US clears RFIDs for people

The US Government has given the go-ahead for people to be implanted with microchips that provide instant access to their medical records. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given approval to the VeriChip system from Applied Digital Solutions, which uses RFID technology to read a unique identification number stored on the chip. This ID can then be linked to a secure database to pull up the person's medical records. ...more

Zip ditches power cable

Iomega has announced the forthcoming release of a 250MB Zip uniquely powered via its USB cable. The new drive uses new U-shaped disks and is back-compatible with the original 100MB Zips. It weighs nine ounces (approx. ...more

Warner Music to announce digital plans

Warner Music is expected to announce plans to sell digital music from a number of its artists. Starting in November, the company plans to make over 100 songs available, from artists such as Barenaked Ladies and Paul Simon. An insider source has revealed to Reuters that in the following months Warner Music may offer thousands of digitised albums from the likes of Phil Collins, REM and Madonna. ...more

Sunshine state goes green on gadgets

California is considering introducing new laws that would ban the use toxic materials in electronic devices such as mobile phones and iPods. The bill, proposed by state assembly member Lori Saldana, would require manufacturers to stop using the substances in devices sold in California by 2008 and would apply to any electronic or battery-operated device, Reuters reports. 'We know that the manufacturers of these products are able to produce them without including harmful toxic materials,' Saldana, who has the support of environmental groups, said in a written statement. ...more

iMac gets mixed reception - no G5 PowerBook yet

Analysts have broadly welcomed Apple's new iMac, and expect it to revive the company's desktop sales. Credit Suisse First Boston reflected the general mood saying, 'We believe the release of the new iMac gives Apple a much needed boost in its underperforming consumer desktop product line.' It added that it expects 'strong demand out of the gates for what appears to be a compelling product'. ...more