Publishers identify Amazon as a greater threat than Google

Publishing executives have begun questioning the role that Amazon is playing in the bookselling market, suggesting that it presents more of a threat than Google's plans to make the full text books online. The chief executive of Harper Collins told the London Book Fair that while they were all talking about Google, publishers should be more concerned by Amazons plans. 'They are moving into the publishing space and we ought to be very mindful of that,' Victoria Barnsley said during a panel discussion. ...more

Mac sales enjoy iPod effect

Two Apple-watching US investment companies and Apple watchers have reported that, finally, Mac sales are starting to enjoy an iPod effect. Earlier this week Apple's share price rose by more than 10 per cent after a Piper Jaffray survey found that six per cent of PC-owning iPod users have now switched with another seven per cent planning to do so. The company set its target price for Apple stock at $100, compared to the current value $65. ...more

Sony plans peripheral bonanza

Sony Europe has announced plans to 'significantly strengthen' its computer accessories range over the next six months. This month the company will introduce a new SRS-DZ10 multi-channel speaker system and unveil a headset with retractable microphone. In the second quarter it will unveil new mice, USB multi-format memory card readers and HDMI cables. ...more

IBM's Blue Gene wears the supercomputing trousers

IBM has claimed the top spot for the third time in a row in the global supercomputing chart with its Blue Gene/L system. The TOP500 Organisation put in a sustained performance of 280.6 Teraflops, or trillions of floating point calculations per second. ...more

Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 beta released

Amid much fanfare in Hollywood (where else?) Microsoft has released its highly trailed Windows Media Player 9 as a beta version. The product is claiming a host of new improvements and features from improved compression and playback to access to premium content services. Version 9 of the Media Player sports a whole new look, new audio and video streaming technologies, easier ways to burn CDs and a range of features to allow users to manage their digital content. ...more