Apple versus Apple reaches the UK High Court

The latest round in the intermittent but long-running trademark tussle between Apple Computer and The Beatles' company, Apple Corps, reaches the UK High Court this week. Apple Corps is demanding damages totalling several million pounds after alleging that the computer firm's iTunes Music Store breaches a previous settlement between the two companies that restricted Apple Computer's activities in music. As part of that 1989 settlement, the California company paid out $26m (though some reports have put this as high as $50m) to the London-based Beatles operation, which oversees the musicians' lucrative legacy. ...more

Apple slashes monitor prices

Apple has slashed prices across its range of flat screen displays and added a 20in, 1680x1050 pixel model. The 23in Cinema HD Display is ?1300 cheaper at ?1699 (inc. VAT) while the 20in Cinema Display is just ?1099. ...more

UPDATED: SCO splashes out on Web services acquisition

SCO is taking advantage of its increased share value to buy Vultus, whose software rosta it will add to its SCOx Web services platform. During the last results announcement, SCO CEO Darl McBride said that the company would be looking to 'make some strategic acquisitions' of companies in the region of $4 to $10m that would provide a 'technology fill-in' for its SCOx Web services platform. This looks to be the first, with a 'mostly stock' deal not to exceed $2. ...more

Microsoft announces pedal power for Windows

At Microsoft's sixth annual Research TechFest show, the company unveiled the Step User Interface, allowing users to interact with Windows using their feet Using the kind of dance mats sold for use with computer and console games, researchers Brian Meyers, A.J. Brush, Steven Drucker and Marc Smith reprogrammed the touch-sensitive pads to trigger many of the repetitive tasks faced by office workers each day. ...more

Westminster to take Wi-Fi to the max

Westminster council has revealed plans to build an 802.11b-based wireless network across Central London. The Westminster 4-G project, which begins next week, starts with the Soho area of central London and will be built up gradually. ...more