TUESDAY The Times has been the centre of takeover speculation over the past few months and confirmation that Brown has brought a 20% stake in Forth only presses home the question of how much longer it will remain independent. Shares in Forth Ports fell from a high of more than 22 in early 2007 to under 17 by November, while Babcock’s infrastructure funds pulled off a trio of ports deals in December after valuations of ports leveled after the impact of the credit crunch. With Forth...

Films: Downloads cost 3 a movie Email newsletter Enjoy our blogs

- «broganblog.dailymail.co.uk»
- «bazblog.dailymail.co.uk»
- «katienicholl.mailonsunday.co.uk»
- «hitchensblog.mailonsunday.co.uk»
- «www.thisismoney.co.uk»
- «fashionblog.dailymail.co.uk»

Apple is to unveil a film download service today.

The company is belived to have signed up Fox, Disney, Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM to supply it with movies.

Each film is expected to cost between 3 to 5 and will be viewable for 24 hours after being downloaded.

Apple is also due to launch iPod-ready versions of films bought as DVDs, allowing viewers to transfer them to an iPod or iPhone rather than downloading them.

The move will pit the firm against Microsoft, whose Xbox 360 console can be used to download films.

Sony is preparing a similar service for the PlayStation 3 that is expected to be launched this year.

Experts say competition will be tough for Steve Job’s company, who founded Apple while a student in the 1970s.

Mic Wright of Gadget magazine Stuff said: “Apple has shown in its dealings with the music industry that it can make a huge difference in a market very quickly.

“However, I think it will need to have a real killer product, rather like the iPod.”

It is believed Mr Jobs will also unveil an updated version of the Apple TV product, which lets consumers play both music and videos on their television.

Sales of the firt version have been disappointing, with the chief executive recently describing it as the company’s “hobby”.

Figures show that Londoners are the biggest viewers of downloaded and on-demand TV in Britain.

Twenty-six per cent watch on-demamd content daily and a further 29 per cent watch it weekly, according to a study by broadband firm Tiscali, which offers a TV service in the capital.

Apple is also expected to unveil an ultrathin laptop and a memory upgrade to its iPhone that will allow users to download extra software to the handset.

Email newsletter Boards & chat I have a fear of flying. What helps? «chat.dailymail.co.uk» Have your say Should doctors be allowed to remove organs from dead patients without prior consent? - Yes - No Just in case there were any doubts about the importance of vitamin D - the ’sunshine’ vitamin - two major studies published...