Wippit puts the online edit into music ringtones

Music downloads store Wippit has started offering customers the chance to edit music files online to create customised ringtones for their mobiles. Wippit Ringtones lets users take a full length track and select a clip of up to 30 seconds via the graphical interface. The edited file is then converted to a format compatible with the user's mobile phone and a download link is then sent to the mobile. ...more

Analysis: Crime and punishment

Internet-based crime is growing in the corporate and public consciousness, and the problem is certainly given high billing by the government. It set up the National High-Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) in April 2001 and after nearly two years' experience with technically savvy perpetrators and the businesses that have been targeted by them, the NHTCU has sent out a harsh warning - to the business community. It seems businesses have been less than willing to report security breaches, no matter how big or small, and one can see their point. ...more

EU investigates Europe-wide licensing for online music

The EU is looking into ways of promoting Europe-wide licensing for online music and royalty collection, with its public consultations due to begin this month. Currently music store operators, such as Apple, Napster and Loudeye, have to pay record labels, publishers and composers on a country-by-country basis. This has stalled full, EU-wide availability and stifled competition, such are the complex licensing barriers to entering the market. ...more

And also today (30-July-2001), for the record...

Here, in brief, are some of the day's other stories. Branson against BT? The The Independent on Sunday reported yesterday that Sir Richard Branson is considering taking on BT in the fixed-line business. Virgin, of course, are already in the mobile phone market with Virgin Mobile. ...more

AMD ups the ante for 64-bit laptop power

AMD has upped the ante for the desktop replacement market with a new 64-bit processor for laptops. The AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+ is dubbed a 'desktop replacement' chip. It is as powerful as the processors traditionally found in desktop PCs and laptops using it can run a full range of demanding applications. ...more