Google Music set for Christmas release date?
Google's much rumoured but still not confirmed music service is looking to launch this side of Christmas, according to industry sources. Wired is reporting that Google's Andy Rubin who pioneered Android is meeting with music execs about the service, explaining to them just what Google Music will entail. Convergence seems to be the key for Google, with it looking to find a seamless way to port music onto Android phones, desktops and the cloud.
Tech Radar
Samsung hails demand for Android smartphones
Android has shot to the top of Samsung's priority list when it comes to new smartphones, claims Samsung Mobile marketing boss YH Lee."We are prioritising our Android platform. Android is very open and flexible, and there is a consumer demand for it," she tells Reuters.Samsung's enthusiasm for Android shouldn't come as a surprise, given that its Galaxy S smartphone recently sold one million units in the US in its first month on sale. Lee stresses that Samsung is also committing significant resources to its own bada platform, and also plans to launch a Windows Phone 7 handset later this year.
Mobile Entertainment
O2 pulls HTC Desire FroYo update
Network 'looking into' problems with upgrade after reports of issues on forums. O2 has been forced to pull the Android FroYo update for its network-locked HTC Desires. The boost to Android 2.2, which was only unleashed yesterday morning, has caused myriad issues with the top-end handset, reported by users on O2’s forums. Punters claimed the new software, which brings Wi-Fi hotspot skills and Flash 10.1, caused their phones to freeze on the O2 loading screen.
T3
Facebook hits exam results by 20 per cent
The exam results of students who used Facebook while working even if only intermittently were on average 20 per cent lower than people who did not, psychologists said.
The results call into question the belief that young people's brains are adept at performing several different functions on electronic devices at the same time. But three quarters of those who used the social networking website while revising did not believe it had a negative impact on their studies, according to the survey. Professor Paul Kirschner, who wrote the paper, said many students would have Facebook or other similar websites, their emails and instant messenger programmes all running simultaneously while working on their computer.
Telegraph
New BBC iPlayer live from today
The BBC's iPlayer is used by 5 million people every week, so any redesign needs to be pretty confident. The new version instated today has had extensive work done behind the scenes and has some social media and recommendation features added. This version is not new, exactly, as it has been running as a beta since June. It recently accounted for 10% of overall iPlayer use and with 18,000 people choosing to link iPlayer to their Facebook or Twitter profile. Around 700,000 programmes were 'favourited'... no surprise that Doctor Who, Eastenders and Top Gear were top, though Mock the Week and Sherlock were popular too.
The Guardian
Microsoft Zune Pass details leaked?
Microsoft has refused to confirm the accuracy of leaked details for its Zune Music service, which is rumoured to be launching in the UK within weeks. The download music service could go live to coincide with the launch of Microsoft’s new mobile phone operating system, Windows Phone 7, in the middle of next month. In a statement the company said: Zune Pass is currently only available in the US, although we are testing Zune features and functionality in various markets. As previously confirmed, Zune PC software will be the synchronization client for Windows Phone 7 but we’re not sharing details around market availability at this time.
Telegraph
3ME to launch social mobile games for record labels
Yuza Mobile and Newstate Entertainment have teamed up to form a new mobile social gaming company - 3ME - focused on the music industry.3ME plans to launch social games across several mobile platforms for music industry clients, and claims it will soon announce its first label and handset partners. Yuza and Newstate have previously worked together on apps for EMI's NOW compilations and DJ Paul Van Dyk.
Mobile Entertainment
BT launches 'free' Wi-Fi mobile app
BT has launched a mobile app for broadband customers that automatically connects their iPhone and Android mobiles to free, unlimited Wi-Fi. The BT FON app, which is only available to existing BT Total Broadband customers, notifies users of the nearest Wi-Fi hot spots. Users then enter their BT internet email username and password, and can choose to be automatically logged in whenever they are in a BT Wi-Fi area. Because access is unlimited and free for BT Total Broadband customers, this prevents them racking up extra costs on their mobile phone bill. BT FON and BT Openzone currently has 1.6m Wi-Fi hot spots worldwide.
The Guardian
Orange & T-Mobile customers can switch networks
Orange and T-Mobile are to give Brits the chance to switch between networks from next month, following a merger between the two companies. Customers will need to sign up for the feature, which is free to use and will enable a handset to automatically swap networks if they lose signal with their original network.The service will be made available from October 5. However, it will only apply to 2G services so while those calling and texting will be able to use the function, it'll make little difference to those surfing the web from their handsets. Orange and T-Mobile first announced plans to merge last year and were given the go-ahead by the European Competition Commission in March. The parent company created by the merger is known as Everything, Everywhere.
PC Advisor
Google's latest doodle is a balls-up
Google has shown off another of its crazy logos, this time it's one you can interact with. The logo comprises coloured balls which you can move around the screen something which is annoyingly addictive to do... and then just annoying. Try and figure out the meaning of the logo, though, and you may well fail. This is because there doesn't seem to be any historical significance tying the balls to anything. Which in itself is rather unique for Google.
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