Smartphones To Make Up Over Asian Mobile Phone Sales By 2015

Smartphones will make up over half of Asian mobile phone sales by 2015, with 477 million units likely to be sold, an industry report said Monday. Consultancy Frost and Sullivan said smartphones would account for 54 percent of the Asia-Pacific mobile market in five years, up sharply from five percent in 2009.

High Street Banking Business NBNK Takes Center Stage

NBNK has issued 50 million shares at 100 pence each on the Alternative Investment Market (Aim). It will use this money to help open between 400 and 600 branches in the UK, accounting for between 4% and 6% of the market, the group said.

DEAL APPROVED! Intel Acquires McAfee

Intel Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire McAfee, Inc., through the purchase of all of the company’s common stock at $48 per share in cash, for approximately $7.68 billion. Both boards of directors have unanimously approved the deal, which is expected to close after McAfee shareholder approval, regulatory clearances and other customary conditions specified in the agreement.

Smart Technology: Here Comes Facebook Check-In To You

"Where are you?" is joining "What's on your mind?" as Facebook lets its users declare their whereabouts to their friends and people nearby.

'Youths To Get New Names To Elude Online Past', Says Google Boss Eric Schmidt

All young people will eventually be allowed to automatically change their name on reaching adulthood to escape their online past, Google boss Eric Schmidt has predicted. Skip related content. As hundreds of millions of web users worldwide divulge increasing amounts of personal information on social networking and other sites, the search engine's chief executive warned they may not be aware of the consequences.

Nikon D3X Redefines High Resolution SLR Photography: Smart Technology

The D3X redefines high resolution SLR photography, whether you shoot in the studio or out on location. The 24.5 megapixel FX format CMOS sensor delivers image files with outstanding levels of detail and tonal gradation and boasts an ISO range of 100 to 1600. Its durable Kevlar/carbon fiber-composite shutter and EXPEED image processing engine enable it to shoot at up to 5 fps (7 fps in DX Crop mode).

Bank of England Vs Economic Growth Forecasts

The Bank of England cut its economic growth forecasts on Wednesday, but added that the recovery will continue, amid data showing the biggest fall in unemployment for three years. The drop in unemployment appears particularly significant, given sharp debate in Europe over whether radical action to cut budget overspending might crimp recovery and drive up the jobless numbers, and also the latest downward adjustment for growth.

HSBC, BNP Paribas Beat Earnings Forecasts After Bad Debts Fall

The two banks showed a dip in investment banking income in the latest quarter, but more than made up for that with lower losses on personal and corporate loans as broad economic conditions improved. Half-year profits for HSBC, Europe's biggest bank, hit $11.1 billion, more than double the $5 billion of a year ago and above the average forecast of $9.1 billion from eight analysts polled by Thomson Reuters.

Smart Business: 10 Top Things Your Bank Won’t Tell You

Most businesses live or die on the back of services they provide (or fail to provide) for their customers. But not banks. Here are ten things your banks won't willingly tell you. If you're unhappy with your bank you're not alone. In fact, the Office for Fair Trading is right behind you. After a recent survey of the relationship customers have with their bank, it came to the conclusion that personal current accounts are "not working well for consumers".

Single Mobile Phone Chargers Coming To EU

Starting next year, mobile phones will have a uniform charger. The model, part of an agreement by at least a dozen phone makers, means new phones will no longer comes with chargers - and there will be less electronic waste.

New Generation Amazon Kindle Available For Pre-Order In UK

The all-new Amazon Kindle is now available for pre-order in the UK. The new Kindle has an electronic-ink screen with 50% better contrast, and offers 20 percent faster page turns, up to one month of battery life, a twofold storage increase to 3,500 books, built-in Wi-Fi, a new graphite colour and more - all for only GBP 149, and still with free 3G wireless - no monthly bills or annual contracts.

YouTube Increases Video Upload Time To 15 Minutes

In case 10 minutes isn't enough to show off your guitar solo skills or Lady Gaga impersonation, YouTube has raised the limit it places on video uploads to 15 minutes.

Smart People: Robert Dudley Biography (BP CEO)

From 2003 to 2008, Robert Dudley or Bob Dudley served as the president and chief executive officer of TNK-BP in Moscow after more than five years. He served in the role from the time of the formation of the company in 2003.

BP CEO Tony Hayward Quits With $1.6m Reward, Robert Dudley New BP CEO

Tony Hayward will step down as chief executive of BP, the company announced Tuesday, amid ongoing outrage over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. BP said Hayward will be replaced by American Robert Dudley effective Oct. 1. BP said the decision to replace Hayward, 53, with the company's first ever non-British chief executive was made by mutual agreement. BP said Hayward will receive a year's salary amounting to $1.6 million but further details of his severance package were not disclosed.

Smart People: Jean Gregoire Sagbo Is Russia First Black Politician Elected

People in this Russian town used to stare at Jean Gregoire Sagbo because they had never seen a black man. Now they say they see in him something equally rare – an honest politician. Sagbo last month became the first black to be elected to office in Russia.

DEVASTATION! WikiLeaks Reveals 90,000 US Reports About Afghanistan Between 2004 And 2010

A whistle-blower website has published what it says are more than 90,000 United States military and diplomatic reports about Afghanistan filed between 2004 and January of this year.