Global software piracy hits 36 per cent

Thirty-six per cent of computer software in use worldwide during 2003 was pirated, according to the latest figures from the Business Software Alliance. While the global market in legitimate copies was worth $51bn, an additional $29bn was illegally installed. The piracy rate of 36 per cent, calculated by dividing the value of illegal software by the combined value of legal and illegal, was up two per cent on the previous year's figure. ...more

Google signs deal with Nokia

Mobile phone giant Nokia is set to announce a deal with Google that will see Google Talk offered on the Nokia 770 portable Internet Tablet. The announcement, due to be made on Tuesday, will allow 770 owners to have voice conversations and perform instant messaging on the device. The 770 Internet Tablet, which currently costs ?245 in the UK, runs the Linux-based Tablet 2005 software and currently offers a web browser, email client, Internet radio, media player and notebook. ...more

Mozilla irons last creases out of FireFox 1.5

The third release candidate version of Firefox 1.5 is now available from Mozilla. Featuring nothing new of any note, this release is designed to ensure that there are no last minute problems prior to the release of the finished version. ...more

Analysis: MAC codes hijack wantaway customers

Migration Authority Codes (MACs) were supposed to streamline the arduous process of moving from one broadband provider to another. Instead, they remain a source of frustration, because service providers avoid giving them out in a selfish bid to retain customers. Switching broadband ISPs often results in weeks with no service, but a MAC should speed up the process from four weeks to ten days. ...more

Disney to launch MP3 player

The mobile music player market is already very crowded, but it is about to get a new entrant: Disney Corporation. Apple executives may not lose too much sleep over this latest threat to their current iPod-led market dominance, but Disney is hopeful of carving out their own particular kid-shaped niche. The new players, dubbed Disney Mix Sticks, will be aimed squarely at children and feature 128MB of storage for MP3 files, reports Reuters. ...more