Samsung Electronics has announced a free mobile messaging service called ChatON.

It's expected to be rolled out across all major smartphone and feature phone platforms in the next few weeks, enabling users to communicate using text, images, handwritten notes and video. Users can chat one-to-one or in groups.

ABI Research says the next five years will see touchscreens becoming as pervasive as WiFi chipsets are in smartphones are today.

In 2006, just 7% of all smartphones had touch-sensitive screens. Last year that figure had increased to 75% - and by 2016 it's expected to reach 97%.

Mark Bridge writes:

Today’s podcast feature is a personal look at the cost of mobile ‘roaming’ in France.

At the beginning of July 2011 the rate for European roaming charges fell to a maximum of 38p per minute (incl. VAT) for calls made while abroad in the EU – and 12p per minute for calls received. There’s also a maximum 12p charge for sending text messages.

Mark Bridge writes:

Today's news summary is a little early because I'm on holiday this afternoon. I'll be leaving Iain and James in charge... and, even though it's traditionally the "silly season", they'll have plenty to talk about in Wednesday's podcast.

A week ago, the big news in our podcast was Google's purchase of Motorola Mobility. This week it was HP's move away from webOS devices. And now we hear that Steve Jobs has stepped down from the CEO role at Apple, although he's remaining with the company as Chairman of the Board.

In this short feature, Mark Bridge takes a personal look at the cost - and the convenience - of using a mobile phone for calls, text messages and data in France.