AFP
Technology - AFP

In what is heralded as the seeds of an Internet-age emergency broadcast system, MySpace has teamed with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to spread news on hurricanes through users of the online social network.(AFP/File/Nicholas Kamm)

MySpace links users to US hurricane emergency alerts

Fri Sep 5, 12:18 AM ET

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) - In what is heralded as the seeds of an Internet-age emergency broadcast system, MySpace has teamed with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to spread news on hurricanes through users of the online social network.

  • Will Wright, creator of computer game hits such as SimCity and The Sims, demonstrates features of his new life simulation game "Spore" at Electronic Arts fair in Emeryville, California, in March. "Spore", the eagerly-awaited computer game five years in the making allowing people to play God by re-creating the universe, hits stores worldwide this week.(AFP/File/Ryan Anson)
    Sims creator's long-awaited "playing god" game hits stores Thu Sep 4, 11:20 PM ET

    PARIS (AFP) - "Spore", the eagerly-awaited computer game five years in the making allowing people to play God by re-creating the universe, hits stores worldwide this week.

  • "Cyber war!" flashes on a screen at a security conference. The world has to unite against the growing menace of cyber terrorism, IT experts said Thursday, evoking a recent "cyber war" against Georgia as the latest example of the threat.(AFP/File/Roslan Rahman)
    Experts call for united global action against cyber attacks Thu Sep 4, 12:39 PM ET

    TALLINN (AFP) - The world has to unite against the growing menace of cyber terrorism, IT experts said Thursday, evoking a recent "cyber war" against Georgia as the latest example of the threat.

  • People surf the internet on their laptops. German ministers agreed on Thursday to update data protection laws for the digital age in the wake of scandals showing how easily personal details can be bought on the Internet.(AFP/File/Kara Andrade)
    Germany to tighten data protection laws after scandals Thu Sep 4, 12:42 PM ET

    BERLIN (AFP) - German ministers agreed on Thursday to update data protection laws for the digital age in the wake of scandals showing how easily personal details can be bought on the Internet.

  • Sony's latest "Vaio" laptop computers are displayed during their press preview in Tokyo in July 2008. Sony Corp. said Thursday that overheating notebook computers slightly injured seven people and urged customers to bring in some 440,000 units for repairs.(AFP/File/Toshifumi Kitamura)
    Sony says laptops overheat, urges repairs Thu Sep 4, 12:14 PM ET

    TOKYO (AFP) - Sony Corp. said Thursday that overheating notebook computers slightly injured seven people and urged customers to bring in some 440,000 units for repairs.

  • Google's chief executive, Eric Schmidt (seen here in June), admitted Thursday there was a "defensive component" to the Web search giant's launch of its own Internet browser, thereby pitting it against Microsoft's dominant software.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Chip Somodevilla)
    Google chief admits to 'defensive component' of browser launch Wed Sep 3, 9:56 PM ET

    LONDON (AFP) - Google's chief executive admitted Thursday there was a "defensive component" to the Web search giant's launch of its own Internet browser, thereby pitting it against Microsoft's dominant software.

  • An Ebay employee enters in her office, in July 2008 at Ebay-France headquarters in Paris. Online giant eBay announced Wednesday it was launching an ethically sourced marketplace selling "products that have a positive impact on people and the planet."(AFP/File/Jacques Demarthon)
    eBay launches 'ethical' online marketplace Wed Sep 3, 12:35 PM ET

    NEW YORK (AFP) - Online giant eBay announced Wednesday it was launching an ethically sourced marketplace selling "products that have a positive impact on people and the planet."

  • A picture released by the Antique Wine Company showing a counterfeit magnum (L) and a genuine one. The Antique Wine Company, one of Britain's top rare wine merchants has worked with nuclear scientists in France to develop a 21st-century tool for unmasking counterfeit vintage wines.(AFP/HO/File/null)
    High-tech tools to fight fine wine fraud Wed Sep 3, 10:52 AM ET

    PARIS (AFP) - One of Britain's top rare wine merchants and nuclear scientists in France have jointly unveiled a 21st-century tool for unmasking counterfeit vintage wines.

  • People view Nissan's all-electric Mixim concept car at a vehicle show in Monaco in late March. The japanese auto giant is considering developing plug-in hybrid vehicles that can be charged at home, as it seeks to catch up with its rivals in fuel-sipping cars.(AFP/File/Valery Hache)
    Nissan mulls plug-in hybrids: official Wed Sep 3, 3:42 AM ET

    TOKYO (AFP) - Nissan is considering developing plug-in hybrid vehicles that can be charged at home, as it seeks to catch up with its rivals in fuel-sipping cars, an official said Wednesday.

  • Greece wants to invest in a new fibre optic network that will drastically upgrade its broadband and cable television capabilities, the Greek economy and telecoms ministers George Alogoskoufis said.(AFP/File/Stephane de Sakutin)
    Greece says to invest 2.1 bln euros to upgrade telecom network Wed Sep 3, 2:45 PM ET

    ATHENS (AFP) - Greece wants to invest in a new fibre optic network that will drastically upgrade its broadband and cable television capabilities, the Greek economy and telecoms ministers said on Wednesday.

  • A Chinese customer looks at Japanese Fujitsu computers in a store in Beijing. Fujitsu Microelectronics Ltd. of Japan and Nanya Technology Corp. of Taiwan have said they have agreed to settle their patent disputes.(AFP/File/Peter Parks)
    Fujitsu Microelectronics, Taiwan's Nanya settle patent disputes Tue Sep 2, 8:51 AM ET

    TAIPEI (AFP) - Fujitsu Microelectronics Ltd. of Japan and Nanya Technology Corp. of Taiwan said Tuesday have agreed to settle their patent disputes.

  • Customers queue to buy Apple's new 3G iPhone in Tokyo in July 2008. China Mobile, the country's largest handset operator, is in the final stages of talks with Apple to launch the iPhone in China, the world's largest mobile phone market, state media have reported.(AFP/File/Yoshikazu Tsuno)
    Talks to bring iPhone to China in final stage: state media Tue Sep 2, 5:55 AM ET

    SHANGHAI (AFP) - China Mobile, the country's largest handset operator, is in the final stages of talks with Apple to launch the iPhone in China, the world's largest mobile phone market, state media reported Tuesday.

  • A woman works on her computer beside a Google logo in Frankfurt. Google plans to launch Tuesday its own Internet browser, opening up a new challenge in cyberspace to Microsoft and its dominant Internet Explorer.(AFP/DDP/File/Torsten Silz)
    Google challenges Microsoft with new browser Tue Sep 2, 3:50 PM ET

    WASHINGTON (AFP) - Google on Tuesday launched its own Internet browser, opening up a new challenge in cyberspace to Microsoft and its dominant Internet Explorer.

  • Sony Computer Entertainment Japan president Shawn Layden shows off the company's new PlayStation Portable game console, the PSP-3000, during a press preview in Tokyo. Sony announced it will launch its new PlayStation Portable in Japan on October 16 as it seeks to catch up with rival Nintendo Co.'s DS consoles.(AFP/Toshifumi Kitamura)
    Sony to launch new PSP in Japan next month Tue Sep 2, 6:34 AM ET

    TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's Sony Corp. announced Tuesday it will launch its new PlayStation Portable in Japan on October 16 as it seeks to catch up with rival Nintendo Co.'s DS consoles.

  • File photo shows computer users trying Microsoft's Xbox 360 at a game show in Tokyo. The software giant is set to slash the price of its game console in Japan by almost 30 percent to try to boost sales amid tough competition from rivals Sony and Nintendo.(AFP/File/Toru Yamanaka)
    Microsoft to slash Xbox 360 price in Japan: report Sun Aug 31, 10:22 PM ET

    TOKYO (AFP) - Microsoft will slash the price of its Xbox 360 video game console in Japan by almost 30 percent to try to boost sales amid tough competition from rivals Sony and Nintendo, a report said Monday.

  • People play video games at a fair. Lifelike graphics are breaking free of elite computer games and spreading throughout society in what industry insiders proclaim is the dawning of a "visual computing era."(AFP/File/Barbara Sax)
    Eyes turn to dawn of 'visual computing' Fri Aug 29, 3:04 AM ET

    SAN JOSE, California (AFP) - Lifelike graphics are breaking free of elite computer games and spreading throughout society in what industry insiders proclaim is the dawning of a "visual computing era."

  • Germany to update data protection laws after scandals Thu Sep 4, 9:02 AM ET

    BERLIN (AFP) - German ministers agreed on Thursday to update data protection laws for the digital age in the wake of scandals showing how easily personal details can be bought on the Internet.

  • A woman works on her computer beside a Google logo in Frankfurt. Google will launch its own internet browser, Google Chrome, in a new challenge to Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox.(AFP/DDP/File/Torsten Silz)
    Google sets off Internet browser war Tue Sep 2, 8:47 AM ET

    WASHINGTON (AFP) - Google on Tuesday launches its own internet browser, Google Chrome, in a new challenge to Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox.

  • A young man is seen playing games at an Internet cafe in Shanghai. Around four million Chinese youngsters are addicted to the Internet, mainly attracted by "unhealthy" online games, state media reported Friday, citing a top legislator.(AFP/File/Liu Jin)
    Millions of young Chinese addicted to 'unhealthy' Internet games: report Fri Aug 29, 2:40 AM ET

    BEIJING (AFP) - Around four million Chinese youngsters are addicted to the Internet, mainly attracted by "unhealthy" online games, state media reported Friday, citing a top legislator.

  • A "decomposed" washing machine at the stand of German household appliances giant Miele at the IFA (Internationale Funkaustellung) Consumer Electronics Trade Fair, at Berlin's fair ground August 27. The IFA, one of the largest consumer electronics trade fairs in the world, takes place from 29 August to 03 September.(AFP/John Macdougall)
    Futuristic fridges invade Berlin consumer electronics show Thu Aug 28, 3:10 PM ET

    BERLIN (AFP) - The Ifa, Europe's top consumer electronics show, is normally all about gadgets that make life more entertaining with the latest flat screen televisions, stereo equipment and the like.

  • Malaysians work on their laptop computers at a Starbucks outlet providing wireless Internet in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia on Thursday defended blocking access to a prominent political website that has attacked top leaders, saying it had ignored warnings against publishing "slanderous" articles.(AFP/File/Jimin Lai)
    Popular Malaysian political website blocked: government Thu Aug 28, 12:14 PM ET

    KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysia on Thursday defended blocking access to a prominent political website that has attacked top leaders, saying it had ignored warnings against publishing "slanderous" articles.

  • A model from Japan's Sony Corporation poses with a new Bravia 40-inch LCD televison (ZX1 series) at their headquarters in Tokyo. Sony Corp. has said it will launch the new ZX1 model, the world's thinnest and lightest 40-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) television, seeking to trump its rivals ahead of the key year-end shopping season.(AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi)
    Sony to launch world's slimmest 40-inch LCD TV Thu Aug 28, 8:49 AM ET

    TOKYO (AFP) - Sony Corp. said Thursday it will launch the world's thinnest and lightest 40-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) television, seeking to trump its rivals ahead of the key year-end shopping season.

  • The International Space Station in June 2008 as seen from the US space shuttle Discovery as it moved away from the station after completing nine days of joint operations. NASA confirmed on Wednesday that a computer virus sneaked aboard the International Space Station only to be tossed into quarantine on July 25 by security software.(AFP/HO NASA/File/null)
    Computer virus goes into orbit Wed Aug 27, 6:22 PM ET

    SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - NASA confirmed on Wednesday that a computer virus sneaked aboard the International Space Station only to be tossed into quarantine on July 25 by security software.

  • Members of the media are seen during the Democratic National Convention 2008 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, on August 26, 2008. A new media army has descended on the Democratic convention in Colorado this week, boldly claiming to offer a fresh perspective on US politics distinct from the mainstream media.(AFP/File/Stan Honda)
    New media army descends on convention Wed Aug 27, 5:24 PM ET

    DENVER, Colorado (AFP) - A new media army has descended on the Democratic convention in Colorado this week, boldly claiming to offer a fresh perspective on US politics distinct from the mainstream media.

  • Toyota vehicles wait to be loaded on a cargo ship for export. The world's first cargo ship partly propelled by solar power is set to take to the seas later this year in a joint project between two Japanese companies, an official said Wednesday.(AFP/File/Toshifumi Kitamura)
    Japanese firms plan solar-powered cargo ship Wed Aug 27, 12:13 PM ET

    TOKYO (AFP) - The world's first cargo ship partly propelled by solar power is set to take to the seas later this year in a joint project between two Japanese companies, an official said Wednesday.

  • A couple tend to their child who is suspected to be infected with bird flu at a hospital in Medan on August 6. Japan's Sharp Corp. has said that it has developed an air purifier that eliminates 99.9 percent of the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu within 10 minutes.(AFP/File)
    Sharp unveils new anti-bird flu air purifier Wed Aug 27, 6:28 AM ET

    TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's Sharp Corp. said Wednesday that it has developed an air purifier that eliminates 99.9 percent of the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu within 10 minutes.

  • File photo shows the skull and crossbones flag draped over a hacker's computer. Police in Taiwan have arrested six people suspected of stealing personal data from state firms, including information about the island's current and former presidents, officials have said(AFP/File/Joel Saget)
    Taiwan cracks major hacking ring, data on president stolen Wed Aug 27, 3:09 AM ET

    TAIPEI (AFP) - Police in Taiwan have arrested six people suspected of stealing personal data from state firms, including information about the island's current and former presidents, officials said Wednesday.

  • Thom Yorke of British rock group Radiohead, seen here performing in 2006. As music lovers mobbed an outdoor stage, vying for views of Radiohead, Beck and other rockers, Keith McPhail enjoyed a prime view of the show from a couch in an Internet "living room."(AFP/File/Leon Neal)
    Internet socializing keeps time with the music scene Tue Aug 26, 7:37 AM ET

    SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - As music lovers mobbed an outdoor stage, vying for views of Radiohead, Beck and other rockers, Keith McPhail enjoyed a prime view of the show from a couch in an Internet "living room."

  • The exiled Tibetan spiritual guide, the Dalai Lama salutes as he arrives at the temple of Lerab Ling in Roqueredonde, southern France. The Dalai Lama said 400 people have been killed in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa since March.(AFP/File/Pascal Guyot)
    China keeps pro-Tibet websites blocked Fri Aug 22, 3:13 PM ET

    BEIJING (AFP) - Pro-Tibet websites remained blocked in the Olympic press centre and elsewhere on Friday, amid reports that Chinese troops had opened fire on protesters in a remote area of southwest China.