u.k

MySpace gets its own MTV show, but only in the U.K.

News Corp.'s MySpace and Viacom's MTV are partnering again, and this time it's on a weekly TV show. But the program, a countdown show called MySpace Chart, will only air on the U.K. network MTV Two (the equivalent of the U.S. MTV2 channel) and there are no plans yet to bring the show stateside, an MTV Networks representative told CNET News.com.

Members of the social network, which initially gained traction as a way for independent music artists to gain buzz, will vote on select music videos each week that will then be showcased in … Read more

7digital's DRM-free music store goes global

If Amazon's music store going international wasn't enough digital music news for you today, 7digital took the liberty of announcing its international roll-out plans today, and its CEO took time out to talk to us one-on-one.

The DRM-free 7digital download store is often discussed alongside iTunes, eMusic, and Amazon as a major player in the music download world. It was one of the first online stores to host EMI's DRM-free catalog and now offers more than 3 million tracks, the majority of which are sans-DRM.

Today it announced it's set to receive 4.25 million pounds … Read more

Eyes-on with JVC's new line of TVs for the U.K.

JVC has previewed its product line-up for the coming year, and top of the list is a selection of LCD TVs that are--you guessed it--very thin. The top-end V series models measure just 39 millimeters at the narrowest point and 74 millimeters at the widest.

The 42DV9 and 46DV9 won't be around until later this year, but when they are they'll bring 42- and 46-inch 1080p televisual delight to U.K. living rooms. Each boasts an 8-bit panel with color bumped up to 12 bit for smoother gradations across colors. (See JVC's line for the U.S. … Read more

Apple forced to lower price at U.K. iTunes store

According to an Apple statement sent out yesterday, Apple will equalize the price of music on its iTunes Stores across Europe within the next six months.

It seems the peeps at Which? weren't satisfied that us Brits were being charged more for music in iTunes than the rest of Europe, so they filed a formal complaint with the U.K.'s Office of Fair Trading, which then contacted the European Commission, which started antitrust proceedings. Apple's decision has satisfied the EC, which will take no further action.

At the moment you have to pay 79 pence (about $1.… Read more

Report: Her Majesty may become a 'Nintendo addict'

Here in the U.S., our head of state couldn't seem to master the Segway, but Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is apparently quite the video game diva.

The undoubtedly reputable U.K. publication The People reported earlier this week that the 81-year-old royal got a hold of a Wii console (according to a "Palace source," it belongs to her 25-year-old grandson, Prince William) and "showed all the signs of becoming a Nintendo addict."

The Queen's game of choice seems to be Wii Bowling (what, did you expect Call of Duty 3?) and the … Read more

Apple's iPhone heading across the pond

Updated at 12:00pm to clarify the French law on unlocked cell phones, and at 1:43pm with comment from Apple.

The iPhone on Friday will make its debut in the United Kingdom and Germany, the first countries outside of the United States to get their hands on Apple's first mobile phone.

For months, many (including this guy) had expected Apple to wade into the European mobile-phone market with a 3G iPhone, but virtually the same model that's available in the States will be presented to British and German users of O2 and T-Mobile's networks, respectively. The … Read more

No 3G for the U.K. iPhone

Apple announced its first iPhone deal outside of the U.S. this morning, and might have made its second big mistake in the early days of its iPhone strategy.

The company announced an iPhone partnership Tuesday morning in London with U.K. carrier O2. CEO Steve Jobs made an appearance at the Regent Street Apple store to answer questions from the British press, who were curious as to why Apple decided to introduce the same EDGE phone that's on sale in the U.S. to the U.K. market.

Engadget's live blog reported that Jobs is still concerned … Read more

British 'household rant' blogger scores book deal

We all have complaints about the people we love and live with, but typically they don't turn into book deals. But Zoe McCarthy (no relation to this reporter), a 44-year-old British woman who gained cult fame for operating a blog called "My Boyfriend is a Twat," has recently cashed in on her significant other's tics and quirks. McCarthy, according to the U.K.'s Observer, has received about a $10,000 advance from Web-to-print publisher The Friday Project to turn her blog into a book. Not quite a Harry Potter-worthy figure, but nothing to scoff at, … Read more

Across the pond, Bebo leaps ahead of MySpace?

Some interesting ComScore numbers have just been documented by CNET's sister site ZDNet: social-networking site Bebo, always more of a presence in the U.K. than stateside, has soared ahead of global leader MySpace on its home turf. In the month of July, the ComScore statistics say, Bebo logged 10.7 million unique visitors in the U.K. and MySpace trailed with 10.1.

This marks the first time that ComScore's statistics have shown Bebo ahead of MySpace. And it should be noted that these pertain to unique visitors, not registered users or page views.

In third place, … Read more

Nicole Kidman has a 'Brain Age' of 52

Nintendo fanboys are now officially in love with Nicole Kidman. Starting last night, she began appearing in TV ads for the sequel to Nintendo's incredibly popular DS game, Brain Age.

Kidman on the Brain Age series:

"I love the concept that Nintendo is reaching out to new audiences with its self-improvement products like Brain Training. Most importantly, I've quickly found that training my brain is a great way to keep my mind feeling young."

Interestingly enough, this campaign is being launched only in Europe with no announced plans to bring it across the pond. One would … Read more