NEWS IN BRIEF
For the record 15 August
15-08-2007
by Ciara O'Brien
Microsoft boosts Hotmail storage capacity | ICS Computing scores lucrative contract with Victor Chandler
Apple is to begin selling John Lennon's solo music through its iTunes store. The deal is the second one made regarding an ex-Beatle's solo work, following the conclusion of the company's legal action with record label Apple. Paul McCartney has also done a deal with the online music store to distribute his tracks. Sixteen of Lennon's solo albums will go online, including the "Lennon Legend" and "Acoustic" collections.
Microsoft is trying to get the edge on Google and swipe some e-mail customers from under its rival's nose, by increasing the storage limit on its Hotmail e-mail to 5GB. This surpasses Google's current 2.8GB limit on its Gmail accounts, and casts a pall on the search giant's offer to sell 6GB of extra space for Gmail and photo-sharing service Picasa for USD20 a year. Meanwhile, Microsoft is offering users 10GB of e-mail storage for a USD14.99 yearly charge.
BBC is offering free English lessons to users worldwide through podcasts. The programmes will be a weekly event, and will include practical programmes to help students practice new phrases and expressions, guides to English grammar and quizzes, debates, interviews and discussions.
Rumours are flying that Orange has won the licence to sell the iPhone in France. However, the mobile phone operator is staying quiet on the matter, and has refused to comment. Speculation is also rife that the iPhone is due for launch in France after an Apple conference which is scheduled to take place in Paris at the end of September.
Belfast-based ICS Computing has won a lucrative new contract with online gambling group Victor Chandler. The firm will provide payroll software, services and e-HR to the independent sports betting and gaming group, which operates in more than 70 countries. As part of the deal, ICS will provide a Perito HR and Payroll solution, and will process the payroll and manage output, including BACS payments, employee payslips, returns to third parties and revenue commissioners, reports, year-end returns and implementation of new legislative requirements.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 