Tablets and smartphones lead business revolution
Bearing in mind that it's shiny, new, versatile and easier to carry, it's not difficult to make a case for using the tablet for any number of things. Research firm IDC thinks tablets and smartphones will pass the PC for internet use by 2015, and we’re already seeing everyone from executives to artists pulling out the portable device. David McPherson, the managing director of Newcastle technical consultancy firm Aegis IT, sees ever more business apps being developed to work on tablets in the future. But that’s not all.
Nebusiness

Verizon sees up to $250m in costs from US storms
CFO warns repairs to wireline infrastructure could drag on for up to three weeks. Verizon Communications Inc. said it will cost between $200 million and $250 million before taxes for repairs and other impacts to its wireline operations because of damages from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, which battered the U.S. East Coast during the last several weeks. Verizon Chief Financial Officer Fran Shammo said repairs to the telecommunications giant's wireline business, which includes its traditional home and business phones and FiOS television units, would run an additional two or three weeks.
Total Telecom

Facebook adds new 'subscribe' button: Watch out Twitter
Facebook is extending the scope of its site into Twitter and Google+ territory by making it possible for Facebook members to subscribe to each other's public posts without necessarily having to be approved friends. The option to let other Facebook members subscribe to one's public posts will go live across the site in the coming days, Facebook said on Wednesday.
Mac World

Orange boss confirms iPhone 5 launch date
Well, it's fair to say that the launch date of the iPhone 5 is being narrowed down. Just about everyone is saying mid-October, with another analyst pointing to that approximate date earlier in the week. But one tech boss has gone a step further - announcing the actual launch date. At least, he's announced a date he believes it to be. According to TechRadar, that tech boss is Stéphane Richard, CEO of France Telecom, parent company of Orange. Speaking to the French media, he said: 'If we believe what we have been told, the iPhone 5 will be released on 15 October.' Other details were note forthcoming at the BFM Business conference, aside from the Orange man confirming that the network will have 'special tariffs' on its arrival.
Mobile Choice

Microsoft’s pieces of eight
This week, Microsoft demonstrated a pre-beta version of Windows 8 at its BUILD event in the US. Early reaction to the new OS appears largely positive, with commentators especially taken by the interface. Microsoft is certainly heading in a new direction with the UI for Windows 8. The "Metro" design is carried over from Windows Phone 7, designed for use with touch and gestures.
IT Pro Portal

Google offers opt-out from Wi-Fi router location database
Google has given the owners of Wi-Fi routers around the world the right to opt out of a registry that the search giant uses to locate mobile phone users. Currently Google uses location data tied to the unique codes of residential Wi-Fi routers to help triangulate the location of mobile devices. Google made the change voluntarily, but it's likely it was a pre-emptive move before the search giant was forced to do so by European courts. Google has been embroiled in a legal challenge to the practice from privacy regulators in Germany.
The Register

Amazon boosts government cloud data protection with new federal security accreditation
Amazon Web Services, Amazon’s Cloud-based storage and service platform, today received Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) Moderate Authorization and Accreditation from the U.S. General Services Administration, certifying it as a government approved infrastructure capable of meeting security requirements for government entities and agencies. With its FISMA accreditation, Amazon can help federal agencies develop, document and implement data security systems for their data, extending its protection to its Amazon EC2, Amazon S3 and Amazon VPC products and the infrastructure that underpins them.
The Next Web  

HTC Sensation XE UK release date and price unveiled
The HTC Sensation XE has already been given a UK release date and price by technology retailer Clove. Phones4U has announced its HTC Sensation XE deals, with the phone coming in at £36 per month for a two year term. It's also managed to get the phone out a week ahead of Clove, with an HTC Sensation XE UK release date of 1 October.
Tech Radar

Hyperoptic offers Londoners 1Gbps fibre broadband
No other ISP offers residential customers 1Gbps connectivity, and the fastest available speed currently is Virgin Media's up-to-100Mbps cable service. However, at the moment individuals cannot sign up for Hyperoptic's service. Only communal installations in multi-dwelling buildings are possible, with individual tenants or flat-owners then becoming able to subscribe on a per-home basis The 1Gbps service, announced at Hyperoptic's launch on Wednesday, will cost £50 per month, with 100Mbps connectivity coming in at £25 per month and 20Mbps at £12.50 per month. Virgin's 100Mbps service is priced at £35 per month, while BT's up-to-40Mbps Infinity services come in at £28 per month including line rental.
ZDnet

Twitter now available in five new languages
Twitter has announced the launch of the service in five new languages: Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Hindi, Tagalog and Malay. This brings the total number of languages Twitter is available in to 17. Like many other online services, Twitter is mostly relying on volunteers for translation. To join in, head on over to Twitter's translation center.
Yahoo