Google's takeover of mobile advertising company AdMob has effectively been given the go-ahead by the US Federal Trade Commission. The FTC has closed its investigation after reviewing the deal and concluding that it is unlikely to harm competition in the mobile advertising market.

In a statement, the commission said that although the combination of the two leading mobile advertising networks raised serious antitrust issues, its concerns were overshadowed by Apple's recent move to launch its own competing mobile ad network. The Commission vote to close the investigation was 5-0.

Sony Corporation and Google have announced an alliance that'll see the two companies working together on Android-powered entertainment products. In a statement, the two companies said they were "exploring the joint development of compelling new Android-based hardware products for the home, mobile and personal product categories".

Orange France has launched a contactless payment and ticketing service in the area around Nice. It's based on an NFC-equipped version of the Samsung Player One handset and includes a free Cityzi pass that'll let consumers buy and validate tickets on public transport, pay in shops and accumulate loyalty points.

The European Commission has set out a Digital Agenda for Europe that explains how it believes Information and Communication Technologies should be used to deliver sustainable economic and social benefits within Europe.

Launching the Digital Agenda earlier this week, Neelie Kroes - European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda – said "We must put the interests of Europe's citizens and businesses at the forefront of the digital revolution and so maximise the potential of Information and Communications Technologies to advance job creation, sustainability and social inclusion."

A deal between m-ticketing software company Masabi and online ticket ordering service thetrainline.com will soon allow users to buy UK rail tickets direct from their mobile phones for any route on the National Rail network. Masabi says the system should be rolled out later this year.