A rescue helicopter plucked a man and his two sons from thick bush in NZ's Ruahine Ranges after they called for help via a mobile phone. The man also carried hand-held Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) equipment and so was able to give a pin-point location.

Well known Japanese electronics manufacturer NEC has developed translation software for mobiles that converts sentences moments after they’re spoken.

Chip sales were slumping in late 2007, but the head of Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) , the world's biggest chipmaker, is typically upbeat about 2008. "I'm an optimist," said Intel Chief Executive Paul Otellini, via e-mail. "I think 2008 should be a very good year for the chip industry."