Personal Technology News

NEW YORK (Reuters) - TiVo Inc is developing a new digital video recorder for satellite TV provider DirecTV , rekindling a strained relationship and potentially opening the door to boosting the number of its subscribers.

NEW YORK - Being a trendsetter can be pricey. As any fashionista or gadget hound knows, the latest frocks and tech toys don't pay for themselves. But a new Web site is trying to make it profitable for music lovers to stay ahead of the curve — by paying them when other people purchase MP3s they've bought.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Qualcomm Inc is seeing some signs that customers are slower to upgrade their mobile phones than before, Chief Executive Paul Jacobs said on Wednesday in an interview with cable television network CNBC.

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Nokia (NOK1V.HE), the world's top mobile phone maker, said on Wednesday it had started shipping its new flagship phone, the N96.

DirecTV and TiVo are extending their partnership to develop a high-definition DVR set-top box for DirecTV customers a year from now.

Helium Foot Software has announced the release of a public beta version of MercuryMover 2.0, its window resizing and moving utility software for Mac OS X. It's free for the public beta; once it's released, it will cost $24.

NEW YORK - Most consumers probably associate eBay Inc. more with vintage lunch boxes and low-priced electronics than with laptop bags made from recycled plastic by women in New Delhi.

IGG Software has updated its iBank money management software and iBiz time-tracking and billing software for Mac OS X. The new updates are free for registered users; iBank and iBiz are priced at $50 and $60 respectively.

The virtual world, There.com, appears ready to reach for some new and broad audiences, announcing Tuesday night that it would finally be offering support for Mac OS X, as well as a new Facebook plug-in and an instant message application that can communicate directly with anyone on the Internet.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A Hewlett-Packard Co notebook computer that's packaged in a recycled bag rather than a box has won a challenge by retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc for less wasteful packaging.

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Dell Inc is poised to announce a new mini-laptop computer later this week, a source familiar with the company's plan said on Tuesday, confirming a Wall Street Journal story.

BOSTON (Reuters) - Apple Inc is expected to unveil new iPod music players -- and possibly price cuts -- at a media event next Tuesday but may not launch a long-awaited update to its MacBook laptop computers until a later date.

Apple's iPhone has sold by the millions in many parts of the world, but China is perhaps the most notable exception. Now reports from China's government-controlled media indicate the popular mobile device could soon make its way to the Asian nation.

Apple's iPhone 3Gs, widely available in Russia on the black market, will be offered legally by at least two phone companies.

Global Delight has released Web2 Delight 1.5, an update to its Web transfer utility for Mac OS X. A free update for registered users, Web2 Delight costs $19.95.

Apple today confirmed that much-speculated-about press conference, set to occur next week. The company sent out an invitation for the event, which is scheduled for September 9th at 10 AM PDT.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Global semiconductor sales rose 7.6 percent in July from the previous year, helped by strong growth in consumer electronics, personal computers and cell phones, an industry group said.

MOSCOW - MegaFon, Russia's third-largest mobile phone company, said Tuesday it will start selling Apple's iPhone 3G in Russia later this year.

SwitchEasy has introduced the CapsuleNeo, a hard case for the iPhone 3G with a seven point locking mechanism. It costs $29.99.

TOKYO - Sales are improving in Japan for Sony Corp.'s PlayStation Portable handheld video game machine, and a beefed up version with a clearer display is expected to add momentum, a senior executive said Tuesday.