Memble

AFP launches mobile news, multimedia service

Agence France-Presse announced Friday the launch of a new service providing mobile phone users with access to its global news coverage and incorporating multimedia and messaging options.

The AFP Mobile Journal service will provide round the clock access to the international news agency's production in text, photographs and videos.

AFP Mobile Journal is a multimedia feed covering major news from across the globe in a variety of diverse categories, available now in English and French, and with Spanish and Arabic versions expected by year's end, the company said.

Editorial formats of Mobile Journal are specifically designed for mobile screens, it said.

Mozilla Firefox 3

The latest version of the Firefox Web browser, launched Tuesday, was downloaded more than 8 million times in the first 24 hours it was available, according to its developers. Firefox is the No. 2 Web browser behind Microsoft Corp.'s Internet Explorer.

FCC chief recommends OK of satellite radio deal

The proposed merger of the nation's two satellite radio broadcasters -- bogged down in the regulatory process for over a year -- has cleared a major hurdle: The Federal Communications Commission chief is recommending approval of the $3.8 billion deal.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin made his recommendation Sunday in exchange for a number of concessions, including turning 24 channels over to noncommercial and minority programming. That sets the stage for a final vote that could occur any time after Martin's recommendation is circulated among his fellow commissioners.

The provision on noncommercial and minority programming along with several others -- including a three-year price freeze for customers -- persuaded Martin to support Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.'s buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. The deal would affect millions of subscribers who pay to hear music, news, sports and talk programming, largely free from advertising, in homes and vehicles.

The other four commissioners have kept their views on the deal largely to themselves. Unlike most FCC decisions, there is no clear indication how the vote will go.

Software Company Expands in Tampa Bay, Adds Jobs

Performance Software, headquartered in Phoenix, recently selected Pinellas County to expand with a new branch of operations. The expansion will add 30 new jobs over three years, each paying 200% of the average annual wage in unincorporated Pinellas County. Competing with Oregon and Iowa for the expansion, Pinellas County beat out Oregon and Iowa which were also competing for the expansion. A full life-cycle software development and verification company, Performance Software primarily serves businesses in the aerospace and defense industries -- industries with a strong base in Florida.

FTC opens formal probe of Intel

Escalating the world's largest computer chip maker's legal woes, the Federal Trade Commission has opened a formal probe into Intel Corp.'s sales tactics.

The move is a victory for its much smaller rival, Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

Intel disclosed Friday that it has received a subpoena from the FTC for records about Intel's microprocessor sales, which dominate the world market with a roughly 80 percent share.

The FTC's two-year investigation had been considered "informal" until that point, and Intel, which is already fighting antitrust charges in the European Union and was fined this week by antitrust regulators in South Korea, said it had been cooperating.