Gmail phone service used to place 1m calls, Google says

Gmail's new phone service has been used to place 1,000,000 calls in the 24 hours since it was launched, Google has disclosed. Google confirmed yesterday that it was rolling out the new function, which allows users to make direct calls to telephones through its email service using the inbuilt speakers and microphones on their computers, in the US and Canada.

Via The Telegraph

Blackberry makes offer to India ahead of ban deadline

Blackberry-maker Research in Motion has said it is willing to work with India to support the country's need for "lawful access" to encrypted services. RIM and the Indian government are holding last-minute talks ahead of a 31 August deadline, when a ban on the devices is due to begin.

Via BBC News

comScore releases mobile dating stats for Europe

Texting still tops, although apps are growing fast. Last night, US measurement firm Ground Truth released its report on mobile dating usage over there. This morning, comScore has followed suit with its own figures for Europe. It tracks nearly 11 million people using mobile dating services across Italy, Spain, Germany, France and the UK - up 52% in the last year.

Via Mobile Entertainment

Welcome to Planet Blog: How blogging has taken over the world

Once, it was a niche form of self-expression regarded by many with suspicion and even contempt. Now, tens of millions of us do it every day without a second thought.

Via The Independent

Big Facebook sues little Teachbook

Facebook is definitely getting too big for its britches. At least that's what teachers who are likely to join Teachbook.com, an online community of educators, might say. Teachbook is currently being sued by Facebook for trademark infringement — yes, the "book" part of its name.

Via MSNBC

The resurrection of the Commodore 64

The Commodore 64 is set to make a commercial comeback in time for Christmas. The classic all-in-one personal computer, which first went on sale in 1982, has not been sold officially since 1994. New company Commodore USA is hoping to produce a machine with an almost identical chassis to the original C64, with the original, thick, chunky keys, off-white housing, and the striped rainbow logo, but using significantly upgraded internal parts.

Via Telegraph