MP3.com to appeal against Universal ruling

MP3.com intends to appeal against the US court ruling finding it guilty of breach of copyright law. The site has already made deals with Sony, EMI, BMG and Warner to pay for the tracks it uses on the site, but last week a court ruled it would have to pay $25,000 (17,835 GBP) for every CD belonging to Universal Music Group. ...more

Extended-reach ADSL trials to be expanded

BT is planning to expand its trials of a modified version of ADSL that would bring broadband within reach of another 600,000 UK homes. The trials are investigating whether BT can increase the range from 55dB to 60dB, equating to a distance of around 6km from an exchange to the user. The maximum distance, by wire, that an ADSL user can be from the exchange is around 5km. ...more

MacBook wireless hackers to work with Apple

A computer security firm that wirelessly hacked an MacBook at a recent Black Hat security conference has revealed that it is now working with Apple to help prevent any further vulnerabilities. SecureWorks researchers David Maynor and 'Johnny Cache' showed how easy it was to gain access to the Apple portable. They revealed that they had used a third-party wireless card and drivers rather than Apple's built-in AirPort technology and maintained the security problem could be replicated using different hardware instead of a Mac. ...more

Record companies put squeeze on music download pricing

Online music stores are facing pressure from some record companies to hand over a greater share of proceeds from the burgeoning downloads market. In a move that has reportedly angered Apple CEO Steve Jobs, the Financial Times reports that some labels want to increase wholesale prices, arguing that they had initially been set low to stimulate demand. However two of the largest, Universal and Sony BMG, are believed to be opposed to a price rise as they do not want to disrupt a market that they believe is not yet mature enough for an increase. ...more

What's NXT for Microsoft?

Microsoft is opening a new campaign to win over wavering software developers to Windows. The new initiative known as NXT is targeted at ISVs with software solutions turning over $5 million in revenue who are ready to migrate to, or work cross-platform with, a Microsoft operating system or database. The initiative is aimed principally at applications developers for the Unix and Linux platforms who are the main competitors to Windows Server and its accompanying back office technologies. ...more