According to a report by Asahi.com, Toshiba is developing a new technology that can turn cell phones into virtual secretaries. Like many of Japan's mobile-related technologies, this will probably be available only in its home country initially.

Telecom Italia rises more than 2%, boosted by report in Brazil's O Globo newspaper that it and Spain's Telefonica will announce a merger at the end of February or early March.

Apple intends to stay "nimble" on pricing of the iPad, possibly lowering prices if the newly unveiled tablet device fails to gain traction among consumers.

"I am hearing rumors that Micron maybe buying Numonyx. This deal would only make sense to give Micron a one stop memory source for wireless and all other applications, especially to satisfy Nokia..."

The company plans to focus on leasing space on its WiMax network to other telecommunications companies like Time Warner Cable, Sprint Nextel and Comcast.

"The iPad appears to be a swelled-up version of the iPod Touch. ... It is expected to become a niche market," an analyst at Hana Daetoo Securities told The Korea Herald.