RealNetworks clambers on to the desktop

RealNetworks has reached an agreement with Compaq to make the RealOne Player the default media player on its Presario consumer brand. The multiyear deal involves both laptop and desktop Presarios, with icons on the desktop and a dedicated hot key on Compaq's Internet Keyboard that links to a co-branded Compaq and RealOne Web site. Compaq will offer both new and existing customers subscriptions to RealNetworks' services, such as RealOne Membership and RealOne music, boasting premium content from the likes of CNN, FOX Sports and music from BMG, Warner and others. ...more

Digital divide alive and well in UK

Home Internet access is rising slowly in the UK, but the old divides between rich and poor remain. According to a survey issued by National Statistics, 32 per cent of households can now access the Internet from home, an increase of ten per cent from December last year. Around 45 per cent of adults have had access to the Internet at some point, with 80 per cent of these having access in the last month. ...more

AMD raises the bar for 64-bit notebook computing

AMD has released a 64-bit processor to run high-performance, desktop-replacement notebooks. The Mobile AMD Athlon 64 processor 4000+ clocks 2.6 GHz and has 1MB of level 2 cache. ...more

Here comes the ClearPC

Those pesky iMac owners have had it too good for too long, swanning about with their fancy cases, showing off the latest Marigold Yellow iMac (or whatever the latest hip colour is). Well, it's all going to change, do you hear? The PC isn't a boring beige box. It can be exciting, if one Vancouver company has its way. ...more

Microsoft affirms commitment to the Mac

The head of Microsoft's Mac Business Unit (MBU) has confirmed that the company's commitment to software development for the Mac remains undiminished, despite the imminent expiry of a five-year agreement between the two companies. Kevin Browne told an audience at Microsoft's California campus that, 'The agreement has ended, but our business is absolutely continuing.' Apple and Microsoft signed a five-year deal in August 1997, which committed Microsoft to develop its Office applications suite for the Mac for the following five years. ...more