Online security company McAfee has just published its Threats Report for the first quarter of 2012, which was a record quarter for mobile and PC-based malware.

However, the company notes that its ability to detect and collect mobile malware has also improved significantly.

Sony’s recent Android-based activity with its Sony Mobile handset business doesn’t mean the company is ignoring other manufacturers or mobile platforms. It’s recently announced plans to make its Music Unlimited cloud-based entertainment service available as an app for iPhone and iPod touch users.

Users will be able to listen to their music library without needing to download or synchronise it before leaving home.

A surge in social gambling activity, coupled with the increase of legal casino and lottery services in the USA, will see a significant increase in the amount of money spent on mobile betting over the next five years. That’s the conclusion of a new report from Juniper Research.

It says last year’s total of just under $20 billion in mobile wagers is expected to reach $100 billion by 2017.

A new iOS and Android app called Sidecar promises to enhance mobile and WiFi voice calling with additional ‘smart calling’ features. Users can offer video, photo sharing and location information during a voice call.

An additional benefit is the ability to call any mobile telephone number in the US and Canada for free when using WiFi, even if the recipient isn’t using Sidecar.

In this week’s mobile industry news podcast from The Fonecast we’re talking about Facebook’s recent flotation, two new virtual mobile networks, iZettle’s mobile payment service, ebooks, mobile WiFi and much more.

You can listen to the programme on our website audio player, via iTunes, by using our RSS feed or by downloading the MP3.