Microsoft pilots contextual online ad service

Microsoft has officially launched its contextual online ad service under the banner Microsoft adCenter in the US, with a UK pilot billed for June. Redmond had been weaning itself off Yahoo! Search Marketing adverts for some time as its US pilot progressed, serving just 30 per cent of ads across its MSN network from Yahoo!. Now adCenter clients will see their ads on a range of Microsoft online properties, including its Live platform comprising Live Mail, Spaces and Safety Center as well as its Office, Xbox and Mobile sites. ...more

BT polls shareholders for mm02 demerger

BT has published proposals for the demerger of its mobile business and begun mailing details to shareholders for approval. As part of the demerger of the wireless business, two new holding companies will be officially created: mm02 itself (which will be made up of BT Cellnet, Digifone, Telfort Mobiel, Viag Interkom, Manx Telecom and Genie) and BT Group (which will be made up of the separately managed BT Retail, BT Wholesale, BTopenworld and BT Ignite, along with its Concert joint venture). The demerger forms part of BT's restructuring strategy which was first announced back in May. ...more

Fuji unveils Porsche cameras

Fuji has announced two new vertical digital cameras, designed by F. A. Porsche, that can double as Web cameras for Internet video conferencing. ...more

BT sets latest broadband dates

B ...more

Ryanair readies itself for mobile take-off

Ryanair plans to enable some of its 40 million-plus passengers to use their mobile phones in-flight from the middle of next year. But the budget airline will be pipped to the post by Air France who plans to start trialling the same system earlier in 2007. The news follows Boeing's announcement earlier this month to kill off its high-speed, in-flight broadband service, Connexion, at a loss of up to $320 million. ...more