Google blunts Facebook phone app on Android

Google has stepped up its data battle with Facebook by blunting the social networking site's app on its phones. An update for its latest mobile operating system will see users' Facebook contacts disappear from the phone's address book. Google said it took the action as it was no longer willing to exempt Facebook from its data-sharing rules. The decision has been seen as indicative of growing tensions between the two internet giants. The contact-altering update applies to the Gingerbread version of Google's Android mobile operating system - currently only available for the Nexus S and Nexus One handsets, which are manufactured for Google. Makers...

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Intel launches high speed Thunderbolt connector

Chip manufacturer Intel has announced it is to roll out a new technology for connecting computers and peripherals. The system, known as Thunderbolt, promises transfer speeds twice as fast as USB 3.0. However it won't reach its theoretical maximum because Intel has opted to use copper wires rather than fibre optic cables. The company said it would gradually move to higher speeds over time. Apple will become the first manufacturer to use Thunderbolt, on its Macbook Pro computers. The Cupertino firm is said to have been a major driver of its development, although it remains to be seen how may other manufacturers will adopt the new standard. Light...

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Deutsche Bank gets 1bn won fine after Korea market fix

Deutsche Bank has been fined 1bn won ($887,000) after South Korea's regulators said its staff manipulated the country's stock market. The fine is the largest ever handed down by Korea's stock exchange, KRX. On Thursday, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) said Deutsche Bank staff colluded to force down the value of the stock index so that they could profit illegally. Deutsche Bank said it was "disappointed" with the FSC's findings. Closing rush? The FSC started its investigation into Deutsche Bank's staff after the main KOSPI stock index fell 2.8% in the last 10 minutes of trade on 11 November. That drop earned the staff profits of...

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