Microsoft, Intel introduce new web services standard

Microsoft, Intel, Lexmark and Ricoh have announced a set of core specifications which provide a framework for devices wishing to access web services. The goal is to provide a basic level of interoperability between the increasingly varied number of devices wishing to allow network installation and communication. The Devices Profile for Web Services aim is to provide seamless connectivity between everything from PDAs to network printers without the need to worry about whether the underlying protocol is IP based 802. ...more

Knock-proof nano sleeves rushed out

Hot on the heels of the iPod nano scratching controversy, the first protective cases for Apple's latest music player are appearing. PodsPlus (pictured) is offering an all-over silicon skin in a dozen colours for $11.99. ...more

OS X grabs Snapz Pro

Ambrosia Software has announced that the OS X version of the multi-featured screen capture utility Snapz Pro will be available within a few days. Snapz Pro has been completely re-written for the new OS and contains many features not available with OS X's Grab utility, including the ability to capture movies in QuickTime. Features new to Snapz pro X include the new Object tool that enables the user to select multiple objects and capture them in a single shot; capture of OS X's 'genie' effect and bouncing dock icons in mid-flow, or as a complete movie; and capture of full-screen iTunes visualizations and of screensavers. ...more

Happy 25th birthday, ZX Spectrum

The machine that whetted our appetites for personal computers and got developers developing - the Sinclair ZX Spectrum - marks its 25th birthday this week. Even today, many gamers still spend hours playing games like Chuckie Egg, Jet Set Willy and Manic Miner on their old machines or using emulators. Back in 1982, users could get their hands on the device with 16KB of RAM for ?125 or 48 KB for an extra ?50. ...more

BPI banks on British desire for legal music

A BPI survey has revealed 2.5m people in the UK are burning 126m CDs every year. BPI executive chairman Peter Jamieson said, 'This survey provides a unique insight into the greatest growth opportunity for the music industry since the launch of the compact disc. ...more