Apple facing pressure for music download dominance

The music industry is gearing up for an explosion in downloading at its annual get together in Cannes. Download services such as Napster, record labels and mobile phone manufaturers all predict that 2005 will be the year in which Apple's dominance of the market for both music downloads, through its iTunes Music Store, and portable devices on which to play them, such as the iPod, will come under real pressure. Some observers believe that where downloaded music is played - on a computer, portable player or phone - will not be the key issue of the year; rather, the battle will be between subscription-based services and those like iTunes which only offer paid-for-downloads. ...more

Wireless broadband nearly under the hammer

As BT's broadband exchanges are unbundled haphazardly, so its wireless counterpart hopes to get unbundled without the bungle. All 12 applicants, which include Energis Local Access, Norweb Telecom, Orange and Atlas Communications, have confirmed that they will bid for the licences, bringing the auction a step closer. It is set to begin 16 October. ...more

IBM drops some counterclaims against SCO

IBM has dropped a number of counterclaims against its opponent SCO because it believes it is not economically worthwhile to do so. In other words, SCO is too small a fish to fry for a slice of its sales. The decision to drop four of IBM's patent counterclaims surfaced in a document filed Thursday in opposition to SCO's requests for an additional 25 depositions. ...more

Take a break - it's National Slacker Day

If you are reading this at work, it is time to take a break - today is the third annual National Slacker Day. The timing of the event couldn't have been better. With the bank holiday looming, what better excuse to have a long weekend? Oncus, the UK record label behind the event, claims that, 'Everyday, otherwise creative and intelligent people are driven to hair loss and road rage due to an unhealthy "work comes first" stress driven culture. ...more

Apple sells 100 million iPods

Five years since its launch, Apple has sold its 100 millionth iPod - a landmark that Apple claims makes it 'the fastest selling music player in history'. Since its November 2001 launch, the portable music player has become the must-have gadget worldwide, with Apple introducing more than 10 new models to incorporate changing technology such as the ability to record and play videos, hold photos, and with more varied, fashionable colours. 'iPod has helped millions of people around the world rekindle their passion for music, and we're thrilled to be a part of that,' Apple's COE Steve Jobs said in a statement. ...more