Sun due to launch Star Office 8 today

Sun Microsystems is set to launch a new version of its Star Office productivity suite today. Based around the Open Office project the new version is claiming better compatibility with Microsoft Office documents and macros, XML Forms support and various wizards to aid efficiency. As with Microsoft Office, Star Office offers a word processor, spreadsheet, spreadsheet, drawing application, presentation development program, and a database front end. ...more

Toshiba puts HD DVD in the desktop

Toshiba has introduced the first internal HD DVD drive for desktop computers, the SD-H903A. The S-ATA drive has a blue-violet laser diode that can read and write to HD DVD-R discs and that offers support for high-density HD DVD-ROM discs, including high definition movie and video images. It also provides high-speed read and write to all the many types of DVD and CD discs. ...more

Intel's axe falls hard on P4 prices

In the wake of the new Prescott desktop processor, Intel has rejigged its processor pricing. Intel has reduced the pricing for its existing top-end Pentium 4 models - the 'Northwood' core-based processors - for equivalent pricing with the new Prescott 'E' versions. The cost of a 3. ...more

Special Report: Pay-as-you-recycle PCs

The price of a PC has been dropping steadily over the last few years, but an EU Directive may mean you have to pay a little bit more so that your computer can be safely disposed of. What it is The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances proposal seek to re-use electronic waste - through recycling and environmentally-friendly disposal - to the tune of 4kg per household per year by the end of 2006. And they will ban four heavy metals. ...more

AOL/Time Warner goes through

Yes, it has finally happened. The Federal Communications Commission has given the go-ahead for the $106bn merger of AOL and Time Warner, creating the world's biggest media business. All five commissioners approved the deal, with the following conditions: AOL has to open its Instant Messenger service to rivals. ...more