Vendors apply for mobile Net domain

PC World reports that a group of nine mobile industry vendors is applying for a mobile top-level Internet domain to operate under a joint venture registry, which the group says will promote the development and reliability of mobile services and technology.

The group says the initiative is intended to simplify mobile subscribers` Internet experience and streamline deployment of new sites for mobile usage. Participants include Microsoft, Nokia, Vodafone, Hewlett-Packard, Hutchinson 3G UK, Samsung, Sun, Orange and the GSM Association.

The group plans to hand its application and plan to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers next week, and expects a decision within three to six months with the aim of getting the registry operating by the second half of 2005.

IBM has launched new versions of its Intel-based servers based on the Pentium 4 processor.

Yahoo news says the xSeries 206 and 306 servers represent IBM`s latest attempt to target small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and will compete with recent small business servers announced by Hewlett-Packard, also powered by Pentium 4 CPUs.

The IBM 206 is a single-processor "tower" server designed to be an e-mail or file and print server for SMEs. The 306 is a thin system designed to fit into large racks of servers.

Both new systems use components derived from IBM`s mainframe-inspired X-Architecture technology. This configuration also supports its Director system management software and Serial ATA disk drives, which can be swapped in and out of computers in less than a minute.

Microsoft has announced a wireless video delivery system for mobile devices in partnership with a pair of digital media content and applications makers.

ZDNet says the MobileVision software is meant to provide a complete streaming-video services framework for wireless network operators and providers of digital media and applications. Microsoft worked with wireless media software makers Vidiator Technology and TWI Interactive to create the system.

Microsoft says MobileVision offers wireless operators and content providers all the tools necessary to build and support new mobile video services, including content management and streaming media applications.

CNet reports a federal judge has denied Microsoft`s motion for a change of venue in its pending case against RealNetworks, which accused Microsoft of anti-competitive business tactics.

US District Court Judge James Ware rejected Microsoft`s arguments that a trial would take longer, inconvenience the company and force it to face a more hostile jury in San Jose, California, than in Seattle.

Streaming media provider RealNetworks filed a civil suit against Microsoft in December, seeking more than $1 billion in damages from the company on charges that it illegally used its Windows monopoly to hurt digital media rivals.