Sony showcase DVR-Blue prototype

Sony and Philips showed off their next-generation optical disks for the first time at the CEATEC 2000 show in Japan. The new DVR-Blue format records data using a special GaN blue diode laser and its optical disk has a single-side capacity of 22.5Gb. ...more

Forced upgrades to QuickTime Pro

QuickTime 5 users who want to view movie trailers on Apple's Web site are being forced to upgrade to QuickTime Pro, if they want to see the largest version of the movie. The highest resolution versions of the Star Wars II and Harry Potter trailers require QuickTime Pro, which is a ?25 upgrade from the free version. Currently this stipulation is restricted to just a few trailers and it is not known whether it will become an across-the-board policy. ...more

Gates commits Microsoft to an interoperable future

Microsoft has pledged itself to an interoperable future. In an open letter to business leaders, Bill Gates says that Microsoft recognises that it can't have it all and that the future for the company is in making its products work with those of other vendors. In the letter Gates says 'Over the years, our industry has tried many approaches to come to grips with the heterogeneity of software. ...more

CES 2007: Warner Bros trumpets support for Total HD

Warner Bros. Entertainment says that top retailers in the States have agreed to stock its proposed new video disc, which is compatible with both Blu-ray and HD-DVD players. The likes of Amazon, Best Buy, and Circuit City Stores will support the discs, studio executives said on Tuesday. ...more

Webbies reward social networking

The annual Webby awards have recognised the trend towards social networking and web applications. Overall, (as they say at the Oscars) it was also a good night for the Brits which clearly had nothing to do with the fact that TV chef Jamie Oliver and David Bowie were among the judges as well as Simpsons creator Matt Groening. The Webbies, now in their tenth year, are seen as the online equivalent of the Oscars. ...more