Self-configuring chips from IBM

Future processors from IBM will optimise their performance by altering themselves, adding memory or removing unneeded bits of circuitry on the fly, reports Associated Press.

The report says the self-morphing chips are still in development, but were announced as part of IBM`s plans for the company`s current Power5 generation of chips.

IBM says it hopes to work with outside technology developers to make Power chips a driver of several kinds of computing systems, from high-end corporate servers to video game consoles and handheld devices.

Sony has filed a suit against Kodak in the US, accusing Kodak of infringing 10 of its patents related to digital cameras.

Reuters reports that Sony, one of the largest makers of digital cameras, is seeking unspecified damages and an order for Kodak to halt what it called further acts of infringement.

The move follows a suit filed by Kodak last month alleging that Sony infringed 10 of the US firm`s patents related to digital photography, such as reproducing video images, printing, previewing and storing images.

The report says Kodak is undergoing a tough transition toward digital products amid a decline in its film business and Sony`s profit margins have recently come under pressure due to severe price competition.

Sun Microsystems`s version of the Linux operating system is now available on inexpensive PCs from discount retailer, Wal-Mart, but only from its online store.

Associated Press says it`s the first time Sun`s software has been made available on computers for consumers. Since its desktop Linux project was announced, Sun has mainly targeted it at companies, countries and schools looking for cost-effective desktops.

CNet reports that in an effort to make its version of Unix compare more favourably to Red Hat`s Linux, Sun Microsystems plans to begin selling its Solaris operating system through a subscription model.

Jonathan Schwartz, head of Sun`s software group, is quoted as saying that under the plan, a company will pay for Solaris based on a per-employee subscription rate.

The new pricing model is expected to be available by the end of April, in an attempt to make Solaris become more competitive with Red Hat.

Apple has won a Best of Show award at Bio-IT World Conference + Expo, taking place this week in Boston, for its recently announced Apple Workgroup Cluster for Bioinformatics.

MacCentral reports the Apple Workgroup Cluster for Bioinformatics is a high-performance computing cluster based on the Xserve G5, aimed at providing a turnkey solution for scientists who have little or no IT support.