Three UK and the Countryside Alliance have announced a partnership that'll see them working with local MPs and campaign groups to help get people online in rural areas where broadband is poor or non-existent.

The Rural Broadband Working Group plans to give away dongles and wireless 'MiFi' devices along with almost 4 million MB of mobile broadband access.

It's almost the end of the 'silly season' for news - but this week's podcast finds plenty of serious stories as well, starting with the departure of Steve Jobs as Apple CEO.

Samsung Electronics has announced a free mobile messaging service called ChatON.

It's expected to be rolled out across all major smartphone and feature phone platforms in the next few weeks, enabling users to communicate using text, images, handwritten notes and video. Users can chat one-to-one or in groups.

ABI Research says the next five years will see touchscreens becoming as pervasive as WiFi chipsets are in smartphones are today.

In 2006, just 7% of all smartphones had touch-sensitive screens. Last year that figure had increased to 75% - and by 2016 it's expected to reach 97%.

Mark Bridge writes:

Today’s podcast feature is a personal look at the cost of mobile ‘roaming’ in France.

At the beginning of July 2011 the rate for European roaming charges fell to a maximum of 38p per minute (incl. VAT) for calls made while abroad in the EU – and 12p per minute for calls received. There’s also a maximum 12p charge for sending text messages.