Pulling the lid off the LUMIX

Panasonic has unveiled its LUMIX range of digital cameras using Leica DC lenses. The new models are the DMC-F7, DMC-LC20, DMC-LC40 and the DMC-LC5, starting from the entry youth oriented model to the high-end professional/enthusiast one. All models share incarnations of Leica lenses, sport SD/MMC slots and come with SD cards ranging from 8Mb to 32Mb in capacity, ArcSoft photo-editing software, a Quicktime movie mode and Panasonic's Mega Burst shooting mode that allows up to five full frames to be shot per second. ...more

Aussie student stooges hauled in for Internet banking hacks

Four Sydney students found their pocket money strategies landed them in hot water with the law when it was revealed they were using their bank accounts to transfer money out of cracked online bank accounts. Australia's Daily Telegraph reports that New South Wales police arrested four students operating as mules for an Internet scam run by a Russia-based crime gang. The gang infected computers with a virus that monitored activities recording passwords and other sensitive information and sending it back. ...more

Boeing cans in-flight wireless network

Boeing has dropped plans to use wireless networking to deliver in-flight entertainment on its new 787 Dreamliner plane because of problems with plane weight and the technology itself. A wireless network would add 200lbs (90kg) per plane, rather than 50lbs (22kg) for a wired network. Also, Boeing could not get permission to use certain wireless frequencies from some countries, spokeswoman Lori Gunter said. ...more

Mobile calls take flight

Siemens and Airbus are working together on a system to enable ordinary mobile calls by passengers on board flights. Although full details of the system have yet to be revealed - such as possible charges and revenue splits - the two companies hope the system will be operation in 2006, reports Reuters. . ...more

Google and NASA plot Google Space

A virtual flight over the surface of the moon - and even an exploration of the canyons of Mars - are in prospect for Web surfers. This is thanks to a deal announced between Google and the NASA Ames Research Centre. 'This agreement between NASA and Google will soon allow every American to experience a virtual flight over the surface of the moon or through the canyons of Mars,' said NASA Administrator Michael Griffin at Headquarters in Washington. ...more