Casio and NEC team for screens

Casio Computers and NEC have decided to pool resources into producing colour thin film transistor (TFT), liquid crystal displays (LCD) for mobile devices. With predictions of increased demand due to 3G mobile phone networks and the rising popularity of handhelds, each company will supply its technology to the other. Casio will handle the backlight colour TFT LCD technology, while NEC will deal with reflective colour TFT LCD technology. ...more

NHS facing massive cost overrun for IT system

A mammoth IT system for the NHS is expected to cost billions more than expected, possibly eating into funds needed for front-line local health services, according to reports. The system, which will enable patients to book hospital appointments at times and places that suit them and give health staff access to patient records wherever they are, was originally billed at ?2.3bn over three years. ...more

Toshiba rallies Hollywood backing for blue-laser HD-DVD

Toshiba has gained backing for its blue laser DVD technology from major Hollywood studios. The company is developing its HD-DVD format in competition with Sony's Blu-ray and both are frantically trying to garner support, success for which will bring in mammoth licensing revenues as the format takes off. Toshiba's announcement puts Paramount Pictures, Universal PIctures, New Line Cinema and Warner Brothers in support of HD-DVD. ...more

BT wins ?620 million NHS contract to put medical records online

The familiar cabinets of buff coloured folders containing medical records will be no more by 2010, the Government has announced. Instead it has awarded a ?620 million contract to BT to store all 50 million NHS patients 'Care Records' in a secure central database and available to all 30,000 GPs and 270 NHS trusts. The care records will contain all relevant information and medical history of the patient and can be called up from anywhere instead of the current situation whereby if someone is admitted to hospital, the doctors have no immediate access to their local GP's records. ...more

EFF fights US gov over flight passenger data

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has filed suit against the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over the gathering of data on passengers taking flights between Europe and the US. The civil rights body had asked the DHS for records on how the process is handled, including how the data is maintained, used, disclosed, and secured, under the Freedom of Information Act. However, the DHS failed to respond to the request. ...more