iTunes' European debut sparks rivalry

iTunes-rivals Napster and OD2 have both emphasised consumer choice as reasons for Windows users to choose their services over the iTunes Music Store. Adam Howorth, communications director for Napster UK, said that while 'iTunes is a straight download store - pay your money take your tracks' you are only allowed to play them on one portable player, the iPod. 'Napster too offers a store,' he said, 'because we believe in letting music fans choose how they consume their music. ...more

Xerox reveals transient documents

Xerox has lifted the veil from some of its research and development work in the field of printing. The cutting-edge research highlighted at a press event involved current projects that are expected to see the commercial light of day within 18-months, including a twist on the theme of invisible ink. Mario Jarmasz, an engineer from one of the company's R&D centres, in Grenoble, was speaking at the launch of the Xerox's entry-level A4-only multi-function printers. ...more

LaCie introduces wide-gamut 25in LCD display

LaCie has announced its first widescreen, wide-gamut LCD, targeted at digital photography, prepress, CAD, video editing and creative design markets. The LaCie 526 monitor has a 25.5in, 16:10 panel with a 1920x1200 resolution capable of displaying two A4 pages at full size with room to spare. ...more

IBM plans mainframe simplification

As mainframes fall out of fashion IBM begins a five year program to make its System z computer easier to use. IBM has committed $100 million and five years research time to a project that it hopes will make its System z mainframe easier to use. The project will use staff from both the hardware and software divisions within IBM and will focus on automating the creation of many applications and make operation of the computer system. ...more

What is the point of me? I've forgotten

The kids of today - fed on a diet of junk food and e-number additives and doing nothing but play computer games all day. No wonder they have the attention span of a forgetful goldfish. Well, help is at hand with a gadget that fights fire with fire - it's a special sort of computer game. ...more