A survey in December by Podtrac, a company that aims to connect podcasters and advertisers, showed that 78 percent of those who have ever listened to a podcast are male. That pattern is in keeping with early adoption of a wide array of technologies, from PCs to video games. (more…)

The city of San Francisco yesterday issued a request for proposals (RFP) to build a citywide Wi-Fi network it hopes will provide free or affordable Internet access. (more…)

In U.S. markets, demand for portables and business computers will help fuel the growth, despite the impact of recent hurricanes and rising oil prices. The number of units shipped in 2005 will be 64.2 million and is projected to grow to 69.5 million in 2006, said IDC.

A softening economic environment and a likely drop in PC replacements will slow down growth in Western Europe. In Japan, third-quarter growth was strong in 2005, but factors such as rising oil prices and pressure on business spending will influence the outlook in 2006. Markets in the Asia-Pacific region will remain static due to factors such as the threat of a bird flu epidemic and the slowing Chinese economy, IDC said. (more…)

PC users are being spoiled rotten this year: another piece of malware purporting to be a message from Santa is delivering surprise gifts over the Internet disguised in an electronic greetings card. (more…)