Battery breakthrough promises phone

PARIS (AFP) - Think of an electric car that can accelerate swiftly to cruising speed, laptop computers that can recharge in a couple of minutes rather than hours and a generation of super-miniature mobile phones. That's the vision sketched on Wednesday by a pair of scientists in the United States, unveiling an invention that they say could lead to a smaller, lighter and more power-packed lithium battery than anything available today. Current batteries made of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) are good at storing large amounts of electricity but stumble at releasing it. They are better at dispensing the power in a steady flow than at discharging it or gaining it in a sudden burst.

Google to target ads based on Web surfing habits

Google will use the information it collects on people's Web surfing habits to show more ads tailored to their individual interests. Under the program announced Wednesday, someone who frequents sites about dogs might see more ads for flea treatment products. The program expands upon the Internet search leader's efforts to figure out which marketing messages are most likely to appeal to different people at different times. Google already makes billions of dollars showing ads tied to search requests and other content on a Web page. Now, it will analyze people's favorite Web sites to divine individual tastes and package ads falling under the same areas of interest.

Apple launches 4 gigabyte iPod shuffle

SEATTLE - Apple Inc. unveiled a minuscule new iPod Shuffle on Wednesday that takes its "smaller is better" mantra to a whole new level.





a new version of the iPod Shuffle is shown. Apple touts the new $79 device, which stores 4 gigabytes — up to about 1,000 songs — as 'significantly' smaller than a double-A battery.