Intel postpones chip launch

Reuters reports that Intel will postpone the launch of a chip it has called "the linchpin" in its new line for notebook computers. This is reported to be Intel`s second notebook chip problem this year.

Unspecified technical and marketing issues caused the push-back of the chip, and computers with the chip, code-named Alviso, will not appear in stores until early in the first quarter of next year, missing a year-end target, a source said.

The Inquirer says Apple is reported to have created a fourth-generation iPod that offers a slimmer case, click-wheel navigation and better battery life.

Quoting a report in tech magazine Newsweek, The Inquirer says the 20GB iPod will sell for $299, while the top-of-the-line 40GB model will retail for $399. Apple currently sells a 15GB version for $299, a 20GB version for $399 and a 40GB model for $499.

RCR wireless news reports that the flood of new camera phones is continuing, with announcements by Sony Ericsson and Samsung of plans to launch megapixel camera phones.

The new Sony Ericsson S710a megapixel camera phone and the Z500 clamshell camera phone both use EDGE technology for fast wireless data, content downloads, messaging and interactive gaming. The S710a features a 1.3-megapixel camera with a photo light and 8x digital zoom. The Z500 includes push to talk over cellular technology.

Sony Ericsson also launched the K500 camera phone, which includes a large colour screen, a joystick for enhanced gaming and 12MB of internal memory to store downloaded 3D games. It also has a 4x digital zoom camera that can capture still images or videos. It is expected to be available in the third quarter.

Samsung`s planned 3.2-megapixel digital camera phone includes a 3x optical linear zoom, 4x digital zoom and adjustable ISO setting.

DM News reports that Microsoft has won a $4 million judgment against a California man who bombarded Hotmail and MSN e-mail users with spam that impersonated Microsoft service messages.

The court found that Daniel Khashnood and his company, Pointcom, violated trademark law and fraud statutes by sending millions of unsolicited e-mails that impersonated Microsoft messages to get users to download a toolbar that would collect user information to be sold later to advertisers.