Sony returning to iPod struggle

Sony will make yet another attempt to topple the iPod from the top of the MP3 player charts when it releases a new player, downloads service and software next year, according to a senior executive. Takao Yuhara, senior vice president for the for the Japanese electronics giant, said that the new player will be 'typically Sony', referring to its design and long battery life, and although he would not be specific he hinted that the company hopes to have it in shops in time for the US 'holiday' shopping period in the month before Christmas. Sales of previous digital Walkman models have been affected by poor software and, initially, lack of support for the MP3 format in favour of Sony's ATRAC encoding. ...more

Microsoft targets mid range businesses with Dynamics

Microsoft is targeting the middle-sized business with a new brand name and a new range of semi-customised business solutions based on actual jobs. The strategy, known as Microsoft Dynamics, is built around 50 core roles based on specific job functions within an organisation. According to Microsoft, there are 1. ...more

Google, Apple, Napster target of online video patent suit

According to the New York Times, Google, Apple and Napster have been named in a patent suit filed by the now defunct Internet video service Intertainer in a federal district court in Texas. The company, which holds nine patents, alleges that the tech giants have infringed on its intellectual property covering the management and distribution of digital media. Intertainer is no stranger to the courtroom. ...more

NTL and Microsoft join on broadcasts to mobile devices

NTL and Microsoft are trialling digital audio and video broadcasting in the Cambridge area. The trial provides a mix of streamed audio and video material for mobile devices. The aim is to research how well existing technologies, such as terrestrial based DVB and DAB transmitters together with Microsoft's Windows Media 9 and DRM, succeed in sending video, audio and text content to mobile devices either directly or through syncing via a PC. ...more

BPI denies charge of 'criminalising consumers'

The BPI has denied that it is attempting to criminalise music consumers, following statements made yesterday by National Consumer Council. The UK record industry body said that it has taken civil rather than criminal action. 'The NCC's comments are misleading,' said BPI chairman Peter Jamieson. ...more