Analyst: OLPC won't draw global PC makers

Whitebox vendors in the region may warm up to the One Laptop Per Child's (OLPC's) decision to open its design, according to market research analyst IDC.

Multinational PC makers, on the other hand, will continue their focus on mini-notebooks, Reuben Tan, IDC's senior manager for personal systems research in the Asia-Pacific region, told ZDNet Asia in a phone interview.

Earlier this month, OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte announced the organization's intention to open source its hardware design and invite commercial PC makers to copy it. In an e-mail interview with ZDNet Asia, Negroponte said the OLPC intends to make open as many aspects of its next-generation XO laptop as possible.

Sony reorganizes as president steps down

Sony has announced a major reorganization of its business divisions that sees chief executive and chairman Howard Stringer also become president.

Britain buys more games than Japan

In the world of sales figures, America and Japan have commonly been seen to dominate the market - which is why so many games nowadays seem to cater to those markets. There's nothing but big muscles and spiky hair - not a Brogue-wearing businessman in sight.

Or, at least, that used to be the case. Japan it seems is no longer the market leader it once was, with the UK growing it's gaming market to become the nation with the second-biggest gaming market ever.

Amazon launches digital games sales service

Amazon has launched a new digital storefront for casual gamers today, with more than 600 casual games already listed for just £9.99 GBP, or less.

Currently running as an open beta until the feature set has been expanded a little more, Amazon is keen to get into the lucrative casual games market - which is ironically booming given the large number of lay-offs hitting many industries.

Each of the 600 games listed on the casual gaming service can be downloaded for a free half-hour trial without obligation, but after that it's either buy it or leave it apparently.