MS co-founder showcases handtop computer

Vulcan, a Seattle-based company owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has showcased a prototype of its FlipStart `handtop` mini computer at Mobile Showcase 2004 in Palm Springs, California.

The FlipStart puts the full functionality of a Windows-based PC into a PDA-sized computer. It features a 30GB hard drive, 1GHz processor and 256MB of RAM, with two hours of battery life. The consumer-ready product is scheduled to ship in January 2005.

AP reports that small companies trying to turn WiFi services into viable business are being forced to shut down as WiFi proves unviable. The report says industry sceptics are comparing WiFi access to the wired Internet of the late 1990s - hot, but rarely profitable.

Many WiFi companies in the US have had to change their business models in a bid to make money off the offering.

A US Federal judge has given SCO Group 30 days to specify the damages it suffered when Novell publicly challenged SCO`s claim that it owned the copyright to Unix code allegedly used in Linux.

Techweb reports that the court dismissed Novell`s motion to dismiss the suit and SCO`s motion to move the case to state court. SCO said it looked forward to responding to the court order on damages suffered as a result of Novell`s actions. Novell said in turn that it was pleased the case would stay in the Federal court.