The Linux GNOME project has recently released version 2.10 of the desktop environment. GNOME is free this latest version incorporates a video player and a CD-ripper into the software suite.

Sony have launched a new lineup of cheaper Walkman portable music players in another attempt to grab back share from market leader Apple Computer and its popular iPod device.

Apple have announced that it would support Blu-ray as its choice for the next generation of DVDs at CeBIT. Blu-ray has been locked in a battle for industry support with competing format HD-DVD since last year. Apple will become a member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, and will hold a seat on the group's board.

Three men have pleaded guilty to copyright charges following the US Justice Department's largest-ever investigation into computer piracy. Albert Bryndza, 32, from New York, Seth Kleinberg, 26, from Los Angeles, and Jeffrey Lermanm, 20, a student from Long Island all admitted distributing thousands of X-box and Playstation games.

A report issued by the Kaiser Family Foundation confirmed what many parents already suspect: Young people have become viewing, listening and surfing addicts. And, the kids are super at multi-tasking, able to simultaneously listen to music, use a computer and do homework.

Panasonic has announced that it will showcase its revolutionary P2 (Professional Plug-in) technology in Dubai at CABSAT 2005. P2 technology is the world’s first solid-state memory card technology, based on Panasonic’s patented SD (secure digital) memory card.

A bill that would let parents and children filter the swear words, sex scenes and violence out of movie DVDs moved closer to approval by the United States Congress.

Press Release: macProVideo.com, an online video training site for Apple Pro software applications, announces the official release of it’s "A.Pack: Complete Training".

Rimage Corporation announced that it will launch an important new addition to its Desktop product line, the Rimage 360i CD/DVD publishing system, at the CeBIT trade show in Germany. Initial shipments are expected to start in May 2005.

A Russian website offering MP3 tracks to download at $0.01 per MB has been cleared of breaching copyright laws, say reports.

At 3 to 5 times thinner than a human hair, Microwires were invented in the old Soviet Union for military purposes but, the broader scientific community has been studying them for some time now for other applications including as a potential storage medium to rival optical disc technology.

Ritek is the first DVD manufacturer in Taiwan to receive a certification by Philips for its 8x DVD+RW media. Ritek will display the 8x DVD+RW discs, as well as various other recordable media products, at the upcoming CeBIT show in Germany.

The intense price competition for the global market of optical disc drives (ODDs) in 2004 will slacken this year because Japanese players have forced out most of Taiwan's second-tier makers and almost all of China's makers, according to Lite-On IT president Danny Liao at press conference on March 4. Liao also indicated that he expects the Japanese players to reduce their own production and rely on OEMs instead.

The new version v1.3 of Philips' DVD+RW Video format check tool has been released. The tool checks if a disc that is recorded on a DVD+RW Video recorder (or with a DVD+RW authoring application) complies to the DVD and DVD+RW video specifications v2.x and v1.x. It is an easy-to-use tool that provides a pass/fail judgment, a clear summary of the detected errors, a summary of the disc layout as well as detailed error information. For downloading and activating the go to DVD+RW Video Format Compliance Verifier.

Sony's Playstation Portable is the top UK gadget for 2005, according to a round-up of ultimate gizmos compiled by Stuff Magazine. It beats the iPod into second place in the Top Ten Essentials list which predicts what gadget-lovers are likely to covet this year.

Thanks to DVD guru Flash we have a review of the new Xtreme discs from RiDisc. Ridisc claim that these discs are 'AAA+ Grade Guaranteed'. Find out if they are right by reading Flash's review RiDisc Xtreme 8x DVD-R.

Things are looking bleak for Sony's PlayStation2 / DVD Recorder hybrid, the PSX, with news that the electronics giant is to end production.

Leading manufacturers in Taiwan, including BenQ, Mustek Systems, Eastern Asia Technology and Ya Hsin Industrial, are preparing for production of DVD recorders equipped with hard disk drives (HDD DVD recorders), in response to cutthroat price competition for ordinary (without HDD) DVD recorders, according to the makers.

As we reported on Tuesday, the 6C alliance, a DVD patent pool group composed of Hitachi, Matsushita (Panasonic), JVC, Mitsubishi Electric, Toshiba, Time Warner and IBM, on March 2 have announced a reduction in its DVD royalty charge rates by 10%-25%, effective on June 30 this year and retroactive to January 1, 2005. In response, major manufacturers of optical discs and optical disc drives have expressed the belief that they would not benefit substantially from the royalty cut.

Press Release: Primera, a leading developer and manufacturer of CD / DVD duplication and printing equipment, have announced its new Accent II Disc Laminator.