Technology embraced by public

More people than ever are becoming early adopters of technology, says research outlined in Las Vegas.

More than $155bn (£80bn) in consumer technologies is expected to be sold in the US in the next 12 months.

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Parisian neighbours meet online

French social networking website Peuplade aims to bridge that small but often insurmountable gap by putting neighbours in touch with each other. It also wants you to meet people different from your usual crowd.

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School test should be optional

The aim is for all 14-year-olds to do the online test in ICT (information and communication technology) from 2008. It is currently being piloted widely.

But ministers have questioned the need for another statutory test, and the QCA watchdog has now decided it is an unnecessary "burden" for schools.

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Mobile phone captures Iraq's cruelty

The phone camera footage of Saddam Hussein's execution may prove to be the most controversial media disclosure from Iraq since snapshots of US guards abusing prisoners inside Abu Ghraib were published in 2004.

The mobile phone, that symbol of freedom and independence, had come into its own in Iraq in the most dramatic way.

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Hybrid answers to DVD format wars

The first DVD player to play both rival high definition DVD formats has been announced by South Korean firm LG.

The dual-format player will be able to play the Sony-backed Blu-ray discs and the Toshiba-led HD DVD discs.

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School shock at vandal video web

A head teacher has spoken of his shock at seeing a video clip posted on a public website of a laughing pupil hurling a rock at a classroom window.

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UK broadband numbers keep rising

BT reports that it is about to make the 10 millionth connection to its broadband network.

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UK in plastic electronics drive

UK firm Plastic Logic has said it will build the world's first factory to produce plastic electronic devices.

Once built it will manufacture circuits crucial for the development of novel gadgets such as electronic paper.

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Wikipedia Qatar ban 'temporary'

Web encyclopaedia Wikipedia temporarily banned anonymous posts to its site from people in Qatar after repeated reports of net vandalism.

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$100 laptop project launches 2007

The first batch of computers built for the One Laptop Per Child project could reach users by July this year.

The scheme is hoping to put low-cost computers into the hands of people in developing countries.

Ultimately the project's backers hope the machines could sell for as little as $100 (£55).

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Security bug found in PDF reader

Web users are being urged to upgrade their Adobe reader software as a security flaw is found in older versions of the program.

Millions of people use the reader software to view documents prepared in the popular PDF format.

Security researchers said malicious hackers exploiting the flaw could view victim's hard drives or use it to make phishing scams look more plausible.

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