The Microsoft Tag 'colour barcode' is reported to have had its best month since launching in January 2009. More than 50% more tag scans took place in March 2011 than in any other month so far.

Microsoft says the number of scans per month has doubled over the past three months, while the number of users per month has increased 2.5 times in the same period.

Texas Instruments and National Semiconductor have agreed a merger that’ll see 'TI' acquiring 'National' in a deal worth almost £4 billion.

TI currently has a portfolio of 30,000 products and represents around 14% of the analogue semiconductor market in terms of revenue, while National has 12,000 products and 3% of the market. The deal is expected to be finalised around the end of the year.

Telefónica España - the Spanish mobile network operator owned by the parent of O2 UK - has launched a contactless NFC mobile payment project for its staff. It's called 'Distrito NFC' and is available at the network’s headquarters in Madrid.

1,000 Telefonica employees have been given Samsung NFC devices that'll let them use their mobile phones for payment in and around the business campus. Over 10,000 additional employees are expected to be added to the scheme as it develops.

Google has bid to acquire Nortel's portfolio of wireless and mobile-related patents. They're being sold by Nortel as part of the company's bankruptcy auction.

In a blog post, Google said it hopes that acquiring the patents would discourage companies from taking legal action against it.

Facebook is upgrading its mobile website - m.facebook.com - so that it identifies the type of device visiting the site. It means the company will no longer need multiple versions of the site, including touch.facebook.com, and will be able to add extra functionality for compatible devices.

The same improvements will also be available on 0.facebook.com.