Wednesday's news round-up: netbook niceties, companies collide and iPhone fun - TechRadar UK

There's no hiding from the fact that it is Google week all week on TechRadar. The search engine's logo is dotted all around the site, and for good reason.

It means that we have become your one-stop shop when it comes to search tricks and tips on the company's new web browser, Chrome.

Oh, and we have of course checked out how well the browser fares against the likes of Firefox and Internet Explorer in our hands-on review.

News-wise, it seems that joint ventures aren't getting on at the moment, with Sony threatening to split with Ericsson and Google departing ways with eco search engine Forestle.

It's not all doom and gloom, however, in the mobile phone world as Apple has a reason to be cheerful today. It has already sold 8 million handsets of its super-popular iPhone 3G, which means its target of 10 million before Chrimbo will probably happen before the Autumn is up – especially now the company has announced it is to start selling the iPhone in Russia and China.

Let's just hope that no more of the 8 million 'almost catch fire'.

Elsewhere in the mobile world, Nokia officially announced the price and release of its much-anticipated N96 handset - a month before it was due to be released.

The Nintendo DS is trying its hardest to outdo the Wii in the gimmick stakes, with its new emulator that turns your handheld into a Korg synthesizer.

The netbook market gets yet more crowded with the announcement of Medion's rather cheap Akoya Mini E1210. And while we are on the netbook subject, Dell looks set to launch its netbook Thursday. But then again, this was meant to be the case a few weeks ago.

What is certain is that you can now buy Ghostbusters on a USB stick – if you don't baulk at the price of it first.

Film and TV distribution was also in the news today as Hulu.com is to premiere opening episodes of Knight Rider and Lipstick Jungle before they hit TV.

And that seems to round up this Wednesdays news, except for the guy that is trying to write a novel through the medium of Twitter. Great if you can understand just what his txt speak says!

If you fancy reading real novels but in digital form, then you may be better off grabbing a Sony Reader, which is released on Thursday.