Set-top box turns your TV digital and online

Netgem has today launched its iPlayer digital set-top box with a built-in modem The iPlayer claims its powerful components mean even those who live in areas of poor reception will get a clear digital image. The device converts digital terrestrial signals on analogue televisions. It can be upgraded to include further services as more free-to-air digital terrestrial channels are turned on. ...more

A cell phone into your Palm

Motorola and Palm are collaborating on a new portable phone to put the features of a Palm into a cell phone-like device. The companies, according to the Motorola Web site, have signed an agreement to co-develop and co-brand the new smart phones. The cooperation will initially produce a tri-band GSM wireless smart phone, which should be available early in 2002. ...more

Dell reports record results, again

Dell has reported record results for the last three months and year-on-year sales growth of 27 per cent. With the computer market growing at around a quarter of that, Dell's has increased its leading share of the market by around three per cent to 18 per cent. Increased market share meant increased income for the only Windows-based PC maker currently making a profit. ...more

Warner Bros films coming to Blu-ray

Warner Bros has given a timely boost to Blu-ray by announcing that it will release films on the next-generation high-definition DVD discs next year. Warner had previously committed to making movies available on the rival format HD DVD and explained that the decision to hedge its bet was made after the two camps failed to reach agreement on a unified format. Warner's decision follows a similar commitment by Paramount to back Blu-ray and was welcomed by Blu-ray backers including Twentieth Century Fox and Buena Vista Home Entertainment. ...more

HP cans iPods

HP has decided to stop selling iPods as part of a re-evaluation of its strategy in the wake of the departure of former CEO Carly Fiorina. The world's number two PC manufacturer had contributed around five per cent of total iPod sales, which met their expectations, but is not thought to have made much money from the deal, which was weighted heavily in Apple's favour according to the Wall Street Journal. An Apple spokeswoman said that the partnership had been terminated because HP 'decided that reselling iPods doesn't fit with the company's digital media strategy'. ...more