifestyle
How people receive their digital entertainment in the future could change, following the launch of an ambitious European project. In Nice last week, t…
Gamer buys $26,500 virtual land
A 22-year-old gamer has spent $26,500 (£13,700) on an island that exists only in a computer role-playing game (RPG). The Australian gamer, known only …
Gates opens biggest gadget fair
Bill Gates has opened the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, saying that gadgets are working together more to help people manage multimedia…
Humanoid robot learns how to run
Car-maker Honda's humanoid robot Asimo has just got faster and smarter. The Japanese firm is a leader in developing two-legged robots and the new, imp…
'Friends fear' with lost mobiles
People are becoming so dependent on their mobile phones that one in three are concerned that losing their phone would mean they lose their friends. Mo…
When invention turns to innovation
It is unlikely that future technological inventions are going to have the same kind of transformative impact that they did in the past. When history t…
Nuclear body seeks new tech
The computer systems used to monitor the world's nuclear power installations are so outdated that they are hampering the work of inspectors. A spokesm…
DS aims to touch gamers
The mobile gaming industry is set to explode in 2005 with a number of high-profile devices offering a range of gaming and other features such as movie…
Intel unveils laser breakthrough
Intel has said it has found a way to put a silicon-based laser on a chip, raising hopes of much faster networks. Scientists at Intel have overcome a f…
Hotspot users gain free net calls
People using wireless net hotspots will soon be able to make free phone calls as well as surf the net. Wireless provider Broadreach and net telephony …
US hacker breaks into T-Mobile
A man is facing charges of hacking into computers at the US arm of mobile phone firm T-Mobile. The Californian man, Nicholas Lee Jacobsen, was arreste…
Swap offer for pirated Windows XP
Computer giant Microsoft has launched a pilot scheme to replace counterfeit versions of Windows XP with legal ones. The first-time initiative is restr…
2D Metal Slug offers retro fun
Like some drill sergeant from the past, Metal Slug 3 is a wake-up call to today's gamers molly-coddled with slick visuals and fancy trimmings. With it…
Halo fans' hope for sequel
Xbox video game Halo 2 has been released in the US on 9 November, with a UK release two days later. Why is the game among the most anticipated of all …
Mobile networks seek turbo boost
Third-generation mobile (3G) networks need to get faster if they are to deliver fast internet surfing on the move and exciting new services. That was …
Microsoft makes anti-piracy move
Microsoft says it is clamping down on people running pirated versions of its Windows operating system by restricting their access to security features…
Honour for UK games maker
Leading British computer games maker Peter Molyneux has been made an OBE in the New Year Honours list. The head of Surrey's Lionhead Studios was grant…
Concerns over Windows ATMs
Cash machine networks could soon be more susceptible to computer viruses, a security firm has warned. The warning is being issued because many banks a…
Text message record smashed
UK mobile owners continue to break records with their text messaging, with latest figures showing that 26 billion texts were sent in total in 2004. Th…
Apple iPod family expands market
Apple has expanded its iPod family with the release of its next generation of the digital music players. Its latest challenges to the growing digital …
UK pioneers digital film network
The world's first digital cinema network will be established in the UK over the next 18 months. The UK Film Council has awarded a contract worth £11.5…
Lifestyle 'governs mobile choice'
Faster, better or funkier hardware alone is not going to help phone firms sell more handsets, research suggests. Instead, phone firms keen to get more…
Creator of first Apple Mac dies
Jef Raskin, head of the team behind the first Macintosh computer, has died. Mr Raskin was one of the first employees at Apple and made many of the des…
Slimmer PlayStation triple sales
Sony PlayStation 2's slimmer shape has proved popular with UK gamers, with 50,000 sold in its first week on sale. Sales have tripled since launch, out…
T-Mobile bets on 'pocket office'
T-Mobile has launched its latest "pocket office" third-generation (3G) device which also has built-in wi-fi - high-speed wireless net access. Unlike o…
The Force is strong in Battlefront
The warm reception that has greeted Star Wars: Battlefront is a reflection not of any ingenious innovation in its gameplay, but of its back-to-basics …
Junk e-mails on relentless rise
Spam traffic is up by 40%, putting the total amount of e-mail that is junk up to an astonishing 90%. The figures, from e-mail management firm Email Sy…
Mobiles get set for visual radio
The growth in the mobile phone market in the past decade has been nothing less than astonishing, but the ability to communicate on the go is not the o…
Format wars could 'confuse users'
Technology firms Sony, Philips, Matsushita and Samsung are developing a common way to stop people pirating digital music and video. The firms want to …
Cyber crime booms in 2004
The last 12 months have seen a dramatic growth in almost every security threat that plague Windows PCs. The count of known viruses broke the 100,000 b…
Concern over RFID tags
Consumers are very concerned about the use of radio frequency ID (RFID) tags in shops, a survey says. More than half of 2,000 people surveyed said the…
Mac Mini heralds mini revolution
The Mac Mini was launched amid much fanfare by Apple and great excitement by Apple watchers last month. But does the latest Macintosh justify the hype…
'Ultimate game' award for Doom 3
Sci-fi shooter Doom 3 has blasted away the competition at a major games ceremony, the Golden Joystick awards. It was the only title to win twice, winn…
Warning over tsunami aid website
Net users are being told to avoid a scam website that claims to collect cash on behalf of tsunami victims. The site looks plausible because it uses an…
GTA sequel is criminally good
The Grand Theft Auto series of games have set themselves the very highest of standards in recent years, but the newest addition is more than able to l…
Fast moving phone viruses appear
Security firms are warning about several mobile phone viruses that can spread much faster than similar bugs. The new strains of the Cabir mobile phone…
Go-ahead for new internet names
The internet could soon have two new domain names, aimed at mobile services and the jobs market. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbe…
Can Yahoo dominate next decade?
Yahoo has reached the grand old age of 10 and, in internet years, that is a long time. For many, Yahoo remains synonymous with the internet - a vetera…
Progress on new internet domains
By early 2005 the net could have two new domain names. The .post and .travel net domains have been given preliminary approval by the net's administrat…
Half-Life 2 sweeps Bafta awards
PC first person shooter Half-Life 2 has won six Bafta Awards, including best game and best online game. The title, developed by Valve, was released la…
Video phones act as dating tools
Technologies, from e-mail, to net chatrooms, instant messaging and mobiles, have proved to be a big pull with those looking for love. The lure once wa…
Solutions to net security fears
Fake bank e-mails, or phishing, and stories about ID theft are damaging the potential of using the net for online commerce, say e-business experts. Tr…
More women turn to net security
Older people and women are increasingly taking charge of protecting home computers against malicious net attacks, according to a two-year study. The n…
Global digital divide 'narrowing'
The "digital divide" between rich and poor nations is narrowing fast, according to a World Bank report. The World Bank questioned a United Nation's ca…
Rich pickings for hi-tech thieves
Viruses, trojans and other malicious programs sent on to the net to catch you out are undergoing a subtle change. The shift is happening as tech savvy…
Tough rules for ringtone sellers
Firms that flout rules on how ringtones and other mobile extras are sold could be cut off from all UK phone networks. The rules allow offenders to be …
Loyalty cards idea for TV addicts
Viewers could soon be rewarded for watching TV as loyalty cards come to a screen near you. Any household hooked up to Sky could soon be using smartcar…
Sporting rivals go to extra time
The current slew of sports games offers unparalleled opportunities for fans who like to emulate on-field action without ever moving from the couch. Th…
Cheaper chip for mobiles
A mobile phone chip which combines a modem and a computer processor on one bit of silicon instead of two could make phones cheaper and more powerful. …
Apple laptop is 'greatest gadget'
The Apple Powerbook 100 has been chosen as the greatest gadget of all time, by US magazine Mobile PC. The 1991 laptop was chosen because it was one of…
Casual gaming to 'take off'
Games aimed at "casual players" are set to be even bigger in 2005, according to industry experts. Easy-to-play titles that do not require too much tim…
Xbox power cable 'fire fear'
Microsoft has said it will replace more than 14 million power cables for its Xbox consoles due to safety concerns. The company said the move was a "pr…
Cebit fever takes over Hanover
Thousands of products and tens of thousands of visitors make Cebit the place to be for technology lovers. "Welcome to CeBit 2005" was the message from…
Movie body targets children's PCs
The body that represents the US movie industry has released its latest tool in its campaign to clamp down on movie file-sharing, aimed at parents. The…
Microsoft plans 'safer ID' system
Microsoft is planning to make Windows and Internet Explorer more secure by including software to give people more control over personal information. "…
Football Manager scores big time
For the past decade or so the virtual football fans among us will have become used to the annual helping of Championship Manager (CM). Indeed, it seem…
Speak easy plan for media players
Music and film fans will be able to control their digital media players just by speaking to them, under plans in development by two US firms. ScanSoft…
Musical future for phones
Analyst Bill Thompson has seen the future and it is in his son's hands. I bought my son Max a 3G phone, partly because they are so cheap and he needed…
World tour for top video gamers
Two UK gamers are about to embark on a world tour as part of the most lucrative-ever global games tournament. Aaron Foster and David Treacy have won t…
Why Cell will get the hard sell
The world is casting its gaze on the Cell processor for the first time, but what is so important about it, and why is it so different? The backers of …
Big war games battle it out
The arrival of new titles in the popular Medal Of Honor and Call of Duty franchises leaves fans of wartime battle titles spoilt for choice. The acclai…
Viewers to be able to shape TV
Imagine editing Titanic down to watch just your favourite bits or cutting out the slushier moments of Star Wars to leave you with a bare bones action-…
Gadget growth fuels eco concerns
Technology firms and gadget lovers are being urged to think more about the environment when buying and disposing of the latest hi-tech products. At th…
The future in your pocket
If you are a geek or gadget fan, the next 12 months look like they are going to be a lot of fun. The relentless pace of development in the hi-tech wor…
Windows worm travels with Tetris
Users are being warned about a Windows virus that poses as the hugely popular Tetris game. The Cellery worm installs a playable version of the classic…
Losing yourself in online gaming
Online role playing games are time-consuming, but enthralling flights from reality. But are some people taking their fantasy lives too seriously? When…
Digital UK driven by net and TV
The UK's adoption of digital TV and broadband has helped make it the fourth most digitally-savvy nation in Europe, according a report by Jupiter Resea…
Games help you 'learn and play'
'God games' in which players must control virtual people and societies could be educational, says research. A US researcher has suggested that games s…
Consumer concern over RFID tags
Consumers are very concerned about the use of radio frequency ID (RFID) tags in shops, a survey says. More than half of 2,000 people surveyed said the…
Commodore finds new lease of life
The once-famous Commodore computer brand could be resurrected after being bought by a US-based digital music distributor. New owner Yeahronimo Media V…
Gadget show heralds MP3 season
Partners of those who love their hi-tech gear may want to get their presents in early as experts predict a gadget shortage this Christmas. With Apple'…
Mobile picture power in your pocket
How many times have you wanted to have a camera to hand to catch an unexpected event that would make headlines? With a modern mobile phone that has a …
Gizmondo gadget hits the shelves
The Gizmondo combined media player, phone and gaming gadget goes on sale on Saturday. Priced at £229, the handheld device is debuting in the UK and go…
Games 'deserve a place in class'
Computer games could enhance learning and have a legitimate place in the classroom, say researchers. Academics from the Institute of Education at Lond…
Mobile games come of age
The BBC News website takes a look at how games on mobile phones are maturing. A brief round-up follows but you can skip straight to the reviews by cli…
Dozens held over ID fraud site
Twenty-eight people, including a Briton, have been arrested after a global operation against a website allegedly involved in identity fraud. Those arr…
Poles play with GameBoy 'blip-pop'
A group of artists in Poland has taken the cacophony of blips, boops and beeps created as players bash buttons on Nintendo's handheld GameBoy console …
Lifestyle 'governs mobile choice'
Faster, better or funkier hardware alone is not going to help phone firms sell more handsets, research suggests. Instead, phone firms keen to get more…
Spam e-mails tempt net shoppers
Computer users across the world continue to ignore security warnings about spam e-mails and are being lured into buying goods, a report suggests. More…
BBC leads interactive Bafta wins
The BBC and the National Theatre have led the field at this year's Interactive Bafta awards. The National Theatre's Stagework website picked up the pr…
What's next for next-gen consoles?
The next generation of video games consoles are in development but what will the new machines mean for games firms and consumers? We may not know when…
Long life promised for laptop PCs
Scientists are working on ways to ensure laptops can stay powered for an entire working day. Building batteries from new chemical mixes could boost po…
Piero gives rugby perspective
BBC Sport unveils its new analysis tool Piero at the Wales v England rugby union match on Saturday. But what does it do and how does it work? Picture …
Slim PlayStation triples sales
Sony PlayStation 2's slimmer shape has proved popular with UK gamers, with 50,000 sold in its first week on sale. Sales have tripled since launch, out…
Pompeii gets digital make-over
The old-fashioned audio tour of historical places could soon be replaced with computer-generated images that bring the site to life. A European Union-…
TV future in the hands of viewers
With home theatre systems, plasma high-definition TVs, and digital video recorders moving into the living room, the way people watch TV will be radica…
Mobile multimedia slow to catch on
There is no doubt that mobile phones sporting cameras and colour screens are hugely popular. Consumers swapping old phones for slinkier, dinkier versi…
Technology gets the creative bug
The hi-tech and the arts worlds have for some time danced around each other and offered creative and technical help when required. Often this help has…
Microsoft releases bumper patches
Microsoft has warned PC users to update their systems with the latest security fixes for flaws in Windows programs. In its monthly security bulletin, …
US cyber security chief resigns
The man making sure US computer networks are safe and secure has resigned after only a year in his post. Amit Yoran was director of the National Cyber…
Gritty return for Prince of Persia
Still basking in the relatively recent glory of last year's Sands Of Time, the dashing Prince of Persia is back in Warrior Within, and in a more belli…
BT offers free net phone calls
BT is offering customers free internet telephone calls if they sign up to broadband in December. The Christmas give-away entitles customers to free te…
Mobile music challenges 'iPod age'
Nokia and Microsoft have agreed a deal to work on delivery of music to handsets, while Sony Ericsson has unveiled its phone Walkman and Motorola is wo…
Gadget show heralds MP3 Christmas
Partners of those who love their hi-tech gear may want to get their presents in early as experts predict a gadget shortage this Christmas. With Apple'…
The gaming world in 2005
If you have finished Doom 3, Half Life 2 and Halo 2, don't worry. There's a host of gaming gems set for release in 2005. WORLD OF WARCRAFT The US rece…
Security warning over 'FBI virus'
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is warning that a computer virus is being spread via e-mails that purport to be from the FBI. The e-mails show …
Looks and music to drive mobiles
Mobile phones are still enjoying a boom time in sales, according to research from technology analysts Gartner. More than 674 million mobiles were sold…
Blinx sequel purrs nicely
The original Blinx was intended to convert many platform game lovers to Microsoft's then new Xbox console. Its sharp graphics and novel gameplay, with…
Virgin Radio offers 3G broadcast
UK broadcaster Virgin Radio says it will become the first station in the world to offer radio via 3G mobiles. The radio station, in partnership with t…
A question of trust and technology
A major government department is without e-mail for a week, and technology analyst Bill Thompson wants to know what happened. A couple of weeks ago I …
Video phone help for deaf people
Deaf people who prefer to communicate using British Sign Language (BSL) could soon be having their phone conversations relayed using webcams or videop…
Halo 2 sells five million copies
Microsoft is celebrating bumper sales of its Xbox sci-fi shooter, Halo 2. The game has sold more than five million copies worldwide since it went on s…
Media gadgets get moving
Pocket-sized devices that let people carry around video and images are set to have a big year in 2005, according to industry experts. Last year saw th…
Toxic web links help virus spread
Virus writers have begun using the power of the web to spread their malicious wares. A Windows virus called Bofra is turning infected machines into di…
Sony PSP handheld console hits US
The latest handheld gaming gadget, Sony's PlayStation Portable, goes on sale in the US on Thursday. The entertainment device, which also stores images…
EA to take on film and TV giants
Video game giant Electronic Arts (EA) says it wants to become the biggest entertainment firm in the world. The US firm says it wants to compete with c…
Players sought for $1m prize
UK gamers are getting a chance to take part in a $1m tournament thanks to one of the country's top teams. The Four-Kings clan is staging a Pop Idol ty…
Microsoft seeking spyware trojan
Microsoft is investigating a trojan program that attempts to switch off the firm's anti-spyware software. The spyware tool was only released by Micros…
Smartphones suffer Skulls attack
Owners of some Nokia smartphones are being warned to watch out for malicious wallpaper. Those downloading the software could find all the icons on the…
Mobiles double up as bus tickets
Mobiles could soon double up as travel cards, with Nokia planning to try out a wireless ticket system on German buses. Early next year travellers in t…
Halo 2 heralds traffic explosion
The growing popularity of online gaming could spell problems for net service firms, warns network monitoring company Sandvine. It issued the warning f…
Text messages aid disaster recovery
Text messaging technology was a valuable communication tool in the aftermath of the tsunami disaster in Asia. The messages can get through even when t…
Hi-tech posters guide commuters
Interactive posters are helping Londoners get around the city during the festive season. When interrogated with a mobile phone, the posters pass on a …
How to smash a home computer
An executive who froze his broken hard disk thinking it would be fixed has topped a list of the weirdest computer mishaps. Although computer malfuncti…
US top of supercomputing charts
The US has pushed Japan off the top of the supercomputing chart with IBM's prototype Blue Gene/L machine. It is being assembled for the Lawrence Liver…
Mobile audio enters new dimension
As mobile phones move closer to being a ubiquitous, all-in-one media player, audio is becoming ever more important. But how good can that sound be fro…
Microsoft sets sights on spyware
Windows users could soon be paying Microsoft to keep PCs free of spyware. Following the takeover of anti-spyware firm Giant, Microsoft said it would s…
Beckham virus spotted on the net
Virus writers are trading on interest in David Beckham to distribute their malicious wares. Messages are circulating widely that purport to have evide…
Rivals of the £400 Apple...
The Mac mini is the cheapest Apple computer ever. But though it is cheap for a Mac how does it compare to PCs that cost about the same amount? Dot.lif…
First look at PlayStation 3 chip
Some details of the chip inside Sony's PlayStation 3 have been revealed. Sony, IBM and Toshiba have released limited data about the so-called Cell chi…
Internet boom for gift shopping
Cyberspace is becoming a very popular destination for Christmas shoppers. Forecasts predict that British people will spend £4bn buying gifts online du…
Gadgets galore on show at fair
The 2005 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is a geek's paradise with more than 50,000 new gadgets and technologies launched during the four-day e…
China 'ripe' for media explosion
Asia is set to drive global media growth to 2008 and beyond, with China and India filling the two top spots, analysts have predicted. Japan, South Kor…
Cebit opens to mobile music tune
Cebit, the world's largest hi-tech fair, has opened its doors in Hanover for a look at the latest technologies for homes and businesses. There are mor…
Mobile networks seek turbo boost
Third-generation mobile (3G) networks need to get faster if they are to deliver fast internet surfing on the move and exciting new services. That was …
Santy worm makes unwelcome visit
Thousands of website bulletin boards have been defaced by a virus that used Google to spread across the net. The Santy worm first appeared on 20 Decem…
Virus poses as Christmas e-mail
Security firms are warning about a Windows virus disguising itself as an electronic Christmas card. The Zafi.D virus translates the Christmas greeting…
Mobile games come of age
The BBC News website takes a look at how games on mobile phones are maturing. A brief round-up follows but you can skip straight to the reviews by cli…
Supercomputer breaks speed record
The US is poised to push Japan off the top of the supercomputing chart with IBM's prototype Blue Gene/L machine. It is being assembled for the Lawrenc…
Mobile gig aims to rock 3G
Forget about going to a crowded bar to enjoy a gig by the latest darlings of the music press. Now you could also be at a live gig on your mobile, via …
More power to the people says HP
The digital revolution is focused on letting people tell and share their own stories, according to Carly Fiorina, chief of technology giant Hewlett Pa…
Home phones face unclear future
The fixed line phone in your home could soon be an endangered species. Research by handset maker Nokia shows that more and more people are using their…
Chip maker backs net phone calls
Rich Templeton, the head of giant chip maker Texas Instruments, has given his backing to the growing sector of Voice over Internet Telephony (Voip) Vo…
Cabs collect mountain of mobiles
Gadgets are cheaper, smaller and more common than ever. But that just means we are more likely to lose them. In London alone over the past six months …
Apple Mac mini gets warm welcome
The Mac mini has been welcomed by Apple fans, industry experts and PC users. The release of the tiny, low-cost machine is seen as a good move for Appl…
New Year's texting breaks record
A mobile phone was as essential to the recent New Year's festivities as a party mood and Auld Lang Syne, if the number of text messages sent is anythi…
Moving mobile improves golf swing
A mobile phone that recognises and responds to movements has been launched in Japan. The motion-sensitive phone - officially titled the V603SH - was d…
Ultra fast wi-fi nears completion
Ultra high speed wi-fi connections moved closer to reality on Thursday when Intel said it would list standards for the technology later this year. Int…
Open source leaders slam patents
The war of words between Microsoft and the open source movement heated up this week as Linux founder Linus Torvalds led an attack on software patents.…
Sony PSP tipped as a 'must-have'
Sony's Playstation Portable is the top UK gadget for 2005, according to a round-up of ultimate gizmos compiled by Stuff Magazine. It beats the iPod in…
Apple laptop is 'greatest gadget'
The Apple Powerbook 100 has been chosen as the greatest gadget of all time, by US magazine Mobile PC. The 1991 laptop was chosen because it was one of…
Mobile gaming takes off in India
Gaming on the move is one of the fastest-growing activities among the tech-savvy in India, says a report. The Indian mobile gaming market is expected …
Ban hits Half-Life 2 pirates hard
About 20,000 people have been banned from playing the Half-Life 2 game. Game maker Valve shut down the online accounts of the players because it had e…
Game makers get Xbox 2 sneak peek
Microsoft has given game makers a glimpse of the new Xbox 2 console. Some details of the Xbox's performance and what gaming will be like with the devi…
Text message record smashed again
UK mobile owners continue to break records with their text messaging, with latest figures showing that 26 billion texts were sent in total in 2004. Th…
Finding new homes for old phones
Re-using old mobile phones is not just good for the environment, it has social benefits too. Research has found that in some developing nations old mo…
Gadget market 'to grow in 2005'
The explosion in consumer technology is to continue into 2005, delegates at the world's largest gadget show, in Las Vegas, have been told. The number …
Confusion over high-definition TV
Now that a critical mass of people have embraced digital TV, DVDs, and digital video recorders, the next revolution for TV is being prepared for our s…
Rings of steel combat net attacks
Gambling is hugely popular, especially with tech-savvy criminals. Many extortionists are targeting net-based betting firms and threatening to cripple …
PlayStation 3 chip to be unveiled
Details of the chip designed to power Sony's PlayStation 3 console will be released in San Francisco on Monday. Sony, IBM and Toshiba, who have been w…
'Podcasters' look to net money
Nasa is doing it, 14-year-old boys in bedrooms are doing it, couples are doing it, gadget lovers - male and female - are definitely doing it. It is po…
Anti-spam screensaver scrapped
A contentious campaign to bump up the bandwidth bills of spammers by flooding their sites with data has been dropped. Lycos Europe's Make Love, Not Sp…
Parents face video game lessons
Ways of ensuring that parents know which video games are suitable for children are to be considered by the games industry. The issue was discussed at …
Sony PSP tipped as a 'must-have'
Sony's Playstation Portable is the top gadget for 2005, according to a round-up of ultimate gizmos compiled by Stuff Magazine. It beats the iPod into …
DVD copy protection strengthened
DVDs will be harder to copy thanks to new anti-piracy measures devised by copy protection firm Macrovision. The pirated DVD market is enormous because…
Bad e-mail habits sustains spam
The 'bad behaviour' of e-mail users is helping to sustain the spam industry, a new study has found. According to a survey conducted by security firm M…
Half of UK's mobiles 'go online'
Multimedia mobile phones are finally showing signs of taking off, with more Britons using them to go online. Figures from industry monitor, the Mobile…
Disney backs Sony DVD technology
A next generation DVD technology backed by Sony has received a major boost. Film giant Disney says it will produce its future DVDs using Sony's Blu-ra…
Net fingerprints combat attacks
Eighty large net service firms have switched on software to spot and stop net attacks automatically. The system creates digital fingerprints of ongoin…
Have hackers recruited your PC?
More than one million computers on the net have been hijacked to attack websites and pump out spam and viruses. The huge number was revealed by securi…
Web logs aid disaster recovery
Some of the most vivid descriptions of the devastation in southern Asia are on the internet - in the form of web logs or blogs. Bloggers have been off…
How to make a greener computer
The hi-tech industry is starting to get more environmentally aware. Bill Thompson thinks it's about time. My first car ran on four star petrol and pum…
Hitachi unveils 'fastest robot'
Japanese electronics firm Hitachi has unveiled its first humanoid robot, called Emiew, to challenge Honda's Asimo and Sony's Qrio robots. Hitachi said…
The pirates with no profit motive
Two men who were part of a huge network of internet software pirates, known as Drink Or Die, have been convicted at the Old Bailey. BBC News investiga…
Nintendo adds media playing to DS
Nintendo is releasing an adapter for its DS handheld console so it can play music and video. The add-on for the DS means people can download TV progra…
Security scares spark browser fix
Microsoft is working on a new version of its Internet Explorer web browser. The revamp has been prompted by Microsoft's growing concern with security …
Warnings about junk mail deluge
The amount of spam circulating online could be about to undergo a massive increase, say experts. Anti-spam group Spamhaus is warning about a novel vir…