Google releases Chrome v3

Google released it's 3rd version of Chrome last week on the anniversary of its launch a year ago. That's not too exciting as you'd expect Google to update the browser every now and again.

Chrome's market share is now 3.5% of the browser market which is no where near competing browsers such as Firefox or IE, however it's now ahead of Opera and Safari which have both been out there much longer so isn't bad for a browser that's only been around for a year and Google haven't really yet pushed it.

When Google release their Chrome OS (designed for Netbooks) which also uses the Chrome browser (the browser is the main entry point on the the Internet) the installed base could increase dramatically, Chrome will also be optimised to work with Google apps (or is that the other way around) so for Chrome OS Netbooks, everything sits in the browser.

Orange and T-Mobile UK jike non-EU prices

Both Orange and T-Mobile in the UK have hiked their prices to countries outside Europe, some by as much as 100%. Both networks announced the price rises at similar times.

Looks like they're already in cahoots before any official joining of companies.

Vodafone competition generates over 1,000 application ideas

Vodafone's Competition to get ideas for Android applications has now reached over 1,000 entries.

The winner of the best idea will get £1,000 and an HTC Magic. There's only 6 days to go as the competition closes on the 20th of September.

802.11n specification finally released

The 802.11n working have finally released the final specification for the wireless standard. There are only minor changes between this final version and Draft 2 which was released 3 years ago.

The WiFi Alliance have already been certifying products against the preN specification and will now start certifying to the 802.11n standard.

It is expected that vendors will release 802.11n products in 2010, which at some point in the future will support speeds of up to 300Mb/s.

Proposals for the regulation of video on demand services | Ofcom

Proposals for the regulation of video on demand services | Ofcom

A European Directive 2007/65/EC Audio Visual Media Service ("AVMS") means that European countries have to now worry about Video On Demand (VOD) services and Ofcom has until Dec 19th 2009 to effect a number of requirements covering VOD services and all audiovisual media services in the digital age.

The AVMS Directive amends and renames the Television Without Frontiers (TVWF) Directive by providing less details and more flexible regulation.

Ofcom is proposing to carry out its statutory duties with respect to VOD Editorial and VOD Advertising and is consulting on: -

* How to decide which VOD services cone under the remit of the new VOD regulations.

* Issues on the practical implementation of the regulations.

Currently this will definitely affect services such as iPlayer, Sky Anytimes, etc, but will it also cover the plethora of small start-ups out there.

There are issues that could cause problems as advertising tobacco products is illegal and no VOD service should contain incitement to hatred based on race, sex, religion or nationality - these could effect niche sites which may be targeted at specific populations.

This could open a new can of worms for Internet broadcasters.