Apple moulds Microsoft's Zune

Apple has been granted a patent for the moulding technique used to manufacture Microsoft Zune's distinctive two-colour casing. The 'Housing of an electronic device formed by doubleshot injection molding' patent was approved yesterday and describes a method for a two-shot injection of a plastic material that 'allows for a thinner walled enclosure that uses less materials and allows for added structural features that would not be possible using traditional molding techniques'. The process, 'generally includes forming one or more walls of an enclosure with a first shot and thereafter forming the remaining walls of the enclosure with a second shot. ...more

Instant messaging, with pictures

Yahoo! is adding a video feature to its instant messaging service so that you will be able to see just who it is you are communicating with. It's not yet full video because the images that accompany the live chat will only appear at the rate of one frame per second, but the idea is to help users convey the meaning and emotion of messages. (A different take on the Emoticons for email that we have reported on before, but the principle is the same. ...more

Overture thinks local (almost) acts global

Pay-per-click search company Overture is testing a new geo-targetting feature that will enable visitors to find products for sale closest to them. Working like a cross between Streetmap and Yellow Pages, the idea is that by entering an address, Overture will produce a map of the nearest stores to you offering a particular product. Customers can zoom in right down to street level. ...more

Emoticons show real expression

Researchers at Bournemouth University have developed a technology that can turn a human face into a series of emoticons for use in instant messaging applications. The NewScientist reports that the system works by allowing users to map expressions such as smiling or frowning to the face. Users simply take an expressionless photograph and then use a mouse too mark points on the face, such as the corners of the mouth and the ends of the eyebrows. ...more

Orange prices rise 40 per cent

Orange is to push up the prices of its pre-pay handsets by 40 per cent, with the cheapest up from ?49.99 to ?69.99. ...more