Microsoft gets double-click patent

Microsoft has been granted a patent for one of computer user's most basic tools, the double-click. Patent number 6,727,830 - Time based hardware button for application launch - covers various mouse click sequences that Microsoft claims to have invented. The patent is being challenged by the Public Patent Foundation and will not have gone unnoticed at Apple, whose first Macintosh pioneered the use of a mouse. ...more

Google launches mini Mini

Google has a new Mini. Its range of hardware search appliances - Google in a box - gets a new entry-level model, aimed at smaller businesses Costing ?700 with one year of support, the smallest Mini searches up to 50,000 documents. Others in the range already have 100,000, 200,000 and 300,000 document capacities. ...more

Ofcom to find BT guilty of broadband margin squeeze

Ofcom is putting further pressure on BT over broadband pricing. The regulatory body has announced that it is to find BT guilty of uncompetitive behaviour in regard to recent residential broadband pricing. The short statement from Ofcom reads: 'Ofcom proposes to make a decision that BT Group plc has infringed Section 18 of the Competition Act 1998 and Article 82 of the EC Treaty in relation to the company's residential broadband pricing. ...more

Macromedia unveils a new Flash content delivery system

Ahead of its acquisition by Adobe, Macromedia has unveiled a new Flash content delivery system known simply as Flash Platform and released a preview of the next generation of the Flash Player, codenamed Maelstrom. Flash Platform comprises a universal client runtime, an openly published file format (SWF) specification, a programming model, time-tested development tools and dedicated server technology. As well as rich media, Flash Platform can be used for enterprise applications, communications, and mobile applications. ...more

Real results

RealNetworks reported its second quarter results yesterday, announcing a net profit of $2.4m for the last quarter ending 30 June. This compares with $10. ...more