Unified DVD proclaimed dead

After Toshiba announced it is ready to launch HD-DVD discs, Sony Computer Entertainment`s president, Ken Kutaragi, confirmed the chances of a unified DVD format being developed are close to zero, according to a Softpedia report.

Sony, which is trying to promote Blu-Ray as the main format, supports Blu-Ray because disks can hold 50GB of data, but Toshiba says HD-DVD requires lower production costs.

With Apple Computer`s dominance over the digital music business growing, Microsoft is planning to bolster its own online song store with a new subscription service later this year, reports News.com.

Microsoft launched its song download store last September, but the MSN-branded service did not include a subscription plan at that time, focusing instead on selling individual songs online and through Windows Media Player.

Microsoft is now said to be working with record labels and copyright holders in preparation for launching its subscription-based component in an attempt to take a bite out of Apple`s iTunes online music store.

The US reportedly looks set to ease its demand that EU visitors to the country have biometric passports by this October.

News.com says according to a report in the Financial Times, US and European officials have said the plans are set to be shelved to prevent disruption in transatlantic travel and to prevent travellers from being put off visiting the US.

Only six EU countries - Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg and Sweden - look set to be ready in October.

Nokia has unveiled a free phone software application that enables users to create personal pages on their phone and share them with other phone users within a 10m range as well as exchange messages and share files using Bluetooth wireless technology.

Nokia says the application allows users to express themselves and discover new things about others nearby in a novel and simple way, expanding the use of mobile phones and devices to include connecting with those who share the same space at the same time.

Nokia Sensor can also be downloaded to PC or directly to the phone from the Nokia Sensor Web site, which lists the compatible phones and application features.