Week in Review: Budget laptops to boost PC market?

Eee PC leads cheap laptops at Computex

The popularity of low-cost laptops shows no signs of abating as the current leader of the pack - the Asus EeePC - heads up a number of new computers that are looking to take advantage of increasing demand from the emerging markets as well as existing PC owners. It has the potential to keep the PC market growing in the face of the current economic climate, some believe.

Reports: 3G iPhone for 100?

The hype machine is in overdrive as Steve Jobs is expected to unveil details of a 3G capable iPhone at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference this Monday. Reports also suggest the phone could be massively subsidised, costing as little as 100 with a contract. We also revealed Check Point announcing a new system which would enable the iPhone to be secured for business.

SanDisk eyes cheap portables for flash drive growth

SanDisk looks to take advantage of the demand for low-cost laptops by providing and lowering the cost of flash-based storage drives. It claims that portable computers are the best options for establishing solid state drives.

The high cost of memory capacity for flash drives were previously seen as a hindrance, but the new wave of computers do not require so much as they are designed primarily to access the internet.

New code of practice for ISPs

Ofcom publishes a voluntary code which is aimed at preventing customer confusion over broadband line speeds. Some 32 ISPs have already agreed to the new code as concerns were raised that broadband customers were being misled or misinformed when choosing their broadband services. To enforce the code, Ofcom will use mystery shoppers, and if this approach is not effective, it will consider introducing regulations.

Schools fight knife crime with anonymous SMS

A great example of how technology can be used to fight crime and social disorder. A new scheme has been set up by Crimestoppers which allows people to text information about crimes anonymously using SMS. With all the press about knife crime in London, it allows young people to send in information without fear of being targeted for doing so.

Microsoft warns users off Safari

Microsoft claims that a security vulnerability in Apple's Safari browser leaves users open to attack. If a Windows OS user visits a hacked website using Safari, a vulnerability in how XP and Vista handle executable files on the desktop can be exploited to litter the victim's desktop with executable files containing malicious code. Reports claimed that Apple does not take the vulnerability seriously.