2009 September | Tech News

Google invites users to join Wave

Google Wave, which combines e-mail, instant messaging and wiki-style editing will go on public trial today. The search giant hopes the tool, described as “how e-mail would look if it were invented today”, will transform how people communicate online. It will be open to 100,000 invitees from 1600BST, each of whom can nominate five further [...]

Sep 30 2009 | Posted in Internet,Search Tech,Social Networking,Tech News,Technology | Read More »

Microsoft launches free security

Microsoft has released its free computer security package to the public. From 1700 BST on 29 September, Windows users will be able to download the software from Microsoft’s Security Essentials website. The free software gives basic protection against viruses, trojans, rootkits, and spyware. The Essentials software is Microsoft’s second try at making an own-brand security [...]

Sep 29 2009 | Posted in Cybersecurity,Internet,Operating Systems,Security,Software,Tech News,Technology | Read More »

Nintendo drops Wii console price

Nintendo is cutting the price of its popular Wii games console by 20% in the US and Japan. The company has also confirmed to BBC News that the trade price will drop in the UK and Republic of Ireland. However, the firm said the the ultimate cost for UK customers would be “determined by retailers [...]

Sep 24 2009 | Posted in Gaming,Tech News,Technology | Read More »

Broadband tax ‘to be made law’

A controversial broadband tax should be law before the next election, according to Minister for Digital Britain Stephen Timms. The 50 pence a month tax will apply to everyone with a fixed line telephone. Speaking at a debate in London, Mr Timms said the tax will be presented to parliament as part of the Finance [...]

Sep 23 2009 | Posted in Communications,Hosting,Internet,Tech News,Technology | Read More »

‘Open internet’ rules criticised

Mobile providers have said that US proposals to ensure all traffic on the internet is treated equally should not be applied to wireless traffic. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants rules to prevent providers blocking or slowing down bandwidth-heavy usage such as streaming video. Providers claim a two-tiered system is essential for the future vitality [...]

Sep 22 2009 | Posted in Communications,Tech News,Technology | Read More »

US proposes net neutrality rules

The US has proposed new rules that would require internet firms to respect the principle of “network neutrality”. The head of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) said that “all web traffic should be treated equally”. The new rules are intended to prevent firms throttling bandwidth-sapping web traffic such as streaming video. Networks on both sides [...]

Sep 21 2009 | Posted in Internet,Tech News,Technology | Read More »

Video screens hit paper magazines

The first video advert inside a print title has been published inside the American magazine Entertainment Weekly. The small screen, built into a cardboard insert, contains an advert for Pepsi Max and trailers for US TV network, CBS. There are also in-built speakers, so the viewer can hear the advert too. “This is an extraordinary [...]

Sep 17 2009 | Posted in Tech News,Technology | Read More »

Facebook grows and makes money

The world’s largest social networking site just got bigger with the announcement it has 300 million active monthly users from around the globe. Facebook also revealed that it had started making money ahead of schedule. The company had not expected to start turning a profit until sometime in 2010. “This is important to us because [...]

Sep 16 2009 | Posted in Social Networking,Tech News,Technology | Read More »

Google turns page on news content

Google has unveiled a service called Fast Flip to let users consume news more quickly and to boost the flagging fortunes of the news industry. The product is designed to mirror the way readers flick through magazines and newspapers. Google has teamed up with more than 30 providers such as the BBC to provide what [...]

Sep 15 2009 | Posted in Search Tech,Tech News,Technology | Read More »

‘Next generation’ wi-fi approved

The next-generation of wi-fi technology has finally been approved for use, despite being on sale in laptops and other equipment for several years. The 802.11n technology, as it is known, was ratified by the IEEE, a body that oversees all wi-fi standards. It was conceived seven years ago and offers speeds at least six [...]

Sep 14 2009 | Posted in Technology | Read More »