Microsoft

Unwired View reports that Microsoft is in talks with Blockbuster, the chain of DVD and video game rental stores, to develop a service that will provide instant access to movies on mobile handsets based on the Windows Mobile platform.

Reuters notes that Ivory Investment Management LP, which owns 1.5 percent of shares in Yahoo, urged the Internet company to sell its search business to Microsoft, saying such a deal could more than double Yahoo's value.

CNet News reports that Microsoft has released the company's first application for Apple's iPhone, even before making it available on Microsoft's own mobile platform, Windows Mobile.

Microsoft has emerged victorious in the race to become the default mobile search and advertising provider for Verizon Wireless, beating off competition from the likes of Google and Yahoo.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Yahoo is in the final stretch of its search for a CEO, and a decision could come as soon as next week.

Ahead of a reported 'major announcement' at next month's GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Microsoft has told the New York Times of its intention to limit the number of mobile phones that run its Windows Mobile operating system.

CNet News reports that Microsoft yesterday released version 4.0 of Windows Live Search Mobile, its downloadable search and map app for Windows Mobile 5 and 6, which the company demoed last week at CES.