A regularly updated column of IT related briefs
Samsung, Siltronic agree wafer venture
FRANKFURT - South Korean high-tech giant Samsung Electronics and Siltronic, a leading maker of silicon wafers and a unit of German chemicals group Wacker Chemie, said on July 14 they planned to build a joint wafer 300-milimeter wafer factory in Singapore.
The factory would be 50-50 joint venture and would called Siltronic Samsung Wafer Pte, the two partners said in a statement. The project - the first time that a semi-conductors maker has teamed up with a silicon wafer manufacturer - represented a total investment of $1 billion.
US feds to probe Silicon Valley options scandal
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA - A US federal task force will probe a stock option scandal plaguing Silicon Valley and dozens of its most illustrious firms, a US attorney said on July 13. Federal prosecutors and FBI agents are to investigate whether stock options were "backdated" to enhance their value and mislead shareholders, Kevin Ryan, US attorney for northern California, said.
Retroactively dating stock options allows for the purchase of a stock at an opportune time, such as when it is cheapest. The task force was formed after more than 60 US firms, including technology Cnet Network and iPod-maker Apple Computer, became implicated in stock option price manipulation charges.
Apple is being sued in federal and state courts for backdating stock options to officers more than a dozen times from 1993 to 2001.
Apple drops legal challenge to online publishers
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA - Apple Computer has dropped its legal challenge against two Internet publishers who reported secret details about its new products, a lawyer said on July 13. The Silicon Valley maker of Macintosh computers and iPod MP3 players abandoned its bid to force the websites to reveal their sources for the reports, said attorney Kurt Opsahl of the Electronic Freedom Foundation.
Apple let the deadline to challenge an earlier appeals court ruling pass and filed court paperwork indicating it had abandoned the option, said Opsahl, who represented news websites PowerPage and AppleInsider in the case.
'Tea with Mandela' up for grabs on eBay
JOHANNESBURG - Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton on July 13 teamed up to raise funds for African children with heart problems by offering a chance of tea with the struggle hero - up for auction on eBay. From November 6, bidders on the auction website can put in their offers for an afternoon with Mandela, who will be accompanied by Albertina Sisulu, the widow of Mandela's mentor and fellow struggle stalwart Walter Sisulu.
"I was informed that US golfer Mr. Tiger Woods recently fetched more than 1.3 million dollars for a round of golf," said Lungi Sisulu, the chairman of a heart center which carries the name of his late father, Walter, adding, "I am convinced that tea with Mr. Mandela and my mother can exceed this target."
Also up for grabs will be a chance to play soccer with South African star Mark Fish, spend time with Olympic gold medalist swimmer Ryk Neethling, bungee jump with cricketer Shaun Pollock and brainstorm with foremost businessmen Whitey Basson and Patrice Motsepe.
Samsung, Sony sign LCD contract
SEOUL - South Korea's high-tech giant Samsung Electronics said on July 14 it had signed a $1.9 billion contract with Japan's Sony to build a new generation of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels. The joint venture deal will produce LCD panels for 50-inch televisions, following a "significant" increase in demand, Samsung said in a statement.
Intel lays off 1,000 managers worldwide
SAN FRANCISCO - Intel said on July 13 it would lay off some 1,000 managers as part of a plan to trim fat from its computer chip operations worldwide. "In essence, we have too many managers," said Intel spokesman Mark Pettinger. "Too many management layers from the top of the company to front line supervisors to be effective."
The number of managers at the Santa Clara, California, based computer chip maker grew faster than the general employee population during the past five years, Pettinger said. The job cuts were said to touch Intel's facilities around the globe.
Toshiba delays launch of new DVD recorder
TOKYO - Japan's Toshiba Corp. said on July 13 that it has postponed the sales launch of its new high-definition DVD recorder by about two weeks because of production delays.
Toshiba had planned to release the world's first home-use digital video recorder using the HD DVD format on July 14 in a bid to take a lead in the race to set the industry standard for high-definition DVDs. Toshiba spokesman Keisuke Omori said that a shortage of a certain part for the DVD recorder had prevented a nationwide launch this week but stressed that there were no technical problems.
Microsoft releases security patches for Windows operating system
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA - Microsoft on July 12 was calling on users of its Windows and Office 2000 software to install security patches that prevent hackers from taking over their computers. Software updates designed to fix vulnerabilities "that could allow an attacker to take complete control of an affected system" could be downloaded for free at the www.microsoft.com/security Website, the company said. The Redmond, Washington, software giant also made available monthly installments engineered to remove "malware," malicious software such as computer viruses.
Microsoft recommended that Windows users sign up for automated software updates intended to make systems more secure. Release of the patches followed an announcement by Microsoft that it had stopped supporting its Windows 98 and Millennium Edition (ME) operating systems, effectively abandoning the old version of its software. Microsoft has been hit with criticism that it is a ripe target for hackers and for failing to launch its newest software on schedule.
US State Department fends off Asian hacker attack
WASHINGTON - The US State Department said that it was conducting a forensic probe on July 12 after hackers in East Asia tapped into computer systems at its Washington headquarters and diplomatic posts in the region. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said that no classified government information was lost in the strike, which reportedly targeted the bureau in the department dealing with North Korea and China. "Our folks monitored this attempt and took immediate steps to prevent any loss of sensitive US government information," McCormack said, downplaying the incident.
The attack had started on US posts in East Asia, then "migrated" to Washington, he said. McCormack did not identify the home base of the hackers, but the Washington Post reported that the attack originated in China.
Christie's launches online bidding software
LONDON - International auction house Christie's on July 12 launched a new facility for overseas customers to be present at sales without leaving their computers. Those unable to bid in the flesh will now be able to use a new software program, Christie's Live, on the firm's Website, which gives real-time video and audio access to auctions as well as clear bidding instructions. It has been developed by Auction Management Solutions (AMS), based in Tampa, Florida, and will be available initially on selected sales in London and New York, including an auction of memorabilia from the television series "Star Trek" in October.
Hitachi to build Czech TV factory
PRAGUE - Japanese electronics firm Hitachi is to invest 2.5 billion koruna ($112.2 million) in a Czech television plant and employ up to 2,000 people, a regional official said on July 12. Jan Sixta, an economic development official from the northwestern Ustecky region said that it had "agreed on the sale of 40 hectares for the project." The TV factory will be located in an industrial park built on a disused military airport that is also to host the IPS Alpha joint venture set up by Hitachi with Japanese partners Panasonic and Toshiba to produce LCD television screens.
IPS Alpha plans to invest around 2.6 billion koruna and also hire up to 2,000 people, according to Czech Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek. The Ustecky region has one of the highest levels of unemployment in the Czech Republic.
Brainpower: your wish is the computer's command
PARIS - The sci-fi dream of using brainpower to move or speak is now within reach, according to two studies on brain-computer interface technology due out on July 13 in the science journal Nature. Advances in neuromotor prosthetics, the researchers say, could offer a revolutionary way for people with brain or spinal injuries to move, communicate, and manipulate objects. In the first study, led by Leigh Hochberg of the Massachussetts General Hospital (MGH) and John Donoghue of Brown University, a 25-year-old man paralyzed after a spinal cord injury three years ago was able to open e-mail, operate a television, and open and close a prosthetic hand - all by imagining movement.
The test subject was wired with 96 electrode sensors in the motor cortex part of his brain. Each thought generated millions of neuronal signals that were picked up by the sensors, decoded and processed by a computer, and finally translated into movement commands. Creators of the technology, called BrainGate Neural Interface System, say that the considerable advances do not, however, mean that the brain-computer technology is ready for widespread use. They warned that there were "considerable problems" left to settle, notably finding a way to go wireless to reduce risk of infection.
EU adopts plan to slash mobile telephone roaming costs
BRUSSELS - The European Commission on July 12 agreed on plans to slash the costs of using mobile telephones abroad, in the teeth of fierce opposition from the telecommunications industry. The plans, adopted by the commission at a weekly meeting, aim to halve so-called "roaming rates," which companies impose on consumers using their mobile phones when outside their home country.
Under the plans, the commission will fix the wholesale rate that an operator can charge a foreign rival that uses its network on the behalf of a customer traveling abroad. It would also cap the retail rates that companies can impose, and put a ceiling on the cost of calls received abroad.
US unveils emergency alert system for mobile phones, computers
ARLINGTON, VA, USA - The US government unveiled a communications system on July 12 that, in case of emergency, would soon allow it to send SMS alerts to Americans' mobile phones and computers. "We have the ability to do this. It's a major step," Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) director David Paulson told reporters outside the US capital as he unveiled the program's design. The Digital Emergency Alert System (DEAS) will include the participation of television networks and public radio stations and be based on an existing alert system built in the Cold War era for use in the event of a nuclear attack.
The new system will initially allow the government to quickly alert public organizations and first-aid groups in case of an emergency. At the same time, the government said that it will build a system that can also send alerts to mobile phone users and computers linked to the Internet.
'FT' to axe 50 jobs in Internet-led shake-up
LONDON - The Financial Times newspaper said on July 12 that it was to slash up to 50 jobs as it tried to restructure its editorial operations. The British business daily is seeking to integrate better its editing, reporting, and production for the FT's print and online operations. "The media industry is facing a huge challenge to its structure and working practices from the rapidly evolving demands of digital publishing," FT editor Lionel Barber told staff.
The newspaper said that the move was in part designed to simplify an operation that publishes four different regional editions - for Britain, continental Europe, Asia, and the United States - and has expanded its Internet operations to reach 5.5 million unique monthly users.
Microsoft stops supporting Windows 98, Millennium Edition operating systems
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA - Microsoft said on July 11 that it had stopped supporting its Windows 98 and Millennium Edition (ME) operating systems, effectively abandoning the old version of its software. The statement came a day after Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates went on record saying that he was confident that the company's new Vista operating system would be available in January of next year.
Microsoft no longer provides security updates, telephone advice, or other technical support for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows ME, according to the Redmond, Washington based company. "This is not a last minute announcement," the world's leading software company said in a release. "This last wave of communications is a final reminder for those who have postponed or delayed migrating from Windows 98 or Windows ME to Windows XP to finally put their plans into action."
Biometric group sues Microsoft, IBM for 'patent infringement'
WASHINGTON - A Utah-based company, International Automated Systems Inc. (IAUS), said on July 11 that it was suing Microsoft, IBM, and "others" for alleged patent infringements related to its biometric technology. The Utah company said that it had engaged independent experts to assess its automated biometric patent with regard to other biometric technologies. "IAUS has recently instituted patent infringement lawsuits against a number of companies, including Microsoft, IBM, and others, for allegedly violating IAUS's automated biometric identification patent," IAUS said in a statement.
IAUS claims to be a "pioneer" in the field of biometric technology. It said that it has developed technology for fingerprint, hand, and retina sensing technology. Some of its biometric data can be stored in a digital file, some of which are small enough to fit onto the magnetic strip of a credit card.
Internet TV deployed in Morocco
MARRAKESH, Morocco - Morocco's national telecom has completed deployment of an Internet Protocol Television system. Huawei Technologies said on July 11 that its end-to-end IPTV solution had been established by Maroc Telecom and started commercial service in the kingdom with more than 40 channels available. Huawei said that it took only two months to complete the project, which will accommodate another 160 channels by year's end along with other broadband services such as music downloads, movies, and data.
ITU, Thuraya in disaster phone alliance
GENEVA, Switzerland - The International Telecommunication Union and United Arab Emirates' Thuraya Satellite will cooperate to provide portable satellites for disaster relief. Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications will be providing handheld satellite terminals as well as solar charges to help countries overcome disasters. ITU, meanwhile, will pay for airtime at discounted rates offered by Thuraya in addition to covering the transport costs of the equipment to and from disaster areas.
"The tsunami that wreaked havoc in south East Asia, the Kashmir earthquake, the Suriname floods, and the Indonesia earthquake have demonstrated the power of emergency telecommunications in saving lives and coordinating efforts during rescue operations such as the setting up of telemedicine links," said ITU's chief, Yoshio Utsumi.
LG Philips posts worst results ever; World Cup sales disappointing
SEOUL - Flat panel maker LG Philips LCD said on July 11 that the Dutch-Korean joint venture suffered its worst performance ever in the second quarter of this year due to price cutting, increased inventories, and overcapacity. The world's second-largest flat panel maker also blamed slow demand for televisions during the period, with the World Cup failing to offer a boost as had been expected.
The company suffered a net loss of 322 billion won ($340 million) in the April-June period, compared with a profit of 29 billion won a year earlier. Sales stood at 2.315 trillion won, down 6 percent from the previous quarter and down 0.3 percent from a year ago. It had an operating loss of 372 billion, compared with a profit of $29 billion in the 2005 period. "The World Cup failed to boost demand for TVs as had been expected," LG Philips spokesperson Sue Kim said.
Adidas to launch Internet 'thank you' site for Zidane
PARIS - Adidas, the German maker of sportswear and equipment, plans to launch the Internet site mercizidane.fr on July 10 to thank French football star Zinedine Zidane as he retires. Fans are to write and videotape messages for the former French captain, with one lucky fan set to win the jersey worn by Zidane during the football World Cup final against Italy on July 9. Adidas thus confirmed its support for Zidane, a celebrated French playmaker who was sent off in disgrace in the final minutes of the match, which was his last before retirement.
Zidane was named the tournament's best player despite being shown a red card and dismissed after head-butting Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the chest in the second period of extra-time.
Protestors support suspended Singaporean blogger
SINGAPORE - Supporters of a Singaporean blogger gathered on July 9 at a busy subway station for a silent protest against the suspension of his weekly newspaper column after the government criticized his latest satirical piece about high living costs. At least 30 supporters turned up at City Hall station at 2:00 pm dressed in brown attire in support of the blogger, who goes by the moniker Mr. Brown. In Singapore any public protest of at least five people without a police permit is illegal. A few policemen patrolled the subway station but no arrests were made.
Paris-based Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) has described the government's condemnation of Mr. Brown's column as "disturbing" in light of its already strict curbs on the media.
Chinese Website to help foreigners learn the language
BEIJING - Chinese is notoriously one of the world's most difficult languages, but Beijing authorities are now trying to make it a little easier with a special Website for foreign learners, state media said on July 9. Sponsored by the National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, www.linese.com was launched over the weekend, offering online training, volunteer help, and search services. The Website so far is in Chinese and English only, but authorities are preparing additional versions in Korean and Japanese.
Interest in learning Chinese, especially the main national standard known as Mandarin, is exploding, presumably aided by the rapidly growing economic importance of China.
Taiwanese soldier arrested over Chen blog threat
TAIPEI - A Taiwanese soldier has been arrested for allegedly threatening to assassinate President Chen Shui-bian on an Internet blog site, the defense ministry said on July 8. Chu Chao-kong was arrested last week in Taipei for writing on a blog that he "really wants to put a gun on Chen's head," defense ministry spokesman Wu Chi-fang said. Chu is a private serving in the honor guard, a military regiment that has close access to the president at parades and other functions. He was held for "attempting to incite servicemen to riot" under military law and faces a minimum term of seven years if convicted, Wu said.
Chen was lightly wounded in an election-eve shooting in 2004 and won the presidential vote by a slim margin.
'US aviators' personal data posted on public Website'
WASHINGTON - Personal information on 100,000 US Navy and Marine Corps aviators was discovered on a publicly available Website, the US Navy has said, putting them at risk of identity theft. The information, which included full names and Social Security numbers, was found on a Naval Safety Center Website that was open to the public. The information was discovered on July 6 and removed from the site the same day, it said, adding that an investigation is underway.
The discovery was the latest in a rash of cases in which government personnel records have been exposed to potential theft. In May the Department of Veterans Affairs revealed that a laptop containing personal data on 26.5 million US military veterans and some spouses was stolen from an employee's home.
'Google' finds its way into dictionary
WASHINGTON - "I googled you," "google me": The word "google," which has become synonymous with searching the Internet since the advent of the popular search engine of the same name, has just found its way into a US dictionary. Due out this fall, the 2006 edition of the venerable Merriam - Webster Dictionary features the verb along with several other new words. But associate editor Peter Sokolowski said that the high-tech addition was born out of society setting a new language trend. "It's not a decision; it's the acknowledgement of its use in the newspapers, the literature, the media. It's very commonly found in print and is used with no explanation," Sokolowski said.
Although the trademark shed its capital "G" in the process of becoming a verb, "google" is in good company among similar locutions that made the leap from brand name to verb, including xerox. Also among the dictionary's class of 2006 are the words "spyware," "supersize," "avian influenza," the cellphone-inspired "ringtone," and "manga," referring to a Japanese comic book or graphic novel. The dictionary has also anointed the phrase "mouse potato," to refer to someone who is glued to the computer screen, akin to the earlier "couch potato," who was glued to the television screen.
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