Sony prices Blu-ray movies

Sony Pictures, the movie arm of the consumer electronics giant has set the bar for the price of Blu-ray DVDs in the US. As the primary mover behind the Blu-ray format, it is unsurprising that it is the first to announce a pricing structure for its Blu-ray films when they, and the players, become available later this year. Sony says that movies from its back catalogue in the Blu-ray format will sell for $17. ...more

Microsoft Smartphone unveiled

World's first review: Microsoft unveils its entry into the Smartphone market. With US GSM/GPRS networks still in their infancy, Microsoft has chosen its lucrative venture into the mobile phone market to start in the UK. October 28th 2002 sees the release of the Orange SPV (Sound, Pictures, Video) running a stripped down version of Microsoft's Pocket PC 2002 (PPC 2002) operating system known simply as the Smartphone OS. ...more

VideoWave 5 writes DVD

MGI has launched the next version of its popular video-editing software, VideoWave 5, with DVD authoring built in. Optimised for P4 and XP systems, the fifth incarnation adds support for WMA format audio files, a new MPEG encoder for capture and production of MPEG1 and MPEG2 content, and the ability to handle video files larger than Windows' 4Gb limit. All DVD formats used by commercially available burners are supported and, of course, you can author Video CDs as well. ...more

Time Warner to pay $510mn fines for AOL indiscretions

AOL accounts facTime Warner has finalised a deal with Federal authorities over fraud allegations against its AOL subsidiary. Under the terms of the deals, Time Warner will pay fines totalling some $510mn and submit to close scrutiny of its AOL accounts for two years. In return, assuming the company behaves itself, the Federal Authorities have promised not to pursue criminal charges against the media giant. ...more

Mystery surrounds Watford Electronics buy out

Watford Electronics - the company behind Savastore.com and 'free PC' ISP Redten Internet - has been taken over by a group of unnamed backers. A statement released this afternoon reads: 'Globally Ltd announced today the purchase of the business of Watford Electronics Ltd, including leading online etail website, Savastore. ...more