U2 ponders iTunes release

Irish pop rock band U2 may push up the release date of their upcoming album - and launch it as a legal download on Apple`s iTunes music store - should a missing CD containing unfinished music from the band be pirated on the Net.

According to Reuters, Interscope records - U2`s label - says it has as yet no intentions of changing the November release date, but lead singer Bono says that could change, depending on what happens with the missing CD.

"If it is on the Internet this week, we will release it immediately as a legal download on iTunes, and get hard copies into the shops by the end of the month."

U2 reported on its Web site last week that French police were looking for the missing disc, which contained rough-cut versions of several songs from the album, provisionally titled "Vertigo."

Hi-tech gadgetry is bringing a new dimension to the athletics arena, with small devices that provide users with a wealth of information on their sporting progress, reports Yahoo.

Unlike the traditional Walkman, athletes can now be fed information such as distance ran or cycled, or lap times through their headphones, using devices like the MP3RUN.

Using Bluetooth technology, the wireless device is attached to an athlete`s foot and stores data on the athletes training sessions. Athletes can also track their development by uploading the data onto a website (run by Nike) where up to 200 times can be stored.

Developed by Nike and Philips Electronics, the MP3RUN markets for around $300 (R1 800), and functions as an ideal motivator for athletes, says Philips GM Scott Levitan. "Everybody can use some help to motivate themselves to go one step further."

Another device, the Garmin Ltd Forerunner watch, employs global positioning satellite (GPS) data to tell the athlete precisely where in the world they are and how many calories have been burned. It even makes a whistle noise when a specified distance or preset duration of activity is reached.

Yahoo has launched a service that allows users to transmit pictures from their camera phones directly to their Yahoo Photos accounts.

According to Reuters, the service was designed to give the Internet company a foothold in the rapidly growing camera phone market. Yahoo Mobile Photos Upload will work with any camera phone on the five major U.S. wireless carriers, says Yahoo, adding that there is no charge for the service, and no limit to the number of photos that can be uploaded.

The new upload service follows an application Yahoo already offers for customers of some cell phone carriers that lets users view the pictures in their photo accounts on their phones.