Ads on mobile a fair trade for free content
Good news for advertisers, according to KMPG, 40 per cent of Brits would happily allow adverts on their mobile phone if they received free content in return. This might be a pointer in the ongoing debate over whether advertising or subscription is the right revenue model.
PC Advisor

Battle rages as T-Mobile blocks Skype for iPhone
Internet calling companies, such as Skype, have called on European regulators to adopt policies that let consumers access their services through smartphones on any public network. The Voice on the Net (VON) coalition Europe, which also includes Google, Microsoft and Intel, argues carriers are blocking their applications on their cellular or 3G networks, which limits consumer choice.
Silicon

Orange to snap up Kangaroo?
France Telecom-owned communications service provider Orange has emerged as a potential buyer for the technology behind Project Kangaroo, the defunct broadband TV joint venture between ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC. Orange is one of two companies - the other is thought to be a technology firm - that are serious contenders to buy some of the Project Kangaroo assets. Orange has been examining the feasibility of launching Orange TV in the UK and has just contacted suppliers and informed its trial consumer group that it is not going to pursue a launch of the service becauses of a combination of factors including the deteriorating economic conditions.
The Guardian

Talks break down between IBM and Sun
Sun Microsystems has reportedly rejected IBM’s $7 billion offer, according to reports by the Wall Street Journal. It is speculated that this is could be down to negotiation tactics on Sun’s part, which could backfire as analysts are already calling Sun ‘damaged goods’.
EWeekEurope

BT unveils CDN Plans
BT Wholesale is preparing to launch a content delivery network (CDN) service to British ISPs to keep up with the increasingly heavy video traffic loads. The new offering, called Wholesale Content Connect (WCC), will be launched as a pilot service before the end of 2009.
Light Reading

Al Gore pushes green benefits of smart grids
Former US Vice President Al Gore tells a wireless conference that the industry holds important keys to solving climate change. He told a crowd at the annual CTIA wireless show in Las Vegas that the wireless industry should be a major player in solving climate change.
eWeek

Google builds iPhone control for blind
Google engineers have come up with a way to help visually impaired people control touchscreen-based handhelds such as Apple's iPhone. The system works by mimicking the traditional phone keypad, with the number five in the centre and the other numbers arrayed around it.
PC Advisor

Sun rejects IBM buyout offer, bid withdrawn
Sun rejected IBM's formal buyout offer on Saturday, calling the bid insufficient and putting future deal talks at risk. IBM reportedly made a formal bid of $9.40 (£6.30) a share, or less, for Sun, which in turn rejected the offer and terminated IBM's right to exclusive merger talks.
ZD Net

Feb chip sales down 30%, gradual recovery expected
Worldwide sales of semiconductors continued to fall in February, according to a report from the Semiconductor Industry Association, sales reached only $14.2 billion in the short month. The February sales represent a decline of 30.4% compared to February 2008 sales of $20.3 billion.
Electronics Weekly

Microsoft expands Windows Server family of operating systems
Windows Server 2008 Foundation is built for small businesses with 15 or fewer users and puts the reliability, security and manageability of the Windows Server platform within the reach of all businesses at an affordable price.
Computer Business Review

AMD to close more plants
AMD is set to close down more of its facilities in an effort to return to profitability by the end of the year. The company would not confirm whether further headcount reductions were part of the plan but said it would not have significant material impact on its operations.
Computerworld UK