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SkypeOut users face glitch

By Damian Clarkson, ITWeb junior journalist
Johannesburg, 14 Sept 2004

SkypeOut users face glitch

Pocket PC users hoping to use the SkypeOut service for Internet telephony could be left without a dial tone.

The SkypeOut service is designed to let users make calls to regular phone numbers at competitive rates. The calls are carried over the Internet using a peer-to-peer system, only 'breaking out` a mile before its destination.

Skype released v1.0 of its Net telephony application for pocket PC users last week, but it may not work on all models, PCWorld reports. SkypeOut does not work properly on HP iPaq handhelds, while users on a Skype Web site forum reported that call recipients only hear a buzzing noise.

Version 1.0 requires Microsoft`s Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC operating system, WiFi wireless networking and a 400MHz processor.

Mobiles to get TV

Television on mobiles could soon become a reality, following the announcement that five of the world`s largest mobile phone makers are working on specifications to deliver broadcast services to wireless handsets.

A pilot scheme is already being planned in the UK, which will see nine broadcast transmitters around Oxford sent to 500 O2 customers testing the phone with a built-in digital television receiver.

The test is being held to determine how effective the handsets - designed by Sony Semiconductor & Electronic Solutions and Nokia - actually are, BBC reports.

Customers will be offered 16 channels when the service is launched next year.

Symantec to tackle 'phishing`

Symantec will this week announce a brand protection service aimed at combating the growing trend of online identity theft, or 'phishing`.

According to PCWorld, the online fraud management solution will make use of the company`s global network of researchers and its desktop software to help companies identify and thwart online scams that use their names to trick unsuspecting customers.

The service will be marketed at financial services companies, and Symantec will use probes and accounts to collect, analyse and identify new phishing scams targeted at subscribing customers.

According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, phishing attacks are increasing at a rate of over 50% a month.

OSS developers praise new Linux standard

The Free Standards Group (FSG) will today announce the availability of the Linux Standard Base (LSB) 2.0, and that this standard has the support of almost all global Linux distribution vendors, eWeek reports.

The new release, which includes a new application binary interface for C++, will allow vendors to port their applications to Linux in a cost-effective manner and should increase the application choice for end-users, says FSG executive director Jim Zemlin.

"Thousands of applications are written in C++. It is the most popular programming language in the world. We had to add it to the LSB so that those applications can take advantage of the benefits of the LSB."

A number of major companies - including Dell and IBM - have pledged their support for the new standard, reducing the likelihood that Linux could be fragmented, says Zemlin.

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