AFP - Faded Internet star AOL is reinventing itself as a digital age news operation with an army of freelance writers wielding online tools.
Quickly following up a late leak, T-Mobile tonight confirmed the launch details of its version of the HTC HD2. The extra-large Windows Mobile smartphone will arrive in stores on March 24th and will cost $200 when subsidized by a two-year contract. Even More Plus plan subscribers can also pay the $450 unsubsidized price up front in return for lower rates....
AP - Maxi Sopo was having so much fun "living in paradise" in Mexico that he posted about it on Facebook so all his friends could follow his adventures. Others were watching, too: A federal prosecutor in Seattle, where Sopo was wanted on bank fraud charges.
AP - The man who spearheaded the record-breaking deal in which Michael Jackson's estate will get up to $250 million in the next seven years said Tuesday that Sony Music Entertainment bought a treasure trove of new Jackson music, some of it recorded "quite recently," some in collaboration with other artists.
Reuters - Chinese firms selling advertising space on Google's search pages have demanded clarity about the Internet company's plans in China, warning they will demand compensation if it shuts its Chinese portal.
Verizon has released details of its Android 2.1 update for the Motorola Droid, which brings with it a number of new features and fixes. As expected, users can now perform multi-touch gestures, such as pinch-to-zoom in the browser, the photo gallery and Google Maps. A Weather and News app has been added, along with voice-to-text entry. The gallery also gets a new, 3D layout, and users get live wallpapers previously seen only on the Nexus One....
A bill has been passed by the British House of Lords that, if it becomes law, would require Internet Service Providers to report suspected file sharers and copyright violators to copyright holders as well as the UK's Office of Communications (OFCOM). The Digital Economy Bill would be at odds with the way the European Commission handles enforce copyright infringements. OFCOM would need to decide on what ISPs are obligated to do with customers they suspect of infringing copyrights....
The latest leaked documents from provider T-Mobile reveal shipping dates and prices for a few anticipated handsets. Unlike a leak from the start of the month that had the Cliq XT priced at $130 with a two-year contract, the newest screen captures indicate that the phone will cost $100 instead. The Nuron, meanwhile, has reportedly been delayed by a week and is now due out on March 24th....
Starting Tuesday, famous novelist John Grisham's works will be available in e-book format, according to a Tuesday release from the author. Grisham's publisher, Random House, will make all 23 of his novels available through e-book retailers. Hehas previously been reluctant to allow digitizing his work, as he believed e-books would hurt traditional book sales and make it harder for new writers to be successful....
Microsoft at its MIX10 event admitted the Windows Phone 7 platform will lack support for clipboard operations, according to Engadget. The comments may be a surprise to many, as copy and paste functionality has been available on previous generations of Windows Mobile software....
AP - The record-breaking deal in which Michael Jackson's estate will get up to $250 million in the next seven years probably isn't a huge gamble for the company that will pay the money out, Sony Music Entertainment.