Microsoft buckles under EU pressure

In its stand-off with the European Union, Microsoft seems to have blinked first. Following threats of fines of up to €2 million a day for non compliance, Microsoft is to license all the Windows Server source code for the technologies covered by the European Commission's Decision of March 2004. Under that ruling, the European Union had decreed that Microsoft had kept certain aspects of Windows Server code to its own programmers so that, for example, Microsoft Office applications performed better than those of rival vendors. ...more

Forty-eight new broadband exchanges

Forty-eight new exchanges have got their broadband ready-for-service dates, 35 havong reached BT's demand trigger level and the others a result of local initiatives. The dates and exchanges are as follows. ? 10 December 2003: Castlerock, Donaghadee, Martinstown, Portrush. ...more

US lawmakers seek to open up the iPod and iTMS

US legislators are considering legislation that would force interoperability onto online music stores and make Apple open up the iPod to songs bought from download sites other than its own iTunes Music Store. However the Congressional subcommittee hearing on Digital Music Interoperability and Availability was told by William Pence, the chief operating officer for Napster, that new laws are not necessary, as the market will eventually force competing operators to co-operate on digital rights management technologies. 'It is my belief, and the essential point of my participation today, that marketplace forces will continue to drive innovation in the DRM arena with attendant consumer benefits - new ways to enjoy digital music at a variety of different price points - while also gradually solving the interoperability problem,' he said. ...more

Judge decides Microsoft is complying with settlement

Concerns voiced by the US Department of Justice that Microsoft was dilly-dallying in its efforts to comply with the terms of the antitrust settlement have been allayed, according to District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. At the beginning of July, the DoJ report recommended 'further steps may need to be taken.. ...more

Nintendo and Sony prepare the field for next-gen console launches

The ongoing console jostle has taken a couple of new twists: Nintendo has announced launch dates and prices for its unique Dual-Screen model, and Sony announces a slimmed-down version of the PlayStation 2. First unveiled at the E3 games show back in May, the dual-screen, wireless network-supporting Nintendo DS will make its worldwide debut in the States, 21 November at a price of $149.99 (?82). ...more