Apple considers next steps against iPod shuffle look-alike

Apple's lawyers are said to be 'weighing their options' after a company refused to remove its iPod shuffle lookalike from its stall at the CeBit technology show in Germany. Luxpro temporarily took the portable music player from its stand on Friday only to bring it back out on Saturday, leading to what has been described as a heated exchange of words with a distraught Apple representative. Luxpro's Super Shuffle is a near identical copy of the iPod shuffle, although its feature set differs slightly, with an FM tuner, voice recorder and support for WMA rather than AAC files. ...more

Mac-to-PocketPC syncing software to launch

PocketMac, the first software to enable Macs to sync with PocketPC-based handhelds such as the Compaq iPaq, will make its public debut tomorrow at the PocketPC 2002 launch in San Francisco. PocketPC 2002 is the new version of Microsoft's OS for handhelds and is the rival to the Palm OS used on handhelds from the likes of Palm themselves and Handspring. PocketMac will sync handhelds with Entourage, part of the Microsoft Office suite of software, though the developers are working with other PIM (personal information management) software developers, and will be compatible with existing PocketPC devices as well as those which will be running 2002. ...more

MP3 - the movie

With stories of MP3 users being swept up by the strong arm of the law, a new satirical movie based on the beleaguered music format couldn't have arrived at a better time. MP3 - the Movie is airing online at Filmwave.com and takes the story of MP3 into the future (only by a year) and presents a chilling view of a world where MP3 files have the same status as class-A drugs. ...more

Freeserve's unmetered losses

Internet access isn't the only unmetered aspect of UK internet service provider Freeserve, as it has posted larger than expected losses. Although Freeserve posted a first-quarter revenue increase from the previous quarter's ?7.2m to ?14. ...more

Next-gen hi-definition discs built on DVD-R production jigs

A group of Japanese companies has announced the successful development of prototype recordable HD-DVD discs that can be manufactured on existing DVD-R production lines. Hitachi, Maxell and Mitsubishi have separately tested and verified write-once discs, using a new organic dye developed specifically for blue laser products such as HD-DVD. The discs should be ready for manufacturing on a large scale by the spring of 2006, when the first HD-DVD recorders are expected to go on sale, and the first drives appear in PCs. ...more