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Netbook sales soar, notebooks stutter

Kirsten Doyle
By Kirsten Doyle, ITWeb contributor.
Johannesburg, 03 Apr 2009

Netbook sales soar, notebooks stutter

Sales of low-cost netbooks are growing strongly, in sharp contrast to the rest of the computer market, says Computing.co.uk.

A report by research firm DisplaySearch predicts that netbook sales will grow by 65% in the coming year, compared to growth in notebook sales of just 3%.

The report finds that the worsening economic situation is providing the biggest stimulus to netbook sales, as customers look for low initial purchase costs. More worryingly for some manufacturers, however, is increasing evidence that customers who would have bought full-featured notebooks are buying netbooks instead.

China restricts online video

The Chinese government has issued strict rules on "harmful" Internet videos, after blocking access to YouTube over a clip purportedly showing police beating Tibetan independence protesters, reports The Register.

China's State Administration of Radio, Film and TV posted revised restrictions banning online videos that "oppose the basic principles of the Chinese constitution; jeopardise China's unity, sovereignty or territorial integrity, divulge state secrets; and endanger national security or harm national honour and interest", reports the Hollywood trade publication Variety.

Authorities have also barred online videos that "advocate evil cults and superstitions", or "explicitly display sexual perversions, extreme violence or the slaughtering of animals".

Virus battery could 'power cars'

Viruses have been used to help build batteries that may one-day power cars and all types of electronic devices, says The BBC.

The speed and relatively cheap cost of manufacturing virus batteries could prove attractive to industry.

Professor Angela Belcher, who led the research team, said: "Our material is powerful enough to be able to be used in a car battery."

Russia may increase MS supervision

The Russian government is exploring whether Microsoft deserves closer scrutiny under its antitrust laws, specifically whether the software maker should be added to a government-maintained list of companies with high market share, reports CNet.

Russia was among the places where Microsoft tested the low-cost version of Windows aimed at first-time PC buyers.

Being added to the list itself doesn't mean the company is under investigation, but rather that it must comply with laws governing firms that have a significant market share. Unlike in some regions, Russia starts keeping an eye on companies with even a relatively low share. Anything upwards of about 35% share could land a company on the list.

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