NEC Electronics' semiconductor orders will increase "several percent" next quarter, helped by demand for chips used in cars and liquid- crystal displays, President Junshi Yamaguchi said.

Japan has passed the worst of its current slump and is on course for growth in its next fiscal year, but the recovery of the world's second-largest economy could yet prove vulnerable, Kaoru Yosano, finance minister, has warned. The comment came just before a survey showed that business confidence had risen for the first time in two and a half years.

China's manufacturing expanded for a fourth month as a 4 trillion yuan (US$585 billion) stimulus plan and record bank lending revive the world's third-largest economy.

The economy contracted at a much sharper pace than initially thought and at its fastest rate in more than 50 years in the first three months of 2009, according to official data.

When it comes to economic performance, it's hard to believe that impoverished North Korea could do better than its affluent capitalist neighbor to the south. South Korea's economy is known for its exports of Hyundai cars, LG phones and Samsung semiconductors. Meanwhile, the North Korean economy's export prowess is limited largely to nuclear weapon technology and counterfeit dollars.

The filter, called Green Dam Youth Escort, was to have been required from Wednesday, but the industry ministry said computer makers needed more time.

With remote storage, TV shows are kept on the cable operator's servers instead of the DVR inside the customer's home. The distinction is important because a remote system essentially transforms every set-top box in the home into a DVR, allowing customers to sign up instantly, without the need to pick up a DVR from the nearest cable office or wait for a technician to visit. Movie studios, TV networks and cable channels argued the service is more akin to video-on-demand, for which they negotiate licensing fees with cable providers.

For the second time in a month, E Ink's new electronic reader, the Kindle DX, has sold out on Amazon.com.

Japan's jobless rate rose to its highest level in nearly six years in May as manufacturers continued to cut jobs despite better conditions for the corporate sector here.

The internet suffered a number of slowdowns as people the world over rushed to verify accounts of Michael Jackson's death.

Mobile phone operator Vodafone has declined to comment on a report that it is considering buying T-Mobile UK.

Apple, Nokia, Samsung, and others have agreed to adopt a charging standard for "data-enabled" mobile devices based on USB. The current agreement only applies to the European Union, though it is hoped that the standard may be adopted worldwide.

Sony agreed to invest in a Sharp LCD unit, the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper reported, without saying where it obtained the information.

When the Sony Walkman was launched, 30 years ago this week, it started a revolution in portable music. But how does it compare with its digital successors? The BBC Magazine invited 13-year-old Scott Campbell to swap his iPod for a Walkman for a week.

Elpida Memory will receive 50 billion yen (US$521 million) from the Japanese government and a Taiwanese partner after falling semiconductor prices led to a net loss last fiscal year, Japan's economy ministry said.