Microsoft urges restrictions on AOL/Time Warner merger

Microsoft has asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to impose stricter restrictions on the proposed AOL/Time Warner merger and that it be granted access to Time Warner's cable network. An FTC decision has already been delayed twice, and Microsoft's intervention at this point could be seen as a tit for tat action in response to AOL's attempt to enter the fray as a friend of court in Microsoft's ongoing antitrust case (although not a friend of Microsoft). Microsoft's concern is that the merged company would dominate the Internet market both in terms of access and content. ...more

Mobilexpo 2001 highlight - Trium Eclipse

The high spot of Trium's summer range was its GPRS handset - the Trium Eclipse - which features a full 256-colour screen. Technology-wise, it's a dual-band EGSM phone (E for Extended) that supports WAP 1.2. ...more

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

Researcher analyses hatchings of the InqTana worm

A member of the trifinite group of wireless security experts has issued a paper on the factors behind the creation of the InqTana worm, which targeted a flaw in Apple's operating system. Kevin Finisterre insists that the worm was written purely on a proof of concept basis, without links to either the Leap.A worm that was discovered within days of it, or to the various security companies issueing alerts. ...more

Compaq calls back notebook batteries

Compaq has recalled 55,000 battery packs used in Armada E500 and V300 notebooks and is replacing them on a two for one basis over fears that they could short circuit and possibly catch fire. Although remarkably similar to a recent event where Dell recalled 27,000 of its notebook batteries because of safety concerns, Compaq maintains this incident is completely unrelated as the two companies used batteries from different manufacturers. A Compaq spokesman said the problem was caused by a pin that should be soldered to the circuit but which had punctured the board. ...more