Google intros desktop search tool

The long-rumoured Google desktop search is now available for download from desktop.google.com. ...more

eMusic offers DRM-free music downloads

eMusic has begun offering a UK version of its DRM-free music downloads service. With its one million song catalogue drawn largely from independent labels, eMusic has been able to avoid the restrictions stipulated by the major record companies. It sells variable bit rate (VBR) MP3s free of copying and burning controls and therefore compatible with the vast majority of portable players, including iPods. ...more

Freedom2Surf loses patience with data guzzlers

Freedom2Surf has started sending warning letters to customers whose BitTorrent downloads have sent their bandwidth usage above 25GB per week. The letters threaten the termination of their broadband connection unless they reduce their usage in line with the ISP's acceptable usage policy and terms and conditions. In the T&Cs the company reserves the right to terminate a connection 'If we in our opinion believe that termination of the Service is necessary to protect our goodwill or reputation and/or of our services or products (or necessary to   protect the service provided by us to other users). ...more

Hollywood moves closer to digital movies

US movie studios are reported to be close to reaching an agreement on what format to use for digital movies. According to the New York Times, an announcement may be made later today that will finally enable cinemas to begin installing digital projectors. Although digital film has many potential benefits, not least saving the huge cost of producing prints and enabling movies to be delivered over the Internet, cinema owners have been reluctant to invest in projection technology without the studios agreeing a common standard. ...more

Intel announces stacked flash memory for mobile phones

Chip giant Intel has enhanced its range of flash memory products which can support five ultra-thin memory chips. The company says the new flash memory can be stacked for greater memory capacity, lower power consumption and all in a smaller space. Intel expects the products to feature in the next generation of mobile phones. ...more