Skype meets Linux

Skype Technologies has released an initial test version of its Internet telephony application for Linux.

PC World reports the move comes 10 months and more than 14 million downloads after releasing the first version of Skype for Windows.

The Linux version offers most of the same features as the Windows version, but is available only in English and does not include conference calling. The software allows free, unlimited calls over an Internet connection to other Skype users.

Skype for Linux supports the Gnome and KDE desktops, and has been tested on several Linux distributions, including SuSE Linux 9 and Sun Microsystems` Java Desktop System Release 2.

Fujitsu has boosted the speed of its Sparc64 V processor with a new manufacturing process, reports ZDNet.

The report says Fujitsu`s new processor speed is especially significant in light of the company`s server partnership with Sun Microsystems. The two companies agreed to merge their server lines in an attempt to take on top server sellers, IBM and Hewlett-Packard.

Fujitsu builds the faster Sparc64 V with a manufacturing process that enables more circuitry to be squeezed onto a chip. The new chips run at 1.89GHz and have 3MB of on-board cache memory, compared with the 1.35GHz and 2MB of existing Sparc64 V models.

Hewlett-Packard is launching a test programme to put its digital cameras in the hands of guests at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to expand its reach in digital photography and printing.

Reuters reports that Hewlett-Packard will provide five of its HP Photosmart R707 digital cameras to each of the 10 Fairmont Hotels, including ones in New Orleans, Boston, San Francisco, Miami and Hawaii. Guests can check out the cameras, take pictures and print them using an HP Photosmart 245 photo printer installed at the hotels.

The report says the hotel promotion is part of HP`s efforts to bring digital home photography to the mainstream consumer market.

Freescale Semiconductor has developed an integrated chipset that it says will make it easier and less expensive for carriers to bring fibre access to homes and small businesses.

CNet News says Freescale, a spin-off of Motorola, has announced a chip that integrates four separate functions into one, allowing equipment makers to build more affordable ways of providing broadband services over a passive optical network (PON).

PON is an optical access technology that lets multiple homes or businesses share fibre from a service provider`s central office. It offers carriers that are looking to launch higher-speed broadband services, a cheap alternative to outfitting every home and business with a direct fibre connection.