BusinessMoney Minute: Xbox, Palm, Star WarsMoney Minute: Xbox, Palm, Star WarsThe Associated PressMicrosoft's Xbox 360 video game console will be able to stream thousands of movies over the Internet, thanks to a deal with Netflix. The AP's Mark Hamrick reports on that and the rest of Monday's top business headlines. (July 14)AP Money Minute Palm, struggling to maintain its position in the smart phone market, has introduced a new Treo model with Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities.The Treo 800w runs the latest version of Microsoft's Windows Mobile software and has a sharper screen resolution than previous Treos. Sprint Nextel is the first carrier to sell the Treo 800w in the U.S.------------------------------------ ---------------EMBARGOED until after print version moves, 3pm.----------------- Microsoft's Xbox 360 video game console will be able to stream thousands of movies over the Internet, thanks to a deal with Netflix.The arrangement will give Netflix's 8.2 million subscribers another way to stream movies to a TV set instead of a computer.The Netflix-XBox service - which operates in addition to its DVD-by-mail program - offers 10,000 movies and TV shows. ---End Embargo--------------------------------- Use the Force, Luke. You may need a supernatural ally when you play the upcoming video game, "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed." Video games used to come preprogrammed with canned movements that players eventually could anticipate and figure out. But recent advancements have endowed games with a sense of self-preservation and unpredictability not seen even a year ago. So don't expect Darth Vader to swing his saber the same way twice.I'm Mark Hamrick with AP Money Minute(****END****)

BusinessMoney Minute: Windows XP, Rhapsody, YahooMoney Minute: Windows XP, Rhapsody, YahooThe Associated PressMicrosoft will stop selling its Windows XP operating system to retailers and major computer makers, beginning today. AP's James Limbach reports on that and the rest of Monday's top business headlines. (June 30)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] AP Money MinuteVerizon Wireless has adopted Rhapsody's subscription music service, allowing its customers to download as much music as they want for $15 per month. The service will work with seven current handsets and three to be launched soon, including the third version of the popular LG Chocolate.Rhapsody is also dropping copy protection on all tracks bought from its online store, allowing songs to play on practically any music gadget, including iPods.-----------------------------Micro soft will stop selling its Windows XP operating system to retailers and major computer makers today, despite protests from a slice of PC users who don't want to be forced into using Vista.Once computers loaded with XP have been cleared from the inventory of major PC makers, consumers will have to buy a version of Vista and then legally "downgrade" to XP through Microsoft.-----------------------------Y ahoo is meeting with its major shareholders in hopes of fending off Carl Icahn.The activist investor is trying to overthrow Yahoo's board in retaliation for rejecting Microsoft's takeover bid. Now the company is making its case for keeping its current board and management team.Yahoo has also filed a brief with the SEC to elaborate on its defense of its directors, including CEO and co-founder Jerry Yang. I'm James Limbach with AP Money Minute(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE:-------------------------VIDEO PRODUCER:------------------------------V IDEO SOURCE:--------------------------

BusinessMoney Minute: OOXML, Snoose and FordMoney Minute: OOXML, Snoose and FordThe Associated PressSouth Africa is appealing a decision to make Microsoft's Office Open XML format an internationally recognized standard for electronic documents. AP's Mark Hamrick reports on that and the rest of Wednesday's top business headlines. (May 28)AP Money Minute. South Africa is appealing a decision to make Microsoft's Office Open XML format an internationally recognized standard for electronic documents.Supporters of a rival format called OpenDocument Format have claimed that Microsoft used strong-arm tactics to win approval from the national committees and say OOXML still locks out competitors.The appeal means Microsoft will have to wait at least another month before knowing for sure whether the file format is approved as an open standard.---------------------As cigarette sales continue to decline, the Altria Group said it will deal with fewer cigarette sales by capitalizing on its Marlboro brand and selling more smokeless products. Chief Executive Michael Szymanczyk (suh-MAN-sihk) said the company has made "remarkable progress" in its testing and marketing of its Marlboro-branded moist smokeless tobacco and spitless product called snus (snoose).Szymanczyk made the comments at Altria's first shareholder meeting since the March spinoff of its international cigarette business.------------------------Ford plans to conduct involuntary layoffs of salaried employees as part of a restructuring in the face of slumping sales and record-high gas prices.The company hasn't yet determined how many white-collar jobs will be cut, but stressed that this round won't involve any voluntary buyout packages with financial or early retirement incentives. The company wants the cuts completed by Aug. 1, which is says is not enough time to roll out voluntary offers and wait for employees to accept them.I'm Mark Hamrick with AP Money Minute ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****)

Merchants report weak January sales, Yahoo weighs Microsoft's bid and what in the world is a Modu? (Feb. 7)