New Motorola with a twist

Local Motorola distributor Lipton Griffin International has announced the availability of the Motorola V80 handset.

It features a cover that can rotate 180 degrees to transform the phone into a digital camera. The V80 has integrated Bluetooth capabilities and supports MP3 ringtones.

"The Motorola V80 taps the desires of the discerning consumer who craves the perfect combination of style and technology," says Greg Lipton, GM of Lipton Griffin International.

A former Sharp employee is suing the consumer electronics manufacturer for $4.6 million over technology he claims to have developed for use in flat screen products, AFP reports.

The man was paid 770 000 yen after his retirement for his extra work while the company is expected to see profits of 96 billion yen from liquid crystal display patents based on his work before they expire in 2009, the suit claimed.

The case is the latest in a series of court disputes in Japan regarding the transfer of patent rights to companies by inventors on their payrolls.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates has brushed off the threat posed by Linux software in Asia and has pushed for the use of the Windows operating system in Malaysia, reports AFP.

Gates has expressed Microsoft`s willingness to help the country improve computer proficiency and boost its IT sector.

"In terms of Microsoft software, it is being used very heavily around the world and we are very pleased in the partnership that we formed in Asia," says Gates.

"We will talk with other governments whether they have a programme to get very low cost computers for their citizens."