Google mistook MJ searches for net attack
Google has admitted it thought the sudden spike in searches for Michael Jackson on Thursday was a massive, coordinated internet attack, leading it to post an error page on Google News. In a blog posting, the firm’s director of product management, RJ Pittman, explained that search volume began to increase around 2pm PDT on Thursday and ‘skyrocketed’ by 3pm, finally stabilising at around 8pm.
V3

O2 improves Mobile Broadband Service
O2 is extending its Mobile Broadband Service by offering an upgrade to its Connection Manager software (taking effect for existing customers today). The upgrade will automatically copy existing Wi-Fi profiles from a customer's laptop into Connection Manager, meaning customers will be automatically connected to their home or business broadband wireless networks, with no need to enter passwords or security codes. Connection Manager will also alert you when you have used up 75%, 90% and 100% of your data allowance.
Mobile Choice

Nokia Siemens Networks Completes Initial Vodafone India Upgrades
Nokia Siemens Networks has completed the first upgrade for Vodafone Essar in India. The upgrades network covers seven regions across India, Assam, Bihar, Himachal, Predesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madyha Pradesh, North East and Orissa.
Cellular News

Social Whale wants to bring Digg’s features on Twitter
Social Whale is a new startup company from Greece which aims to extend Twitter’s abilities by introducing some new Digg-like features on the famous microblogging service.
Tech Crunch

SMEs defy downturn with continued investment in comms
Despite, or perhaps because of the effects of the current recession, over 70% of small businesses in UK, France, Italy and Russia see communications technology as critical to their business and over 60% plan to make investments in technology now or within the next year, according to findings of new research by Avaya. The research also revealed a small business environment that is still investing in communications technology, even during these tough economic times.
Computer Weekly

Vodafone rumored to be considering T-Mobile UK purchase
Vodafone is the latest network operator to be rumored to be considering buying the UK arm of T-Mobile. A merged Vodafone/T-Mobile UK would have a subscriber base of 35.4 million, representing 43% of the market share.
Cellular news

China filter software faces tough sell in digital bazaar
Starting from Wednesday, personal computers sold in China must leave manufacturers with "Green Dam" filter software intended to block obscene images and, critics say, deter political dissent. This is the latest Communist Party initiative to control the Internet. However, it is not easy to control the fragmented retail sector who regard the new law dismissive.
Reuters

Microsoft to cut Razorfish loose
Microsoft has hired Morgan Stanley to find a potential buyer for Razorfish, its Internet ad agency. Reportedly the French marketing company Publicis Groupe is interested in an acquisition. Analysts estimate Razorfish could be worth $600 million to $700 million.
CNET

Nortel creditors, suppliers oppose $650m asset sale
Nortel creditors and suppliers have filed objections to the sale of wireless assets to rival Nokia Siemens which agreed to pay $650 million for most of Nortel’s CDMA and LTE assets. However Nortel bondholder and creditor MatlinPatterson has complained that the deal placed conditions that could prevent other bids from emerging.
Reuters

Apple raises Imagination Technologies stake
Apple has raised its stake in British microchip manufacturer, Imagination Technologies to 9.4%, following a surge in share trading by Apple and Intel. As Imagination Technologies is deemed more valuable as an independent entity, the stock buying by Intel and Apple is seen as ensuring that they prevent any one group from taking control.
FT