Apple to keep lid on CEO plans

Apple shareholders yesterday rejected a proposal that would have required the company to disclose its succession plan for senior management, according to CNet.

The proposal was one of two by shareholders aimed at adding transparency and a new voting standard to what is considered one of the most secretive technology companies.

A group of shareholders had asked the company to reveal its plans for replacing Steve Jobs, a request Apple had rallied against, saying such a revelation would give competitors an "unfair advantage" by publicising the company's confidential objectives and plans.

Microsoft has withdrawn a software update for its Windows Phone system, after it made some handsets unusable, reveals the BBC.

The problem appears to have affected a small number of mobiles made by Samsung.

Owners reported their phones crashing, and in some cases failing to start up altogether. Microsoft says it is working to fix the issue and will send out a new update as soon as possible.

Cisco has discontinued the hosted e-mail service it introduced in November 2009, after negative feedback from customers, says V3.co.uk.

The company says its hosted e-mail product was a reaction to customer requirements for less hands-on on-premise communications software.

However, in the 13 short months the firm has been testing its mail product, Cisco has realised firms are looking for something other than standard mail, wherever it is hosted.

Lufthansa has partnered with Deutsche Telekom to offer WiFi connectivity on its commercial flights, following a successful free trial at the end of 2010, notes Computing.co.uk.

The airline will provide 5Mbps unlimited broadband access to passengers, making it the first commercial airline to offer the service on intercontinental flights.

The broadband connectivity is based on technology from Panasonic Avionics, which uses a satellite link from the aeroplane. The service, FlyNet, is available on selected Lufthansa North Atlantic routes.