IBM backs Firefox

IBM is encouraging its employees to use Firefox, aiding the open source Web browser`s quest to chip away at Microsoft`s Internet Explorer, reports News.Com.

Firefox is already used by about 10% of IBM`s staff, but from today IBM workers can download the browser from internal servers and get support from the company`s help-desk staff.

The report says IBM`s commitment to Firefox is among its most prominent votes of confidence from a large corporation. For IBM, the move is aimed at reducing dependence on a product from rival Microsoft.

Meanwhile, BBC News says the Mozilla Foundation has released a security patch to plug two critical security flaws in its Firefox browser.

Mozilla recommends users upgrade to the latest version, Firefox 1.0.4, which is a security update. Mozilla says although the vulnerabilities had been identified, no cases had been reported of them being exploited.

Microsoft`s browser now has 88.9% of the market, while Firefox`s share has risen just over a point to 6.8%. Previously, Internet Explorer dominated more than 95% of the browser market.

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has unveiled Windows Mobile 5.0, Microsoft`s latest mobile platform designed for mobile phones and PDAs.

The Bosh says Windows Mobile 5.0 builds on the success on Windows Mobile 2003 and is aimed at grabbing some market share from rival Symbian.

Microsoft`s share of the mobile device software market is estimated at 16% to 18%, while Symbian is seen holding 61% to 71%.

The report says this new version of the Windows Mobile software platform includes more platform flexibility to customise devices and solutions, productivity enhancements, and an enhanced multimedia capability with Windows Media Player 10 Mobile.

Dell says it wants to extend the use of high-speed data connections on notebook PCs by offering Internet links via mobile phone networks, reports eWeek.

However, Dell representatives have denied reports that the company is looking to sell mobile phone subscriptions by 2006.

A Dell spokesman is quoted by eWeek as saying the company was looking to offer high-speed Internet links to PC users via mobile phone networks, but not phone service itself.

Dell already offers high-speed data cards for use with its mobile PCs by reselling service from US operators Cingular and Sprint.

The spokesman says Dell is interested in bridging the gap between wireless technology on computers and mobile phones.

Motorola`s new Nano Emissive Display (NED) technology promises to deliver cheaper and slimmer high definition (HD) TV panels, reports ExtremeTech.

Motorola Labs this week unveiled a prototype of NED technology in the form of a 42-inch HDTV. Motorola says the carbon nanotube (CNT)-based NED technology involves a proprietary "scalable method" of growing CNTs directly onto glass.

Motorola has yet to announce any partners in building monitors using NED technology.