IBM and Vodafone have announced a collaboration that combines mobile communications and cloud computing to enable the remote management of ‘smart home’ appliances.

The two companies have demonstrated the technology at the IFA consumer electronics event, showing how a washing machine and other domestic systems can be controlled via a smartphone.

The European Commission has called on telecoms regulators to support ‘wireless innovation’ by encouraging the sharing of radio spectrum across Europe.

Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission, described radio spectrum as “economic oxygen”. In a blog post, she said the EC’s aim was “ensuring that any kind of wireless device can work, wherever you travel in the EU.”

Vodafone Group has announced an agreement with the Kuwait-based Zain Group that will expand Vodafone’s presence in the Middle East and will also provide Zain customers with greater global support.

Customers of both networks will benefit from enhanced coverage.

Ted Landphair of voanews.com writes:

A lot of people gave up carrying much cash a long time ago, since they knew ‘plastic’ - a credit or debit card, or a store or public transit ‘smart card’ - would be accepted just about everywhere.

But to hear tech companies tell it, plastic cards will be museum pieces as well before long.

Figures from ABI Research reveal that 11 million eBook readers are expected to be shipped worldwide this year, down from last year’s total of 15 million devices.

And despite the average tablet device selling for much more than an eReader, media tablets are expected to outsell eReaders 9 to 1 in 2012.