Being affordable is one of the main features of Asustek's Eee PCs, and many believe that this is due to the notebook's use of the open source Linux operating system. However, it doesn't seem to be the case: Windows XP Eees have been spotted in Best Buy, and guess what? They have the same price tag as the Linux-flavored Eees. More details in the full article.

It's yet another case of Texas-filed lawsuits being slapped at large companies: Wi-LAN, an Ottawa-based company that provides and licenses patents for telecommunications equipment, has sued about 22 companies including Sony, Apple, Best Buy, Netgear, Belkin, HP, and Intel among many others.

Wi-LAN claims that the 22 companies have infringed on their WiFi and DSL patents, and that they are illegally using Wi-LAN's Wi-Fi and DSL technology in their devices such as wireless routers and modems. The company currently claims ownership on about 280 issued and pending patents.

Will this lawsuit hold water? Do check this space for more updates!

Ever wonder what features could a US$ 1 Million laptop have? Well, we already gave you an idea what a US$ 300,000 cellphone looks like, so if you're interested as to what kind of laptop a million bucks could buy, then click the play button on the video below.

Well, we don't know what this laptop from Luvaglio London has for it to cost that much. But we do know that it would come in two colors - a black edition for the rich guys and a pink edition for the gals. And if you're expecting on picking up your own Luvaglio London contraption in any run of the mill Best Buy, then prepare to be disappointed. The million dollar laptop can only be ordered by appointment from Luvaglio London. So... any takers?

If you're looking for a new memory card to hold your files, then you might want to check out Best Buy. The company's currently advertising that SanDisk 2GB Secure Digital Memory Cards can now be bought for US$ 29.99 a pop. That's twenty bucks off the regular price of US$ 49.99.

That's also US$ 50 cheaper than, for example, a PNY Secure Digital memory card with the same storage capacity. Yeah, it's a pretty OK bargain, if you ask us. Of course, with Best Buy's recent admission of the existence their secret Intranet site (which was "never meant to mislead customers," or so the company says), you might want to be extra careful.

Thanks to jpcguy89 for the heads up!

Erika Anders, is a Cingular Wireless Subscriber but wants to discontinue her subscription with her provider because she has recently purchased a new mobile phone and plan from Sprint. Just like any other customer, she called Cingular to inquire of her plan's expiration date.

A customer representative informed her that she would have to pay $175 as early termination fee if she cancels the plan before March 28. So instead of terminating her plan, she requested for a change of plan instead until she can formally cancel her subscription.

On January 8, she dropped her password-protected phones in the recycle bin at the Best Buy store in Northway Mall, with an intention of disposing of it "in an environmentally friendly matter."

But to her surprise, when she called Cingular to terminate her plan, she was informed that she racked up a phone bill of $20,590.67, with phone calls to Brazil taking up most of the bulk.

After filing a police report at her hometown in McCandles, sending numerous letters of complaints to letter to Cingular's fraud department (all of which were ignored) and personally dropping by Best Buy to speak to the manager (which got her nowhere either), she enlisted the help Lawrence Walsh, Post-Gazette Staff Writer.

He visited the recycle bin where Anders deposited her mobile. And to his shock, it is between two sets of automatic doors and against a wall. Anyone could push open the lid, reach inside and walk out with a cell phone, rechargeable batteries or printer cartridges. When he asked to speak to the manager, he was told that he was in a lengthy phone call. Moments later, he received an anonymous page referring him to corporate headquarters.

Walsh contacted Barbara Petito, a spokeswoman for the consumer protection bureau, who spoke with Cingular officials and asked for the bill to be waived. Cingular officials indicated that they would.

Although, Anders have breathed a sigh of relief, not all situations may end up like this. So just take every precaution necessary so you won't be a victim of such fraud. Petito and Cingular spokesman Jim Orso advised consumers not to recycle their cell phones until they terminate their calling plans and do so only in a secured recycle container.

If you want to get your hands on Samsung's Q1, well the gadget Gods may have given you a break. The Samsung UMPC - the very first brand-name device to use Microsoft's Origami Project software, is now available at all 32 Fry's Electronics locations in the US as well as in some Best Buy stores in Texas.

Up until this development, the Q1 has only been sold online by limited stores. According to Samsung, the Q1 is experiencing "strong initial sales" and maybe that pushed them to sell the Q1 in U.S. Stores.

This statement was countered by IDC analyst, Richard Shim, by saying that the product demand for UMPCs appears to be fairly limited, by saying that "if there were truly big demand for this, you'd think it would be a nationwide Best Buy move, rather than just in Texas". Good point.

Shim contined by saying that there has been little interest coming from big name computer makers and/or major Asian contract manufacturers that has the capability and the resources to make most UMPCs. With that, it ain't suprising that Microsoft is said to be prepping for the release of a new type of device - the Vistagami, which will come with an updated software based on Windows Vista.