Nvidia and ATI unveil more new chips

The graphics chip market is heating up with the top two suppliers, Nvidia and ATI Technologies, introducing a series of new products. Following the roll-out of its AGP 8x-based NV18 and NV28 chips last month, Nvidia will finally unveil its top-end NV30 chip in November. ATI is also expected to continue filling out its product line with the Radeon 9500 and 9700 chips on October 24, Radeon 9500 PRO next month and higher-end R350 some time later. ...more

Ireland to close digital divide

Ireland has launched an initiative to deliver broadband access to remote areas of the country. In a series of public-private partnerships (PPP), telecommunications companies will take up the challenge to provide a "digital corridor" to link communities across the country. The idea is that hubs in public buildings such as hospitals, schools and clinics will deliver an access point for ordinary people. ...more

Oftel hints at price cuts for dial-up Internet

Changes in the way that BT charges ISPs for providing unmetered dial-up Internet connections, announced today, could result in price cuts for consumers, according to industry regulator Oftel. Under the terms of FRIACO (Flat Rate Internet Access Call Origination) ISPs pay BT for the right to provide unmetered dial-up access on BT phone lines. Until now BT has charged ISPs in advance, but Oftel has ruled that in future it must charge in arrears. ...more

DRM differences could cost billions of dollars

Entertainment companies risk losing hundreds of billions of dollars of potential income and the future of dozens of promising digital markets are at risk unless they can resolve differences over DRM, according to research firm iSuppli. The firm says that the success or otherwise of DRM technologies - both copy protection and conditional access systems - will determine the development and growth of digital content for both home entertainment and mobile platforms. But, it says, disagreements between the companies and industries over how DRM should be implemented are currently hampering growth. ...more

Motherboards now available via VIA

Chipset manufacturer VIA Technologies is to introduce own-branded Pentium 4-compatible motherboards. Initially the boards will sport the controversial P4X266 chipset, which supports Intel's Pentium 4 processor and DDR RAM, but the new VIA Platform Solutions Division will later produce boards for Web-pad and set top box-style computers. Other standard sized PC boards will also be launched. ...more