Dear Reader,

For any feedback on our newsletter, or to discuss how we can help you with your technology PR, marketing, copywriting or surveys, please call me on 0208 996 1653 or email me at hbutters@prompt-communications.com. We are always delighted to hear from you.

Best regards,

Hazel Butters
Prompt Communications

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Technology Update

By Sean McManus and Dave Wilby

British Library comes out against DRM

The British Library has expressed concern that digital rights management technology is being used to undermine the public domain. Copyright law includes exceptions for work to eventually pass into the public domain, at which point it can be freely copied, adapted and reused. This is an attempt to balance the need for creators to earn money from their works and the need for an unencumbered popular culture. Lynne Brindley, chief executive of the British Library, said: "DRM...can't be circumvented for disabled access or preservation, and the technology doesn't expire (as traditional copyright does). In effect, it's overriding exceptions to copyright law." The British Library called for copyright law to be reviewed at the Labour Party Conference this week.

New Intel chips on menu earlier than expected

Intel CEO Paul Otellini used his keynote address at the company’s San Francisco Developer Forum on Tuesday to confirm a range of energy-efficient four-core CPUs would be shipped in November – way ahead of the 2007 release date publicly scheduled. Clued-up commentators for publications such as the San Francisco Chronicle believe the surprise accelerated launch window is all part of a more concerted effort to regain a technology lead over rival chip developer AMD. Back in 2003 AMD famously beat Intel in a crucial race to release 64-bit commercial CPUs first, and snatched crucial market share as a result.

Branson to invest in green technology

Richard Branson says he plans to invest £1.6 billion in green technology over the next ten years. He will give all the profits from his airline and train business to Virgin Fuels, which aims to develop renewable energy technologies. Virgin Fuels is already backing a business that aims to make bio ethanol from corn. Friends of the Earth made positive noises, but warned that the continued fast growth in air travel was environmentally unsustainable.

MoD lacked budget to investigate UFOs

Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) reportedly reveal that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has taken a serious interest in UFOs since the seventies, but has lacked the funding to investigate fully. The paperwork released shows that the MoD tried to cover its tracks and conceal how important UFOs were to it. "The lengths they went to remove any mention of the Defence Intelligence Staff's central role in investigating sightings suggests they had something to hide," said David Clarke, a lecturer in journalism who submitted the FOI request. "But what they were hiding was not evidence of ET visits but embarrassment at the fact they were never allowed to spend public money on investigating the subject in any depth."

...and finally

A three year old boy reportedly bought a car on Ebay by clicking on the ‘buy it now’ button. His mother is quoted as saying that he is ‘quite good on the computer’. The understanding seller will re-list his pink Nissan, which has an asking price of £9,000.

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Consumer Tech Update

By Dave Wilby and Sally Forge

Gaming gurus turning Japanese? I really think so.

The Tokyo Game Show 2006 closed this week, but not before it officially became the biggest video game expo in the world ever. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, this rapidly expanding games extravaganza held at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, now eclipses rival show E3 boasting more exhibitors, a longer run, and of course zillions more visitors thanks to a closing weekend open to the public.

News surrounding the next generation of consoles from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo naturally hogged the limelight this year. Key announcement included: Sony’s decision to cut 20 per cent off the previously anticipated launch price of its 20GB, EUR499(£338), and 60GB, EUR599(£405), PS3s in a renewed effort to compete with the Xbox 360 despite launch delays; the revelation that Nintendo’s Wii would be priced at under EUR250 (£170) in UK and Europe; and Microsoft’s latest push to crack the all-important Japanese market with the Xbox 360 platform by snapping up a fresh raft of games licences. For more questions about this year’s show, check out this handy Q&A on the BBC’s technology pages.

HMV Games to hit the shelves today

A computer gaming publication will be distributed in-store at 230 HMV shops across the UK and Ireland, from the end of September. HMV Games is being produced by Future Plus, the customer publishing arm of Future Publishing the bath-based publishing house responsible for PC Gamer, EDGE, Xbox and the official Nintendo magazines, as well as wide variety of specialist consumer magazines.

The new HMV Games, including games reviews, HMV money-off vouchers and covering gaming news is expected to be published four to six times a year. Brand Republic reports that the aim of the new title launch is to further HMV’s commitment and strength in the games retail market.

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UK Media Report

By Annie Kasmai

The Guardian has launched a new environment section for its website, edited by Hilary Osborne. The new section includes news on green issues, climate change and energy use as well as tips for how people can make their lifestyles greener. Osborne is editing the environment section from Monday to Wednesday as well as working part-time as deputy editor of the Guardian Unlimited Money.

Mark Reen, the group ad director of IPC Southbank is leaving the industry next year to go back to university to study for his MBA. He will be leaving IPC after fourteen years with the company to pursue a degree at Ashridge Business School.

US Media Report

By Heather Lynch

Financial Times has a new columnist, Larry Summers, former treasury secretary under President Clinton and the former president of Harvard University. Summers’ column will cover U.S. and global economic issues, national politics, education and foreign policy. Financial Times is written for international business executives covering economic developments.

02138, a magazine launching this September in Cambridge MA (home of Prompt Communications, no less) cites the postal code known as "the most opinionated zip code in America." The magazine will target the alumni of Harvard University—"America's pre-presidential playground, a cocoon for future billionaires, and the crown jewel of the Ivy League," according to the New York Sun. Atlantic Monthly magazine’s parent company has given 02138 $4m in funding according to the New York Observer.

Apparently coincidentally, a second magazine of the same name yet different ownership will also launch this Fall, however targeting a non-affiliated audience with aspirations of "talking about anything," according to Harvard’s TheCrimson.

Newsweek International’s editor Fareed Zakaria was voted one of the "real sexiest men alive" by O, The Oprah Magazine, and will be printed in the October issue. The criteria were "brains, humor, compassion and commitment." The Mumbai-born journalist, called "brilliant but accessible" by O, was the managing editor of Foreign Affairs before joining Newsweek.

Future Proof #11

By Lance Concannon

This Web 2.0 stuff has gone too far. Have we forgotten that the original purpose of the internet was to enable us to shrink away from actual human contact, lock ourselves in our homes and never have to talk to or otherwise interact with other people?

These days practically every web site you visit forces you to participate in social networks and interact intelligently with online communities. Really, what’s the point of that?

If we wanted to deal with other people, we’d log off and go outside to work or the pub or something. When you boffins get round to inventing Web 3.0 can you please fix it so none of us have to talk to each other ever again.