Talking the language of Office XP

IBM has updated its voice recognition software, with Office XP in mind, and in ear. ViaVoice for Windows, Release 9, is IBM's desktop dictation program that now has support for Office XP. It comes in four editions - Pro USB, Advanced, Standard and Personal - and features US English. ...more

Wippit chews through 2.4m more songs

Agreements with The Orchard, IODA, VUT, Digital Rights Agency and CD Baby encompass music from independent artists including all Out Boy, Bebel Gilberto, Seu Jorge and Master P to multimillion sellers such as Green Day, Coldplay, Ray Charles, Snoop Dogg and Ludacris. Wippit offers both MP3 files from independent labels and DRM-protected WMA files for artists signed to majors, with its users currently purchasing four MP3s format to one WMA. 'Wippit has a solid reputation as a destination for independent music even if we do offer a full range of content and the public perception of Wippit as the online "indie store" is certain to be reinforced with the addition of this content,' said Paul Myers Wippit's founder and CEO. ...more

The French out bet the British in online gambling

The French have taken to online gambling like a duck a l'orange to water, according to Europe-wide figures from analysts Nielsen//NetRatings. February's numbers showed that more than 22 per cent of those online spent over an hour betting. This was about three times the average UK online gambler spent having a flutter. ...more

New Mexico settles with Microsoft

The ranks are splitting - one of the 19 US states originally ranged against Microsoft in the anti-trust suit has decided to settle with the company. In what will be good news for Microsoft, the attorney general of New Mexico, Patricia Madrid, has agreed to stop pursuing the case in return for Microsoft reimbursing the state's legal costs. New Mexico was never one of the most ardent participants and other states have been more vocal in their determination to pursue the case. ...more

Apple caps iPod volumes

A software update for the iPod gives users greater control over maximum volume settings for Apple's portable music player. The move follows concerns being raised - by the RNID among others - about the threat of permanent hearing damage. Indeed, Apple has been sued over this issue by a Louisiana man. ...more