Analysis: AMD dual core technology

AMD ships desktop dual core Athlon 64 Although it comes the month after Intel managed to bring us its first dual-core processor, AMD is keen to point out that it was the first manufacturer to demonstrate a working dual-core processor design in August 2004. And it is true that until Intel pulled off the incredible recent acceleration in its product plans, it looked like AMD was going to get there first. But although the new desktop dual-core processor, dubbed the Athlon 64 X2, is behind the Pentium Extreme Edition and Pentium D in terms of release dates, it is significantly ahead when it comes to the performance benefits of dual core over single core: we saw render times almost halve. ...more

Macromedia wins $4.9 million counterclaim

Macromedia has been awarded damages of $4.9 million following a successful patent counterclaim against Adobe. Adobe was found guilty of infringing three Macromedia patents in its Illustrator and Premiere products. ...more

Nokia launches 3G phones

6650 world's first 3GPP-approved handset. The Nokia 6650 is the first WCDMA/GSM protocol supporting phone. It will work throughout Asia and Europe across wCDMA networks, such as that used by NTT DoCoMo's FOMA 3G service, and will be in shops from the middle of next year. ...more

Ericsson and Vodafone go 3G

Ericsson and Vodafone made the first commercial WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) live voice call yesterday. This heralds a breakthrough in 3G network technology as the call was made using commercial equipment, using commercial WCDMA nodes. The call was made on a mobile phone via Vodafone's 3G network in Thames Valley, to be terminated at a fixed line in Newbury. ...more

Hollywood gives up on DVD Jon

Norwegian police, acting on behalf of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), have decided not to appeal the court acquittal of 'DVD Jon'. This brings to a close the case that the movie houses hoped would set a legal precedent on circumventing DVD protection. Twenty-year-old Jon Johansen found himself at the wrong end of the MPAA lawsuit when, at the age of 15, he wrote the DeCSS program that allowed him to watch his DVD movies on his computer, and which was later published online. ...more