Apple and Creative prep for patent swap deal

Apple and Creative have indicated that they are open to the possibility of a settlement over rival portable music player patents, Bloomberg reports. In a joint court filing the two companies said that they had been negotiating the licensing of Creative's patent to Apple before Creative sued Apple for infringement of the same patent. 'The parties will remain open to the possibility of settlement,' the filing said, although it noted that no specific discussions are planned. ...more

UK games chart: Let slip the Gears of War

Microsoft's Gears of War, for the Xbox 360, goes straight in at number one in this week's ELSPA UK games chart. The third-person tactical shooter (pictured), which 'thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against the Locust Hordeset', is the first game developed by Epic Games exclusively for Microsoft Game Studios. EA's street racing game Need For Speed: Carbon (DS, GBA, GC, PS2, PSP, Wii, Xb360, Xb, PC, PS3) is deposed to number two, with THQ's wrestling game WWE Smackdown! Vs. ...more

AMD romps home in the third quarter

AMD has reported better than expected results in the third quarter due to growth in Athlon processor and flash memory sales. For the third quarter, AMD reported sales of $1.21bn, up 82 per cent from sales of $662m in third quarter a year ago. ...more

Ex-staffer wins damages from Intel

A woman has won compensation from Intel after a High Court judge decided that the chip giant had contributed to her depression. By placing 'undue workload' on 'Mrs D' after a company reorganisation, it was found, her bosses at Intel knew she had a history of depression and yet did not act to avert a breakdown which occurred in June 2001. Mrs D, who worked as a as a senior accountant/finance analyst with Intel UK, painted a picture of a company in confusion following a reorganisation in 2001. ...more

V Two One cuts the rate, not the service

All the thrills at a no-frills price It's Friday, and time for a deal on broadband, this time from V Two One. The ?25 inc VAT monthly fee may not be the cheapest around, but it compares well with BT's and AOL's ?28 or thereabouts. What V Two One is attempting to do is to take the sting out of initial set up costs: activation fee down to ?25 ex VAT, USB modem down to the same price and then monthly fees of ?25. ...more