Talking Heads frontman criticises iTunes' DRM

David Byrne, former frontman of 80s group Talking Heads has been talking about the growth of online music sales, with particular reference to iTunes, and a shift in the market that will see downloads outsell CDs before the London Olympics opening ceremonies. In a presentation called Record Companies: Who Needs Them, he explained that his royalty payments are the same on iTunes downloads as they are on more expensive physical media sales - around $1.60 for an album either way. ...more

BitBop plays Brit Pop

A new piece of software has entered a beta release that aims to give Internet users what they want - access to free music. Audio Mill software has recently unveiled its new BitBop Tuner software. The small application acts like a radio tuner, but it scans a number of Internet radio stations for your favourite artists. ...more

Microsoft buckles under EU pressure

In its stand-off with the European Union, Microsoft seems to have blinked first. Following threats of fines of up to €2 million a day for non compliance, Microsoft is to license all the Windows Server source code for the technologies covered by the European Commission's Decision of March 2004. Under that ruling, the European Union had decreed that Microsoft had kept certain aspects of Windows Server code to its own programmers so that, for example, Microsoft Office applications performed better than those of rival vendors. ...more

HP adopts Adobe's PDF

HP has reached an agreement with Adobe Systems to license Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF) libraries as a preferred format for Internet printing within its product range. HP will add the functionality initially to its Photosmart cameras, scanners and all-in-one devices with products coming to market early next year. The PDF format is already well-established, with the free Acrobat Reader now in its fifth incarnation. ...more

Philips sign UK deal for broadband devices

Philips has signed up BT to provide broadband services for its forthcoming range of Internet-enabled consumer electronics devices. BT joins several other European providers, in Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Spain, who will enable Philips to develop PDAs, DVD recorders, flat screen televisions and the like with broadband Internet - and in some cases wireless interactivity - built-in. The first UK products are expected to be announced in October. ...more