Latest news

A study from NPD Group suggests Microsoft's marketing efforts for Windows Phone are beginning to generate interest from consumers, but there are still major hurdles to clear before it can be a success.

The study reveals that 45 percent of people who own or are planning to buy a smartphone are considering a Windows Phone handset.

However, the biggest obstacle for the platform appears to be a lack of visibility. The same study showed 45 percent of consumers don't know enough about Microsoft's mobile OS to consider buying a handset running it.

Furthermore, more than 20 percent of consumers who plan to buy a smartphone in the next six months said they aren't interested in Windows Phone because of the time or money they already have invested in another platform, such as Android or the iPhone.

That's good news for manufacturers of Android handsets, which accounted for at least of half of all smartphone sales in each of the last three quarters.

"Windows Phone 7 has a way to go before consumers really understand what it is," said Linda Barrabee, research director for NPD's Connected Intelligence. "But with the right marketing mojo, apps portfolio, and feature-rich hardware, Microsoft could certainly improve its standing and chip away at Android's dominant market position."

Presidential candidate Rick Santorum has accused Google of discrimination today, thanks to the "graphic sexual term" that accompanies his name in Google searches.

In fact, if you type in "Santorum" into Google, the first result will give you this description (possible NSFW):

Santorum 1. The frothy mix of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex. 2. Senator Rick Santorum.

I suspect if something was up there like that about Joe Biden, they'd get rid of it. If you're a responsible business, you don't let things like that happen in your business that have an impact on the country.

To have a business allow that type of filth to be purveyed through their website or through their system is something that they say they can't handle but I suspect that's not true.

According to a new Pew Internet study, young adults send/receive an average of 110 texts per day, far above the norm for other age groups.

The users, Americans aged 18-24, exchange 3200 texts per month.

Overall, 73 percent of American adults with cell phones text and 31 percent even prefer to text rather than talk on the phone.

All carriers offer unlimited texting and the service has become a standard.

The average cell phone user exchanges 41.5 messages per day.

Charts and full results of the study:

AT&T finally announces release date.

The carrier says the highly anticipated Android superphone will be released on October 2nd for $200 with contract.

Sprint has already launched their version of the phone, and T-Mobile's is expected next week.

Samsung's new device has a 4.27-inch WVGA Super AMOLED Plus touchscreen, Android 2.3.4, a 1.2GHz Samsung dual-core processor, an 8.49mm thin chassis (at lowest), an 8MP camera with autofocus and 1080p recording, NFC support, 4G, a 2MP front-side camera and HSPA+, WiFi a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0+HS.

Furthermore, the device will run on Samsung's updated TouchWiz UI and weighs just 4 ounces.

Based on the results of a recent survey, Redbox could be the biggest beneficiary of Netflix's decision to increase prices for combined streaming and disc rental plans.

The report, from Minneapolis based Magid Associates, indicates more than half of Netflix customers already rent from Redbox and a significant number of those expect to rent more from the industry leading kiosk-based service.

Magid's Mike Vorhaus pointed the finger at Netflix's limited selection of streaming content. He said, "A major reason that many consumers are not happy with their Netflix service is due to the quality of the content selection in the streaming service."

Since the announcement of their new plans two months ago, Netflix has suffered a series of setbacks.

Almost immediately after the announcement their stock price dropped 10%. It has continued to decline following additional announcements of a larger than expected subscriber decline and, most recently the decision to completely separate disc rental into the new Qwikster brand.

After just one year on the job, it appears the board of HP is about ready to fire the CEO Leo Apotheker.

In one possible scenario, Apotheker would be replaced by former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, likely in an interim situation.

The current CEO has only had 11 months on the job and has lost HP $20 billion in market value while slashing sales forecasts three times.

Following the news of the board's possible decision, the HP stock jumped 8 percent, with investors clearly happy with the news.

Apotheker, who had a failed stint as CEO of software giant SAP, has recently purchased Autonomy for $10 billion, a move that has been completely criticized by all shareholders due to its huge price tag. The CEO also shut down webOS and firesaled their tablets at $99, just a few months after the company's acquisition of the mobile OS from Palm.

According to a report from content delivery company Pando Networks, South Korea has the fastest Internet speeds in the world with an average download speed of over 17 Megabits per second.

By comparison, German speeds were barely above 5Mbps, which was still better than the US or UK. Those countries had average speeds of 4.93Mbps and 4.79Mbps respectively.

The report is based on data collected on downloads from Pando's content delivery network during the first half of 2011.

Northern European countries were well represented in the top 15, including Sweden (7^th), Denmark (9^th), Netherlands (11^th), Finland (12^th) & Norway (15^th).

Looking at the speed data overlaid on a map, one thing that stands out is how slow Internet speeds are in developed countries with strong content production industries.

On the other end of the spectrum, countries where tech industries dominate the economy, including South Korea and Finland, tend to also have relatively fast Internet service. Japan is something of an outlier, likely reflecting the fact they are representative of both categories.

As we get closer to October, more information (and speculation) about Apple's plans for the iPhone 5 continue to emerge. The latest is a report indicating Apple will hold a media event on Tuesday, October 4.

Don't assume the iPhone 5 will be available immediately afterward. Recent rumors of production delays suggest it may not be ready as soon as Apple had initially planned.

According to unnamed sources cited by AllThingsD, it will be available, "within a few weeks," of new Apple CEO Tim Cook showing off the device.

There has been a lot of speculation that the iPhone 5 will hit stores some time in October. That seems to be confirmed by leaks from mobile carriers indicating a launch date of October 15.

However, if the report of production problems is accurate, it's possible the only new product available on that date could be the rumored iPhone 4S, a new discount version of the iPhone 4 aimed at the budget smartphone market.

GameFly, the current market leader in video game rentals-by-mail, has responded to Netflix's recent decision to split its streaming and DVD services and add video game rentals to its new by-mail platform, Qwikster.

Says the company, via JoyStiq:

GameFly has expanded steadily over the past nine years by focusing exclusively on video gamers. We are the only retailer offering games physically and digitally for both rental and purchase.

Gamers can try before they buy, choosing from new releases and classic titles that span the last decade. GameFly has more than 8000 games for 10 console and handheld systems to choose from, and over 1500 Windows/Mac games are available for download.

GameFly is the leading video game rental service, and we have continued to grow even as Blockbuster and Redbox increased their investment in console games.

In October, Logitech will begin selling a new product to turn your Android or iOS device into a remote control.

The Harmony Link is a small piece of hardware which performs the standard functions of a universal remote. It requires an iPad, iPhone, or Android device running the accompanying Harmony Link app to give it commands via Wi-Fi.

A single Harmony Link can control up to eight devices, and even take commands from multiple tablets or phones.

The iPad Harmony Link app will include a personalized program guide provided by Rovi. The iPhone and Android versions of the app will not have this feature initially, but will be able to control the Harmony Link hardware.

Ashish Arora, vice president and general manager of Logitech's Digital Home Group said:

Our research revealed that many iPad owners are using their iPad on the sofa while watching TV, many of them seeking ways to find out what shows are on. We set out to make this experience easier. Using Logitech Harmony Link and the Harmony Link App, iPad users can browse for what is on television, and with one touch of "watch now" icon next to the show of their choice, they can automatically turn on their TV and other electronics, and tune directly to the show they want to watch.

After a few months in invite-only beta.

Google has announced today that their social network Google+ is now available to all, and no longer in invite-only beta.

Additionally, the popular "Hangouts" feature is now available on mobile devices.

Hangouts for the web has also been updated with the ability to screen-share and the ability to name your Hangouts.

Furthermore, Hangouts on Air is now a possibility, allowing users to make public broadcasts that others can tune in to.

The first broadcaster will Black Eyed Pea's Will.i.am.

Finally, there is also improved SMS support, better +mentions and +1'ing comments and one of the big things is that Huddle has now been renamed as Messenger, says TechRadar.

Cellular South, a regional mobile carrier nearly 900,000 customers in the southeastern US, has joined the Justice Department's antitrust lawsuit to block the buyout of T-Mobile USA by AT&T.

Cellular South's criticisms are similar to those expressed by the Department Of Justice and the attorneys general from various states. However, they also add an additional detail of particular importance to smaller providers.

Specifically, they believe the loss of T-Mobile will lead to higher prices for roaming deals, which are essential to carriers who don't have a nationwide network of their own.

Their complaint alleges, "The proposed merger will allow AT&T to increase this influence by eliminating T-Mobile as an independent source of demand for wireless devices and an independent roaming partner."

Parties in the lawsuit are scheduled to meet tomorrow for a conference, at which time the judge expects them to discuss terms for a potential settlement.

T-Mobile’s Chief Marketing Officer Cole Broadman has noted today that there will be no iPhone 5 on the carrier, at least not this year.

At an internal company event the CMO is quoted as saying "we are not going to get the iPhone 5 this year."

There was no other word on why the carrier would not be getting the device, but the likely culprit is AT&T's pending purchase of the carrier for $39 billion.

Apple is expected to launch the device on October 15th around the globe including on Verizon, Sprint and AT&T in the States.

Just a month after announcing the end of webOS hardware, HP has begun laying off employees in the division.

AllThingsD says the company will lay off up to 525 employees this week.

HP would not admit the number but did confirm that the layoffs had begun.

Added the company:

As communicated on August 18, HP will discontinue the development of webOs devices within the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, which ends Oct. 31, 2011. As part of this decision, the webOS GBU is undergoing a reduction in workforce. Today’s actions are part of this initiative.

During this time, we stand by our commitment to our webOS customers and will work to ensure that support and service for customers are not adversely affected. HP is exploring ways to leverage webOS software.

Rovio Entertainment, the company behind the blockbuster franchise 'Angry Birds' has confirmed today that they are working on partnerships with B&N and Starbucks in an effort to sell a broader range of products.

For Starbucks, Rovio will have in-store promotions, such as electronic leader boards or the ability to buy special virtual goods.

For Barnes & Noble, the company already has electronic leader boards but wants to add books and stuffed animals.

Says Rovio:

It’s tying in the real world with the virtual world. Retailers get new customers who’ve not been to their stores yet, and repeat customers. However, while we are always looking for great partnerships to better meet the needs of our customers, at this time we have no announcements regarding any work with Rovio Entertainment.