Japan's leading mobile broadband operator, EMobile, is rolling out a blazing fast wireless network using Ericsson's HSPA Evolution technology. Just how fast? Try peak data rates of an impressive 42 Mbps.

"Japanese mobile users are among the most advanced in the world when it comes to consuming digital content over mobile networks and now they will be able to enjoy a new dimension in the broadband experience, with significantly faster internet browsing and file downloads,” said Fredrik Alatalo, President of Ericsson Japan.

This upgrade will make its network not only faster, but equipped to manage the country's surge in smartphone usage and sophisticated mobile apps for banking, video, e-commerce, health and security services – all major bandwidth hogs.Continue reading...

Apple, under scrutiny from US regulators, is bringing the 3G iPhone to China.

US FDA agency is still probing kids medicine recall, as Tylenol maker "scrambles" to fix issue.

Microsoft is still pursuing tablet projects despite shelving Courier project, says Bill Gates.

Boeing's social media tutor: an 8-year-old.

Google's Chrome outpaces Firefox in the browser wars as IE loses share.

Starbucks remixes its Frappucino line.Continue reading...

If merger activity is a sign of a global economic recovery, then the coming together of two big mobile players in the U.K. is jolly good news. Last month, European regulators cleared the merger of Orange (owned by France Telecom) with the UK division of T-Mobile (owned by Deutsche Telekom) to create the UK's largest mobile carrier. It's a clear sign that the EU will not be unkind to major consolidations, even as one British consumer watchdog questioned how the companies' union would benefit mobile users.

The merged entity is sure to change the competitive marketplace in the UK. The merged company, which will begin operating under a new brand name in 18 months, will have as much as 37 percent market share and more than 28 million customers. It will compete with three other companies--O2, Vodafone, and 3--in the UK market.

The story behind the story, though, is the demise of yet another iconic brand.Continue reading...