Google has launched a new ‘priority inbox’ service for its web-based email service, Gmail. The search giant has developed a complex set of algorithms that can analyse a user’s email behaviour, and rank emails depending on their perceived importance. Users who switch on the priority inbox function will see their messages separated in to three categories, with emails deemed important and unread bumped to the top of the inbox. Messages that have been “starred” by users, perhaps as a way of denoting importance, or something that they still need to action, will appear next, with all other emails appearing at the bottom of the inbox pane.

The Telegraph 

The spectre of Google's Android has apparently got Microsoft spooked into making wild cost claims to tempt OEMs into buying Windows Phone 7 licences. As just about every smartphone manufacturer and aspiring Ipad wannabe is loading the Linux based operating system on their devices, Business Insider is reporting that someone close to the Vole's mobile strategy went off trying to dispel the 'myth' that Android is free. It makes for somewhat shocking if not entertaining reading. One must remember that Microsoft will be charging OEMs $15 to load its upcoming Windows Phone 7 operating system onto each and every device, something that it has to justify. Android is not only free, but allows anyone to modify the source code without fear that Google will come breaking down the door.

Onkyo is no stranger to the delights of affordable home cinema, with a range of feature laden receivers. At IFA today though, Onkyo is showing that it can do the very high-end thing too and has unveiled a trio of money-no-object AV separates; the PR-SC5508 THX A/V Network Controller, the PA-MC5500 9.2-channel Power Amplifier (not actually new) and the BD-SP808 Blu-ray player, (which is new). Naturally, the PR-SC5508 is THX certified, carrying the THX Ultra 2 Plus rating, and offers 9.2 channel decoding – that’s the usual seven, plus an extra two for either front-height speakers, or extra front-wide speakers, courtesy of Dolby Pro Logic II-z or Audyssey DSX processing. Shame then that it doesn’t allow for both at once - for an 11.2 configuration.

TrustedReviews 

Last year, in the run-up to the launch of Windows 7, Microsoft rewarded early adopters with a series of discounted upgrade offers. And then, as quickly as they appeared, those deals vanished. But if you’re willing to wait a month or so, one of the best of those deals is about to make a triumphant return. Beginning October 3 in the U.S., you’ll be able to buy the Windows 7 Family Pack, which gives you three upgrade licenses of Windows 7 Home Premium for an estimated retail price of $149.99. (Typically, online retailers discount that price by 10 bucks or so.) If you can use all three licenses at an average cost of $50 each, this deal represents a savings of 58% off the best available retail price of roughly $120 for a single upgrade license. 

HP's upgraded its ENVY range of laptops with the ENVY 17 3D. It doesn't take a genius to interpret the meaning of this model number—17" screen, with full 3D capabilities. It's actually a 17.3" 3D Ultra BrightView Display that's able to contain full 1080p-size moving images, leading HP to claim the ENVY 17 3D is the "first 17-inch notebook PC to support 1080p 3D and Blu-ray"—plus, of course, it ships with a chunky pair of Active Shutter Glasses for when you fancy a bit of 3D viewing or gaming. To get you amazed by 3D from the off, HP's stuck on a couple of sample 3D movies—clips from the 2010 NBA All-Star Game and a trailer from upcoming animated movie MEGAMIND. 

The slim and cheap Sony Readers we heard about have arrived, and only the flagship Daily Edition dons a 3G and Wi-Fi coat. All models have new Pearl e-ink displays, 2GB of memory—and touchscreens. Those Pearl e-ink displays boast of greater touch sensitivity, contrast and speed, and come bundled with a stylus for jotting notes right there on the pages. The three models all have 2GB of memory and SD card slot (with Memory Stick Pro support!), with the only new difference between the three being the presence of 3G and Wi-Fi for the Daily Edition.

HP is partnering with Hynix to bring Memristor technology from lab to fab. The Memristor, posited as a fourth basic electrical circuit element, is said by HP to have the potential to be a form of uniform memory that could replace flash (being non-volatile), DRAM and even hard disk drives. It could possibly perform logic functions. Memristors were brought from theoretical to actual existence in 2006 by researchers in HP Labs’ Information and Quantum Systems Laboratory (IQSL). Hynix is a memory manufacturer and has been involved in research and development into what could follow flash memory as the limits of that technology are reached. A couple of years ago it was interested in STT-RAM (Spin Transfer Torque Random Access Memory) which is now being championed by Grandis. 

Security researchers using hardware hacking techniques have unearthed generic flaws in supposedly ultra-secure quantum cryptography systems. The security of quantum cryptography hinges on using the fundamental properties of quantum physics for quantum key exchange. Any attempts to monitor this exchange would inevitably be detected as increased noise on the line and an abandoned data exchange. That principle remains solid and the attack, like others before it, relies on exploiting implementation flaws. This particular crypto-busting technique, which uses off-the-shelf but expensive hardware, relies on remotely manipulating a photon detector at the receiver's end of a supposedly secure link. Commercial systems from MagiQ Technology's QPN 5505 and ID Quantique Clavis2 systems were demonstrated as potentially vulnerable by a team of computer scientists from Norway and Germany.

The Register 

Archos is to release five loosely-defined internet tablet devices, all running Google's Android OS – including one with a 2.8 inch touchscreen. Yes, you read it right. Archos is adding to its portfolio of internet tablet devices with a handful of technology's hottest products, running the operating system du jour: Android 2.2 Froyo. But note: none of these devices will have access to the Android App Market. Instead they'll run (and access) Archos's own AppsLib store. Nigh on one year ago, the European manufacturer released its Archos 5 tablet device; this September, we have the Archos 28, Archos 32, Archos 43, Archos 70 and Archos 101. (Memo to Archos: Must try harder with product branding).

LG has announced it will be showing of some concepts of its Smart TV service, its version of bringing web content to televisions. It has chosen IFA 2010 to show of the service which is said to be based around the concepts of: Easy, Fun, More and Better. LG's Smart TV will have its own Home Dashboard, where you can use applications and access a range of premium content all on a single screen – and you will also be able to add favourite websites here as well. We're expecting the Smart TV concept to land on TVs like the company's recently announced LEX8.