Inaccessible websites widen the digital divide

Most websites are ostracising disabled people by failing to adhere to the most basic accessibility standards, according to a United Nations (UN)-commissioned survey. Just three per cent of websites, including Tony Blair's online presence, passed minimum web accessibility guidelines in the first ever global accessibility survey carried out by usability expert Nomensa. The study was launched following this week's International Day of Disabled Persons, which focused on the theme of e-accessibility this year. ...more

UPDATED: Apple unveils the new iPod

Apple has unveiled a re-designed iPod, slimmer and lighter but capable of storing more music than ever. Although the basic look and feel of the iPod remains the same as before, there are a number of significant changes. The single track pad control remains, but the play, forward and back buttons have been moved and are now located in a row above the wheel. ...more

Latest broadband dates announced

BT has set dates for 41 more exchanges to be upgraded for ADSL broadband. The exchanges and ready for service dates are as follows. ? 5 November 2003:, Ballymoney, Churchdown, Gloucs, Chrisleton, Crumlin, Glasgow Milngavie, Glenrothes Central, Ibstock, Moira (Northern Ireland), Mickleton, Newington, Sudbrooke Park, Yapton. ...more

PalmSource sends defiant message to Microsoft

Today in London, PalmSource - the company behind the Palm operating system - took advantage of the release of Palm OS 5 (use link to other story) to unveil its vision for the PDA. If PalmSource is right, within ten years Microsoft's Pocket PC may be a dim, distant memory, with the market flooded by a huge variety of devices based on the Palm OS. Talking about the way the computing market moved from mainframes to personal computers, David Nagel, CEO of PalmSource, said, 'We think there may be another transition. ...more

EU holds fire on iTunes probe

The EU has no plans to investigate whether Apple's iTunes Music Store breaches its competition laws, despite threats of action by two member states. Sweden and Denmark have both said they will investigate whether the digital music service violates local consumer protection laws. Their enquiries were prompted by Norway, itself not an EU member, which has given Apple until 1 August to alter the store's terms and conditions in order to comply with Norwegian law. ...more