Research company comScore has published a survey comparing mobile usage and behaviour in Japan, the United States and Europe. It found significant differences between the three regions, with almost twice as many Japanese mobile users using their mobiles to go online (browsing, accessing applications or downloading content) as European users.

The winners of Vodafone Mobile Clicks 2010 have been announced today. This competition, which aims to find the most innovative mobile internet start-ups, started with 160 entrants from the UK, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. At the PICNIC event in Amsterdam today, Cardmobili was chosen to receive the €100,000 first prize. Roulette Cricket won a runner-up prize of €50,000.

The finalists of the Vodafone Mobile Clicks 2010 competition have been announced today. Vodafone Mobile Clicks, which ends with a final at the PICNIC Festival in the Netherlands on 24th September, aims to find the best mobile internet startup. Last year's winner was augmented reality browser Layar.

Research and analysis business eMarketer predicts that revenue from mobile content in the USA will rise from less than $1.15 billion last year to more than $3.53 billion in 2014. That's a compound annual growth rate of nearly 20% during the five-year period.

PlaySpan, a Californian company that provides digital goods, micro-transaction and global payment platforms, has arranged an $18 million investment. New investors include Vodafone Ventures and Softbank Bodhi Fund alongside the company's existing investors. This capital increases the company's total funding to approximately $42 million. PlaySpan says the new investment will be used to expand into Europe and Asia and to grow PlaySpan's global publisher and user base.