Dial-a-Web site

VeriSign is testing a service that allows you to register phone numbers or numeric strings against particular Web sites in order to ease cell phone access to the Internet. Called WebNum, the service is based on the very simple premise that - for wireless Internet access - entering URLs on a cell phone is a rather laborious business, with all the cycling of key-character options that is involved. Instead, a memorable number or - in American style - the use of "logos" from the alphanumeric keys (ie. ...more

The week that was five years ago: Apple finishes OS X and Napster makes waves

As Microsoft prepared to release Office XP, oh the excitement, and Apple was putting the finishing touches to the very first version of OS X, it was Napster that was grabbing the headlines five years ago this week. The original file sharing network's days were numbered and it was eagerly courting partners to launch what would then have been a pioneering digital music service. To think we might never have heard of the iTunes Music Store. ...more

Google Gmail inspires MSN Hotmail upgrade

Microsoft has announced a 'major upgrade' to its MSN Hotmail email service, with a huge increase in storage capacity and enhanced virus filtering. From early July Hotmail users' inboxes will grow from 2MB to 250MB and the maximum permitted size for attachments will become 10MB. They will also get MSN Calendar software. ...more

Google to launch eBay competitor?

Google watchers were agog when a new service from the world's biggest search engine briefly made an appearance and then disappeared again. The service called Google Base appeared to be a classified advertising service that would allow users to post their items for sale. The page itself explained that Google Base allows users to 'add all types of content. ...more

Mac premium less than feared

Macs may cost more than the equivalent PC, but not by as much as potential buyers think, according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. After comparing Apple's iMac and MacBook Pro with machines from Dell and HP, the two largest PC makers, Munster found that the average price difference can be 20 percentage points less than thought. 'We believe both consumers and investors tend to believe that purchasing a Mac will cost 20 per cent - 30 per cent more than a PC. ...more