freedom2surf plugs in to UK-wide Wi-Fi network

Freedom2surf has introduced a new version of its Hotspots wireless Internet package that provides access to 1,300 Wi-Fi access points across the UK. Pay-as-you-go access to BT's Openzone network costs just 10p a minute - which freedom2surf notes is half the price that BT itself charges. Minutes can also be block-bought in advance, starting at ?4. ...more

Updated: Price check - LCD monitors

Our weekly round up of UK prices for the latest kit, from budget models to top-of-the-range Starting at the budget end means starting with a 15in display. This is effectively the current minimum spec. A Video 7 A150X1 (pictured) is available from Dabs. ...more

Apple and Cisco agree to new iPhone talks

Apple and Cisco have agreed to further talks aimed at finding an out-of-court settlement over the disputed iPhone trademark. 'Apple and Cisco have agreed to extend the time for Apple to respond to the lawsuit to allow for discussions between the companies with the aim of reaching agreement on trademark rights and interoperability,' they said in a brief statement. Prior to Apple's unveiling of its iPhone at the beginning of January, it had contacted Cisco on several occasions to seek permission to use the name. ...more

Intel gets cosy with software firms

Chip giant tempts software vendors to tailor their products to Intel processors by offering engineering support, early access to roadmaps and lots of free advertising Intel is hoping to encourage software developers to tailor their products to its latest processors in return for early access to product roadmaps and free marketing. The chip giant's newly-launched Software Partner Program is essentially a revamp of its existing Early Access Program, providing partners with sneak previews of its processor roadmaps, support in optimising their software for multi-core processors and now, crucially, marketing for their software. Intel claims it will be much more open with software partners than it was previously. ...more

ISO green lights Microsoft's OpenXML formats

The ISO committee overseeing the standardisation process of Microsoft's Office OpenXML formats has given the go-ahead for them to move on to the Fast Track process. According to newswire reports, an email from the secretariat of ISO's Joint Technical Committee (JTC-1) on Information Technology, Lisa Rajche, revealed that the specifications for Microsoft's new formats, along with the comments and criticisms from voting countries, would be put forward for ballot. Although the email did not detail when this part of the process will begin, it is likely to happen shortly, kicking off a five-month review that could see the formats ratified as standards by August. ...more