New report finds fresh hurdles for 3G

A new report from The Work Foundation has revealed that 3G providers may face an uphill task persuading customers to shell out for expensive data services. The Work Foundation's iSociety Project, set up to offer independent insights into the way information and communications technologies affect everyday life in the UK, has published a report on mobile usage that suggests the UK populace is far from ready to splash out on expensive handsets and multimedia services. The MobileUK: Mobile Phones and Everyday Life report argues that 'the fast take-up of second-generation mobile telephones creates what is likely to be an unrepeatable precedent for future mobile services. ...more

Produce a virtual movie

Have you always wanted the chance to chomp on a big cigar, bark orders to your underlings and practise your casting couch technique? Well, one website lets you get your name on the end credits of a top Hollywood movie. If you want to be a producer on Shadow of the Vampire by Lions Gate Films you will have to put your money where your mouth is and buy a share in the film, which stars John Malkovich, Willem Dafoe and Eddie Izzard. The scheme allows you to become a virtual producer on the movie and members will be able to follow the film through the various stages of production. ...more

HP rejigs product lines ahead of new releases

A raft of new releases is lined up by HP, ready for an official launch in October. Hewlett-Packard has unveiled the HP e-pc 40, HP Vectra vl420 PC, HP Vectra xe310 PC, a 15-inch LCD monitor and a flat-screen 21-inch CRT monitor. These will fit in and around "simplified" desktop PC product lines. ...more

Microsoft iPod killer codenamed Argo - Seattle Times

According to the Seattle Times, Microsoft's much rumoured music gadget is codenamed Argo. The paper reported sources claiming the unit will be the first in a range of Xbox-branded multimedia mobile devices. As well as being built to take on the might of the iPod-iTunes pairing, the Argo will also go after the handheld console market, bullying Nintendo's Wii and the PSP for a piece of the action. ...more

European Commission seeks to bolster IT and media industries

The European Commission has announced a new initiative to foster growth and jobs in the information and media industries. 'i2010: European Information Society 2010' is a strategy designed to encourage the development of the digital economy by modernising and deploying relevant EU policies on regulation, research and partnerships with industry. In particular it will aim to promote high-speed and secure broadband networks across the EU. ...more