Sky names the day for HD TV

Satellite broadcaster Sky has announced - to no great surprise - that it intends to kick off its High Definition television service in time for the World Cup finals taking place in Germany this summer. HDTV is regarded to be the next big change in television viewing habits. The new generation of 'HD Ready' plasma and LCD television sets can not only give much sharper resolution than the traditional set but also provide more vivid colour and often have surround sound built in too. ...more

Lennon collection available from Net music stores, bar iTunes

John Lennon's complete collection of solo recordings is to be sold via music downloads stores from the beginning of next month. However one place where it will not be found is the iTunes Music Store, because of 'the ongoing trademark dispute between iTunes' owner Apple Computer and Lennon and the Beatles' company, Apple Corps. EMI has announced that Working Class Hero, a collection of Lennon's greatest hits, will be available next week on stores including Napster, RealNetworks' Rhapsody, MSN Music and Yahoo! Music Unlimited. ...more

IBM signs up Novell and Red Hat for Strategic Alliance

IBM has announced that it is to elevate Linux builders Novell and Red Hat to its highest-tier partner programme with them joining IBM's Strategic Alliance. The deal sees the leading Linux distros eating at the king's table alongside the likes of SAP and Cisco. It opens up a number of synergies for the companies. ...more

HD hardware to sit idle until the end of the decade - analyst

High definition simply isn't worth investing in until at least 2010 for most Europeans, according to analysts, citing a paucity of content, both broadcast and pre-recorded. According to new research by British-based market consultancy Understanding and Solutions, there will be more than 115 million HD-ready TVs in European households by 2010, but just 15 percent of those homes will be receiving high-definition broadcasts in that period. 'There is a great surge in consumer interest for flat panel and large screen HD-TVs,' said Graeme Packman, analyst at Understanding and Solutions. ...more

Coke cans Microsoft

Coca Cola has again edged Microsoft for the title of the world's top brand in Business Week's annual survey. Coca Cola tops the table with a value of $68.95 billion with Microsoft just behind at $65. ...more