Panasonic teams with Loudeye for music downloads

Panasonic is to enter the crowded digital music downloads market with a new service powered by Loudeye, called Music Stream. Accompanying the launch are Panasonic's new wristwatch-sized MP3 players the SVMP120 and SVMP110 (pictured). The SVMP120VK is priced at ?129, has 512 MB of memory, a 4-line LCD, supports MP3 and WMA playback and has an FM Tuner. ...more

Adobe bolsters RAW technologies

Adobe Systems has further strengthened its presence in the field of RAW digital processing following the acquisition of the technology assets of Danish firm Pixmantec ApS. The company is a developer of digital imaging software that provides workflow management and processing capabilities for digital camera RAW files. The RAW format, which consists of uncompressed and therefore 'pure' image data, was considered the preserve of professional photographers and laboratories until recently. ...more

Microsoft cash for Passports

Scandalous as it seems, Microsoft is offering to write out cheques to US MSN users that sign up to a Passport account and make a $100 or more purchase. Sadly a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the promotion was not open to UK users, but it confirms how far the company is prepared to go to ensure the adoption of the Passport, which retains and authenticates your personal data, such as account details and delivery address. The offer promises to write you a cheque for $20 when you spend between $100 and $199, $40 when you spend between $200 and $299 and so on up to a maximum of $100 for $500 and over. ...more

Dell signals new direction with rethink of direct sales

Michael Dell has revealed that he is considering moving away from the direct sales model, which made the company that bears his name the world's biggest supplier of computer systems. It is the first time anyone at Dell has publicly admitted to doubts about the company's business model, which relies on building and shipping each PC to order. 'The direct model has been a revolution, but is not a religion,' Dell, who founded the company in 1984 and recently returned to the position of chief executive, wrote in an email to the company's 80,000 employees. ...more

Linux helps Novell staunch exit flow

Novell's Linux strategy is already helping to staunch the flow of NetWare users deserting for rival platforms, that had previously been running as high as 15 per cent a year, according to Chairman and CEO Jack Messman. Messman said that the NetWare userbase has been in decline for four to five years. Over the course of four years the toll of such a decline would leave Novell with just 52 per cent of that user base intact. ...more