Nokia 6255i Trans. Smoke faceplate

Billions at stake as China issues 3G licences (AFP)

AFP - China issued long-awaited third-generation mobile phone licences Wednesday, a move that will pour billions of dollars into new networks as consumers buy video- and Internet-enabled handsets.

EU Investigates Possible Smart Card Chip Cartel (PC World)
PC World - The European Commission is investigating a possible cartel among manufacturers of the smart card chips used in payment cards and mobile phones, it said Wednesday.

After Years of Delays, China Finally Issues 3G Licenses (PC World)
PC World - China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) finally granted 3G licenses to the country's mobile operators on Wednesday, bringing to a close years of waiting and delay.

Dish Network unveils `Slingloaded' TV recorder (AP)
AP - Satellite TV provider Dish Network Corp. on Thursday unveiled a digital video recorder that can send TV signals to a computer screen or mobile phone.

Verizon to Include Microsoft Live Search on Phones (PC World)
PC World - Microsoft has struck a five-year deal to pre-install its Live Search as the default search engine on Verizon mobile phones.

Motorola unveils mobile phone made from recycled water bottles (AFP)

AFP - Motorola, seeking to capitalize on the trend towards more environmentally friendly products, has unveiled the first mobile phone made from recycled water bottles.

BenQ's Netbook Comes to America (PC Magazine)
PC Magazine - It's just like any other netbook, except inside there are dual hard drives and 3G HSUPA wireless. And emoticons!

China issues 3G mobile phone licenses (AP)
AP - China assigned third-generation mobile phone licenses Wednesday to three carriers in a long-awaited step that is expected to prompt $41 billion in spending on new equipment.

Local TV Stations Go Mobile In Phones, Cars (PC Magazine)
PC Magazine - Mobile DTV promises free mobile TV for all. Who says you have to miss seeing the game while stuck in traffic? Or SpongeBob?

Ford to introduce next generation of Sync system (Reuters)

Reuters - Ford Motor Co, aiming to keep ahead of rivals, will introduce new features for its Sync system that provides voice-activated links to mobile phones and digital music players, the automaker said on Wednesday.

China shares fall on profit-taking (AP)
AP - Chinese shares declined Wednesday after a short-lived rally on profit-taking in banks and refiners, and telecom shares fell despite the government's release of third-generation mobile phone licenses.