Google phone ready in 2010

Google phone ready in 2010

Despite numerous protests that a phone created and sold by Google would upset wireless carriers, reports indicate that in 2010, Google will unveil an advanced smartphone with a larger-than-usual touch-screen and a speedy Qualcomm processor that trumps the one powering the iPhone 3G S, states eWeek.

Moreover, the gadget will likely run the as-yet-unseen "Flan" version of Google's Android operating system and support Google Voice, the phone management service Google offers free that lets users ring their home, work and mobile numbers through a special Google number.

Analysts and phone experts are divided on the matter. VOIP consultant Andy Abramson says if Google released its own phone with Google Voice, it would democratise mobile calling.

Ericsson wins Nortel GSM unit

Ericsson has won a bid to buy Nortel Networks' North American GSM business for $70 million in cash, reports CNET.

The Swedish communications giant went into the deal with a partner, Austria-based Kapsch CarrierCom, which spent $33 million to buy Nortel's GSM operations in Europe and Taiwan.

This marks the second major deal in recent months between Ericsson and Nortel. In July, Ericsson won another bid to pay $1.13 billion for Nortel's CDMA and LTE wireless technologies.

Apple sues over power brick patents

Apple has sued a California company for allegedly infringing a laptop AC-adapter patent granted in 2003, and may have already won, says The Register.

Filed in federal court, the suit alleges the California company, Media Solutions Holdings, infringes on an Apple design patent entitled simply "Power adapter", which describes an "ornamental design for a power adapter".

Apple's AC adapters run $79 in its online store. Knock-off MacBook adapters can be found in the eBay Stores for under $30.

Wikipedia 'loses' 49 000 editors

Online encyclopaedia Wikipedia "lost" 49 000 of its volunteer editors in the first three months of 2009, university research suggests, states BBC.

The figure compares with a loss of 4 900 over the same period in 2008. The encyclopaedia-style Web site encourages editorial changes from everybody who comes to the site.

Wikimedia UK, a chapter of the organisation that operates Wikipedia, has denied it means the site is struggling. It says it is seeking more expert contributors.

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