Computing

Samsung has officially released the price of its N-Series range of netbooks – the latest in a long line of portable computers looking to hook you up to the web at a moment's notice.

The NC10 – details of which we gave you just last week – is a stylish netbook that weighs in at just 1.33kgs, while housing an ample 10.2in screen.

Powered by an Intel Atom Processor, with Windows XP as the OS of choice, the netbook is perfectly suited for those who want to log on, but as it also utilises 1GB of RAM and a 160GB SATA hard drive, word processing and music archiving should also be a breeze.

Get connected

Connectivity comes in the form of three USBs, a 3-in-1 card reader and a VGA output. Web-wise, you are looking at Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and the still-obligatory Ethernet input. ... read more »

Over-heating laptops are a real annoyance but don't think that a smouldering Sony or Dell battery is as bad as it can get.

Avik Ghosh, assistant professor the University of Virginia's deparrment of Electrical and Computer Engineering today warned: "If we continue at our current pace of miniaturization, these devices will be as hot as the sun in 10 to 20 years."

Increased processing power and miniaturisation are to blame for the high temperatures - and nanotechnology could be the solution. Ghosh hopes to use esoteric materials to effectively break the laws of physics - specially Maxwell's Second Law of Thermodynamics that states that heat will always flow towards cooler objects.

"Chlorophyll, for example, can convert photons into energy in highly efficient ways that seem to violate traditional thermodynamic expectations," said Ghosh. ... read more »

Open a door, eat a cake, mow the lawn... in fact, do whatever you want on a Tuesday. But if you spent all day doing the above, you're likely bored and in need of some tech refreshment.

Well, the big news today is Sky and Ofcom having a little chat in the media. Ofcom first of all said 'yes' to Sky's plans to stop offering free channels on Freeview, and instead offer a premium subscription package through terrestrial TV.

But before the bubbly was out the bottle, a caveat was added: sports, movies and other Sky-treats must be packaged and priced fairly for competitors.

Sky then 'welcomed' the decision through gritted teeth, and Virgin weighed in with its two penny-worth, as it danced gleefully at the thought of getting Sky One back.

Though apparently it won't. ... read more »

Two weeks ago we let you know about the first legit DVD ripper on the market - RealDVD. By legit, we mean the technology was licensed legally.

The fact that the software adds a hefty slab of DRM on to your copied DVDs helped Real Networks (of Real Player fame) get the license, while keeping everyone happy. Or so the company thought...

Now the big-wigs in Hollywood are worried just what an effect the software will have on the already home entertainment industry.

Filed a suit

TechCrunch has reported that Real Networks has actually filed a suit against Hollywood. Or, to be more precise: DVD Copy Control Association, Disney, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, and Twentieth Century Fox, among others. ... read more »

I'm not sure what Q would think of these Bond gadgets - three high-tech spy gizmos and not a solar-powered flamethrower or magnetic encryption laser between them.

Get ready for some serious product placement in the lastest Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, due to hit screens on November 14.

Sony today announced a bunch of Bond-related gadgets today as well as a competition to win a million bucks featuring 'virtual Sony High Definition products' (like the fabled PS 4 maybe?

TT race

The new products start with a limited edition (100 only) Sony Vaio TT laptop that comes emblazoned with a 007 logo on the palm rest, a matching leather protection case and a serial number. ... read more »

Friday is finally here. The pub is calling. But first we need to give you the quickfire round-up of all the day's important (and strange) technology news. Strapped in? Here goes…

Over in Japan Hitachi promises us that super upscaling tech for HD movies is coming soon, to fix that ever-so-slight distortion you see in parts of the frame in subtle, unnatural, ways with upscaled DVDs.

Our Japanese cousins also get storming fast 1Gbit/s internet from telco KDDI. Moreover, the company, which also owns number-two wireless carrier, au, isn't even charging that much for it.

Back in the UK, BT manages to escape a police investigation over its use of Phorm without obtaining users' position.with City of London police suggesting that BT had not had criminal intent and that there was implied consent – because the service was going to benefit customers. ... read more »

If you are a gentleman of the fat fingered persuasion who, like us, cannot quite get to grips with the smaller Eee PCs and other mini-keyboard netbooks on the market, then Medion's new comfy keyboard netbook, being offered at a bargainous £299 by Sainsbury's right now, could be your manbag 'puter of choice.

Following a limited introductory promotion in cheapo supermarket chain Aldi, Medion informs us that its "stylish new black and silver 10-inch notebook is now on sale in Sainsbury's stores nationwide, priced at £299.99 including VAT."

What it lacks in the way of a solid state drive (so don't drop it or bang it about too much!) it more than makes up for in other specs, packing in 1GB RAM, an 80GB hard drive and powered by a 1.2GHz Intel Atom-based processor. ... read more »

Asus' Eee PC, the original and (arguably) the best netbook on the market for its price, has an update coming next month, with Asus introducing a 3G edition.

The latest version of the Eee PC 901 will feature HSUPA (or 3.75G), with download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps, and upload speeds of 2.2Mbps, so you need never worry about finding a Wi-Fi network again.

Mobile contract deals

Asus UK is still in discussions with mobile network providers – so stay tuned for pricing and mobile contract subscription deals on the new 3.75G Eee PC as soon as we get it direct from the manufacturer (which we expect will be sometime later next month). ... read more »

As far as laptops go, Sony's Vaio range is generally a good bet for those looking for quality and reliability, with the latest packing in a Blu-ray player, 256GB SSD and 16:9 ratio LED backlit screen.

Oh, and did we also mention that it looks the mutt's nuts too?

You want spec? We got spec coming out of our eyes. The Sony VAIO TT (well, the top end model at least) will pack in a Blu-ray drive, 256GB solid state hard drive and an LED-backlit screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Portable Blu-ray viewer

It could well prove to be the ultimate portable Blu-ray viewer, in addition to giving you the option of watching your Blu-rays through the more traditional TV via its 1080p HDMI output. ... read more »

Asus launches its N Series of notebooks in the UK this week, the latest follow-up to its popular Eee PC series of netbooks.

The N Series boasts a "Super Hybrid Engine" feature that preserves battery life, the Express Gate OS so you can get to your most-used apps in under 8 seconds and the SmartLogon facial recognition system, for the security conscious (and wannabe James Bonds) out there.

Four new 'puters

There are four laptops in the Asus N Series range – the 10.2in N10 with an Intel Atom processor, NVIDIA GeForce 9300M graphics card and 250GB hard drive at £499; the 12.1in N20 with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 320GB hard drive and Altec Lansing sound system at £649; the 14.1in N80 with an NVIDIA GeForce 9 Series graphics card and Dolby Surround decoding at £699 ... read more »