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EU imposes music player volume limit
"Turn it down, you whippersnappers" 28 September 2009 16:53 GMT
The European Union has demanded that MP3 player and mobile phone manufacturers decrease the volume on their output, in a concession to the risk of deafness. The consumer protection unit said that the new rules are aimed at teenagers, reports the AFP.

"It can...
Another exploding iPhone reported in France
Apple products get EU scrutiny as several incidents now reported 26 August 2009 9:56 GMT
Another instance of an exploding iPhone has been reported in France, following previous, similar incidents across France, Britain, Holland and Sweden.

The reports - that have allegedly seen various iPods and iPhones combusting in a manner of ways - have prompted...
Microsoft announces Windows Anytime Upgrade
While Windows 7 Family Pack will not be available in the UK 31 July 2009 17:37 GMT
Microsoft has announced the details of its Windows Anytime Upgrade option for Windows 7, as well as news of a Windows 7 Family Pack.

With the netbook market an influential factor, the Windows Anytime Upgrade scheme sees Microsoft offering consumers a way to...
Europe gets Windows 7 without Internet Explorer
Browser not installed by default 12 June 2009 9:50 GMT
In response to the EU's antitrust case against Microsoft many years ago, the company has announced that it won't be bundling Internet Explorer by default with Windows 7.

Instead, it'll provide an IE-less version to manufactuers, who'll then be able to choose...
Games may have to offer 2-year warranty
EU proposal "must be careful not to stifle new ideas" 15 May 2009 17:40 GMT
A new EU proposal could force video games developers to provide a 2-year guarantee on their games. Commissioners Viviane Reding and Meglena Kuneva want to extend the reach of the EU Sales and Guarantees Directive.

However, games publishers have reacted angrily...
Intel hit with record EU fine for anti-competive practices
Chipmaker fined over a billion euros for "serious and sustained violation" 13 May 2009 14:03 GMT
Intel has been hit with record fines by the European Commission for anti-competitive practices.

The chipmaker has been fined 1.06 billion euros, around £950 million, for bribing companies to use its products over those of rival AMD.

Between 2002...
EU cuts cost of roaming
Charges for texts, calls and data services to "plummet" from July 22 April 2009 12:33 GMT
Texting, making and receiving calls and accessing the internet on your mobile whilst in Europe is set to become considerably cheaper as of July.

The European Parliament has voted in favour of new EU rules on SMS and data roaming, proposed by the European Commission...
EU to cap roaming data charges
Pay less to use your phone abroad 26 March 2009 15:09 GMT
If you've ever been abroad and been stung by extortionate roaming costs, this bit of news may well brighten up your summer holiday this year.

The EU has announced that the cost for making calls, sending messages and browsing the web abroad will fall from July...
Google volunteers to be third party in Microsoft EU case
Wants to offer "perspective" on anti-trust browser issues 25 February 2009 11:56 GMT
Google has revealed it is applying to become a third party in the European Commission's actions against Microsoft tying their Internet Explorer browser to the Windows operating system.

In a blog post entitled, "Browsers powered by user choice", Sundar Pichai,...
Euro agreement to protect social networking under-18s signed
17 companies sign on the line for Safer Internet cause 9 February 2009 17:05 GMT
17 web firms have signed a European agreement to improve the safety of under 18s who use social networking sites.

The companies include Bebo, Facebook, MySpace, Google/YouTube, Microsoft and Yahoo as well as Arto, Dailymotion, Giovani.it, Hyves, Nasza-klaza.pl,...
Industry hits back at plasmas to be banned reports
"Important clarification" from EICTA 20 January 2009 15:07 GMT
EICTA, an organisation described as "the voice of the European digital technology industry", has issued a statement of "important clarification" on behalf of the industry over the news that large plasma TVs might soon be banned in Europe.

The statement reads:...
EU attacks Microsoft over anti-trust browser issues
Abuse of dominant position battle begins again 19 January 2009 11:39 GMT
A familiar, and expensive, battle is to due to begin again, as the EU is taking Microsoft to task over anti-trust issues.

In a near-repeat of a former EU vs Microsoft issue over Media Player, the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union,...
Plasma TVs facing green ban in Britain
"4x4s of living room" to be phased out by EU regulations 12 January 2009 13:47 GMT
Large plasma televisions, described as "energy-guzzling... 4x4s of the living room" will soon see a UK ban.

Becoming part of Britain's battle against climate change, ministers have told The Independent on Sunday that "minimum energy performance standards" for...
Brits "panic buying" light bulbs
Stocks low of traditional 100W bulbs due to be phased out 7 January 2009 14:22 GMT
It's being reported that shop shelves are being emptied of traditional light bulbs as UK consumers stock up.

The incandescent 100W bulbs are do be replaced by greener, low-energy alternatives as part of an EU agreement that Britain signed up to in order to...
Intel rejects EU deadline in antitrust case
Plus demands all of its court costs be paid 28 November 2008 17:14 GMT
It's been rumbling on for ages but now the antitrust case levelled at Intel by EU authorities has taken another twist.

Intel is supposed to be answering accusations from way back in July that it slashed prices below cost and offered huge rebates in an illegal...
EU to act on roaming charges
Caps to be placed on text and internet surfing charges 28 November 2008 16:50 GMT
Controversial plans to try and cut back on the charges we Europeans have to pay when sending texts or downloading data on our mobile phones whilst "roaming" are looking set to become law.

EU Telecoms commissioner, Viviane Reding, has taken on the telecoms company...
Online shoppers get duty break
Will not have to pay on items bought for less than £105 outside EU 14 November 2008 12:18 GMT
HM Revenue and Customs is doing its bit to get us all shopping.

It has opted to get rid of the custom duties on items bought online for less than £105 from outside the EU.

The new rules will come into action on 1 December and changes the original...
Intel shocks market with forecast drop
Cuts Q4 predictions by 14% 14 November 2008 11:25 GMT
Intel has slashed its predictions for its fourth quarter revenues sending a shudder through the market.

The chip giant has opted to cut its forecasts for its Q4 revenues by 14% and has pointed to weak demand across the world.

Its forecast is $9...
Google speaks out over failed Yahoo deal
"Pressing ahead risked a protracted legal battle" 7 November 2008 16:01 GMT
When the news was announced that the Google and Yahoo ad deal was off, poor old Yahoo was just left expressing its "disappointment".

It released a statement saying how gutted it was that Google had, basically, bowed to the concerns of the Department of Justice...
French vote to punish illegal downloaders
"Three strikes at you're out" policy could become law 3 November 2008 13:09 GMT
It was rejected by the EU, but the French government has got one step closer to bringing in a "three strikes and you're out" policy towards internet surfers who download copyright material.

The French Senate has now voted overwhelmingly in favour of the measure.
US senator criticises proposed Google/Yahoo "monopoly"
Leading Republican lawmaker raises concerns 29 October 2008 11:56 GMT
Opposition to the proposed Google and Yahoo ad sharing deal is mounting on both sides of the Atlantic.

The deal is already under investigation by authories in both the European Union and the US, and a coalition of independent organisations has also been formed...
Intel asked for more time in EU lawsuit
Needs to prepare "a full and fair defense of the company" 20 October 2008 12:57 GMT
Intel has appealed for more time in a EU lawsuit, which alleges that the chip maker paid a retailer to favour computers made with its technology.

The chip manufacturer has asked the European Union's second highest court for more time to respond to allegations...
EU warns of loud headphone use hearing loss
The young don't realise the dangers 13 October 2008 16:59 GMT
A new scientific study for the European Union warns of the health dangers media player users are risking by listening to the audio at loud volumes.

The reports threatens permanent hearing loss for as many as 10 million Europeans who use them.

The...
Online shoppers to get more rights
More protection for those shopping "across borders" 10 October 2008 16:07 GMT
The European Commission has announced plans that could see shoppers afforded more protection when buying online.

In particular, the proposals are aimed to protect EU shoppers who opt to buy products from one of the 27 states within the Union but not from their...
EU probing Google and Yahoo ad deal
Prelim investigation turns into full probe 16 September 2008 11:59 GMT
Google and Yahoo are now co-operating with European Authorities over a probe into the proposed ad revenue sharing deal between the two web giants.

The deal is already under investigation in the States, where a coalition of companies and organisations has already...