The UK government has started a consultation about its plans to speed up the roll-out of mobile broadband services in England. Its consultation document, entitled ‘Mobile connectivity in England’, sets out proposed changes to planning regulations.

This would make it easier and quicker for networks to erect new masts and put other antennae on buildings.

Samsung Electronics and BlackBerry have both announced that some of their products have been approved for use in U.S. Department of Defense networks following testing by the Defense Information Systems Agency.

Android-powered Samsung Knox-enabled tablets and smartphones have been given approval, as have devices running BlackBerry 10. This currently covers the Samsung Galaxy S4, BlackBerry Z10, BlackBerry Q10 and BlackBerry PlayBook.

Yahoo! has acquired mobile to-do list and task manager Astrid.

The long-term future of the acclaimed app now appears to be uncertain, with Astrid saying it will continue to work for the next 90 days. However, chargeable subscriptions are no longer being accepted and refunds for existing users are being prepared.

Intel Corporation says its board of directors has elected current COO Brian Krzanich as the company’s next chief executive officer. He’ll replace Paul Otellini, who announced plans for his retirement last year.

The board of directors also elected Renée James to be president of Intel. She previously chaired the company’s software subsidiaries and is a director of both Vodafone Group and VMware.

HTC has confirmed its financial results for the first quarter of 2013, having released unaudited results last month.

Revenue was NT$42.8 billion (£929 million), while net income was NT$85 million (£1.85 million). That’s a 98% year-on-year drop in profit.