IBM reveals Rescue and Recovery ultra-portable

IBM has disclosed details of its new ultra-portable notebook the ThinkPad X40. Ahead of its availability at the end of this month, IBM describes it as the 'thinnest and lightest ThinkPad ever', 20 per cent smaller and 25 per cent lighter than its predecessor, the X31. Two interesting features are its Rescue and Recovery with Rapid Restore technology and USB powered optical drives. ...more

A deafening silence for the iPod in France

iPod goes all the way up to 11 on the volume settings, it seems. Apple Computers has had to take its iPod portable music player off the shelves of French shops while it finds a way of bringing its top volume below that of the 100dB limit set by the French government. Apple reckons the two week hiatus should be long enough for it to make the player safe for the French to use. ...more

BT uses bar-room technology to fine-tune fibre pipes

BT has solved a major problem en route to connecting UK homes and businesses with optical fibre using beer pipes. Technology used to join lengths of piping for delivering beer from barrel to bar proved ideal for joining optical fibres, which work best when they have as few joins as possible. Optical fibres will play a big part in BT's 21st Century Network programme, as they enable the delivery of high bandwidth content such as video. ...more

Microsoft launches Office Small Business Edition 2003

Following the razzamattaz of the official launch of Office 2003, Microsoft has now introduced the Office Small Business Edition 2003, aimed, unsurprisingly, at small businesses. Alongside the familiar applications of Word, Excel and Outlook Microsoft has introduced Publisher and Powerpoint into this edition for the first time. Redmond has also included a basic CRM system with a product called Business Contact Manager. ...more

Apple joins forces with peach, plum and nectarine to sell iTunes

Californian fruit growers are hoping to encourage Americans to eat more fruit by giving away iTunes Music Store vouchers with every piece purchased. The growers' marketing arm, the California Tree Fruit Agreement, will start the promotion next summer. 'It's a little difficult to sell a message about health and this is something just a little more fun,' CFTA spokeswoman Marilyn Dolan told Forbes. ...more