Market Research company NPD Group says the digital camera is still the preferred device for taking photos, according to its new study from the USA. However, mobile phone usage is catching up.

51% of all pictures taken were captured by a digital camera. Next was the mobile phone at 42%, although this figure varied quite dramatically depending on the user's age.

The California Institute of Technology says Nokia, LG Electronics, STMicroelectronics and Toshiba are among a number of companies that have infringed its patents. Its legal complaint lists nine patents related to camera technology.

Mark Bridge writes:

A few weeks ago I received a phone call out of the blue. It went something like this:
“I think my partner's cheating on me. How can I get into the GPS on his phone to find out where he is?”

I'm no secret agent. Nevertheless, it got me thinking.

Wireless technology company Qualcomm has made what it's calling "a strategic investment" in Anteryon, which makes camera and laser projection modules for portable devices.

Netherlands-based Anteryon, formerly the optics division of Philips, produces miniature optical module production for mobile phone cameras and laser projection. Its factories currently produce millions of imaging units every month for mobile phone manufacturers. The investment funds will be used for Anteryon’s 'WaferOptics' optical module production technology and the expansion of its Asia production facility.

In this week's edition of The Fonecast, we talk to T-Mobile's John Fannon about dealer commission payments. There's also a preview of the Samsung M8800 Pixon and a look at mobile industry headlines from the last seven days.