UPDATED: Apple adds voice recording and photo storage to iPods

Apple has announced new features for its iPod range of portable music players, including voice recording and photo storage. Voice recording is provided via a new Belkin Voice Recorder which plugs straight into the iPod and on a 40GB model can record up to 600 hours of audio. When the iPod is connected to a Mac or PC, recordings are automatically synced with iTunes (now also available for Windows) and stored on the computer. ...more

Microsoft returns once more to the iPod battle

Microsoft has launched a venture in Japan with Toshiba, JVC and local telecoms provider DoCoMo in another attempt to end the iPod and Apple's dominance of the digital music market. The three companies will be joined by five others to develop portable players for the Japanese market, with Microsoft providing the software, Bloomberg reports. While Toshiba and JVC will concentrate on building new MP3 players, DoCoMo plans to introduce a mobile phone handset that will be compatible with the Microsoft software. ...more

Apple to cream 10 per cent off iPod accessories sales

Apple is seeking 10 per cent of wholesale revenues from iPod accessories in return for letting them display its new Made for iPod logo. The logo demonstrates that the accessory is fully compatible with the music player. Apple declined to comment on the royalties or the process for awarding certification to products 'With more than 400 iPod accessories on the market and growing, the Made for iPod logo program is designed to help consumers choose iPod accessories that work properly with their iPods, and also provide participating iPod accessory makers with guidelines and technical specifications to develop their products,' the company said in a statement. ...more

Chip sales give AMD muscle to take on Intel

It's been a long road back to profitability for AMD, the long standing chip rival to Intel. Its latest financial results, however, show the Athlon XP processor driving the company back into the black. Strong demand for the AMD Athlon XP desktop processor line saw sales increase 38 per cent (year-on-year) to $581mn for the Computation Products Group (CPG) . ...more

CeBIT 2007: Chip makers strike auto deals for in-car tech

Intel and Infineon Technologies AG have announced partnerships with BMW and Hyundai on Thursday, reflecting the growing importance of technology in cars. German chipmaker Infineon and Korean carmaker Hyundai said they would cooperate in the development of automotive electronics and opened a joint innovation centre in Seoul. The companies said in a statement they would develop automotive electronic systems for Hyundai and Kia brand vehicles and enhance Hyundai's current systems. ...more