A group of technology heavyweights, including Dell, Apple, Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo, are coming together to develop manufacturing standards for lithium-ion batteries used in portable electronic devices. The standard is expected to debut by July 2007, according to a Dell executive.

Apple said today it has agreed to pay rival Creative Technology $100 million (£53 million) to settle all outstanding patent litigation between the two companies.

The agreement, which settles five pending lawsuits, allows Apple to use Creative’s technology in its iPod, the world’s best selling digital music player.

Steve Jobs, Apple chief executive, said [...]