U.S. software giant Microsoft MSFT.O and telecoms multinational Telefonica TEF.MC have agreed to develop technological and commercial initiatives jointly, the companies said on Tuesday.
The agreement will allow Microsoft to use Telefonica communication services in its countries of operation as well as improving Telefonica's information systems, they said in a statement.
The companies said they would also develop wireless services, such as trying to allow Hotmail users to send email messages from mobile phones, and try to increase the broadband market, which offers faster access to the Internet.
"(This) will translate into new services for consumers and companies," Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said.
He told business executives at a lecture in Madrid on Monday that his only hardware dream not to be realized was the widespread adoption of broadband, because of its high cost.
The companies said they would work on initiatives to offer software as a service, by constructing personal web pages for their clients and for companies.
News source: Reuters
The agreement will allow Microsoft to use Telefonica communication services in its countries of operation as well as improving Telefonica's information systems, they said in a statement.
The companies said they would also develop wireless services, such as trying to allow Hotmail users to send email messages from mobile phones, and try to increase the broadband market, which offers faster access to the Internet.
"(This) will translate into new services for consumers and companies," Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said.
He told business executives at a lecture in Madrid on Monday that his only hardware dream not to be realized was the widespread adoption of broadband, because of its high cost.
The companies said they would work on initiatives to offer software as a service, by constructing personal web pages for their clients and for companies.
News source: Reuters
A spokesman for the Dutch Ministry for Environment said that large concentrations of cadmium were banned in the Netherlands -- in line with European Union policy -- to prevent it from entering the food chain.
"Cadmium damages the kidneys," spokesman Joost Kehrer told Reuters.
Within the European Union no goods are allowed to be imported which contain more than 0.01 percent cadmium, he said.
In reaction, Sony confirmed that the Playstation consoles had been impounded by the Dutch government.
"But the health risk is for incorrect disposal (of the cable) only," David Reeves, Sony Computer Entertainment senior vice president of sales and marketing Europe, said. "We have reservations about the interpretation of the law by the Dutch authorities," he added.
Reeves said that Sony was already replacing the peripherals and had started to ship the Playstation One consoles again.
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