64-bit Windows coming soon

Microsoft plans to release the delayed "x64" versions of Windows Server and Windows XP at the end of next month, reports Computerworld.

The report says general availability of the 64-bit products could be announced at Microsoft`s annual Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC), set to begin 25 April in Seattle.

Initially the delivery target was set at the end of 2004, but was revised to the first half of 2005 after several delays.

Internet telephony company Skype and wireless broadband operator Broadreach have announced they will offer free telephone calls over the Web from laptops and handheld computers at 350 locations in Britain.

CNet says wherever there is a ReadytoSurf hotspot, Skype users will enjoy the benefits of their Skype account at no charge.

Skype is a two-year old company based in Luxembourg, which offers free software for laptops and mobile devices to make telephone calls over the public Internet. Broadreach was founded five years ago and operates public wireless Internet hotspots in Britain, including several train stations.

Netscape has released a public test version of a Web browser that includes antifraud technology in the hope of challenging Microsoft`s Internet Explorer browser dominance, says News.com.

The Netscape 8 browser is touted as providing better protection from online fraud threats such as phishing.

Over the past few months, the browser has been available only to a small number of beta testers. Although anyone can now download the software from the Netscape Web site, the product will remain in test mode for at least several more weeks. No date has been set for the browser`s official launch.

Microsoft researchers have unveiled some forward-looking technologies at this week`s TechFest held at the software maker`s Redmond headquarters.

PC World says one of the technologies on display proposes a detection and protection system for Internet worms.

The report says the Vigilante system envisages "honey pot" computers connected to the Internet to serve as bait for the worms. Once an attack is detected, the computers will analyse the attack and create alerts that include details on how to protect against the new threat.

The researchers say alerts will enable other computers to put up shields and filter traffic to block the worms automatically.