Sony takes Tiny USB storage to 4GB

Sony has boosted the capacity of its Tiny range of USB storage. Its Recording Media & Energy division has announced the launch of a 4GB MICRO VAULT Tiny. The 4GB model has an RRP of ?44. ...more

Sharp pulls PDAs out of the US

According to infoSync World, Sharp is pulling its Zaurus line of Linux-based PDAs out of the US market. In the footsteps of Sony and Toshiba, Sharp will exit the beleaguered US and sell its Zaurus SL line only in Japan. Existing stock of SL-6000 PDAs will continue to be sold and the company will continue to offer support and service to current customers. ...more

Poland delays discussion of EU software patents again

The European Union's determination to push through the software patent directive received another setback at the hands of the Polish government yesterday. The Directive was due to be discussed by Council of Agriculture and Fisheries yesterday but has been delayed yet again The Polish European Committee of the Council of Ministers (Komitet Europejski Rady Ministrow or KERM, item in the Agenda of the EU Council Meeting. Poland has asked for postponement until the end of the `necessary analyses` being conducted by Poland. ...more

W3C invites mobiles to the Web party

The body that oversees Web standards has announced a new initiative to improve the browsing experience on mobile devices. According to the W3C, accessing the Web from a portable device is far from being the convenience it should be. Users often find that their favourite sites are not accessible or not as easy to use on their mobile phone as on their desktop computer, while content providers have difficulties building sites that work well on all types and configurations of mobile phones offering Web access. ...more

Industry predicts online music consolidation

Music industry chiefs gathered at this week's Midem conference in Cannes are warning that a 'shakeout' is looming in the digital music market. There are currently around 355 downloads stores worldwide, but with Apple's share of the market rising to 83 per cent, many of the smaller operators will soon be forced out or absorbed by a larger rival. 'I don't imagine all these services can last,' said Gabriel Levy, head of music in Europe for RealNetworks. ...more