■ Flash memory
Intel about to raise prices
Intel Corp, which is trying to generate more revenue from communications chips, plans to raise prices on flash memory products by as much as 40 percent as demand for cellphones rises. The world's largest chipmaker will increase prices by 20 percent to 40 percent across its line of flash memory chips beginning Jan. 1, spokesman Tom Beermann said, confirming a report on the DigiTimes.com Web site. Flash memory is used to store information in cell phones and other handheld devices. "The price increases are being driven primarily by demand for cell phones and other devices that use flash memory," Beermann said. Intel is trying to counter slowing growth for personal computers by getting more sales from chips used in other types of electronics.
■ Amazon.com
CDNow services offered
Amazon.com Inc, the largest Internet retailer, said it had struck an agreement with Bertelsmann AG's BeMusic unit to provide services for CDNow, a Web store that sells recorded music and movies. Amazon.com spokeswoman Kristin Schaefer said the company wouldn't announce other details of the agreement at this time. The Financial Times reported that Amazon.com will take over running the day-to-day operations of CDNow, with Bertelsmann retaining ownership of the brand name and the Web site. Closely held Bertelsmann, Germany's largest media company, has been scaling back its Internet ventures under new Chief Executive Gunter Thielen.
■ Insurance
Bush signs legisalation
President George W. Bush said legislation he signed yesterday to shield the insurance industry from catastrophic costs of future terror attacks is vital to the war on terror and to US economic security. "Terrorism insurance will help get America's hardhats back on the job, create new jobs for America's workers and spur billions in new investment in construction projects all across the country," Bush said after Congress gave final approval to the measure. "This bill comes at a critical time, as commercial construction is at a six-year low."
■ Deep Fritz 7
Program to be marketed
Computer chess program Deep Fritz 7 can be pretty intimidating. Analyzing 3 million moves a second, it made world champion Vladimir Kramnik sweat to barely win a draw -- and it can crush ordinary players like bugs. But, for less than 100 euros (US$100), fearsome Fritz will be your friend. The program, marketed by the tiny Hamburg firm ChessBase GmbH, has taken up the mantle dropped by giant IBM's discontinued Deep Blue project, which made history in 1997 by defeating world champion Garry Kasparov. There's one big difference between Deep Fritz and Deep Blue: Fritz aims to make money as well as history. Retailing at 99.90 euros (US$99.90) for the top version, it's a commercial product aimed squarely at ordinary people who want to play better chess. The successive versions of Fritz have sold around 500,000 CD copies since 1987, as the 18-employee company has carved out a dominant position in the esoteric market for advanced computer software. It says it sells about 90 percent of chess software in the German market, and dominates among leading professionals.
Agencies
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