Keyboards are often home to more dangerous germs than door handles and toilet seats. A Which? computing magazine lab test found many keyboards housed well-known bugs such as E coli and even bacterial traces of faecal matter. Eating over keyboards
and a lack a hand washing are the main causes of contamination.
CHIP REVOLUTIONScientists at Hewlett-Packard have designed a new circuit element that could revolutionise computing and help develop machines capable of imitating the biological processes responsible for vision and speech comprehension. The element, called a 'memrister' (a resister with memory properties), was proposed in theory 40 years ago. Analysts expect that memristers will be included in mainstream electronics within a few years.
FACEBOOK THREATBBC's Click programme has discovered a security hole in the Facebook social networking system. The exploit depends on Facebook's applications, which are small add-ons for Facebook user profiles, designed by individuals and companies unaffiliated with the site. The flaw leaves some personal information, useful for identity theft, available to hackers.
FLASH AVAILABLEAdobe Software has announced that it will be opening its dominant Flash online media format to developers. The software provides the framework on which many online games and video sites, such as YouTube, run. Adobe intends to encourage the development of Flash applications for mobile phones with the move, which will provide many of the previously secret technical specifications of Flash to content providers.
GTA BREAKS RECORDThe fourth instalment of the popular Grand Theft Auto series of games has broken UK sales records, selling 609,000 copies on release day. The series, developed by Rockstar North of Edinburgh, has come under media fire for its explicit portrayals of violence, lawlessness and sex. Despite the controversy, the critical reception to the game, below, has been overwhelmingly positive.
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