Apple determined to secure iPod interface patent

Apple has reiterated that it is determined to secure a patent on the iPod interface, despite losing out first time around. Last week the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled Apple's patent application invalid because a similar claim had already been registered by one John Platt, who, it subsequently emerged, is an employee of Microsoft. Threatened with the possibility that it might have to pay iPod royalties to its greatest rival, Apple said it will appeal the USPTO decision. ...more

PC shipments to climb ten per cent - analysts

According to a forecast by research firm Gartner, PC shipments worldwide will jump 10.5 per cent this year to 255.7 million computers. ...more

New worm exploits ancient IE flaw

Sophos yesterday alerted users to the presence of a new worm, under the name of Gibe-F or Swen.A@mm. The worm exploits a vulnerability in MIME components of Internet Explorer, for which a patch was first issued in March 2001. ...more

Mobilexpo 2001 highlight - high concept!

Of course no techie show would be complete without a few wierd and wonderful concept products. To conclude our reports from Mobilexpo, here are a few that grabbed our attention. On the Siemens stand, we got exclusive footage of a futuristic gaming headset and pad. ...more

EC eyes single market for digital content

The European Commission has begun a public consultation on ways to stimulate the growth of an EU single market for online digital content including films, music and games. The Commission hopes to encourage the development of new business models and promote the cross-border delivery of online content services. The Western European online content sector already accounts for eight per cent of EU GDP and online content-sharing frameworks and markets are expected to triple by 2008. ...more