Microsoft's Greenwich leader jumps ship | CNET News.com

News giant Reuters is taking IM seriously enough to hire David Gurle, former director of program management for Microsoft's Real Time Communication group. An impressive move.

Reuters say that they have no intention to charge for its IM service in the future. I might be going out on a limb here, but I have a feeling that this will change during 2004. As they currently see IM as "a way to enhance the company's current products and create new products" some kind of premium services is bound to emerge.

Guardian Unlimited | Online | Get caught mapping

Read about how London's world famous underground map has become part of a large local community blogg. The story also contains interesting thoughts on how around-the-corner locations can become integrated with our net habits.

All in all, it's a good read and a refreshing take on the subject of "geolocation".

[ Designmuseum ]

"This is the first year of the Design Museum's new national award with a £25,000 prize for the UK-born or based designer who made the biggest contribution to design in the past year."

Jonathan Ive, VP of industrial design at Apple, and Rock Star Games are two of the nominees. This is a tricky one! In terms of impact on contemporary culture i'd say both Ive and RSG have had a tremendous and equal impact. From a design perspective, I'd probbaly go with Ive. Submit your vote at designmuseum.org

The latest issue of CreateOnline, the brilliant UK new media design magazine, is sadly also the last. If you ever come across a smarter, more relevant publication covering all aspects of developing digital content let me know!

Guardian Unlimited | Online | Digital TV set to overtake internet

Digital TV has reached an impressive level of maturity in the UK. According to this story in the Guardian, research shows that over 10 million homes, i.e. 40% of the population, are digital TV subscribers. Online access in the UK is frequently quoted around 11 million homes.

I have personally tried several digital TV options in the UK. Functionality, usability and overall value are light years ahead of anything I have seen in the US.

Wired 11.04: Wrist-Top Revolution

A PDA in a watch is a gadget, not a tool. Why? It's simply to small to provide an environment where a professional would want to spend time (no pun intended) working. Maybe it could function as a back up or as an "in-meeting" PDA? The up-side is that it will probably get a new segment of customers interested in PDAs. And that's a good thing.