Top 10 articles, 29 May 09

Most popular with vnunet.com readers this week has been the official release of the new Skyfire mobile browser. From our early tests, it's a pretty impressive tool. It's easy to navigate around and even lets you watch online video. We'll be posting up a full review soon so check back on the site next week for that.

Elsewhere, Microsoft's decision to block access to its instant messaging service for users in Cuba, Syria, Iran, Sudan and North Korea prompted a strong reaction from readers, while speculation is growing about which mobile operator will get the rights to the Palm Pre in the UK and when the device will be released here.

Skyfire mobile browser gets full release
Browser promises full web experience on Windows Mobile and Symbian smartphones

Microsoft blocks Live Messenger access
Users in five countries will be without access due to US sanctions

O2 plays down Palm Pre carrier rumours
Operator denies it has signed an exclusive deal with smartphone maker

Sizing up Google's new search rivals
Can Wolfram Alpha and Kumo live up to the hype and challenge the heavyweight?

Review: Acer Aspire Timeline 3810T
A thin-and-light laptop designed for a longer than average battery life

Pirate Party on course for election wins in Sweden
Pro-piracy party now the country's third largest, according to reports

Microsoft faces $200m charge in XML patent suit
Court battle ends in victory for Canadian firm i4i

EMC outlines plans for a virtual IT company
At EMC World 2009, the storage firm explained how it intends to transform today's datacentre model

Intel aims for RISC market with next-gen Xeons
Nehalem EX goes into production this year

Conficker botnet claiming 50,000 victims a day
Malware still a major threat, say researchers