Web logging made easy

Web logs, or blogs, may be the fastest growing area on the Web, but creating them can be a confusing and unintuitive process, particularly if you're not particularly au fait with Internet technology. Sparkpod is a new blogging tool that aims to make the process as simple as possible, and appears to succeed. Blogs are a kind of online diary or journal, a handy place to collect your musings and keep in touch with your friend and families. ...more

UPDATED: Blu-ray accelerates introduction of new DRM technology

The Blu-ray Disc Association has announced that following breaches of the security of the high-definition format's AACS security technology, it has brought forward the planned release date of the BD-Plus (BD+), a more advanced anti-copying system. BD+ is an entirely different encryption system to AACS. Instead of each movie having the same encryption key, BD+ allows each disc to install a small piece of encryption software on a player, so that each disc has its own key. ...more

Trojan targets Microsoft anti-spyware

The first piece of malware to attack Microsoft's new anti-spyware product has been detected, according to security specialists Sophos. The BankAsh-A Trojan is a phishing attack that attempts to steal online banking passwords. It targets UK banks such as Barclays, Cahoot, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, Nationwide, NatWest, and Smile. ...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

Lycos dials up VoIP

Lycos is taking on eBay's Skype with its entrance into the voice market courtesy of Lycos Phone. Initially a beta service in the US, Lycos Phone could prove a popular rival to Skype if its call quality matches that of its bigger rival. It might also give the lie to Skype's business plan, as some of the services that Skype is counting on to provide it with revenue streams are free on Lycos. ...more