MOOD-ALTERING TECH NEWS

THAT'LL LEARN EM
Apple Computers, backed by computer-industry trade groups, has spoken out against Microsoft's proposal to settle over 100 class-action antitrust lawsuits. Microsoft submitted a deal to donate more than $1 billion in software, computers and expertise to the nation's poorest schools, which has Apple Chairman/CEO Steven Jobs crying foul. He and other critics of the proposal say the deal wouldn't punish Microsoft, but rather promote the company, give it an advantage in the education market and even look generous. Also, Redmond's suggestion that students be made to recite a "Pledge of Allegiance to Bill Gates" every morning is going over like a lead balloon. Jobs fears that, with the approval of the proposal, the days of Apple for the teacher could be in jeopardy. Apple asked that every aspect of the donation program, should it be accepted, be handled independently of Microsoft. The court is expected to make a decision by mid-month.

WEBNOIZE MUTED
Webnoize has temporarily suspended operations in an attempt to restructure its business, according to a statement on its website. The entertainment industry news and research site says it expects to re-emerge in early 2002 "with new and improved events, products and services, that will continue to meet the needs of those invested in digital media." That should be good news for all eight of you.

YAHOO! KNOWS WHEN TO SAY GWEN
Yahoo! Music today announced it will feature No Doubt as its December Artist of the Month. Fans will be able to listen to the band's latest Interscope release, Rock Steady, in its entirety one day before its Dec. 11 street date. The site will also feature an audio stream of the band's new single, "Hey Baby," an exclusive interview, music videos, auctions and more. HITS' own Roy Trakin is currently the high bidder on Gwen Stefani's gemstone-studded bra.

GETTING IN THE MOOD
Digital music tech company MoodLogic, Inc. announced the MoodLogic desktop application to organize, manage and identify digital music files. It operates within the MoodLogic Network, a database of audio files and 800 million user observations, and is licensed to work with current and future Rio portable players. "Consumers have been promised a fantasy world in which listening to digital music is more convenient and pleasurable than using the radio or collection CDs," began MoodLogic Founder/CEO Thomas Sulzer, who then shared his own fantasy world with investors.