When you don't know what you are looking for…

Microsoft unveiled the new version of its search engine at The Wall Street Journal's seventh 'D:All Things Digital' conference held May 26-28 2009 in the US. Branded 'Bing', the software giant believes that consumers are ready to move beyond search and is thus positioning Bing as a 'decision engine'.

Bing is reported to feature a number of enhancements in core search areas - including entity extraction and expansion, query intent recognition and document summarisation, as well as a 'new user experience model that  dynamically adapts to the type of query to provide 'relevant and intuitive decision-making tools'.

While this is an interesting approach, whether Bing will enable Microsoft to boost its share of the search engine market remains to be seen. According to number cruncher comScore, Google Sites led the US core search market in April with 64.2 percent of the searches conducted, followed by Yahoo! Sites (20.4 percent), then Microsoft Sites (8.2 percent).

However, European-based digital marketing agency Bigmouthmedia has hailed the new service as a potentially crucial landmark in the online search sector's development. Citing Microsoft's pan-European approach and collaboration with key agencies in advance of the launch, bigmouthmedia believes that Bing could add a refreshing new dynamic to the industry.

"It has been some time since the search industry had a realistic alternative to Google, and if Microsoft's new engine can provide that then it will be of obvious benefit to both digital marketers and consumers alike," said bigmouthmedia CEO Steve Leach.

Perhaps Bing will appeal more to 'Wilfers' (those that aimlessly wander the Web) than those that search for something in particular. Or perhaps Librans such as myself that have trouble making a decision when there are too many options to weigh up. Then again, it sounds perfect for those that simply want Microsoft's new search algorithms to make the decision for them…

MNOs beware the smartphone surge in data

In other news from the D Conference, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson admitted that the operator needs to do something to boost speeds before the arrival of 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) cellular networks in 2012. "Between now and then is a long time," he is reported to have said.

According to Stephenson, US wireless networks are not prepared for the surge in smart phones use that has already shown signs of choking their networks. Smart phones such as the BlackBerry and the iPhone have significantly ramped up the amount of wireless Internet surfing, and MNOs (mobile network operators) have come under fire for being unprepared.

AT&T has announced plans to upgrade its 3G network with High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), as it paves the way for a roll out of LTE in 2011. Stephenson also said that AT&T's fixed-line business has taken the biggest hit as a result of the global economic downturn.

HP to axe 5,700 Europe jobs (read full story)

The latest victim of the downturn is hardware giant HP, which has announced plans to axe up to 5,700 employees, in addition to previously  announced losses.

According to reports, the countries especially affected will be Scotland and Germany, where HP has its EMEA Enterprise, Storage and Servers production facilities. These factories are slated to be closed in 2010 and production moved to the Czech Republic.

What's a social media friend worth? (read full story)

Digital friendships speak volumes about us as consumers and workers, and decoding the data can lead to profitable insights, it is claimed. As social media companies grapple with the increasingly perplexing challenge posed by monetising the success of social networking sites, Business Week reports that companies are working fast to figure out how to make money from the wealth of data they're beginning to have about our online friendships.

Marketers are said to be leading the way and finding that if our friends buy something, there's a better-than-average chance we'll buy it too. It's a simple insight, says Business Week, but one that could lead to targeted messaging in an age of growing media clutter. However, it concedes that, for all its popularity, Facebook has yet to prove itself as an advertising platform, with visitors focusing on their friends and paying scant attention to ads, with few click on them, while advertisers pay pennies for page views. Consequently, Facebook, with its estimated revenue of $300 million this year, is said to bring in scarcely a dime a month per member.

The hope is that if marketers manage to track the 'paths of influence' amongst social Web communities, they might be able to offer more effective and lucrative advertisements and promotions. Corporations are also said to be exploring how social Web relationships might benefit their business processes such as recruitment.

Gamers get fit with 'Gym in a Box'

High street retailer GAME has put EA's latest offering 'Sports Active' to the test to determine whether it is a real alternative to the gym. After a two-week trial, GAME's results are claimed to show that regular high tempo EA Sports Active sessions can have beneficial health and fitness effects, as within a week the weight loss target of the experiment had been met.

Competing against existing popular titles such as Wii Fit, EA Sports Active is said to offer a range of traditional cardio-vascular and targeted exercises allowing users to 'experience the variety and challenge of a gym workout in their own living room'. Corrinne Garstang, Online Content Manger at GAME, who engaged in the experiment intensively for two weeks, lost 3lbs at the half-way mark of her two week challenge.

"I think I represent a large part of the population who want to incorporate exercise into their lives, but simply don't have the time or money to join a gym. With so many fitness titles on the market, EA Sports Active really stood out because it had a more 'grown up' feel compared to other titles on the market. And after months of feeling increasingly unhappy about my burgeoning waistline I was desperate to see if it really worked".

One has to ask why the results of the second week were not included in the press release. Perhaps Corrinne spent too much time playing 'Cooking Mama 2 - Dinner with Friends (DS)'?

Gaming and mobile getting closer

With some predicting that gaming console giants will at some point have a massive impact in the mobile domain, convergence between the two has taken a step closer with Sony Ericsson's new phone, the 'Aino', which includes connectivity to the Sony Playstation.

According to the handset maker (read full release), the Aino allows users to control their PLAYSTATION 3 and access its media content anywhere, anytime, using 'Remote Play with PLAYSTATION®3'. Initially developed for PSP, this application enables users to control and access media content from their phone and can be done via a local network or using the Internet. For TV lovers in Italy, France, Spain, Germany and UK, users can also watch, pause and record live TV from a range of free channels.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has added a touch screen and Web browser to the next-generation of its Zune music player. The new device, called the 'Zune HD', will also carry a high-definition video output allowing users to play files through a docking station on HD televisions.

According to reports, the new features ramp up Microsoft's effort to compete with Apple Inc. products such as the iPod Touch, and highlight the company's push to integrate different platforms, from PCs and mobile phones to the Xbox.

Er, just one more thing…

TREAT YOUR DAD TO A PORSCHE FOR FATHER’S DAY (read full release)

A wireless mouse based on the Porsche 911 has been released by Motormouse. Featuring three sensitivity settings and including the smallest 2.4G wireless receiver in the world, this latest Motormouse comes with its own super-glide mouse mat and soft carrying pouch for easy travelling.

Apparently, this 'must have gadget' is the ideal gift for your dad this Father's Day.

I would be inclined to agree, if I could just get my technophobe father to grips with syncing this wireless wonder to his laptop.

Amid the doom and gloom of a poor summer and the credit crunch, increasing numbers of Britons are choosing to spend their hard earned cash on holidays in less than traditional locations. According to online travel agency Holidays Direct there has been an increase in the number of people booking holidays in destinations more traditionally associated with the luxury end of the market.

This 'summer' has seen higher than average sales for holidays in the Caribbean, Dubai, Thailand and Tunisia, says the company, with British holidaymakers making sure they get a holiday to remember.

“Each year the number of people booking their summer holidays two months or more ahead of the departure date has grown. Following this trend we’ve seen an uptake in bookings for holidays in the Caribbean and Thailand, along with other long haul destinations,” says Holidays Direct spokesperson, Jon Pearce. “This suggests to us that a lot more people are planning ahead and saving up for their holidays somewhere special.”

However, it could be argued that there is another factor at play here - the strength of the Euro against sterling. Anyone that has been on holiday to Europe recently has no doubt been shocked at the subsequent expense of their jaunt. Given that the quality of food, accommodation and customer services has certainly not risen on the Continent, I would argue it is little surprise that Brits are seeking foreign climes further afield. The flights may cost more, but at least we are guaranteed to get more for our hard-earned buck.

And hard-earned bucks they are too if the latest survey from hospitality recruitment website Caterer.com is anything to go by.

Nearly 70% of people are miserable at work

According to Caterer.com, nearly 70% of people are completely miserable at work and one in two think about quitting their jobs on a daily basis. Indeed, 43% of people go as far as saying they dread waking up in the morning. Surprisingly, hospitality workers, despite the long hours and stressful reputation, are the happiest and most passionate about their work.

The survey reveals that 49% of hospitality workers thoroughly enjoy their job, with only 23% admitting to the occasional thought of changing sectors and 19% claiming to not feel any job satisfaction. The complete results show the various job sectors and the percentage of people who are not only happy with their career, but feel genuinely dedicated and enthusiastic about their job:

1)  Hospitality – 49.16% of hospitality workers are happy with their job
2)  Health Sector – 48.89%
3)  Charity – 34.06%
4)  Education – 30.88%
5)  Care/Social work – 29.92%
5)  Forces/Police – 28.57%
6)  Skilled (designer/electrician) – 20.43%
7)  Sales (phone/door2door) – 16.98%
8)  Labour – 11.00%
9)  Office-based – 10.01%
10) Retail – 7.17%

“Hospitality employee’s work extremely hard, especially at this time of year and it’s fair to say the industry is rarely associated with passion or fun," comments Ian Burke of Caterer.com. "For us, these results just confirm what we see every day; that hospitality workers really do love their jobs.”

I wonder whether the ability for instant revenge on a disagreeable customer is anything to do with it? "Is this potato mash now creamy enough for you Sir?"…

In mash-ups of another kind, the Met Police has launched a test version of a clickable crime map for London showing how levels of burglary, robbery and vehicle theft vary across the capital.

Met police in web 2.0 crime map mash up (read full story)

The beta map mashes up Google Maps with crime statistics for each borough, using coloured overlays to indicate varying levels of criminal activity - from patches of dark blue (for low crime) to red (high).

Apparently, Southwark comes out as the most crime-ridden borough, with Hackney, Newham, Waltham Forest and Westminster all above average, while outlying suburban areas Bexley, Harrow, Merton, Kingston, Richmond and Sutton all have below average crime levels.

The site has been developed as part of a Home Office initiative to get more people involved with their local police and enable the public to hold local police forces to account. The Met said further features are likely to be added in the near future.

The Six Degree of Separation Has Shrunk to Just Three (read full story)

The impact of social networking and developments in technology has meant that the six degrees of separation has fallen to just three according to research commissioned by UK mobile operator, O2.

The research included over 50 hours of in-depth interviews with adults across three different age groups, (18-25, 35-45, 55+) and found that the conventional notion of six degrees of separation is out of date.

The term was made famous by US psychologist Stanley Milgram following a 1967 experiment. The six degrees theory was upheld in a 2006 Microsoft study of instant messenger conversations. However, the O2 study reveals that within a shared 'interest' network (i.e. hobbies, sport, music, religion, sexuality etc), the average person is connected by just three degrees.

Email and mobile phones were the technologies that had the most significant impact, with texting seen as a universally important technology, whilst social networking sites such as Facebook were highly rated by the youngest age bracket (although usage declined drastically amongst older participants in the research).

Congratulations ShoZu!

ShoZu Wins Gold in the Future Mobile Awards for their Contribution to Mobile Web 2.0 (read full release)

Mobile Web 2.0 innovators, ShoZu, have been selected by Juniper Research as the top award winner in the Future Mobile Awards - mobile web 2.0 category. The Future Mobile Awards are given to companies that have made a significant contribution to their sector and are poised to make considerable market impact in the future.  The gold award recognises ShoZu as being a leading light in the development of the sector.

“Supporting one-click transfer of digital content between mobile phones and 50+ social web destinations, geo-tagging, mobile-to-web messaging, and behavioural targeted advertising, ShoZu offers mobile network operators an established, all-round Mobile Web 2.0 on/off-deck turnkey platform. The average user is said to generate 20 network ‘events’ (i.e. content uploads/downloads) per month, with heavy users generating in excess of 100 events per month. This success demonstrates what can be achieved if users have the right tools available," says Ian Chard, panel judge and Analyst at Juniper Research. "ShoZu has partnered with Telecom Italia, Singapore’s StarHub and 3 (Austria and UK) under revenue-share agreements, while shipping as an embedded application on Motorola and Samsung handsets. By providing the mobile web equivalent of a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) and catering to the needs of the prosumer, ShoZu is a deserving Gold winner this year.”

In the news

The iPhone Kill-Switch Kerfuffle

Privacy advocates' concern over what Apple will do with iPhone user data may be overblown, industry experts say (read full story)

Bold, Thunder, Flip: BlackBerry Maker Begins Key Rollouts (read full story)

Is it a bird, is it a plane - no, its a trio of handsets from BlackBerry.

Research In Motion has begun what analysts call its most important BlackBerry rollout season ever, with its first touch-screen model and first flip phone on tap.

Disney Dialing Up Kids Again (read full story)

Disney is hoping that Tinker Bell - along with a collection of pirates and other Disney characters - can help breath life back into its mobile phone services for kids. [Why don't they just give it up?]

On the wire

ARCHOS 5 and ARCHOS 7 deliver the entire internet and multimedia world in a handheld tablet (read full release)

A new line of small portable devices is announced: ARCHOS 5, ARCHOS 5g and ARCHOS 7 deliver a new way for customers to enjoy continuous and instant access to the Internet, Media and TV.

OLYMPIC INTERNET TRAFFIC TO GROW AS BRITAIN TAKES TWELVE GOLD MEDALS (read full release)

ScanSafe, a provider of SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) Web Security, urges companies to address bandwidth concerns as the interest in the Olympic Games grows due to the success of the British team.

Top 10 Broadband Awards 2008: O2 top the winner's table for comparison website inaugural awards (read full release)

Top 10 Broadband the UK’s broadband comparison site and guide has announced the results of its inaugural annual broadband awards. Winners included O2 as the fastest broadband provider, BT as the winner in the wireless broadband category and ‘3' won the award for best mobile broadband provider.

Er, just one more thing…

As the social networking revolution continues unabated, it seems that even the last bastions of good old fashioned fun are not safe.

ALMOST FULL HOUSE AS BINGO COMMUNITY GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH (read full release)

The All Bingo Club, the online community-based Bingo destination launched recently, reports that Bingo goers have been ditching the halls in favour of playing online. All Bingo Club combines online Bingo play with community interaction, and 1000s of bingo players are said to have joined as the word spreads about its ease-of-play and fun features. “It would appear that our investment in game play and ease- of-use combined with a focus on community, is paying dividends as we have seen a massive surge in sign-ups over the past few weeks," says Mikki G. (brother to Ali?], All Bingo Club’s Manager. "Our ‘Recommend-a-friend’ feature is proving very popular.”

I guess you just have to accept it when your number's up.

Olympic Spirit Goes Mobile

At last, the wait for Olympian enthusiasts is over as China raises the curtain on what is sure to be a spectacular (smog-permitting) global event. Whilst there have been several political javelins hurled back and forth in recent weeks, one has to admire the tenacity of the Chinese in their meticulous preparation for the Games and construction of the world's biggest birds' nest (only Amy Winehouse's mop-top comes close).

Of course, the Olympics isn't just about sports, it's about supporting team and country every four years when Olympic fervour and patriotism take over - as Annabel Youens, community director of voeveo.com, reminds us. The marketplace for mobile content has come out with a range of national anthem ringtones and flag wallpapers so that any mobile phone owner can "carry the Olympic spirit in their pocket". [Just as long as it's not the Olympic torch…]

"There's something special about hearing your national anthem when your phone rings," says Annabel. "It's an easy way to feel part of the Olympics and you don't have to fly all the way to Beijing." Apparently, Voeveo has team members from China, New Zealand, Germany and Canada - which promises a 'battle of the national anthem ringtones' at the company's offices. Do you get the feeling that these guys should get out more?

China Opens Up the Internet to Journalists

Certainly, if there is one thing that can bring nations together (and of course, divide them at the same time), it is sport. It is encouraging to see that China is reportedly lifting its ban on certain websites following the row over access for journalists covering the Olympic Games.

In China, the Internet is tightly controlled, with access to many foreign sites restricted. Even the Chinese Google portal filters results to exclude politically sensitive material. However, it seems that many formerly restricted sites are now available - although for how long remains to be seen.

For those that don't want to chance it, the Global Internet Freedom Consortium (GIFC) has made anti-censorship software tools available for download at its site to help journalists and tourists circumvent China's Internet blockade. All Internet traffic through the tools is encrypted and can successfully bypass the Internet blockades in repressive nations around the world, it is claimed.

ShanghaiExpat Expands Its 'Guanxi'

Said to be one of the most active websites for expats' living in China, ShanghaiExpat is now working with 'Guanxi', the first and only English mobile city guide in China. Guanxi, a service of mInfo Inc., allows users to SMS keywords in English, Mandarin, or Pin Yin to search locations in cities across China. Subscribers to ShanghaiExpat can now send their keywords or venue names to Guanxi to find out the address and telephone number.

I wonder whether the service will include the 'Olympic Reporter's Guide to Labour Camps' - launched this week by The Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG)?

No More Doubts: Tech Spending Slows Significantly

Adding to the doom & gloom pervading the global economy at present is the latest market research from US-based market research firm, Techtel Corporation. The results of its 2Q08 'IT Spending Plans' Survey, conducted among 552 IT buyers/influencers in the US, show that expectations of overall IT spending have fallen dramatically over the past 4 quarters.  In 2Q08, only 3.9% more companies forecast an increase in spending rather than a decrease over the next 6 months; that is down from 18.5% in 2Q07.

Confirming this trend, actual IT spending was less than expected for the first 6 months of 2008, the first time this measure has been in negative territory since it was first tracked in 2Q04, says the company.

"Tech's hesitation about future demand is well-founded. U.S. IT spending is slowing and expected to continue doing so. It appears we may enter a period of declining IT spending during the second half of 2008," said Techtel' CEO, Michael F Kelly. The slowdown trend is said to be most pronounced in non-service related industries, and in companies with less than 250 employees. Three times as many companies cited the economy as a reason for decreased spending in 2Q08 (77%) as did in 2Q07 (26%).

In the news

LiMo wheels out new handsets (read full story)

Mobile Linux collective, the LiMo Foundation, announced a raft of new handsets to ship with the operating system on Monday.

On the wire

BOG OFF! I'm on the phone! (read full release)

iGizmo uncovers shocking stats on the UK's gadget usage. 35% of Brits admit to using their phone while on the loo [so how can you tell when people are actually talking sh*t?]…

FinePrint 6 paper saving printer utility launched (read full release)

An intelligent printer driver which typically reduces paper consumption by making more effective use of paper, reducing scrapped pages and removing the need for preprinted stationery, is announced by Software Partners.

Fibre, network, sewer, London (read full release)

Geo, a provider of bespoke fibre networks, today announced a 'refresh' [sic] of its Geo.Metro product portfolio, which includes the launch of Geo.ONE PLUS (1Gbit/s plus), Geo.TEN(10Gbit/s) and Geo.TEN PLUS (2 x 10Gbit/s), all scalable Managed Network Service solutions for businesses in London. The company is the only network provider to have deployed optical fibre via the Thames Water sewer system.

Er, just one more thing…

Meet the Fokkers - AT&T's Wireless Service Checks in at Gaylord International

AT&T says that it is the first wireless carrier to provide service at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Centre - the largest combined hotel and convention centre on the East Coast of the US.

3G in-building systems have been deployed to provide wireless coverage extending over all 470,000 square feet of flexible convention, meeting, exhibition and pre-function space, as well as the lobby, restaurants and shopping at the hotel.

According to Rob Forsyth, AT&T vice president and general manager of wireless operations in Washington, D.C., northern Virginia and Maryland: "Investing in in-building systems allow us to deliver on that promise [of seamless connectivity], even in the nooks and crannies of some of Washington's largest hotel and meeting spaces."

Hmm, wireless users with nooks and crannies beware of Mr Forsyth and where he plans to extend his wireless coverage…

An apology

Firstly, apologies to those of you that have subscribed to this blog and not received notification by email of new posts. We are still getting to grips with the WordPress system and there appears to be a bug with IE so hopefully, thanks to Firefox, you have received notification this morning…

Thank Crunchy

As the so-called 'credit-crunch' continues to bite, it seems that not a day goes by without more doom and gloom on the global economy front. However, there have been some bright spots. It is reported that the IMF has lifted growth forecasts modestly for the world - including the United States but said the global economy is in a "tough spot" due to rising inflation amid a slowdown.

Global output is expected to climb 4.1 percent in 2008, up from its April projection of 3.7 percent, the International Monetary Fund said in an update of its April World Economic Outlook. That said, it also boosted the inflation outlook, forecasting 3.4 percent inflation for advanced economies - up from an earlier estimate of 2.6 percent - and warning that there is still a chance of a global recession.

Tough times are ahead no doubt, but in the tech sector, there are those bucking the  trend…

Wii will defy the credit crunch (read full release)

According to research from online voucher code portal (www.laughingdeals.com) sales of Nintendo Wii and its accessories have so far defied the credit crunch with 45 percent of all searches being for the iconic console and its associated games. The site claims it has been inundated with requests for voucher codes related to the Wii. Also…

Low-cost broadband defies credit crunch (read full release)

Broadband is the only household utility bill to buck the trend of rising household bills in the wake of the credit crunch, according to broadband comparison site Top 10 Broadband.

"Broadband bills have plummeted by over 60% in the past 18 months while gas and electricity have risen by 15% and are set to rise further by the end of the year" says Jessica McArdle, a spokesperson for Top 10 Broadband.

Of course, without electricity, it would be pretty tricky to access your broadband connection but hey, it's a start.

Meanwhile, ManageSoft is warning company directors:

"Don’t let the credit crunch send you to jail…" (read full release)

The results of a FAST (Federation Against Software Theft) survey has recently hit the wires – news that 79 percent of company directors would be happy to avoid buying legitimate software licences to save them money during the downturn is a shocking figure. With a penalty of 10 years in jail and an unlimited fine, that’s some risk to take, states the company, which just happens to provide enterprise software management solutions.

According to ManageSoft: "With software audits likely to be on the rise during a difficult period, businesses need to accept that keeping a control of their software licenses will be a necessity and definitely won’t be an area to cut costs. In fact by implementing a software asset management solution it will allow organisations to leverage existing IT systems, improve efficiency and reduce costs."

Given the shortage of prison space at this current time, one wonders just how FAST you would end up in jail…

On the wire

GSA Confirms Over 200 HSDPA Networks Worldwide Are Launched

More than 200 HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) systems worldwide have launched commercial mobile broadband services, according to the latest research published by GSA, the Global mobile Suppliers Association.

Shock revelation - IT sector carbon emissions set to soar above Aviation (read full release)

In a shocking revelation, the EU commission has stated that CO2 emissions from the Information Technology (IT) sector are comparable to that of the vilified Aviation sector and, it is reportedly considering potentially fierce legislation if the industry fails to take action. The Aviation and IT sectors each generate 2% of Global CO2 emissions and the threatened new legislation will deliver businesses even more gloom in a worsening economic climate.

Don't worry though, IT is fighting back…

Echelon’s Technology Lights up the Beijing Olympic Village (read full release)

Echelon Corporation says that the Olympic Village in Beijing is using Echelon’s LonWorks technology to create an energy efficiency lighting control system. The smart LonWorks based control system integrates all lighting subsystems to optimise energy usage while maintaining a safe and 'aesthetically pleasing' environment for the athletes – contributing to the government’s pledge to stage a "green Olympics."

In the bloggosphere

There are mixed opinions on the 'iPhone threat' to other handset makers:

Needham Cuts RIM Rating on iPhone Threat

UBS Analyst: Survey Shows 3G iPhone Poses Little Threat to BlackBerry

Motorola, Nokia, Palm, RIM Suffering iPhone Headache

Er, just one more thing… 

Poor Service From Call Centres Threatens UK Business - No sh*t Sherlock…

UK businesses that operate a call centre could be sitting on a demographic time bomb that threatens their future. New research shows that nearly half of 25-44 year old consumers have changed suppliers because of a negative call centre experience, significantly higher than the national average of 35%. And what makes things worse is that seven out of ten UK consumers say they would probably or definitely tell someone about a poor call centre experience.

The new research, carried out by leading market researcher GfK NOP Consumer, coincides with the launch of the UK's biggest ever industry-wide mystery shopping study to find the country's Top 50 Call Centres for Customer Service. This independent initiative, led by Call Centre Focus magazine, aims to recognise good practice and raise customer service standards across the industry.

Top 50 UK-based call centres? All I can say is 'good luck'…

Dramatic rise in depressing music

The number of people listening to snippets of gloomy music or rating the tracks as 'positive' have soared in the last month. According to figures from entertainment recommendation service TheFilter.com (led by 'rock legend' Peter Gabriel), downbeat bands like The Smiths are flying up its popularity charts much faster than happier types of music.

The Ten Most Popular Depressing Songs, as rated by The Filter users in order:

1. Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own

2. The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby

3. The Smiths - Heaven knows I'm miserable now

4. Coldplay - Trouble

5. The Verve - The Drugs Don't Work

6. Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb

7. Blur - No Distance Left To Run

8. Radiohead - How to Disappear Completely

9. R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts

10. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart

The figures have been gathered by measuring how many of The Filter’s user base positively rate or have previewed recommended audio tracks.

Certainly, the news that even Cisco is struggling in the wake of the credit crunch could have more industry players switching to some of those tunes listed above - R.E.M. (at number 9) looks particularly appropriate…

iCant stand it

Will it end world poverty, find a cure for cancer, or provide a new eco-friendly and sustainable fuel source? Probably not - but there are lots of other things being promised with the arrival of the 3G iPhone (ad-nauseam).

From London's Regent Street to Fifth Avenue in New York City and downtown Tokyo, Apple die-hards have been queing to be amongst the first to get their sweaty palms on the long-awaited 3G iPhone. Such is the clamour that, in the UK, mobile carrier O2's website crumbled as pre-orders flew in on Monday, while in New York, a proud parent looked to trade in his young daugther (see below). A wise trade some might argue, given that kids can cost parents a princely sum as they grow up (and perhaps continue to do so thereafter…) but then again, so might the iPhone in some countries.

In Canada, Rogers Wireless faced a customer revolt over its data tariffs, while the US' AT&T was looking to tie-in iPhone customers with a two-year contract. Meanwhile in Belgium, the law forbidding the bundling of goods with subsidies means that the iPhone will cost close to $1,000.

Father queues with daughter for iPhone - Source: Wall Street Journal

Initial reviews have been mixed. The new iPhone is cheaper and faster (if you are located within 3.5G coverage), but battery life is said to be an issue, while the device also lacks bluetooth and video capabilites. Certainly, the first problem has been anticipated and iPowerRush believes it has the solution in the form of a slim white plastic case consisting of a 3-inch, built-in cable and 30-pin connector. It runs on six AAA batteries and provides instant power-on for the iPhone while recharging the handset's internal battery at a rate of 50% capacity in less than one hour (so says the company).

Some believe the iPhone will take the business world by storm, a sentiment echoed by Apple chief executive, Steve Jobs, who claims that the iPhone represents a 'rare launch of a new computing platform… as evidenced by the rush of software development by other companies' (some 500 apps will be available at launch). However, Microsoft was quick to act like a modern day William Tell, pointing out that developers have already created 18,000 applications for handsets using its Windows Mobile operating system.

And Microsoft isn't the only one looking to take a bite out of Apple. Phone hackers everywhere are chomping at the bit to undo Apple's attempts to ensure that its new 3G iPhone cannot be unlocked outside of an authorised dealer. And there are reports that 'cheap and cheerfull DIY kits' are already available to remove the SIMlock on any phone - including the 3G iPhone.

Also in the news

Mobiles to get touchy feely?

The launch of the first iPhone model a year ago boosted interest in the technology tremendously, and the updated model available Friday likely will stoke enthusiasm further. (read full story)

Mobile data boom

The burgeoning success of mobile data services is driving a turnaround in the struggling base station market, according to analyst figures released Tuesday. (read full story)

On the wire

Photo Messages Set to Edge Out Postcards as Photo Messaging Heats Up in the Summer (read full release)

NanoMarkets Predicts Thin-Film Solar Cell Industry Will Produce More Than 26 Gigawatts by 2015 (read full release)

In the bloggosphere

YouTube’s 4% Problem Is Really Part of The Solution… Is UGC really bad for the online advertising business?

Er, just one more thing…

DATA PROTECTION DEMANDS NEW THINKING: LEARN TO AVOID WHITEHALL DATA FIASCOS OR RISK PENALTIES (read full release)

This warning comes from UK compliance specialist IT Governance, who says that "the only way to avoid further disastrous losses of individuals' sensitive private information is to immediately commence a comprehensive overhaul of the way Central Government staff manage confidential personal information."

Certainly, a very wise bit of advice. The company goes on to argue that the loss of millions of child benefit records by HM Revenue and Customs, and the mislaying of laptops and security dossiers by MoD staff, are part of the same problem – institutional failures to define and implement basic compliance procedures in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act (DPA).

Agreed. But do the aforementioned Government agencies face the same penalties for failure to meet the demands of the DPA?

Pay rise anyone…

Official: Mobiles are for the birds…

Wild birds are able to imitate the simple ringtones of mobile phones and can sing up to 78 phrases it is claimed. According to Tierramerica, an information service specialising in environment and development, German ornithologists report that birds like the Euroasian jackdaw (Corvus monedula), the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and the Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) were put in contact with electronically created sounds as a result of the expansion of urban life, the food opportunities provided by cities, and the fast-paced growth of mobile phone use.

Apparently, it is in the nature of these birds to imitate the sounds of their environment that correspond to their own musical capabilities, and they can imitate these sounds so well that sometimes it is difficult to hear the difference. Surely nature couldn't be so twisted as to inflict the crazy frog on our feathered friends…

Apple and Blackberry pie

It seems that Blackberry has suffered as a result of the looming 3G iPhone mania. Research In Motion (RIM) shares are said to have nose-dived despite the 'crackberry' manufacturer announcing that revenues for the quarter to the end of May increased 107 percent year on year.

According to one analyst, RIM is being punished for not being Apple, although there is also some concern about the company's ability to deliver on its consumer-oriented strategy. However, on a brighter note, it is reported that the Indian Ministry of Telecommunications has come to the conclusion that Blackberry devices do not pose a security threat and that, therefore, it will not be closing down Blackberry's service in the sub-continent.

Meanwhile, there are those that believe that July 11, when the 3G iPhone hits the shelves in the US, will witness a similar frenzy to that which accompanied the launch of the original device. The problem it seems, is that AT&T is insisting that the handsets are activated in-store, to prevent unlocked iPhones making their way onto the overseas black market.

It sounds like a veritable nightmare - but one that is obviously unavoidable (and perhaps not wholly undeserved) for such people that are driven to queue round the block for days on end in order to complete their lives with the latest mobile wizardry. Okay, so the iPhone is pretty ground-breaking in certain respects, but c'mon, is it really the last word in mobile? And it seems operators are all too eager to succumb to Apple's every whim, if the story regarding one journalist's close encounter with the 3G iPhone is anything to go by…

In the News…

Biometrics to fast track 'trusted' travellers (read full story)

Under a UK-US agreement aimed at boosting business travel, fingerprint, iris and facial recognition technology will be used to speed up frequent travellers' journeys through immigration control…

ePassport upgrade scaled back (read full story)

The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has scaled back plans to upgrade its electronic passport system.

Blogger: Google's MySpace problem is serving up unrelated ads (read Blog)

The problem Google is having monetising its inventory of News Corp.’s MySpace pages may have more to do with faulty algorithms for ad serving than it does inherent issues with social networking sites, it is claimed.

On the wire…

The generation game: Y oh Y? (read full release)

As TV and movie studios push to make more of their video content available online, a new study from Knowledge Networks reveals that while consumers are indeed turning to new video technologies - such as online streaming and mobile video - most of their video-related spending continues to be on conventional sources such as DVD rentals and purchases.

No surprises there. But what is interesting is that the market watcher plays the old 'generation X, Y lead the way' card. Have they not heard that the term 'Millennials' now denotes the younger generation?

Speaking of the whipper-snappers:

Mobiles, not knives, will help to tackle gun and knife crime say London teenagers (read full release)

A project dubbed 'LIFEWISE' involved over 200 young people from South Thames College and six secondary schools across the London Borough of Wandsworth, whereby students used Vodafone v1615 handsets to enable them to work collaboratively on a range of curriculum-based projects, including finding solutions to the increasing problem of violent crime.

This is one of the first projects funded by The Mobile Learning Network (MoLeNET) and uses handheld technology, provided by Steljes, Vodafone, Wildkey and M-learning.mobi. The result has been a theatre production, a professionally-mastered CD of music incorporating anti-violent lyrics written, mixed and produced by the students, video promos, and an action plan to tackle social cohesion problems that can contribute to violent crime.

Let's hope the mobile can prove mightier than the sword…

And if the kids didn't have enough on their plate already:

Capcom recruits academic to brainwash kids with physics and maths while they play video games (read full story)

Nipan Maniar - the University of Portsmouth academic who is famous for developing the cultural awareness game ‘C-Shock’ – will work with games company Capcom to develop subliminal mind programming techniques in the architecture of video games to provide structured learning environments that players won't be consciously aware of; and in subject areas many students find hard to understand.

I can just imagine the scenario with Grand Theft Auto: If you have £3,000 and buy a stolen hot-hatch for 2,300, a hand-gun for £250, and narcotics for £275, how much cash are you left with?

Pop, pop… pop!