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Toshiba may delay the launch of HD-DVD in the US until 2006 in order to ‘optimise’ the release schedule, despite earlier suggestions that the new format would launch by Christmas.

“We are now in talks with Hollywood studios and large-scale retailers to seek the most effective timing of the launch and best way to launch,” a Toshiba spokeswoman told Reuters, adding, “We originally aimed for the year-end launch in the United States. But we have not really mp3 ringtones creator motorola ringtones composer alltel free music ringtonesкомпютри втора употреба cingular cell phone ringtones motorola ringtones composer 24 ringtones show tv sprint pcs ringtones download 3g for free ringtones free ringtones country music ringtones ringtones for verizon phone free motorola tracfone ringtones cellular free one ringtones 24 ringtones download free ringtones yahoo motorola ringtones maker cell download free phone ringtones free ringtones for alltel cell phone alltel free music ringtones samsung ringtones decided on that.”

However other leading members of the HD DVD Promotion Group are thought to prefer a high-impact, large-scale launch; hence no definite decision has yet been made.

The news will be welcomed by Sony, which is leading the charge for the rival Blu-Ray format - due to debut early next year - since it now seems Toshiba will lose out on a first-mover advantage and Christmas sales.

Both HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs are more technically advanced and provides multiple times the storage capacity of a normal DVD, allowing for movies to be stored on a single disc in sufficient resolution to take advantage of increasingly common high-definition TV sets.

Virgin and HMV will launch music download services offering subscription-based services with an option to buy.

The Virgin service is about to charge £9.99 a month if users are interested to listen to tracks from the company’s 1.2 million song library, £14.99 per month if they are interested to transfer tracks to an MP3 player, or 79p per track if they want to own the music.

The new music services works on a subscription basis and users have to pay a monthly fee to listen to music. On the other hand, Apple’s iTunes required users to pay per album or track, without any time limit. HMV has not released pricing information but will launch the service later this year.

Both HMV and Virgin want to grow in digital market, which is currently dominated by Apple’s iTunes. The high street retailers offers services allowing music to be downloaded on to MP3 players, but not Apple’s iPod.
HMV subscribers will be locked into using Windows Media Player just like iTunes customers are tied to using Apple players. Microsoft has developed a special HMV jukebox music player based around the Windows Media Audio 9 format.

HMV and Microsoft is expecting their new service to accelerate the adoption of digital music downloads. It is about 5% of the UK population that owns a digital music player at present.

Customers will also have access to online radio stations and exclusive performances by artists in HMV and Virgin stores. Virgin subscribers get access to 60 free radio stations and an “ask the expert” backup email service.
Music majors Virgin and HMV, are hoping to attract older music lovers by going digital. HMV Digital is all about freedom of choice and Microsoft is proud that its technology is at the heart of this service.

Apple Computer has dropped its free test-drive offer for the Mac mini less than 12 hours after it first posted the deal late Tuesday. Apple UK refused to comment on the promotion.

The “Mac Mini Test Drive” has offered 30 day money back guarantee trial basis, and was launched on Wednesday on the outfit’s online store. If customers weren’t satisfied with the machine, they could return it, no strings attached.

Apple’s ad copy read : “We’re so confident you’ll love your new Mac mini, we’ll let you test drive it for 30 days with no risk. If you decide you don’t want it, we’ll take it back.”

Apple is not happy with the pace of Mac mini sales, according to technology analyst Roger Kay so it decide to launch the promos.

Although the deal was to run through Oct. 31, Apple yanked it Wednesday with no explanation given on the e-store site. In its place, Apple has inserted a 120-day no-interest offer for its higher-end iMac line.

Apple introduced the mini in January 2005. The product, which does not come with a keyboard, mouse or monitor, was hailed at the time as a major move into mass-market desktop computers.

Many look at the introduction of the Mac Mini as a shrewd way to profit from the huge success of the iPod. To some degree, it appears to be working. Apple’s global share of the desktop computer market hit 2.1 percent in the second quarter of 2005, nearly double its share a year ago, according to Kay.

In the absence of a word of command from the Apple Press office, various Apple message boards have been speculating on the reasons. Various ideas have been touted ranging from Apple didn’t have enough of the machines to, well, you take your pick.

Debate continues over whether Linux or Windows is cheaper to deploy and manage according to an IBM-sponsored report. Linux is significantly less expensive than Windows and Unix and that Linux usage brings with it a number of secondary benefits that add intangibles to the cost argument.

The report found Linux was 40 per cent cheaper overall than Windows, and 56 per cent cheaper than Unix based Solaris. This report comes after two years of Microsoft-sponsored research heralding the benefits of Windows over Linux, although IBM denied it is a direct response.

The report compared Linux and Windows x86 servers and Solaris Sparc servers over three years. It found that while Linux cost only $40,149, Windows cost $67,559, and Solaris cost $86,478 (£22,450, £37,776 and £48,355 respectively).

The disparity in costs is due to Linux’s lack of licensing fees. But according to the report, other cost-of-ownership factors that weigh in favor of Linux include the crossover nature of Unix and Linux skills, as well as lower ongoing support and management costs and improvements in how customers manage their Linux systems. But Linux’s licensing-cost edge is likely to wane as Microsoft and some Unix vendors, notably Sun Microsystems, lower their prices.

Another factor that will close the cost gap in time is the way Linux users are now treating the platform as they would a commercial product, purchasing the same support offerings, management tools, and other facilities that they would on any other platform.

The Factors that were taken into consideration while calculating the figures included not only “raw cost” but also administrator skill-set transferability, hardware architecture portability and vendor diversity.

The research found out that there are other benefits of deploying Linux apart from total cost of ownership reduction. These include its flexible licensing model, wide range of supported hardware platforms, the choice of support providers, and fast administrator skill-set transfer from other Unix platforms.

So less expensive systems could support the same workload as the study suggest. A significant finding affecting operating costs was that Linux administrators could often manage more systems than Windows administrators in a given amount of time, meaning lower management costs and reducing complexity.

Kodak and Nikon have decided to launch Wi-Fi cameras, that would be available in October in a race to bring the first wireless Wi-Fi camera to photography enthusiasts.

Kodak’s Easyshare-One zoom digital camera, as announced in January, will be available in October. Nikon’s compact Coolpix P1 and P2 are scheduled to be available in market on Sept. 15. The camera will enable e-mail to be sent directly from the gadget with Wi-Fi Functionality.

The Wi-Fi Functionality in Camera lets you transmit images wirelessly directly to a computer or to any PictBridge-enabled printer equipped with the optional Nikon Wireless Printer Adapter (PD-10), for wireless printing. It has Eliminated the need for extra wires or cables, the new models allow consumers to send images from the camera direct to a selected computer or printer with the touch of a button. It transmits images via 802.11b and 802.11g-compatible wireless networks and adapters, with a range of up to 100 feet. The Coolpix P1 and P2 offering a 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor Glass lens, with a focal range equivalent to that of a 36-126mm lens in 35mm format.

Cameras that use wireless connections to upload pictures or to print photos aren’t new. Many models have been using Bluetooth technology to get the job done, but only a handful of companies are investing in Wi-Fi to connect cameras to other devices.

Nikon said the Coolpix P1 will be available at a retail price of $549.95 and the Coolpix P2 at a price of $399.95. Nikon said the Wireless Print Adaptor for use with the cameras will also be available for $49.95 in October. Kodak told that its Easyshare-One camera including a Wi-Fi card will be priced at $599.

Cingular Wireless announces its plan to begin offering subscribers a new mobile phone from Motorola that will incorporate Apple Computer’s iTunes software. The Motorola iTunes phone is being expected to be launched at a promotional event in San Francisco as scheduled on 7 September.

Apple and Motorola are reported to be co-operating on an iTunes-enabled handset in August 2004. The Apple claimed that the device would come very soon. Motorola further confirmed that the iTunes phone it was preparing with Apple would be ready for release by the end of September.

Most wireless operators are looking at music downloads as a lucrative new revenue source and one of the keys to driving up data revenues and exploiting the capabilities of their new 3G networks. However, subscribers are downloading full-length music tracks to mobile phones over their networks from a third-party service out of fear that iTunes could undermine their booming ringtones business.

It is yet to clear that whether the phone will allow for music to be downloaded via wireless services such as 3G or only when the gadget is connected to a computer.

Several mobile phone makers like Nokia and Sony Ericsson have already launched ‘music phones’ which are designed to play back digital music stored either on tiny internal hard drives or on flash memory.

However, the Motorola phone is expected to be the first designed specifically to download music over a wireless network functioning effectively as a wireless iPod digital music player.

Apple and Motorola both announced last summer that they are working on bringing the iTunes music download service on mobile phones.

Microsoft Corp. bought the Internet telephone company Teleo Inc., a provider of VoIP software and services as it planning to step into the internet telecommunications world.
The move comes as a result of all the major portal moving towards the net telephony by companies such as Google and Skype. Microsoft is expecting to combine the technology and expertise of Teleo with the existing VoIP investments of MSN as it plans to develop products and services. Financial details are not yet disclosed.
Google has introduced Google Talk, letting users with a Google e-mail account talk to other account holders using a PC equipped with a microphone and speakers or a headset. MSN’s Messenger, also, already enabling two PC users talk to each other. Teleo’s technology will help a PC user place a call to a local land-line or mobile telephone.

Some Analysts believes that Google is planning to build its own broadband network and Yahoo may to roll out its own VoIP offerings in the near future.

Such Services like cheap phone calls via the internet have been around for more than 10 years. but the technology is now beginning to gain momentum. VoIP is cheaper as it uses the internet, sending the voice in the same way as emails or web pages.
There are around three million people who are using VoIP services in the biggest market, the US. IDC, the telecoms consultancy, as it forecasts that is expected to rise to 27 million by 2009.

Sony has decided to sue an online retailer in Hong Kong as he has tried to sell PSP consoles in the U.K. before the official September launch. It intends to prevent Lik-Sang from selling PlayStation Portable handheld consoles to European buyers.

The SCEE has allegations that Lik-Sang breached Sony’s trademark rights by trying to sell the PSP to consumers in the United Kingdom. SCEE seeks court order that prevents Lik-Sang from selling PSP hardware, games and accessories to anyone in the U.K. and the European Economic Area (EEA). Sony, also, claims Lik-Sang.com has violated its copyrights in early June after Lik-Sang.com mirrored the PSP manual on its Web site.

Sony has warned Lik-Sang before on 14 June that it would begin legal proceedings if the manual was not removed, along with links to Sony’s own website. Lik-Sang has been maintaining that it immediately complied with that request.

Sony looking to prevent Lik-Sang from selling PSPs in Europe, and specifically in U.K.. The company also seeks damages for the reproduction of copyrighted material. Lik-Sang, however, is undaunted and is going to fight the case, claiming that the law is on their side.

It is the second time that Sony has pressed charges against Lik-Sang.com. Sony has also sued before the Honk Kong retailer for copyright infringement in 2002 to stop Lik-Sang.com from selling unauthorized hardware modifications for the Sony PlayStation 2.

Sony Ericsson announced W550, a new addition to its Walkman phone in Singapore. It is an affordable phone that offers great quality stereo music and also integrates a 1.3 megapixel camera, full Internet browsing capability and a credible games console, all in a compact and stylish swivel phone design.

The Sony Ericsson W800i mobile phone is a combination of a high quality digital music player with about 20 hours of music listening, and a 2 Megapixel camera. It has been packaged in a slim, lightweight device with ultra-stylish design.

It provides great sound quality and is easy to use. It has superb battery life and can store a large amount of music. It is an attractive and desirable device that combines high quality phone, camera, music and games player. Loading music into the player is very easy because of Disk2Phone software ( Supplied ) which enables quick, convenient transfer of music CD’s onto the phone via a PC.

The W800i’s has intuitive interface that makes it easy to use the music player, and the functionality of phone, music player and camera are carefully integrated. It comes in a compact swivel phone design. It also features an integrated 1.3 MP camera, stereo music, full Internet browsing capacity and a credible games console.

The W800i, just weighing just 99 grams, also provides a 2 Megapixel camera complete with autofocus, photo light, active lens cover and digital still camera interface, allows great photos to be taken in a variety of conditions.

The W800i comes with pre-installed 3D versions of Worms Forts: The W550 also supports multi-player peer-2-peer gaming over Bluetooth. W550 also offers an authentic games console experience with its 1.8-inch 262K-color TFT display that provides razor sharp pictures. The W800i is a Triple Band phone working on 900/1800/1900Mhz frequencies.

First round to Microsoft action against Google

Microsoft has won the first round in its legal action against Google, which restraints order to keep Microsoft employee Dr. Kai-Fu Lee from defecting to Google temporarily.
Washington superior court judge Steven Gonzalez accepted Microsoft’s request for a temporary restrained order preventing any leakage of trade secrets.

The judge prohibits Kai-Fu Lee from working on search technologies, business strategies, planning or development which relates to the computer search market in China, as well as any other areas he has worked in while employed at Microsoft. Lee is, also, not allowed to attempt for inducement to Microsoft employees to leave the company and work for any competitor, including Google.
It has also ordered Microsoft to post $1 million as security for the other side’s legal costs if the case goes Google’s way. The next hearing in the matter is slated for September 6 for Google to argue why the restraining order should be lifted.
Lee and Google are required to return to Microsoft any documents they may have in connection with Lee’s work for Microsoft, and can’t destroy any documents related to Lee’s work for Microsoft or Google.

Google denied that Lee had disclosed Any Microsoft secrets ever and now it has decided to file a counter lawsuit against his former employer. It said that As he is not an expert in search technology so he had only limited involvement in Microsoft’s Chinese operations.

Yahoo is testing a new search-engine feature that will pore through millions of songs offered by popular internet music services like iTunes, Rhapsody and Napster. Yahoo audio beta search is being tested at audio.search.yahoo.com.

This free service has an index of over 50 million audio files. It comprises interviews, speeches and newscasts posted online, as well as a large number of net podcasts, can be accessed at audio.search.yahoo.com. The index content is identified through metadata embedded in the files.

The Yahoo Service should lure more Internet searchers and customers to its subscription music download service. Google Inc. and Yahoo Services both added video search in the past year. Yahoo is known to be the most comprehensive, largely as it received permission to index downloadable songs offered by virtually all of the internet’s top music services.

The service is offering samples of certain songs and links to music download sites from companies including Napster Inc. and RealNetworks Inc., as well as Yahoo’s service. Yahoo has provided a list of links to the online music services that offer files for download.

Common belief is that Yahoo’s foray into audio search is due to the increasing emphasis of company on indexing online video. It also feels a need to attract and retain users in the face of stiff competition so that more money can be made out of selling ads.