Nvidia settles Microsoft Xbox dispute

Microsoft and Nvidia have settled their dispute over costs and pricing for the Xbox. The heart of the dispute involved the pricing of components within the Xbox, with Microsoft being keen to drive costs down to make its console more competitive but Nvidia being squeezed on its margins. Specifically, Microsoft's pricing for Xbox GPU (graphics) and MCP (audio and networking) chipsets led both companies to enter an arbitration process. ...more

Intel-powered MacBooks see shipment boost

Monthly shipments of Apple's Intel-powered MacBooks have increased by 20 per cent since the machines were introduced in April, according to Taiwan's Digitimes. Asustek, which is assembling the consumer laptops for Apple, is now shipping 120,000 machines each month, according to unnamed sources. Digitimes claims that the 'competitive pricing' of the MacBooks will see shipments continue to rise, and - with iBook and MacBook Pro sales included - Apple selling three million laptops in 2006, compared to just under 2. ...more

Real to update its online music store

Real Networks is poised to unveil a new version of its Rhapsody online music store at an event in New York today. It promises a 'to unveil a groundbreaking initiative [that] will change the Internet and revolutionise digital music'. Precise details remain patchy, but it seems that the store will provide compatibility with most portable media players, having licensed Microsoft's Janus DRM technology, and will, like Napster, give subscribers access to its entire music catalogue. ...more

AOL signs on dotted line with DoCoMo

AOL has confirmed that it has signed a deal with Japan's NTT DoCoMo to market wireless services. NTT DoCoMo will take a 42.3 per cent stake in AOL Japan and invest about ?69 million. ...more

BT joins race to add movie and TV services to broadband

BT is looking to deliver a range of films and TV channels via broadband. According to the Financial Times, the company is in discussions with the main channels, BBC, ITV and Sky to deliver popular programmes and movies. The company is also said to be talking to manufacturers of Freeview set top boxes. ...more