Telefónica Digital and Dell have signed an agreement to provide new Windows 7 and Windows 8 devices with built-in SIM cards.

It means that customers buying a Dell tablet or notebook computer will be able to set up an O2 ‘pay as you go’ data service immediately.

Worldwide shipments of tablet devices grew by 142.4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2013, according to a new report from the International Data Corporation.

49.2 million devices were shipped during the first three months of the year; more than total tablet sales in the first half of 2012.

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.