IBM integrates Google Desktop into its own enterprise search

IBM today announced a new plug-in for its enterprise search technology that will allow it to integrate with Google Desktop for Enterprise, so that corporate employees can search for a wider range of information on their computer. IBM is to integrate the Google Desktop tool with its WebSphere Information Integrator OmniFind Edition. The announcement means that corporate users will be able to use the Google Desktop for Enterprise tool to seamlessly search and retrieve various types of content held on their personal computer. ...more

Microsoft kills work on Mac Windows Media Player

Microsoft's Mac Business Unit has confirmed that it has ceased development of the OS X version of Windows Media Player. The current version will remain available to download, but in future Windows Media playback on Macs will be in the hands of the Flip4Mac WMV Player, which Microsoft is distributing. The player provides codecs that provide Windows Media content support within OS X's QuickTime environment. ...more

Sony buys a slice of Real

Sony has announced it is to purchase a one per cent stake in RealNetworks and further a strategic alliance. The deal will see further integration of Sony's proprietary codecs and DRM technologies into RealNetworks' suite of media players and other software, and then the implementation of these onto hardware and portable players, including the likes of the PlayStation2. The two companies first announced a relationship at the Winter CES show of 2000, since when they have been working on integrating Sony's ATRAC3 technology (its audio compression codec based on the ATRAC format used in Minidisc) and OpenMG tools (a copyright protection technology that encrypts data ensuring that it cannot then be distributed at will) into RealNetwork's products. ...more

Nvidia releases overclocking software

Nvidia System Utility is a new performance tuning application for getting the most out of your Nvidia-based hardware. Nvidia's free Windows-based software is part of its ForceWare family, and allows users to fine-tune BIOS settings for optimal performance. And without the risks, Nvidia asserts, usually associated with overclocking. ...more

Portal-power tipped to take lead in Euro music download services

2004 will be the year of legit online music, according to research group Forrester. Music services from portals, such as those powered by OD2 including MSN and Tiscali, will take advantage of the window of opportunity before Apple and Napster arrive in Europe later this year to market their services like never before. Forrester's Senior Analyst Rebecca Jennings, said that portals offering music services can benefit from 'strong brand names, high audience penetration, significant marketing and cross-promotional capabilities, and - in the case of ISPs - an established billing relationship. ...more