Facebook 'contributes' €15.3bn to EU economy... bitch
The UK economy might be down in the dumps, but there is a ray of sunshine from an unlikely source: Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook has supposedly helped to contribute £2.2bn to the country's GDP in 2011. Facebook added that – with a lot of help from the rise of mobile applications – it has "supported" 232,000 jobs in recent years across the European Union.
The Register

Megaupload founder denied bail
The founder of Megaupload, the file-sharing website shut down last week in one of the largest criminal copyright cases brought by US authorities, has been denied bail in New Zealand because he poses a “significant flight” risk. Kim Dotcom was arrested at his luxury mansion in Auckland on Friday by armed police acting on behalf of the FBI and the US Department of Justice. The German millionaire and six other men are accused of peddling copyrighted material on the internet. The DoJ claims that Megaupload and its sister sites made more than $175m in illegal profits from their vast network of file-sharing sites and caused $500m of damages to copyright holders.
The Financial Times

Apple announces record sales of iPhones and iPads
Record sales of iPhones and iPads resulted in record profits at Apple in the final quarter of 2011, the first since the death of its co-founder, Steve Jobs. Apple more than doubled its profits: to $13.06bn (£8.35bn), compared with $6bn for the same quarter in 2010. The result easily beat analysts' forecasts, taking pressure off the chief executive, Tim Cook, handpicked by Jobs as his successor. Last October Apple shares recorded their biggest single-day dollar drop after iPhone sales missed their forecast.
The Guardian

Mobile broadband requires more spectrum
As the rollout of mobile broadband services gains pace around the world, demand is growing for more spectrum to be made available. With many countries having embarked on, or formulating plans for, the release of new frequencies, the identification, licensing and management of spectrum is of growing concern for governments, regulators and operators.
Telecoms Europe

US Based Consumer Watchdog Requests EU to Block Google’s Motorola Acquisition
In what could be termed as the first of its kind complaint to the European authorities, the European competition commissioner has been urged by a United Stated based consumer group to block Google's proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility. According to reports, Consumer Watchdog - the US based advocacy group that claims to be working on behalf of consumers, has opposed Google's planned $12.5 billion acquisition of Motorola in a formal letter of complaint to the European Commission.
IT Pro Portal

Xbox 720 / Next Xbox Chipset Production Has Started
The production of the system of chip that will power Microsoft's next generation gaming platform, otherwise known as the Xbox 720 or the Next Xbox, has started according to tech websites Fudzilla and Semiaccurate. Both sources claim that the first chips, which carry the codename Oban, were produced back in December 2011 and are being produced by IBM and Global Foundries using a 32nm Silicon-on-Insulator manufacturing process.
IT Pro Portal

Adapmi Creates Visit Britain App
Britain’s national tourism agency, Visit Britain, has released a tourist guide app, developed by Apadmi, to support the swell in tourism accompanying the 2012 Olympic Games. The app enables users to search for events, accommodation, restaurants and bars, with location-based results and integration with Facebook.
Mobile Marketing

Apple effect boost iPad chip maker Arm
The Apple effect shows no sign of wearing off - which is excellent news for component manufacturer Arm Holdings. The UK group was one of the top FTSE risers in early trading this morning - and it didn't even have to utter a word to achieve the bounce. Instead, all the talking was done last night by executives in Cupertino, California, where Apple smashed Wall Street expectations with a set of stellar earnings, which have now boosted the shares in the London-listed company which makes the mobile chips in the iPad.
The Guardian

LG Optimus 3D II pictures and specs leaked
Images and specifications for the LG Optimus 3D II (aka CX2) have apparently been leaked, revealing an updated processor, new screen and a slimmer chassis than its predecessor. According to Pocketnow, the LG Optimus 3D II will run on Texas Instruments 1.2GHz dual-core processor and feature a brand-new display, upgraded from the original phone's 4.3in WVGA screen.
Hexus