AFP - Apple said Wednesday that it was dropping a controversial non-disclosure agreement that software developers who wanted to create applications for the iPhone mobile telephone had been forced to sign.

Reuters - The world's top mobile phone maker Nokia will launch its free music package on Thursday, which analysts see posing a serious threat to Apple's dominance in the digital music business.

Reuters - Japanese video game maker Nintendo Co Ltd said on Thursday it would launch its new DS handheld game console on November 1 in Japan for 18,900 yen ($179).

AFP - Nintendo Co., riding high on the success of the Wii, said Thursday that it will launch a new version of its popular DS handheld console next month with a built-in camera and enhanced audio capabilities.

Reuters - The chief executive of Nokia, the world mobile phone leader, gave credit to new competitors from the computer world on Wednesday, but said his company was set to respond to all challengers.

Reuters - A Norway consumer agency said it aims to take computer group Apple to court over what it calls unfair barriers to playing music from the iTunes music store on devices other than Apple's iPod.

AFP - RealNetworks on Tuesday released software that lets people copy films on DVDs, sparking a heated legal battle with Hollywood film studios fearful of rampant piracy.