Gucci dresses the iPod

The iPod is definitely a mainstream object of desire when the likes of Gucci begin modelling leather cases for the aristocrat of MP3 players. Part of Gucci's spring/summer collection, the beige and ebony leather case, with strap, is priced at $195. The item is already selling well in the US, reports the New York Times. ...more

Broadband hopes raised for rural Scotland

The Scottish Executive has told an MP for one of the country's Highland regions that it is looking to bring broadband access to the few rural areas where it remains out of reach. Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Nicol Stephen told John Thurso, the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross member of Parliament, that it is hoping to begin extending fast broadband access as early as this year, working into 2007. 'Over the past year, we have been collecting data about potential problem areas and have recently appointed independent consultants to assist us in our policy approach to the reach problem,' Stephen told Thurso. ...more

Russian security company claims new flaw in Windows XP SP 2

A Russian security company claims it has discovered a security hole in Windows XP Service Pack 2. Service Pack two was issued to cover up a multitude of security sins and added new features such as an improved firewall and a technology called Data Execution Protection (DEP). This latter checks code being fed from data pages into the system. ...more

Sony to invest $75 million in Blu-ray disc plant

Sony has been given the go-ahead to invest $75.8 million in Blu-ray production at its Indiana disc production facility. Terre Haute city council granted Sony's Digital Audio Disc (Sony DADC) unit two tax abatements that will enable the company to phase in taxes on the new plant over a decade. ...more

Apple and Coca-Cola join iTunes forces

Apple and Coca-Cola will be joining forces in a new iTunes promotion initiative. The deal, according to BrandRepublic.com, will see Coca-Cola customers being offered discounts on the iTunes Music Store and there may also be special sponsored content appearing on the site. ...more