Record industry ventures blank idea to boost sales

Record label BMG's latest ruse to buck falling CD sales is to introduce half-price, no-frills disks. German newspaper Der Spiegel reports that the so-called 'anti-piracy CD' will look like a home-burned disc, with just the title printed on it. It will sell for €10, while a version with cover and lyrics will be €13. ...more

OS X takes step closer to corporate market

The next update for Mac OS X will see the platform adopt a new file system that should significantly improve its reliability, and set Apple up for a potential charge towards the corporate systems market. The update, which will probably be released as OS X 10.2. ...more

BT sets 185 broadband dates

BT has announced its biggest batch of ADSL ready-for-service dates, with 185 exchanges to go online between August 2004 and June 2006. The dates and exchanges are as follows, although by June 2006 we hope that ADSL2 and other truly fast broadband technologies will be on the agenda. That aside, the latest exchanges and RFS dates are as follows: 2004 •: 4 August: Billesdon, Brailsford, Headley, Sulgrave •: 11 August: Aberlour, Alves, Alyth, Blanefield, Bunwell, Bythorn, Bere Regis, Carrbridge, Carnwath, Cawdor, Chapelton, Clawdd Newydd, Cropredy, Cuckoo Oak, Dorrington, Drymen, East Bergholt, Escrick, Fauldhouse, Finchfield, Frant, Freckleton, Hampton Heath, Honley, Horns Cross, Kinoulton, Kyre, Lilliesleaf, Marcham, Nantyderry, North Benfleet, Philipstoun, Ribchester, Rilla Mill, Saxmundham, Shottisham, Stadhampton, Staverton, Stillington, Stockland, Strathpeffer, Sutton Veny, Washingborough, West Mersea, Whatton, Winterton on Sea, Wix, Worthen, Ynysowen •: 1 September: Barwick in Elmet, Flookburgh, Kirkby Thore •: 8 September: Ardersier, Timberscombe •: 15 September: Witherslack •: 22 September: Bainton, Bishops Caundle, Cwm, Dent, Gaddesby, Lonmay, Memsie •: 29 September: Blockley, Harting, Hilmarton, Lochcarron •: 13 October: Fowlmere •: 20 October: Alness •: 27 October:   Blagdon, Broadhembury, Eastriggs, Fosdyke, Halfway House, Invergordon, Kingussie, Lamphey, Spean Bridge, Suckley, Uley, Welford on Avon •: 3rd November: Leitholm, Tain, Wickham Market •: 24 November: Aysgarth, Blaina, Chapel St. ...more

New blue laser technology promises portable Blu-ray players

Blu-ray goes mobile - this is the promise of a new technological development prototyped by Japanese company Victor. The company has created a single-objective glass lens with the world's highest numerical aperture (NA), reports NE Asia Online. By improving production yields and cutting the current lens size, the technology could promote the use of portable Blu-ray discs in mobile equipment, for example BD players. ...more

UPDATED: Apple announces iLife '04 and introduces GarageBand

Apple CEO Steve Jobs last night unveiled a pretty radical makeover of its iLife suite of applications, describing it as 'the Microsoft Office for the rest of your life'. In addition to new versions of iPhoto, iDVD and iMovie, the suite includes a brand new music playing, recording and editing studio - GarageBand. GarageBand includes over 50 virtual instruments, over 1,000 pre-recorded loops and can record unput from anty USB or MIDI keyboard or a guitar, which can be 'plugged-in' to any of six virtual amps. ...more