News In Brief: Intel, Microsoft, Ovum, IBM, T-Mobile Croatia

Intel is breaking new ground in the Middle East, agreeing to purchase the bulk of Egyptian software firm SySDSoft and take on 100 local staff through its Intel Mobile Communications business. The software firm should boost Intel’s 4G LTE portfolio.
 
Microsoft has released the latest version of its Internet Explorer web browser. Beta versions of IE9 are the most-downloaded in the firm’s history, with 40 million accesses.
 
Mobile TV services have failed to deliver on their promise, despite the growing number of smartphones now in the market, research firm Ovum claims. TV services have delivered only incremental revenue increases, and lag in comparison to popular web streaming services.
 
IBM has launched a smart commerce consultancy, in a bid to tap a market it estimates is worth $70 billion (€50.4 billion).
 
T-Mobile Croatia is replacing solar panels with wind turbines to power off-grid base stations on the Adriatic coast. Turbine maker Zephyr supplied the kit, through domestic renewable energy specialist Energyplus.