Online 'more popular than newspapers' in US
Online news has become more popular than reading newspapers in the US, according to a survey.
It is the third most popular form of news, behind local and national TV stations, the Pew Research Center said. Sixty-one per cent of readers surveyed said they got their news online on a typical day, compared with 78% from local news channels and 71% from a national TV network such as NBC or cable channels such as CNN or Fox News.
BBC News

Cameron's Conservatives launch a free iPhone app
The UK's Conservative Party has launched an official iPhone app, designed to keep people up to date with news and policies in the run-up to the General Election. The free app launched over the weekend, and offers a mixture of news and policy info, links to the party's social networking profiles, a 'Call A Friend' feature to canvass contacts, and a tiltable 'swingometer'.
Mobile Entertainment

BBC Trust won't probe iPlayer open source gripes
The governing body of the BBC has no plans to investigate the Corporation's decision to block open source implementations of RTMP (real-time messaging protocol) streaming in the iPlayer, despite grumbles from many UK viewers and listeners of the service. the Beeb applied the update to its online video catch-up service on 18 February, and shortly after BBC forums were awash with complaints by Blighty-based iPlayer users who could no longer access the service.
The Register

Microsoft fluffs Feds with secure cloud
Microsoft has beaten rival Google to deliver a version of its online applications tailored for US government users. This week, the company announced delivery of its Business Productivity Online Suite Federal, which updates the existing online suite with security, privacy, and compliance features. The suite includes Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Live Meeting, and Office Communications Online. Among the features are secured and separate hosting facilities access to which is restricted to a small number of US citizens who have cleared rigorous background checks under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
The Register

Twitter and Facebook access for US troops
US troops are to be allowed to use social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook following a review of internet use and security. Defence department officials say the benefits of using social media now outweigh the risks to security. The ruling means that a number of sites blocked by the Pentagon in 2007 - including YouTube - will be unblocked. However, commanders will be able to temporarily block access to safeguard missions or save bandwidth. Correspondents say social media and the internet are becoming increasingly important for the US military.
BBC News

Nintendo to launch bigger console in Europe, US next month
Nintendo will next month launch its DSi XL hand-held game console in Europe and the United States, hoping to win over older users with its bigger screens, web access and electronic book reader. The DSi XL, unveiled in Japan in November, will hit European stores on March 5 and US stores on March 28, Nintendo said Friday. Gaming consoles increasingly compete with other web-enabled portable devices such as smart phones, tablet computers such as the Apple iPad, and electronic book readers like Amazon's Kindle. The DSi XL's double screen is 93 percent bigger than last year's model - the panel now measures 4.2 inches (10.7 centimeters) - making it easier to read books by flicking virtual pages with a stylus.
The Independent

US government rescinds 'leave internet alone' policy
The US government’s policy of leaving the Internet alone is over, according to Obama’s top official at the Department of Commerce. Instead, an “Internet Policy 3.0” approach will see policy discussions between government agencies, foreign governments, and key Internet constituencies, according to Assistant Secretary Larry Strickling, with those discussions covering issues such as privacy, child protection, cybersecurity, copyright protection, and Internet governance. The outcomes of such discussions will be “flexible” but may result in recommendations for legislation or regulation, Strickling said in a speech at the Media Institute in Washington this week.
The Register

Palm ponders survival
Smartphone industry pundits wonder whether Palm can survive another year, given Palm's guidance today that its new smartphone sales failed to meet expectations. Palm revenues for the year will be "well below" a previous forecast, Palm said, because adoption of its Palm webOS smartphones, the Palm Pre and the Pixi, first announced in early 2009, is taking longer than anticipated. The news caused Palm's stock price to plunge 17% initially, and the question is being raised whether Palm can survive in its current form beyond the 2010 year-end holiday shopping season.
Techworld

Microsoft offers browser choices to Europeans
Microsoft is to ask millions of users across Europe if they want to use a web browser other than its own. Windows users will be offered the choice as part of a deal Microsoft struck with the European Commission. The agreement resolves a long-running case in which the software giant was accused of abusing its market position. A pop-up window will prompt people to choose and install one of 12 different browsers or let them stick with Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
BBC News