Research predicts Internet backlash

Research by the Pew Internet and American Life Projects shows a low-cost global network will thrive in the future, creating new opportunities in a "flattening" world in which greater numbers of people will have access to hi-tech tools to compete in a planetary marketplace, reports IEEE Spectrum Online.

The Pew report also surmises that humans will remain in charge of technology, even as more activity is automated and "smart agents" proliferate.

However, in what researchers described as "one of the major surprises in the survey", they write that 42% of respondents "were pessimistic about humans` ability to control" future technology.

Intel has introduced two-way quad-core server Clovertown processors, which will be marketed under the Xeon 5300-series name, reports DigiTimes Mobos.

The processors, which will be released on 16 November, contain two dual-core Woodcrest chips housed in a single package, the report says.

In addition, Intel is scheduled to launch one-way quad-core Kentsfield processors under the Xeon 3200 line-up in January 2007, and a four-way quad-core Tigerton CPUs by the third quarter of 2007.

AOL has been sued over its online release of data of more than 650 000 members in late July, says CNET News.

A lawsuit seeking class action status was filed against AOL on 22 September in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, the report says.

The lawsuit accuses AOL of violating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and of fraudulent and deceptive business practices, among other claims, and seeks at least $5 000 for every person whose search data was exposed, it says.

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro is due to be available in early 2007, says Digital Photography Review.

The S5 Pro features the same SuperCCD SR design sensor (now called SR Pro). It also features 6.17 million `S photodiodes` (normal DR) and 6.17 million `R photodiodes` (highlight DR) for a total photodiode count of 12.34 million, the report says.

Other headline improvements are the new body (which is based on the Nikon D200), metering, and a lithium-Ion battery. Improvements also include up to ISO 3200 sensitivity and LAN/WiFi accessories, it says.

The mobile Web is about to receive the biggest shake-up in years, with the start of open registration for mobile phone-specific Web site addresses, reports BBC News.

The general public can now register Web sites ending with .mobi, the report says. Only one in 10 mobile owners use their phones to surf the Net due to concerns over cost, speed and poor content, it says.

The organisation charged with overseeing the domain name registration, Mobile Top Level Domain, expects 200 000 mobile sites to be registered in the next year during a so-called "land rush", it says.