VoIP & IP TELEPHONY ZONE

YOU CAN READ IT & BOOKMARK IT AT

http://voip.pacific-tier.com

VOICE ENCRYPTION MAY DRAW U.S. SECURITY

The designer of PGP e-mail encryption has released a free Windows software program, Zfone, that encrypts Internet voice conversations. Zfone is a new software program that encrypts computer-to-computer voice conversations while eliminating the need for a web of computers to hold the keys, rendering it immune to electronic surveillance. Meanwhile, the FCC is introducing regulations that would force ISPs and VoIP companies to adopt technologies that would allow the government to monitor conventional phone calls.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/22/technology/22privacy.html?th&emc=th

CYBERZONE

PROGRAM AIMS TO LOWER COSTS FOR PCS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES A new program supported by Microsoft aims to provide developing countries with low-cost access to computer technology through a subscription service. Under the FlexGo program, consumers pay a reduced price for a PC and then pay for usage of the computer until it is paid off. After buying a computer for about half of its retail value, customers would buy time on the machine for 50 to 75 cents per hour. When the full cost of the computer is paid, the user would then own the machine and would not incur any more charges. Microsoft, which has criticized Nicholas Negroponte's plan to offer $100 laptops to developing nations, said this plan will provide users with full-featured computers. According to Mike Wickstrand, director of product management in the market expansion group at Microsoft, the FlexGo program lets consumers buy "a PC that they want and not a PC that they had to settle for." Wickstrand said the FlexGo model accommodates the irregular incomes that many people in developing countries have, allowing them to pay for their computer when they are able.

http://hardware.silicon.com/desktops/0,39024645,39159025,00.htm

QUIET SLOWDOWN IN COMPUTER REVOLUTION

In October 2004 there was a quiet revolution in computing. It was so quiet you may be forgiven if you didn't notice it. To understand what happened and why it is important we need to go back to 1965 when a computer engineer called Gordon Moore made a number of predictions.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/hlc/1,,77463~3678635a28~,00.html

ARMING KIDS AGAINST SEXUAL PREDATORS ON THE NET Parents are becoming increasingly aware of the real dangers their children can encounter online, but many wonder what they can do to protect them. With countless software and awareness programs available, the answer varies from home to home, but the companies providing the armor agree that one solution is never enough.

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/50671.html

ONLINE RETAIL SALES GROW BY DOUBLE DIGITS Consumers are becoming more comfortable with using the Internet, and that has led to rising retail sales online. Online sales will top US$200 billion this year, up 20 percent from 2005, according to the National Retail Federation's online division, Shop.org. That's nearly double what online sales were just three years ago.

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/50685.html

NEW ZEALAND GOVT BID TO DETECT TERROR THREAT A national surveillance and early-warning system designed to detect biological strikes by terrorists, biosecurity threats and disease outbreaks is being put in place to plug gaps in New Zealand's defences.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/hlc/1,,77463~3677814a10~,00.html

SEATTLE MAYOR URGES PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR FIBER NETWORK Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has recommended that the city seek private partners to build a high-speed fiber network for residents. Some Seattle officials believe a broadband network is necessary to keep pace with other cities launching their own networks via fiber or wireless technology http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/271173_broadband23.html

SCIENCE ZONE

NEW ANTIBIOTICE ELIMINATES SUPERBUGS

A compound produced by a simple soil microbe may prove a new and extremely effective antibiotic. In recent decades, strains of Staphylococcus aureus and various Enterococcus bacteria have shown resistance to the most powerful antibiotics in the modern medical arsenal. The new compound has wiped out the two superbugs in vitro and in mice.

http://cl.exct.net/?ffcb10-fe531278716d0d797615-fdfb15737467027b72147874-ff3310707762

GERMAN & U.S. SCIENTISTS DEVELOP COMBO VACCINE AGAINST BIRD FLU An efficient and cost-effective combo vaccine for limiting bird flu in poultry and preventing its spread to humans has been developed, German and U.S. scientists reported on Monday. Genetically engineered from a weakened bird virus called Newcastle disease virus (NDV), the new vaccine can protect against not only the highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza, but also the Newcastle disease, said the researchers from German Federal Institute for Animal Health and the Intervet company based in the United States.

http://english.people.com.cn//200605/23/eng20060523_267981.html

ENERGY ZONE

DESIGNING PRACTICAL BACTERIAL FUEL CELLS

Bioengineer Tim Gardner says synthetic biology could create bacteria that produce electricity from waste more efficiently.

http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=16921

BIO BRIEFS

Boston--R.I. ups the ante in taking on Bay State for biotechs

http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/22165323

Nashville--Rising in the east: BioDtech signs distribution deal for three products in Japan

http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/22165324

Phoenix--New wet labs needed to lure biotech firms

http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/22165325

Raleigh/Durham--Icagen, gradually burning cash, puts $75M more on 'shelf'

http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/22165326

San Francisco--Stem cell fellows chase spots: Demand outstrips supply at key institutions

http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/22165327

Seattle--'Biomimetic' materials could detect cancer, regrow teeth: Borrowing from biology

http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/22165328

ASIA-PACIFIC ZONE

CHINA & TAIWAN EXPECT TO EXPORT 54 MILLION BROADBAND COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN 2006 According to Global Sources' China Sourcing Report: Broadband Communication, during 2006, China and Taiwan are expected to export about 54 million broadband communication products, which are worth above $2 billion, this is a 55% y-o-y increase. During 2006, Taiwan is expected to export 31.8 million units and China is expected to ship about 22.3 million units. Hsinchu and Taipei are the main production centers in Taiwan. Dongguan and Shenzhen are the main manufacturing hubs in China. Suppliers in China are concentrating on extended transmission distances and high speed. The Taiwan producers are producing multimedia and voice over DSL/cable products.

CHINA BY THE NUMBERS

1,000 Estimated number of Harley-Davidson motorcycles smuggled into China before the company opened its first authorized dealership in April US$1.1 billion Value of the 73,000 fake product cases uncovered by Chinese authorities in the last five years 40 years Time needed to build a 'moderately prosperous society' in China according to government estimates based on a 7 percent annual growth rate 15,271 Number of pharmaceutical exporting Chinese companies, engaging in trade valued at US$13.8 billion in 2005, a 28.14 percent year-on-year increase 10 million Number of Chinese digital television subscribers expected in 2006, more than double last year's total and billed as a potential tipping point for cable TV operators and consumers

WIRELESS ZONE

BRITISH CITIES GOING WIRELESS

BT said it will install wireless networks in 12 cities in the United Kingdom, with the first of those coming online early next year. The company said deals have been reached with Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Cardiff, and Westminster and that deals with six other cities were "imminent." In each city, BT will install wireless antennae on light posts, bus stops, park benches, and other city-owned spots to create a network to blanket the city. Users can pay for the time they use the network or purchase subscriptions. BT said the networks could be put to other uses as well, including closed-circuit television and up-to-the-minute traffic information. Beyond the first 12 cities, BT will work with many other municipalities on similar deals, according to Steve Andrews, head of converged communications services for BT. Meanwhile, a separate effort by Wi-Fi company The Cloud is working to implement wireless networks in nine U.K. cities.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4993038.stm

STARBUCKS PLANNING WiFi MUSIC

Starbucks looks like it is becoming a competitor to Apple's iTunes service. The coffee shop chain plans to use its WiFi hotspots to help launch a download music service, marketing the service to the 40 million or so customers it serves everyday. According to rumors, Starbucks is testing various options and could use Microsoft's Windows Media Player platform. Starbucks is already testing a music-store concept in select stores, offering 1 million songs and 10,000 music CDs for sale.

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2156596/starbucks-works-apple-turnover

SITE CITE

WHAT CAUSES RINGING IN THE EARS?

http://cl.exct.net/?ffcb10-fe521278716d0d797115-fdfb15737467027b72147874-ff3310707762

Or it could be a telemarketer!