Microsoft revamps Pocket PC OS

Microsoft is upgrading and renaming its Pocket PC operating system (OS), and a handful of personal digital assistant vendors are ready with new models that take advantage of the software`s enhanced security and multimedia functions. They include HP, Gateway and Toshiba, reports PC World.

Microsoft`s OS for personal digital assistants is now dubbed Windows Mobile software for Pocket PCs. The new Windows Mobile brand will also be used for Microsoft`s handset OS, which will be known as Windows Mobile software for Smartphones.

Windows Mobile 2003 is by no means a must-have upgrade, reports the site, but it does deliver assorted tweaks and may also be available as an easy download for some Pocket PC 2002 devices.

Intel will come out today with a Pentium 4 running at 3.2GHz, and will separately discuss a new version of its upcoming Madison chip optimised for dual-processor servers and workstations. ZDNet reports that the 3.2GHz Pentium 4 will likely be the fastest desktop chip on the market for a few months.

The Pentium 4 will also probably be one of the last, if not the last, of the classic Pentium 4s. In the second half of the year, the company plans to unveil the successor to the Pentium 4, code-named Prescott. Prescott is based around the same basic architecture, but contains new instructions for multimedia processing, as well as other features.

Microsoft`s newest instant messaging client, MSN Messenger 6, went into its public beta phase yesterday when it was posted on the Microsoft Web site. Although Microsoft boasted that over two million users had downloaded MSN Messenger 6 in its private beta program, this is the first time that anyone can try out the new client, although it only runs on Windows platforms, reports SACM.

For business users, Messenger 6 features improved file sharing through firewalls, enhanced Webcam support, and a new message-logging feature. Message logging requires Internet Explorer 6.

Other improvements include new emoticons, better defence against spam, and custom backgrounds. MSN Messenger 6 users can also play interactive games with other members.

The breakdown of one of Swedish operator Telia`s main Internet routers in Sweden`s capital unplugged more than a million of the country`s Internet subscribers for several hours, AFP reports.

In total, over 340 000 broadband and 700 000 dial-up customers across Sweden were affected by the incident, the site quotes local news agency TT as reporting.

The problem was discovered when irritated customers started to flood Telia`s switchboard with complaints late Saturday morning. Their connections were not restored until mid-afternoon, Telia said.