Nokia dumps X7 release plans

Nokia has cancelled the US release of a new smartphone that was supposed to be exclusive to AT&T, reveals CNet.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the news yesterday, but a source close to the situation, who didn't want to be named, confirmed Nokia had pulled the plug on the release of the new smartphone on AT&T's network.

The X7 smartphone hasn't been officially unveiled yet, but details of the device have been leaked online. The X7, which is still expected to be released outside the US on other carriers, is a touch-screen smartphone designed for mobile gaming that is expected to run Symbian 3 software.

Google Earth, the Chrome browser and photo service Picasa will be available for download in Iran for the first time, the search giant revealed, states the BBC.

It follows an easing on US export restrictions to the country last year. One of the conditions of the licence is that none of the products can be downloaded by or on behalf of the Iranian government.

Google says it is hopeful the new tools will enable freer communication in the country. "There are many activist layers on Google Earth. Anyone can create a layer to show exactly what is going on in Iran," said Google's head of public policy, Scott Rubin.

eBay says its fourth-quarter revenue rose 5%, as the healthy holiday shopping season bolstered growth in its online marketplace and PayPal online payments business, reports Associated Press.

The company's profit fell, since the year-ago quarter included a large gain from the sale of Internet communications business Skype. Excluding special items such as the Skype gain, eBay's fourth-quarter profit shot up 24%.

For the quarter that ended on 31 December, the company earned $559.2 million, or 42c per share, compared with $1.35 billion, or $1.02 per share, in the year-ago quarter.

A free iPhone app enabling people to receive train tickets directly to their phone is now being offered in the UK, says Computing.co.uk.

Heathrow Express, which enables direct travel between central London and Heathrow Airport, has unveiled an app allowing passengers to purchase tickets then receive a barcode on their phone that can be scanned once they have boarded.

The app has been accredited by Barclays and is compliant with the international standard for data security, PCI DSS.