Rational, Borland shares rise amid buyout speculation

Microsoft may make a bid for software company Rational, less than a week since IBM agreed to buy it for $2.1bn. Speculation on Wall Street pushed Rational's share price up by 2. ...more

Google's tills ring with UK Checkout launch

The online payment system Google Checkout is now opening in the UK, following its US launch last year. It is meant to simplify and secure online purchases from participating retailers, who will be identified by Checkout's small blue and white shopping trolley icon. The advantage for users is that a single Google login - yes, you will need a Google account - will serve for a variety of retailers, once it is primed with your credit card details and a delivery address. ...more

UPDATED: iTunes begins selling Band Aid 20

The 2004 version of Do They Know It's Christmas has gone on sale on the iTunes Music Store - but at Apple's fixed price of 79p, not the ?1.49 that Band Aid wanted. However Apple will donate an extra 70p for each download sold. ...more

HP notebooks cued up for launch

Hewlett-Packard is to launch a new zt1000 Pavilion range aimed at consumers. While the US version has just hit the market, details of the UK release are scarce. The only details we could glean at present were that the top spec model would offer an integrated LAN and modem along with IEEE 1394 (FireWire), S-Video and TV-out ports. ...more

Netscape updated

Netscape has updated its eponymous Web browser. The apparently minor update has four new features: control over pop-up windows, tab grouping, AOL Mail and improved security Pop-up window controls let you suppress pop-up ads. The home page group feature lets you automatically open several of your favorite pages as tabs when starting Netscape. ...more