EFF signs up Novell for software patent disputes

Novell has signed up to support the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and its patent busting campaigns. The organisations have announced that they will work on reforms to software patents worldwide. As well as lobbying governments and international organizations on patent-related issues - specifically the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) - Novell says it will contribute 'significant resources' to EFF's 'Patent Busting' project. ...more

Intel rolls out film tournament

Intel is launching its Digital Home Short Film Competition for aspiring film makers. In conjunction with Dolby Laboratories and Pinewood Shepperton Studios, Intel is looking for a budding Scorsese or Fellini to make an 8-minute movie masterpiece and win ?5,000. First, filmmakers are invited to submit a 500 - 1,000 word proposal for their short film. ...more

Apple from A to Z (redux)

Apple has updated its online glossary of computer terms, ranging from the obscure to the 'does-anyone-not-know-what-this-means?'. ...more

Amazon in talks to launch digital music service

Amazon is in talks with the big four record companies over plans to launch its own digital music service, according to the Wall Street Journal (via Marketwatch). The WSJ reports that the online retailer is considering a subscription-based service supported by a cheap, Amazon-branded portable player. It states Amazon believes that deploying the subscription model will set it apart from Apple, despite the failure of Napster's, RealNetworks' and Yahoo!'s subscription services to make much of an impact on iTunes' market dominance. ...more

Apple marches on with new Boot Camp

Apple has released an updated version of its Boot Camp software for running Windows on Intel Macs. Release notes are unavailable, suffice to say that it can be expected to include a host of bug fixes and tweaks. Despite introducing the software and garnering plenty of positive press as a result, Apple has recently been touting an alternative means of running Windows on a Mac, Parallel Workstation. ...more