IDF Spring 2004: Intel and Dolby make sound pairing on new audio spec

Intel and Dolby have been singing from the same High Definition Audio songsheet at the Spring IDF. Announcing joint agreements to promote the audio High Definition Audio specification, the companies are looking to promote consumer electronics (CE) sound quality as part of a PC experience. For those who like to collect little stickers on their laptops, the good news is that Dolby will be starting a PC Logo Program. ...more

Google presents future of total online storage

Google has dropped a few hints that its next big thing will be online storage, which will replace the local hard drive as the place where computer users store all their information. In a PowerPoint presentation to financial analysts last week, Google said that it envisages a future with 'infinite storage, bandwidth, and CPU power'. This will allow it to store 100 per cent of user data: 'With infinite storage, we can house all user files, including: emails, web history, pictures, bookmarks, etc and make it accessible from anywhere. ...more

Ofcom clamps down on rogue broadband charges

Regulator Ofcom has launched an industry-wide review into additional fees charged by telecoms companies following customer complaints that many of these charges were unfair. 'The review will consider whether additional charges are sufficiently transparent, whether the charges or their levels are unfair, and what action, if any, is necessary,' the telecoms regulator claims. Consumers have to pay additional charges to providers of home phone, mobile, broadband or pay-TV services for missed or late bill payments and earlier-than-scheduled termination of services. ...more

Dell sees growth amid PC decay

Dell has been making positive noises about market share growth ahead of publishing its quarterly results today. The CEO and company founder Michael Dell has highlighted research data from IDC which apparently indicates that Dell is the one major PC builder to increase sales over the last quarter. 'We have minus signs behind everyone in the top five, except Dell,' an analyst at IDC is quoted as saying, on FT. ...more

New MyDoom variant takes aim at Microsoft

The first infections of a new worm - MyDoom.B - have been reported. A variant of MyDoom. ...more