Microsoft preempts leak of SAP merger plans

A merger between Microsoft and SAP, the massive German business process software giant? This rather astonishing development was the subject of exploratory talks between the two companies. Microsoft has revealed today. The talks took place a 'few months ago' according a Microsoft statement on the matter. ...more

John Wiley signs up Symbian Press

In advance of the release of the EPOC-based Nokia 9290, "Symbian Press" is a new publishing imprint from John Wiley and Symbian, the consortium behind the EPOC operating system that powers Communicator devices. Aimed at developers, Symbian Press will be producing a range of titles designed "to help C++, Java and content developers to add value to the unique technologies offered by the Symbian OS". Essentially, the imprint will help the company share technical information about Symbian WIDs (Wireless information devices) and help establish the wireless industry standards that the company is following. ...more

ASA rules against Dell TV campaign

The Advertising Standards Authority has criticised Dell for a recent TV ad which quoted a price not available by default online. However, the ruling cleared the practice of including upgraded components in the online spec that have been selected by default (for example, extended service support). The TV ad said, 'Whatever you need a PC for, Dell has the one you want for less than you might expect. ...more

BT scores victory over Freeserve

Freeserve has been rapped for an leaflet which claimed that its Internet service offered unlimited usage. The leaflet, headed 'win ?100,000 and be free to blow it on what you want', claimed, 'With Freeserve AnyTime, you'll have the freedom to go on the Internet any time of day and night for as long as you like. Rival ISP BT Openworld objected to the leaflet because Freeserve's terms and conditions state, 'We reserve the right to disconnect you after two hours continuous use and/or after 10 minutes of inactivity during connection. ...more

PS3 gets March date for UK launch

Sony said on Thursday it will launch the high-end version of its PlayStation 3 (PS3) game console on 23 March in Europe, but it has no plan at the moment to offer the basic model there. The electronics and entertainment conglomerate last September delayed the European launch of the PS3, Sony's most important strategic product for this business year, to March from November due to a production glitch. 'We will focus on the launch of the one with a 60GB drive and have no plan now to introduce the 20 gigabyte model,' Sony Computer Entertainment spokesman Satoshi Fukuoka said. ...more