Intel trials 50nm flash memory

Intel and Micron have begun sampling Nand flash memory built on 50nm process technology, Vnunet reports.

Although both companies are sampling 4GB devices, they plan to mass-produce a range of densities on the 50nm node in 2007.

These will include digital music players, removable storage and handheld communications devices.

Microsoft showed a prototype of a cellphone-based computer that could one day find a use as a cheap PC for emerging markets, News.com reports.

The FonePlus device combines the Windows CE operating system with a phone that can be connected to a TV display and keyboard to create a computer.

This development follows criticism that Microsoft is not being aggressive enough in bringing low-cost PCs to the emerging market.

Sony`s PlayStation Portable-oriented WiFi hotspot network will go live today, according to The Register.

PlayStation Spot will have 11 sites around retailers in London, Milton Keynes, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

PSP owners will be able to download content, including games demos, songs, videos and pictures. The UK roll-out is part of a Europe-wide launch which also includes Australia.

According to a recent study, students own an increasingly expensive range of personal gadgets such as MP3 players, laptops and wide-screen televisions, BBC News reports.

The study shows that nearly two-thirds of the participants own laptops, more than half have MP3 players, 48% own DVD players, 12% have wide-screen TVs, and 6% own PDAs.

The survey also found 62% "treat themselves" to non-essential items at least once a month, with female students being more likely to splash out (68%) than their male counterparts (57%).

eBay and PayPal remain the top targets of various phishing scams, eWeek reports.

According to a Sophos study, more than three-quarters of all phishing e-mails target eBay (20.9%) or PayPal (54.3%) users.

Sophos also noted these two sites are targeted primarily because of their popularity and large customer bases.