Record labels criticise Google over illegal downloads
An organisation which represents music labels around the world has criticised Google, claiming it has failed to deliver on promises to tackle illegal file-sharing. The IFPI said guarantees Google had made about copyright infringement 12 months ago "remained unfulfilled". It added that they had made "modest steps". In response Google declined to comment on what it called a "press stunt".
NewsBeat

Apple buys Israeli flash storage maker in $500m deal
Apple has bought Israel's Anobit, a maker of flash storage technology, for up to $500m (£319m), the Calcalist financial daily reported on Tuesday, following almost a week of speculation surrounding the companies. The newspaper said Anobit's management was in the process of gathering its staff to formally announce the acquisition by Apple. There was no announcement at the time of writing on either company's website. The purchase is the first by Apple of an Israel-based company.
Guardian

Amazon Planning to Buy RIM?
Research In Motion Ltd has turned down takeover overtures from Amazon.com Inc and other potential buyers because the BlackBerry maker prefers to fix its problems on its own, according to people with knowledge of the situation.
Reuters

Samsung most popular smartphone manufacturer in the UK
The battle between Samsung and Apple for smartphone superiority continues. After an abundance of advertising, lawsuits and patents trying to outsmart the other, it looks as though Samsung will be named the most popular smartphone manufacturer in the UK, according to comparison website Broadband Genie.
CIO

Apple working on wearable computers with Siri?
Apple has encouraged us to wear its devices for a while now, especially with the new iPod Nano featuring a sleek watch face. Now, apparently, the engineers in Cupertino are working on more small devices that we can wear and integrate into our lives.
ITProPortal

Smart grid no gold rush for telcos
Telecom vendors are always on the hunt for new markets. Electric utilities are an important vertical, but their telecom needs have historically been basic. The prospect of big new investments in smart grid projects raises the prospect of this changing. However, don't expect an overnight gold rush.
Telecoms Europe

BBC iPlayer app's iPhone update adds 500k new users in a week
The BBC iPlayer iOS app has been downloaded 1.1m times in the week since it was updated to run on Apple's iPhone and iPod touch as well asiPad, says Daniel Danker, the broadcaster's general manager of programmes and on demand. "500,000 of those downloads were to users who had never installed the app before," says Danker, who adds that the application's new ability to stream TV shows and radio over 3G as well as Wi-Fi is also proving popular.
Guardian

TD-LTE evolves into mainstream contender
The influence of China Mobile has promoted TD-LTE from sideline technology to mainstream contender. This trend will only accelerate as operators run short of spectrum and start to look at the neglected, and web-suitable, TDD frequencies. Also, TD-LTE provides a migration path for Wimax operators who want to tap into the broader device ecosystem and economies of scale promised by LTE.
Telecoms Europe

Thief Steals Three Per Cent Of Blackberry PlayBook Tablet Global Shipment
More than 5,000 RIM Blackberry PlayBook tablets have been stolen in the US state of Indiana which is equivalent to three per cent of the whole global shipment of the tablet for the past quarter when RIM shipped 150,000 PlayBooks. Police said that a tractor trailer containing 22 pallets, each with around 240 tablets, was nabbed together with a truck while the driver went on a break at a stop.
ITProPortal