Webwire: Amazon considers Android smartphone; HTC profit slumps

Sources claim Amazon is planning to launch its own Android-based smartphone to complement its Kindle Fire tablet, and is working with Foxconn to produce the device.
 
Taiwanese handset maker HTC has reported a 57.8% slump in 2Q profit, blaming weaker than expected European sales and problems gaining clearance for two handsets for the US.
 
Apple has withdrawn its product line from the Green Electronics Council's electronic product environmental assessment tool (EPEAT) program, potentially excluding itself from US government procurements due to a requirement that all computer purchases meet EPEAT standards.
 
Quest Investments subsidiary Quest Telecom has lined up Huawei Marine Networks to build and deploy subsea cable systems in APAC, if a feasibility study deems the cable project to be viable.
 
Facebook and Yahoo have settled their patent battle with no money changing hands. Each has agreed to drop their respective lawsuits and to co-operate in an advertising alliance.
 
A China Mobile subsidiary has agreed to refund the over 680,000 yuan (€86,911) which a woman mistakenly transferred to a prepaid mobile phone account, after initially claiming the money cannot be returned.