Europe to cap prices for roaming text messages and data

European telecommunications ministers gave their backing on Thursday to a plan to cap retail prices for sending SMS (Short Message Service) text messages and browsing the Internet using mobile phones while abroad.

Nokia is developing a device to link mobile phones to home automation systems. Using a mobile phone consumers will be able monitor and control security, heating, and ventilation systems via its gateway Home Control Center, Nokia announced on Thursday.

Estonian ISP cuts off control servers for Srizbi botnet

An Estonian ISP that temporarily hosted the command-and-control servers for the Srizbi botnet, responsible for a large portion of the world's spam, has cut off those servers, according to computer security analysts.

In Mumbai, bloggers and Twitter offer help to relatives

Bloggers pitched in offering information and other help to people worldwide as Indian police and commandos battled it out Thursday with armed terrorists in two top hotels and a residential complex in south Mumbai.

Nokia to pull out of Japanese handset market

The world's largest cell phone maker is pulling out of one of the world's biggest cellular markets. Nokia said on Thursday that it will stop developing handsets for NTT DoCoMo and Softbank Mobile, effectively ending a push that began five years ago when Nokia re-entered the Japanese market with the launch of 3G services here.

Elpida to raise stake in Taiwan DRAM venture

Japanese DRAM maker Elpida Memory plans to increase its stake in a joint venture Taiwanese DRAM maker, giving it control over the venture and providing partner Powerchip Semiconductor with a much needed cash infusion.

Asustek to unveil US$200 Eee PC netbook next year

Asustek Computer plans to unveil a new Eee PC netbook that costs just US$200 in the first quarter of next year, a company representative said Thursday.

Panasonic forecasts 90 percent drop in profits this year

Citing a "sharp deteriation" in business conditions, Panasonic has slashed its full-year sales and profits forecasts.

Bamboo laptop by Asustek to debut Saturday

Asustek Computer plans to debut a nature-friendly laptop PC with a casing made of bamboo on Saturday at Taiwan's IT Month exhibition.

Sharp to team with Italy's Enel on solar power

Sharp and Italian electricity utility Enel plan to set up a number of solar-power plants in the coming years and are also discussing joing production of solar cells, Sharp said Thursday.

Mumbai terrorist attacks don't deter technology companies

Terrorist attacks late Wednesday in Mumbai are unlikely to make multinational technology companies change their strategies for India.

How spyware nearly sent a teacher to prison

If there's a poster child for the dangers of spyware, it's Julie Amero.

Wall Street Beat: Clouds loom for IT despite holiday break

The U.S. Thanksgiving holiday is bringing momentary relief to weary IT investors, but forecasts of flat sales or absolute declines for semiconductors, mobile devices and online commerce mean that it will be a while before the clouds lift from the tech sector.