Old Glory faceplate for Motorola T193

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.

Vodafone net profit drops 35 percent, plans cost cuts (AFP)

AFP - British mobile phone giant Vodafone posted a 35-percent slump in first-half net profit on Tuesday and booked a hefty loss on the value of its Turkish business.

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.

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.

Nokia sees cellphone, gear market falling in 2009 (Reuters)

Reuters - Top handset maker Nokia Oyj said on Friday the world's mobile phone market would fall in the fourth quarter and next year as an economic slowdown crimps consumer demand around the world.

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.

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.

Apple's iPhone 3G Now Most Popular Mobile Phone (NewsFactor)
NewsFactor - Apple's iPhone 3G can add another trophy to its crowded shelf. On Monday, The NPD Group reported that the popular smartphone surpassed the Motorola RAZR in the third quarter as "the leading handset purchased by adult consumers in the U.S."

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.

Japan's DoCoMo eyes 'Google phone' launch next year (AFP)

AFP - Japan's top carrier NTT DoCoMo Inc. aims to launch next year a cellphone developed with Internet search giant Google, an official said Wednesday, a move that could counter Apple's iconic iPhone.

Cisco unveils new edge router (Reuters)

Reuters - Cisco Systems Inc launched a new edge router aimed at improving Web speeds as more consumers download movies online and access the Internet with mobile phones.

Thai True Move in deal with Apple to sell 3G iPhone (Reuters)
Reuters - Thailand's third largest mobile phone firm, True Move, a subsidiary of True Corp, said on Thursday it had signed a deal with Apple Inc to sell the 3G iPhone in Thailand.