Skype plumps out admin tools for business appeal

Improved deployment and more administrator controls touted in business VoIP software. VoIP company Skype has added further functionality to its Skype for Business package with more tools for enterprises to use the VoIP software within their organisation. The software now includes improved IT administration and central management as well as a host of extras. ...more

iPod set for Redmond rival?

Microsoft is working on plans to develop its own rival to the iPod, a departure from its current strategy of concentrating on developing media player software for other manufacturers, BusinessWeek reports. Presumably Redmond has tired of the failure of Apple's rivals to make any significant inroads into the iPod's huge market share. Contrary to industry expectations, Apple's dominance of the digital media market is growing and, as BusinessWeek notes, Apple's so-far successful venture into video has given Redmond little option if it is not going to surrender the living room - where many see the future of computing going - to its rival. ...more

Thunderbird is go

The Mozilla organisation has released the first beta version of its standalone email client Thunderbird. Thunderbird is a cross-platform redesign of the Mozilla (and Netscape) mail component. The jack-of-all-trades approach of Mozilla and Netscape, which combines Web browsing, email and instant messaging into a single, large and at times confusing application has often been criticised, and the development of Thunderbird, and its browser equivalent Firebird, is designed to address these criticisms. ...more

Microsoft opens GUI code for Windows

Microsoft has made more of its source code available as open source. Redmond has chosen the SourceForge bank of open source code for its Windows Template Library (WTL) - a template library that allows developers to quickly create graphical interfaces for Windows programs. Although the library has been available on Microsoft's own developer network for several years, the company was concerned that it had not been able to give it as much attention as it would like. ...more

Streaming video for handhelds

Two digital media companies have announced their plans for the delivery of digital streaming video and animation to handheld devices. Firepad already makes software for rich content on handheld computers and has started working with Loudeye Technologies on the project. The two companies will encode movie trailers, newscasts and other content for delivery to portable computers. ...more