BSkyB adds broadband package

BSkyB will add BT Broadband to the services it offers its customers. The standard cost of BT Broadband is ?27 a month, paying by Direct Debit. However, BSkyB plans to kick the service off with a special offer in the autumn. ...more

Music sales strong despite downloaders

The downloading of music over the Internet has not had the expected impact on UK music sales, according to new figures released by the BPI. Music industry bodies, such as the BPI and the IFPI, have spent much of the past year predicting doom and gloom for the music industry, and laying the blame squarely at the feet of computer users. However, sales figures for 2002 show that album sales have remained strong. ...more

Open source lobby fury over Office format fast-track

Two leading open standards bodies claim Microsoft's new Office XML formats are being 'fast tracked' into official European ISO/IEC standards without due consideration. OpenForum Europe (OFE) and the ODF Alliance have joined forces to protest against the speed at which the Office Open XML standard is being rushed through. The groups claim that interested parties have until only February 5 to state their objections - just days after the official launch of Office 2007. ...more

Linux desktop to run Dashboard widgets

The next version of the KDE desktop for Linux will be able to run Dashboard widgets ostensibly developed for Mac OS X. Lead developer Zack Rusin revealed in his blog that a layer in the desktop will be capable of running most widgets as they are use nothing more than HTML and Javascript code. The fact that Apple's WebKit rendering engine is based on KDE's Konqueror browser also helps. ...more

Nokia ships first GSM 'push to talk' camera phone

Nokia has announced that the long-awaited Nokia 5140 camera phone has started shipping in Europe and around the world. Nokia claims that the tri-band (EGSM 900, GSM 1800/1900) camera phone is designed specifically for 'outdoor and sports-minded consumers' because of a durable exterior and features such as countdown timers, a stopwatch and a 'Fitness Coach' to help manage training programmes. The phone is also Nokia's first GSM 'push to talk' handset - Nokia brings Push-To-Talk to Europe. ...more