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New & Noteworthy: Palm Pursuing Split; Autodesk Sees

New & Noteworthy: Palm Pursuing Split; Autodesk Sees

CNET staff
2 min read
Layoffs; Maxtor Exits Network Storage; Iomega 750 MB Drive

Palm pursuing split CNET reports that Palm is in talks to raise money from strategic investors as it seeks to separate its operating system unit from the part of the company that builds and sells handheld computers. The move to split software from hardware is one analysts have long suggested that Apple should have made in the mid-1980s. Unlike Apple, however, Palm already has a healthy roster of third party manufacturers including Handspring and Sony. More.

Autodesk sees layoffs Autodesk, whose main products include software for architectural drafting, industrial design and 3D animation, has announced lackluster quarterly results and is predicting layoffs. Earnings for the quarter, which ended July 31, totaled $12 million, or 10 cents a share, compared with $19 million, or 17 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Total revenue was $211 million, compared with $231 million last year. More.

Maxtor exists network storage business ZDNN reports that hard drive maker Maxtor has discontinued sales of a network storage system product line, citing a smaller-than-expected market and difficulties establishing a brand. The company tried to sell the business that sells the MaxAttach product line, but couldn't find satisfactory terms, spokeswoman Diana Cartwright said. Maxtor will lay off 230 employees as a result, 150 immediately and most in the company's Milpitas, Calif., facilities. It will also take a charge of $75 million to $85 million in the third quarter as a result of the decision, the company said. More.

Iomega offers 750 MB Zip Iomega is now shipping for worldwide availability the new Zip 750MB USB 2.0 drive. The device purportedly delivers a transfer rate of up to 7.5 MB/sec (maximum), or 50x50x50x in CD-RW terms (with a USB 2.0 interface). Iomega's new Zip 750MB drive is also backwards compatible with Zip 250MB disks (read and write) and 100MB disks (read only). The drive is priced at US $180. More.