Power Macs go dual-core

Apple has unveiled a major upgrade to its Power Mac range. In what is likely to be the last major upgrade to the desktop machines before Apple switches to Intel chips next year, Apple has used dual core processors for the first time. Dual core processors have more efficient cache and memory management that enables them to work more efficiently and therefore faster. ...more

Sony steps up involvement in S-LCD venture

Sony is to take a more active part in the development of LCD flat panels by S-LCD, its joint venture with Samsung. Currently Samsung is responsible for all the development work in the ?1.1bn operation, but Sony is hoping that by taking a more active part it can bring down costs, according to a Japanese business newspaper. ...more

Motorola unveils second iTunes-compatible phone

Motorola has unveiled its second iTunes-compatible phone, ditching the ROKR design for the RAZR-inspired SLVR L7. The Bluetooth phone is less than half an inch thick and weighs a mere 3.5 ounces. ...more

Novell plugs Microsoft XML format into OpenOffice

One of the first fruits borne out of the collaboration deal between Novell and Microsoft is support for the Office Open XML file format in Novell's version of OpenOffice By supporting Microsoft's proprietary format, which was introduced with Office 2007, Novell hopes to increase interoperability between Open XML and OpenDocument, the open source file format adopted by OpenOffice. The two companies will also co-operate on the creation of bi-directional open-source translators between the two formats. The word processing translator to be available by the end of January 2007; additional translators for spreadsheets and presentations will be available later in the year. ...more

Sony's DRM woes expand to include copyright infringement

If Sony BMG was hoping that the controversy surrounding its copy-protected CDs was going to die away, it was reckoning without infamous hacker Jon Lech Johansen, better known as DVD Jon. It seems that the XCP software from UK company First4Internet that Sony had been using to prevent unauthorised copying of its music CDs, until it agreed to recall some 4.7 million discs, contains code 'infringing the copyright of several open source projects', Johansen notes in his blog. ...more