Philips launches PC-free Skype phone
Dutch Philips Electronics said on Thursday it would introduce the world’s first cordless DECT phone that can make Skype Internet calls without being connected to a personal computer.
The product will be available before the end of the year, Philips chief of consumer electronics activities, Rudy Provoost, told journalists at the IFA electronics fair here.
Skype, which [...]
20th Century Fox announces first Blu-ray titles
BERLIN (Reuters) – Film studio Twentieth Century Fox, a unit of News Corp. (NWS.N: Quote, Profile, Research), on Thursday announced its first eight movie titles that it will publish on the new DVD format called Blu-ray and which will be on sale by November.
Mike Dunn, global president of home entertainment at the studio, told journalists [...]
California wants WiFi warning stickers
California is getting serious about network security—well, serious enough to legislate stickers. AB 2415 has cleared the General Assembly and now heads to Governor Schwarzenegger’s desk for his signature. It’s an attempt by the state to make sure that consumers know how to activate security features on their WiFi routers in order to prevent personal [...]
Firefox beta 2 out
Although not as widely anticipated as some of the other products currently inching towards release, many web surfers are looking forward to version 2.0 of Firefox. The popular open-source browser has seen its release date pushed to late October, but those of you who are dying to get hold of the latest from Mozilla can [...]
Norwich pioneers free city wi-fi
Norwich is pioneering a free wi-fi project which covers three sectors of the UK city and its centre.
The £1.1m, 18-month pilot has been live for three weeks and is backed by the East of England Development Agency.
Paul Adams, from Norfolk county council said: “It allows people to see the benefit of wireless technology.”
The city centre, [...]
Sony Settles Canadian Class Actions over Rootkit
Jeremy deBeer reports that Sony BMG Canada has settled several Canadian class action lawsuits over the inclusion of the rootkit in dozens of CDs. The settlement, which must still be approved by a Canadian court, features similar terms to those found in the U.S., including the right to cash compensation or music downloads. [...]
Sony Ericsson to further develop music service
Sony Ericsson, the world’s fourth-largest mobile phone maker, plans further to develop its PlayNow service, currently used for downloading ring tones, a spokesman for the Japanese-Swedish group said on Wednesday.
The spokesman, however, could not discuss the nature of the development or when it would happen.
“We are developing the PlayNow service further. It is part of [...]
Microsoft tackles anti-copy hole
Microsoft has said it is working to close a breach of its technology that protects music digital files from copyright infringement.
A program called Fairuse4wm has been posted on the net and is said to be capable of bypassing Microsoft’s Digital Rights Management (DRM) system.
It could spell problems for internet music shops, potentially enabling users to [...]
Fine unlicensed software users, says BSA
Software industry lobby group the Business Software Alliance (BSA) has called for government to mandate stiff penalties for companies using unlicensed software.
The organisation says it wants a “harder enforcement stick” to ensure compliance.
The group, which represents many major software publishers, says the current legal regime is no disincentive to illegal users since those operating without [...]
Google makes novels free to print
Search engine Google plans to offer consumers the chance to download and print classic novels free of charge.
The firm’s book search tool will let people print classics such as Dante’s Inferno or Aesop’s Fables, as well as other books no longer under copyright.
Until now, the service has only let people read such books on-screen.
Google’s book [...]
