Audiovox CDM-8940 Chrome Faceplate

Cellphone industry eyes charger power savings (Reuters)

Reuters - The world's top five cellphone makers launched on Wednesday a common energy rating system for chargers, making it easier for consumers to compare and choose the ones consuming the least energy, Nokia said.

Appeal threatens Telenor's Russian stake (AP)
AP - A Siberian appeal court is scheduled Tuesday to consider a ruling that could lead to the temporary seizure of Norwegian Telenor's ownership in Vimpelcom, Russia's second largest mobile phone company.

India rejigs spectrum fees for 2G and 3G services (Reuters)
Reuters - Foreign telecoms firms not currently operating in India but looking to enter the world's fastest-growing market as a third-generation (3G) services operator will have to pay more each year for spectrum.

Japanese mobiles to offer psychotherapy sessions (AFP)

AFP - A Japanese professor on Wednesday launched what he said was the world's first web-based psychotherapy sessions available via mobile phone, as the country grapples with a growing problem of depression.

Irish the heaviest users of mobile phones: Ofcom (Reuters)
Reuters - Residents in the Republic of Ireland spent the most time on their mobile phones and sent the most text messages per head in the world in 2007, according to a report which examines changes in the communications industry.

Microsoft near deal with Verizon for cellphone search (AFP)

AFP - Microsoft Corp. is close to a deal with Verizon Wireless to become the default search provider on the wireless carrier's cellphones, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

Microsoft nears search deal with Verizon: report (Reuters)

Reuters - Microsoft Corp is moving closer to an agreement with Verizon Wireless to become the default search provider on the wireless carrier's cell phones, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the discussions.

China picks up 3G pace, Mobile completes gear deals (Reuters)
Reuters - China took another step toward its long-cherished goal of operating high-speed telecoms services, with China Mobile (0941.HK) dishing out over $4 billion of deals and smaller rival Unicom (0762.HK) hoping to win a 3G license soon.

Wall Street sells off as consumers snap wallets shut (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. stocks fell on Friday after a record drop in retail sales last month heightened fears that American consumers' reluctance to spend will push the economy into an even deeper downturn than currently expected.

AT&T Introduces Touch-Sensitive HTC Fuze Handset (NewsFactor)
NewsFactor - AT&T Wireless Services has fired up a new 3G smartphone from HTC that combines a slide-out QWERTY-style keypad with a 2.8-inch touch-sensitive screen and intuitive one-touch access to selected functions. The HTC Fuze will let users navigate from one place to the next by touching, holding and sliding screen tabs.

Vodafone's 1H profit falls; cost cuts boost shares (AP)

AP - Vodafone Group PLC, the world's biggest mobile phone company by sales, said Tuesday its net profit fell 35 percent during the first half of the financial year. But shares rallied as the company announced 1 billion pounds ($1.56 billion) in cost cuts and stuck to its full-year profit forecast despite the global economic downturn.