Everyone agrees, Apple will announce music service today

Leading business publications in the US are all agreed, Apple will announce a music downloading service at its 'special event' this afternoon. Forbes, The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and Billboard all cite various sources to report that the service will, at least to begin with, be Mac only and administered through iTunes. Billboard adds that is expected to cost $0. ...more

Worldwide PC shipments rise 17 per cent

Worldwide PC shipments rose by 17 per cent in the last quarter, with Apple the major beneficiary. Mac sales grew by 48 per cent according to figures from IDC, the highest growth rate of any of the leading manufacturers. Growth was driven by notebooks and low-cost systems. ...more

U2 Special Edition iPod unveiled

Apple has launched the iPod U2 Special Edition, a black iPod which has a red Click Wheel and the signatures of the four band members engraved on the back. U2 lead singer, Bono said 'We want our audience to have a more intimate online relationship with the band, and Apple can help us do that. With iPod and iTunes, Apple has created a crossroads of art, commerce and technology which feels good for both musicians and fans. ...more

AOL to develop Enterprise AIM (again)

AOL is dipping another toe in the water with an Enterprise version of its popular Instant Messaging product. The company has teamed up with WebEx Inc, a collaborative applications company, to produce an enhanced version of AOL's Instant Messenger service which will provide improved security as well as the voice, video and web collaboration functions available through the WebEx MediaTone Network. AOL says that the product is 'codenamed' AIM Pro, which suggests that this may not be the final brand name. ...more

LaCie debuts 48 speed CD drive

LaCie has announced a new CD drive capable of 48-speed (48x) reading and burning. At this new top speed, LaCie claims the 48x12x48x drive can rip or burn a 60-minute CD-R in about two minutes and rewrite CD-RW disks at 1.8Mb/sec (12x). ...more