Belarussian mobile users get texted pre-election warning (AFP)   18 Mar 2006 15:56 GMT

AFP - Mobile phone subscribers in Belarus received an anonymous text message alleging that plotters were preparing bloodshed after Sunday's election and warning them to keep away.

Source: Yahoo

Vodafone, Yahoo eye content exchange deal   17 Mar 2006 16:44 GMT
A content supply link between Vodafone Group and Yahoo could be one result of the agreement reached Friday under which Vodafone is selling its Japanese unit to Softbank.
Source: InfoWorld

Update: Softbank to acquire Vodafone's Japan unit   17 Mar 2006 13:50 GMT
Softbank has agreed to buy Vodafone Group's struggling Japanese mobile phone unit for around ¥1.8 trillion ($15.3 billion), the companies announced Friday.
Source: InfoWorld

LG's Unlucky C2000 (BusinessWeek Online)   17 Mar 2006 13:08 GMT
BusinessWeek Online - Looking for a cool, new cutting-edge mobile phone? This isn't the review series for you. Like many users, I wanted a phone that does a good job acting like a phone. Me, I can no longer afford "cool" -- I accidentally destroyed my last phone, didn't have insurance, and don't feel like shelling out big bucks for a hip, high-end model.
Source: Yahoo

The bugs in the carpet are RFID   17 Mar 2006 12:15 GMT
One of Germany's best-known makers of vacuum cleaners and carpets aims to tap a new market: intelligent flooring embedded with wireless chips.
Source: InfoWorld

Vodafone sells Japan unit to Softbank   17 Mar 2006 12:13 GMT
Japan's largest broadband Internet provider agrees to pay $11.9 billion in cash for struggling mobile services unit.
Source: ZDNet

Japan's Softbank enters cellphones with 15-bln-dollar Vodafone buy (AFP)   17 Mar 2006 12:07 GMT

AFP - Japanese Internet empire Softbank launched its foray into mobile telephones with a 15-billion-dollar buy of Vodafone's Japanese unit that could spark fierce price competition.

Source: Yahoo

Japan's Softbank seals deal to buy Vodafone's Japan unit (AFP)   17 Mar 2006 08:56 GMT

AFP - Japanese Internet and telecoms group Softbank Corp has won the race to buy Vodafone's struggling Japanese subsidiary for 8.9 billion pounds (12.8 billion euros, 15.6 billion dollars), the British mobile phone giant said here.

Source: Yahoo

Softbank to Buy Vodafone Mobile Unit (AP)   17 Mar 2006 07:16 GMT

AP - British mobile phone company Vodafone has agreed to sell its struggling Japan unit to Internet services company Softbank, Kyodo news agency reported Friday, in a move that's likely to intensify competition in one of the world's most advanced cell phone markets.

Source: Yahoo

Vodafone to Japan: Sayonara (The Motley Fool)   16 Mar 2006 21:38 GMT
The Motley Fool - I first heard the rumor two weeks ago, while on vacation in Japan: Vodafone (NYSE: VOD - News) would sell its Japanese mobile phone unit to holding company SoftBank.
Source: Yahoo