MusicMatch service hopes to be match for iTunes

Music management software company MusicMatch has launched its MusicMatch Downloads service, which it hopes will enjoy the same success in the PC market that iTunes has with Macs. Already having some 40 million users as a result of MusicMatch software being bundled with a host of digital music players, the company will be hoping that the relatively lenient licensing rules will tempt a good portion of these to sign up. Like Apple's iTunes, MusicMatch Downloads offers single song purchases for 99 cents from tracks offered by all five major and more than 30 independent record labels. ...more

London to get additional 020 3 range of telephone numbers in 2005

London telephone subscribers who have seen a bewildering number of changes to their numbering system over the years are facing another change in a year's time. Telecoms regulator OfCom has announced that a new 020 3 range of numbers be added to the London area in 2005. The good news is that, this time, the existing telephone 020 7 or 020 8 numbers won't need to change. ...more

Independent labels back file sharing

A body representing 175 artists worldwide has attacked the Recording Industry Association of America's latest attempt to shut down peer-to-peer music sharing networks. Dust Traxx manages 27 house and techno labels and claims to have been the largest producer, manufacturer and distributor of house music in the world during 2002. It's promotions director Chuck Paugh says the RIAA 'is deceptive in its claim to represent the recording industry' and in fact only represents a handful of large record companies. ...more

Hard drive for your pocket

There seems to be a real trend for small, portable storage devices. We've already seen the tiny, key ring sized USB hard drive from Agate but a new device called the Pockey delivers real storage capacity. The pocket-sized device is a similar size to a Palm organiser and comes in either 10Gb or 20Gb configurations. ...more

3 grabs new Nokia 7600 to bolster 3G roster

Mobile telco 3 is to start selling the Nokia 7600 through its 3200 UK outlets Looking more like a PDA than a phone, the Nokia 7600 is the company's first foray into 3G devices. It allows users to capture and send pictures and videos, send and receive multimedia messages, mobile email and listen to music. 3 says the device supports the company's range of video mobile services including ITN news bulletins, movie highlights, music videos and Champions League in 64k colours. ...more