New BT, same old job cuts

The mobile operator mmO2 - formerly known as BT Cellnet and recently spun off from the BT Group - is shedding 1,400 jobs to cut costs. The total represents about one fifth of the mmO2 workforce, and offices at Leeds and Slough are expected to be worst hit. Over 130 of its existing 320 retail outlets will also be closed, with the company announcing its intent 'to focus and develop its resources to drive network quality, further improve customer service and develop the next generation of voice and data services'. ...more

Red Hat fires salvo to unite Linux against SCO

Red Hat has filed a formal complaint against SCO for its 'unsubstantiated' statements regarding alleged Unix infringements by Linux. 'We filed this complaint to stop SCO from making unsubstantiated and untrue public statements attacking Red Hat Linux and the integrity of the Open Source software development process,' said Mark Webbink, General Counsel at Red Hat. SCO CEO Darl McBride responded in a letter to Webbink, saying, 'Be advised that our response will likely include counterclaims for copyright infringement and conspiracy. ...more

UK games chart: Madagascar finds its way back to the top

Brian Lara has been deposed by the cartoon New York animals at the top of this week's ELSPA UK games chart. Showing once again the power of the cinema when it comes to games releases, Activision's multi-format movie spin-off climbs back to the top. And the Charlie And The Chocolate Factory spin-off - despite critical maulings - bubbles up to number two. ...more

Pixar offers Lasseter 10-year contract

It's good news for computer animation fans because it has been announced that John Lasseter, the creative force behind the "Toy Story" and "A Bug's Life" films, has signed a 10-year deal with Pixar animation studios. The exclusive deal sees Lasseter become executive vice president of the company and continue to oversee Pixar's current productions, which include "Monsters, Inc". This is a computer animated film about monsters that live in the wardrobe, which is voiced by Billy Crystal and John Goodman and should provide Pixar with a Christmas blockbuster. ...more

Apple ousts 17in PowerBook with launch of 2.1GHz 17in MacBook Pro

Apple has introduced a 17in version of its Intel powered MacBook Pro laptop. The 17in PowerBook has been discontinued. The new MacBook has a 2. ...more