News In Brief: IDC, Microsoft, Portugal Telecom, GEICO, Gartner, Reliance Communications

Staff writer | December 14, 2010

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Global mobile app downloads will grow from 10.9 billion in 2010 to 76.9 billion in 2014, as the number of app-capable devices increases, IDC forecasts. Revenues will hit $35 billion (€25.9 billion) by 2014, it says.

Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer has stirred speculation the company could buy Twitter, after having breakfast with Dick Costolo, CEO of the microblog firm.

Portugal Telecom has partnered with SingTel to develop applications for fiber and high-speed wireless networks, and share best practices in fiber and IPTV.

US car insurance firm GEICO has launched a Windows Phone 7 application allowing customers to pay bills, check policy information and obtain assistance in the event of an accident.

PC shipments in India will rise 24.7% to 13.2 million units in 2010, due to growing demand from smaller cities, Gartner predicts.

Reliance Communications has become India’s second private operator to launch commercial 3G services, going live in four of its 13 markets in the country yesterday. It follows the launch of services by Tata Communications last month.

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Staff writer