Samsung looks for software boost in smartphones
Samsung, the second largest cellphone maker globally, launched its own smartphone platform, bada on Tuesday in London. Focus on the handset market has started to shift to software with Apple and Google entering the market. Samsung and its local rival LG Electronics, the world's No. 3 handset maker, have been scrambling to make a mark in the fast growing smartphone market.

Via Reuters


Europe's Digital Divide Is North-South
A gaping geographical digital divide is emerging in the E.U., with countries in the south such as Greece, Bulgaria and Romania being left behind by more technology-savvy northern countries like Holland and Sweden, according to research published Tuesday. While 77 percent of Dutch homes have broadband access, two thirds of Greek households don't even have basic access to the Internet, said the E.U.'s statistics agency, Eurostat. Average broadband penetration across the 27-country block rose to 56 percent from 49 percent in the first quarter of last year.

Via The NY Times


Nokia sinks flagship store
Nokia is to close its 'flagship' Regent Street showcase, a few yards along from Apple's premier London Store, after two years. According to The Times, Nokia spent £4m in the attempt to spark a sense of child-like wonder™ in the two-floor glass homage to its Californian rival, spread over 8,290 square feet.

Via The Register


Ericsson to cut staff in Sweden, cost in focus
Sweden's Ericsson (ERICb.ST) said on Tuesday it would give notice to nearly 1,000 staff in Sweden as it looks to pare costs to compete with rivals in a market squeezed by the global downturn. The world's biggest telecoms network gear maker said it would close its operations in the Swedish town of Gavle, north of the capital Stockholm, with the loss of 856 jobs, and cut 90 staff from its Boras facility.

Via Reuters


Richard Branson unveils Virgin Galactic spaceplane
Sir Richard Branson has unveiled the rocket plane he will use to take fare-paying passengers into space. The vehicle will undergo testing over the next 18 months before being allowed to take ticketed individuals on short-hop trips just above the atmosphere. Billionaire Sir Richard, who heads the Virgin Group, intends to run the first flights out of New Mexico before extending operations around the globe.

Via BBC News


The Top 10 Technology Stories of 2009
The Great Recession cast a shadow on all sectors of the economy in 2009. IT fared better than most, however, and the slump did not curb the dynamic nature of the industry. Acquisitions among big vendors continued to reshape the market, operating-system wars extended to mobile battlefields, microblogging became a powerful source of real-time information, and the take-up of small, 'Net-connected devices was stronger than ever. Here, in no particular order, is the IDG News Service's pick of the top 10 technology stories of 2009.

Via PCW