Technology

MICROSOFT has issued its biggest software patch on record to fix a range of security issues in its programs, including the yet-to-be-released Windows 7 operating system.

In a monthly update sent to users of its software, Microsoft released 13 security bulletins, or patches, to address 34 vulnerabilities it identified across its Windows, Internet Explorer, Silverlight, Office and other products.

It said six of the patches were high priority and should be deployed immediately. The patches - which update software to write over glitches - are designed to protect users from hackers or malicious software downloaded from the internet.

The creators of Google Maps have taken the technology further down the information superhighway to launch a feature that allows Australian commuters to view up-to-date traffic flow information.

The feature, which is displayed in the Google Maps format, is available in the capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, as well as Wollongong, the NSW Central Coast, Geelong, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.

Traffic information about motorways, as well as major and minor arterial routes, are displayed in the feature.

THE world's top mobile phone maker Nokia has announced its entry into the computer market with a cut-size notebook.

The Nokia Booklet 3G netbook will run Microsoft Windows, weigh 1.25kg and offer up to 12 hours of battery life.

Nokia said it would announce more details, including the price, in September. But here's a preview:

Nokia said earlier this year it was considering entering the laptop industry, crossing the border between two converging industries in the opposite direction to Apple, which entered the phone industry in 2007 with the iPhone.

THE world's top mobile phone maker Nokia has announced its entry into the computer market with a cut-size notebook.

The Nokia Booklet 3G netbook will run Microsoft Windows, weigh 1.25kg and offer up to 12 hours of battery life.

Nokia said it would announce more details, including the price, in September. But here's a preview:

Nokia said earlier this year it was considering entering the laptop industry, crossing the border between two converging industries in the opposite direction to Apple, which entered the phone industry in 2007 with the iPhone.