ZTE booms as competitors wilt
The global end-of-recession results are showing sharp differences in the way different companies are emerging. Apple, for instance, has announced its best ever results for the quarter ending in September: computer unit sales up 17 per cent; iPhone sales up 7 per cent. Only its iPod sales had slipped. That's impressive but looks a tad languid when set beside the performance put in by Chinese telecoms equipment behemoth ZTE. It has enjoyed a third quarter headline growth rate of 43 per cent over the same quarter last year, representing $6.2bn.
Telecom TV

Google launches Social Search amid social-media battle
In a move underscoring the escalating battle among internet companies over social media, Google has launched a tool that allows users to find postings from their friends as part of a web search. Social Search is being launched days after both Google and Microsoft announced separate deals with start-up micro-blogging site Twitter. Microsoft also announced a similar deal with Facebook. to get access to its user information. Microsoft owns approximately 1.6 per cent of Facebook, following a 2007 investment.
Total Telecom

Microsoft: Users to blame for Windows 7 upgrade woes
Microsoft has blamed user confusion for the problems many have encountered trying to move from Vista to Windows 7 after buying a discounted upgrade offered to US college students. It has been reported on Microsoft’s support forum, where some users have seen their PCs crippled by an endless series of reboots.
PC Advisor

Experts warn of BlackBerry bugging app
The US Computer Emergency Readiness Team has issued a security alert concerning a free application for the BlackBerry which can turn the handset into a bugging device. PhoneSnoop sets up a PhoneListener and waits for an incoming call from a specific number. Once it detects a call from that specific number, it automatically answers the victim's phone and puts the phone into SpeakerPhone mode. This way, the attacker that called can now hear what's going on at the victim's end. The author of the app says the software was written as a proof-of-concept to show how easy it would be to turn the BlackBerry into a bugging device.
Yahoo News

Shortage of chips threatens LED supplies
Strong demand for LEDs for backlit applications and lighting has created a shortage in the supply chain that will last until the first quarter of 2010. The situation has partly been caused by a rush to create LED backlit applications for both notebooks and TVs. The penetration of LED backlighting in botebooks has increased dramatically and LEDinside forecasts that the penetration into this market for calendar year 2009 is likely to reach 52 per cent.
TG Daily

Samsung opens app fund to developers and brands
Samsung is embracing the age of the app by investing in a global venture fund to help come up with game ideas for the next generation of Samsung handsets. The electronics company is teaming up with Handmark, which makes mobile apps, to create the fund, which aims to generate 'market-changing game ideas'.
Revolution Magazine

Newspapers jump gun on mobile phone cancer link
Reports this week claimed that a 10-year study carried out by the WHO will reveal a link between heavy use of mobile phones and cancer. But even if the initial results have been leaked. there is no way anybody can tell if there is or isn't a link between mobile phones and brain tumours because the scientific research process is not complete, said Dr James Rubin at Kings College London.
Computer Weekly

Android 2.0 SDK launched by Google
They include an overhaul of the contacts and email synchronization, exchange support, combined inboxes for mail and search through both SMS and MMS. Camera phones will now have the option of built in flash support as well as digital zoom, white balance and macro focus. The browser has been given a makeover, which includes HTML5 support and Bluetooth 2.1 is not supported.
Tech Radar

Massive call for mobile rate cut
The Terminate the Rate campaign wants to see mobile termination rates (MTRs) slashed to reflect actual costs. These rates are what mobile network operators charge to handle other networks' traffic. Signatories, including 258 MPs and 60 businesses, are calling for the rates to be slashed from 5p to less than 1p.
BBC News