MS opens CE source code

PCWorld.com reports that Microsoft is making more of its Windows CE 5.0 source code available, to allow device makers to make changes to the code.

This marks the first time Microsoft has allowed others to change the operating system source code, compile the code for commercial products and not have to share the changes with Microsoft or anyone else, says Microsoft product manager John Starkweather.

Windows CE was developed for devices including consumer electronics, wireless routers, industrial controllers, handheld computers, VOIP phone and thin clients, and competes with proprietary operating systems as well as with versions of the open source Linux operating system designed for embedded use.

Lipton Griffin International (LGI), authorised distributor of Motorola handsets and accessories, has rolled out its 'Intelligence Centre` Motorola customer service centres to Cape Town and Durban.

The first such centre is in Johannesburg, and is the largest in the EMEA region.

LGI GM Greg Lipton says two separate but similar joint venture agreements have been reached with established service centres in these regions - both of which specialise exclusively in the Motorola brand.

LGI has partnered with IR Pope & Sons in Durbanville, Cape Town, and Comm Radio in Glenwood Village, Durban.

America Online (AOL) has concluded a lb435 million (R4.8 billion) cash deal to buy online marketing company advertising.com.

AOL said it hoped the purchase would better enable the company to capitalise on the expected upturn in Web site advertising, reports BBC. The deal indicates a change of direction for the company, which will now also begin advertising across the Internet, as well as on its own Web sites, said AOL CEO Jonathan Miller.

"We will benefit from the incremental revenue from advertising.com, as well as maximising our own advertising inventory using their technology."