VIA launches JEDEC Standard DDR400 Memory certification

Chip developer, VIA Technologies, has introduced a programme to validate JEDEC specification DDR400 memory for its chipsets for the Intel Pentium and AMD Athlon XP processors. The programme, developed in conjunction with Advanced Validation Labs (AVL), uses VIA's PT800 and KT600 reference platforms. During testing researchers will perform a range of thermal, stress and compatibility tests. ...more

Summer date for Napster subs

German media giant Bertelsmann plans to introduce its subscription service for Napster-based music downloads this summer. Speaking in Davos, at the World Economic Forum, the Bertelsmann CEO outlined the plans. "I'm convinced we can introduce in June or July of this year a subscription model, with a real working digital rights management system," said Thomas Middelhoff. ...more

BT kicks off sub-Skype rates for Net calls

BT is stepping up to the Skype challenge when it comes to VoIP-based International calls. The UK telco-giant has now begun a special offer for calls via its Communicator application, which will run until 31 December. International calls to a selected group of countries are now charged at the rate of 0. ...more

Sony boss goes for a tomato

With news that Sega CEO JF Cecillon has flown the coop, it is surprising to hear that Sony's top marketing man has also moved onto pastures new. Marketing Director, Alan Welsman oversaw the original PlayStation launch in 1995 and has been at Sony right up to the recent PS2 campaign. Swedish telecommunications company Speedy Tomato, which went live earlier in the month, has poached Welsman to be UK marketing manager. ...more

CD sales slump 20 per cent in US

CD sales in the US slumped by 20 per cent in the first three months of the year, with digital sales rising nowhere near enough to compensate. Despite a 54 per cent surge in downloads, according to the figures from Nielsen SoundScan, overall unit sales were down 10 per cent. Even adding ringtones and subscription services makes no difference to the overall picture. ...more