California vs Microsoft
Numerous Californian cities are suing Microsoft for allegedly using its monopolistic control of the PC operating systems market to charge inflated prices for its software.
This is the latest in a string of lawsuits brought against the software giant, following similar actions in San Francisco and Los Angeles. If the judge sides with the plaintiff, it would force Microsoft to pay up to billions of dollars, reports USAToday.
Similar class-action lawsuits have been filed in at least 16 other states on behalf of consumers. The company has agreed to settle 12 of those cases, including a $104 million settlement in Arizona, and a $34 million settlement in Massachusetts.
Microsoft spokesperson Stacy Drake defended the company`s prices. "We`ve built our business on delivering innovative software at low prices, and have been the market leader in reducing prices while increasing the value contained in software."
Smartphone boom ahead
Demand for smartphones will "explode" as the technology becomes more affordable, analysts say.
According to hi-tech market research firm In-Stat/MDR, shipment of the phones will increase by nearly 50% in the next five years and will account for 117 million out of 833 million handsets shipped globally by 2009.
Smartphones offer high functionality - including e-mail, multimedia messaging, camera, games, and video and music player - but have not proved popular so far. High cost, bulky design and limited battery life are some of the present drawbacks, reports BBC.
However, InStat/MDR senior analyst Neil Strother says smartphones are starting to achieve mainstream adoption.
HP unveils 'first OSS notebook`
Hewlett-Packard is selling its first notebook that comes installed with open source software.
According to MSNBC, the nx5000 notebook will run on Novell`s SuSE Linux 9.1, and also comes with the Open Office 1.1.1 suite of software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and drawing. However, it can also be ordered preloaded with Microsoft`s Windows, reports news.com.
RedMonk principal analyst James Governor says HP`s move will likely spark similar moves by other PC manufacturers. "If HP is doing it, it is going to be pretty hard for all the other vendors not to follow."
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