GSM network operators reject MPEG video DRM licensing terms

The international body representing some 800 GSM network operators and device makers has rejected licensing terms for digital rights management technology for MPEG video and called for a complete re-examination of DRM options for mobile devices. The GSM Association (GSMA) said that the terms for the Open Mobile Alliance's Digital Rights Management 1.0 standard proposed by MPEG LA are 'impractical, excessive and short-sighted', according to GSMA CEO Rob Conway. ...more

W3C issues mobile guidelines

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has issued a 'candidate recommendation' for a set of basic guidelines for Mobile Web Best Practices 1.0. The document is backed by over 30 organisations, including many of the companies involved in the development of the Internet on mobile devices - AOL, the International Webmasters Association / HTML Writers Guild (IWA-HWG), Internet Content Rating Association, Microsoft, Vodafone, Nokia, Google, dotMobi and France Telecom, among others. ...more

Snap happy DVD player

The PC desertion continues as Apex Digital unveils a DVD player that takes one of the bastions of PC use to the TV - viewing digital photos. The Apex Digital 5131 incorporates a chip that allows the player to read Kodak Picture CDs. You can pan and zoom, catalogue your shots and create slide shows or add special effects. ...more

Parthus takes mobile Internet access to the max

Parthus has launched MachStream, a powerful hardware-based acceleration platform, after taking over Chicory Systems. It may not sound that exciting when put like that, but you'll appreciate it when you're browsing the Web on your 2.5G or 3G handset. ...more

AMD launches three new dual core Opteron chips

AMD has upped the ante in the battle for the next generation of x86 class servers with the announcements of three new versions of its dual core Opteron range. The three new chips span the range from one-way devices for workstations through to a version aimed at large eight way enterprise class servers. The three new parts announced are the Model 880 for up to eight-way enterprise servers that equates to a 16-core machine while the Model 280 is targeted at high performance dual-processor workstations and servers. ...more