Playable Playstation 3 at E3

Sony has cryptically announced that the Playstation 3 will be in playable form at E3 in May, although it is uncertain whether there will be any actual game titles present, or just tech demos. Additionally, Sony will make an announcement about the system at the end of March... [via Voodoo Extreme]

Microsoft's Longhorn Faces Antitrust Scrutiny

The Department of Justice will be reviewing Microsoft's Longhorn product as part of the company's antitrust settlement. Read the full story at Yahoo News.

Linux on the Nintendo DS

Using a passthrough and some homebrew demos, someone has Linux running on Nintendo’s new dual-screen portable gaming unit. It appears to use some external hardware, which makes the whole thing currently not-so-portable, but the idea is that all the hardware could be put on a single cartridge. Once in there, a portable dual-screen Linux system with touch-screen input and WiFi could be pretty darn useful. And fun. And only $149. [Via Waxy.org]

Microsoft Posts Record Earnings

Microsoft had a record quarter, their profits have doubled from the previous quarter. Total sales are at $10 billion, exceeding all expectations. Microsoft has attributed the rise in earnings to increased server sales and more XBox units being sold. All you MS naysayers take heed, this company is going to be around. To put it in perspective, Microsoft's income is about the same as New York State receives in taxes - below California, and well above the other 48 states. Thanks SlashDot

Intel's latest Centrino technology: Sonoma

The new mobile-technology platform includes the Pentium M Dothan processor and other technologies that aim to make mobile computing easy and faster for anyone looking to move away from their desk. Correspondent James Hilliard spoke with Intel's Mooly Eden about the Sonoma launch and where wireless computing is headed. Read the full story at CNet.com

Lexus Car Virus? IT Security Looks Like a Great Field

Antivirus companies are researching reports that computer viruses have attacked the onboard computers of cars.

Moscow-based Kaspersky Labs was asked last weekend how to disinfect the onboard computers of several Lexus models: LX470, LS430 and Landcruiser 100. The security company was told that the infection likely occurred via a mobile phone.

Some mobile-phone viruses already exist, such as Cabir and Skulls, which spread by Bluetooth and infect handsets based on the Symbian operating system. Many Lexus cars include a navigation system that can connect to a mobile phone over Bluetooth to allow hands-free calls, and Kaspersky believes that Bluetooth could be used to transmit a virus to a car's GPS navigation system.

However, it is unclear which operating system Lexus uses for its navigation system. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

"We know that car manufacturers are integrating existing operating systems into their onboard computers--take the Fiat and Microsoft deal, for instance," said Eugene Kaspersky, head of antivirus research at Kaspersky Labs. "If infected mobile devices are scary, just think about an infected onboard computer."

David Emm, senior technology consultant at Kaspersky, said it was plausible that mobile phones could infect cars.

"It's certainly a possibility, but at this stage, it seems theoretical," Emm said. "The question is whether (onboard computers) have been subjected to attacks from (devices running the) Symbian operating system. I suspect that this will be done with a handset." Kaspersky is still researching the reports.

Until two-way wireless transmissions were banned in races, Formula 1 racing cars were equipped with antivirus software to prevent virus attacks on the car's operating system.

Dan Illet of ZDNet UK reported from London.

BenQ Joybee 130 MP3 Player

I saw these new Joybee MP3 players from BenQ over at Gizmodo. They are nice looking-I too like that bottom nubbed cylinder, even if I had no idea if it actually has a use. Each player will come with 512MB of storage built-in and accept SD cards up to 1GB in size. With SD cards rapidly dropping in price, I really hope all these flash players will be able to support sizes greater than 1GB soon.

Rumor: XBox 2 by Q4 2005?

Game Digest reports: “Information purported to be from inside Electronic Arts, regarding the next version of its Need For Speed games, may confirm the launch date for the Xbox 2. The game, according to various websites, to be called Need For Speed: Most Wanted, is to feature a return to NFS's old style of cop-chase gameplay. The game is set to release in late 2005 with 'simultaneous ship with the Xbox2' according to the leaked info. Which, if true, confirms the rumours running for Xbox 2 to launch at least in the US by the end of the year.” However, there's no word as to which version will be launched first: Xbox Next, Xbox Next HD, or Xbox Next PC.

Award Winning Sonos Digital Music System Begins Shipping

Sonos, Inc. today announced that the award-winning Sonos Digital Music System has begun shipping to pre-order customers in the United States. The Sonos Digital Music System is the first and only multi-zone digital music system with a wireless, full-color LCD screen controller that lets consumers play all their digital music, all over their home, and control it all from the palm of their hand. The company expects that all pre-orders will be filled within 10 days.

PSP Starter Bundle

EB Games is taking pre-orders for a Sony PSP Starter Bundle that includes a Playstation Portable Console, one unnamed PSP Accessory and three games of your choice from the list of launch titles. The retail price, yet unannounced, is expected to be around $200. With three games, what could this unnamed accessory be to justify amping the price up another $100 or so?