Patent enforcement firm General Patent Corp. International Tuesday said Tuesday it had reached a settlement with Motorola Inc. over a disputed patent belonging to a client of the firm.

Following weak US tech reports shares of Vodafone tumble on revenue guidance while Ericsson also sinks sharply.

Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson warned on Friday it would make no profit in the second quarter due to weaker demand for its more expensive phones, sending shares in co-parent Ericsson down more than 11 percent.

In spite of the built-in WiFi, the touch-screen that lets users manipulate data and an accelerometer that allows the on-screen image to rotate with the device, the reality is, without a network that allows users to fully realize its capabilities, the iPhone is only achieving a portion of its potential.

Cellphone sales in Western Europe in January-March fell 16.4 percent from a year ago, the first decline since research firm Gartner started tracking the market in 2001, as the economic slowdown hurt demand.

Chief executives from Europe discussed earnings, opportunities and challenges their companies face in 2008 with CNBC Europe Friday.

Some big companies report tomorrow that will give more clarity on the health of advertising and technology spending, and the health of the European jobs market

Mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson posted sharply lower profits on Wednesday as a slowdown in consumer spending hit its business, but earnings were at the high end of the firm's range and exceeded market expectations.

European stocks closed lower on Wednesday after half-hearted attempts to bounce in the green during the day, as fears over the health of the financial markets returned to haunt the markets following yesterday's rally.