This is maptastic!

If you are like me and lack any sense of direction, you probably refer to your trusty A to Z more times than you'd like to mention. There are quite a few map databases on-line, but one of the most popular is Mapquest. The company behind Mapquest has recently announced a UK regionalised version of the site. ...more

Wal-mart denies Hollywood threats over digital services

Wal-Mart has denied a report that it told Hollywood movie studios to expect retaliation if they began selling feature film downloads through Apple's iTunes Store. The US retail giant and Asda-owner described the report in the New York Post, as 'a rehashing of misinformation', possibly referring to a BusinessWeek article last month which suggested that Wal-Mart was attempting to dissuade studios. 'Customers want to watch movies and they want to be able to make the choice when and how they want to view them,' the Wal-Mart spokeswoman said. ...more

Sony promises Mac and PC compatibility for the PlayStation Portable

Sony has revealed that it will provide Mac compatibility for its PlayStation Portable (PSP). Speaking in California, Yair Landau, vice chairman of Sony Pictures, said that software to plug the handheld gaming and multimedia device into Macs and PCs would be ready within a year. He also announced, not unexpectedly, that the PSP would integrate with Sony's Connect online music store. ...more

Oftel sets prices for access to local loop

Oftel has released its guidelines to the prices BT will charge other ISPs for access to the local loop. Annual rental for a loop will be ?118 with a ?95 connection charge, while an internal tie cable connecting 100 loops to an operator's equipment will be ?21 annual rental with a ?1,433 connection charge. Both BT and ISPs wanting to take advantage of the unbundling of the local loop, due in January next year, have until 4 December to raise objections. ...more

BT promises HD for all

BT's launch of BT Vision raised a few questions as to how the company, which now has content to its arsenal, is to position itself against Sky, which now offers Internet access. We caught up with Richard Griffiths, Director of Technology Strategy and Development at BT Vision, to talk us through how this battle of the behemoths is going to be fought, particularly when it comes to HD. Sky's HD ambitions are already well-known, but BT Vision has HD among its roll call of services. ...more