Creative plugs in a USB-based Sound Blaster

Creative has announced the Sound Blaster MP3+, a USB-based sound card. 'No desktop user will have to tolerate poor-sounding motherboard audio any longer,' boasts Craig McHugh, President of Creative. The relatively small device is also aimed at laptop users. ...more

Microsoft sues Lucent over patent dispute

A complex legal case involving Lucent Technologies suing Dell and Gateway has just got more complicated. Microsoft has entered the legal fray to file a lawsuit regarding the patents central to the case. The patents relate to audio and video coding technologies and a touch-screen document editing system. ...more

Microsoft unveils MSN Direct wireless watch info service

Microsoft has unveiled a wireless service in the US called MSN direct that will deliver information such as stock quotes, sports scores, movies and calendar alerts and instant messages. Announced by Bill Gates at this year's CES show, the watches will sport Microsoft's Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT), and the MSN Direct service provides an FM radio network throughout more than 100 US cities as the means of delivering the information. Research firm Forrester reckons the technology will do well: 'Priced at $100 to $300 for the watch, and an additional $9. ...more

HP tops Dell as world's largest computer vendor

HP has stolen Dell's crown as the world's largest computer vendor by a mere 110,000 units, according to research group Gartner. The US giants battled out a tough Q3 in which the US market went into decline by 2 per cent. Internationally, the picture was healthier, with a 9. ...more

Microsoft takes the network plunge

Networking is easy, honest. Microsoft has today launched a complete range of wired and 802.11b wireless networking kits aimed at easing consumers into networking their home. ...more