Packet-sizing code doubles WiFi throughput

A new method of predicting wireless network conditions could lead to data throughput ratees doubling. SmartPackets has developed its Smart WiFi algorithm using 'non-linear neural nets' to accurately size the data packets sent over 802.11b wireless channels, boosting throughput by 100 per cent. ...more

Sony brings Palm OS5 in large-screen Cli

Sony announces the Cli? NX70V with the largest ever screen resolution for a handheld - 320x480. The NX70V sports Palm's swanky OS5 and takes advantage of ARM chip compatibility to feature a 200Mhz chip under the hood. The fast processor improves the quality of video playback and users can take videos and still images with the integrated camera, which offers a 2x digital zoom. ...more

Intel bins big screen technology

Intel has ceased development of a major new flat screen technology that it saw replacing LCDs in large screen TVs and monitors. As recently as last January, the company said that the Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) technology would halve the cost of large screens before the end of this year. LCOS involves layering liquid crystal silicon onto transistors. ...more

Demon says Surftime is unreliable

Demon Internet has delayed the Surftime upgrade to its service, claiming that it is unreliable. In a message sent out to subscribers of its mailing list (and also published on its Web site), Technical Relations Manager Malcolm Muir said, "whilst we share and understand the disappointment this will cause, we believe it would be wrong to launch a service that does not provide the quality of service expected by our customers. We do however firmly believe that we will be able to launch in the coming week. ...more

Microsoft makes its Black Hat stage debut

Microsoft yesterday made its stage debut at the Black Hat hacking conference to demonstrate its latest products and procedures, giving away preview copies of its flagship Vista system to several thousand security specialists with the invite to try and break in. In a first for Redmond, the company took part as a platinum sponsor and presented a series of briefings on its efforts in the security space and in particular, the new security technologies in Vista. Andrew Cushman, Director, Microsoft Security Response, Engineering and Outreach Team detailed Microsoft's security story from a historical perspective, while John Lambert, Security Group Manager, Security Engineering and Communications Group took the lid off Vista and talked up the lengths his company has gone to secure the system, including what he claimed is the world's largest commercial penetration test. ...more