Smallest BlackBerry unveiled

In an attempt to secure more of the smartphone market, Research In Motion has unveiled the smallest BlackBerry device that carries a full keyboard, reports Business Times Online.

Fitted with a 2MP camera that has a built-in flash and full screen viewfinder, the new BlackBerry Curve also boasts a photo-editing feature.

Due for release this spring in the US, it will aim to build on the success of the BlackBerry Pearl, launched last September. The Pearl has proven popular, although it did not carry a full qwerty keyboard like its forebears.

IBM's next family of computer chips will be based on naturally-forming patterns that create seashells, snowflakes and tooth enamel, reports PC World.

The chips, made with the new process, will eventually be used in IBM's server product lines.

The company says "self-assembling nanontechnology", that it expects will be integrated into its chips in 2009, increases the flow of electrical signals by 35%, while using 15% less power in comparison with traditional chip-building techniques.

Internet radio broadcasters have been given a break in their fight against higher music royalties, as the deadline for paying fees under the new system has been postponed to 15 July, says Forbes.com.

Copyright Royalty Board's final ruling said the initial fees are no longer due on 15 May, something that many smaller Internet radio companies said would force them out of business.

The delay was disclosed on Tuesday when the board's decision was officially published in the Federal Register, according to David Oxenford, a lawyer representing many of the Webcasters.

The London Underground (LU) has overhauled its communications infrastructure at its main power control centre, improving emergency response times, says Computing.co.uk.

The organisation decided on the upgrade, following a major power outage that struck 60% of the network in 2003. "During a complete power outage we were blind to how many people were ringing us and we could not prioritise calls," said LU power control room engineer Perry Roper.

The control centre manages the power for all trains and stations. Operators had been relying on an ageing communication system that could receive only one incoming call at a time and used paper directories.