If you've ever suffered the crushing heartbreak of being cast asunder by an online pal, you're probably pretty familiar with the term "unfriend".

Well, it look as though even the internet-phobic are set to become accustomed to the phrase, as "unfriend" enters next year's edition of the New Oxford American dictionary.

The term, which originated on social-networking sites such as Facebook beat "sexting", "intexticated", "netbook", "funemployed", "hashtag", "paywall" and "greenstate" for the title of Word of the Year.

According to a senior lexicographer, the term has (we kid you not) "lex appeal"...

Via: Silicon Republic

Myspace have acquired music streaming service Imeem for an undisclosed sum that industry experts estimate is a figure in the region of $8 million.

The service pioneered ad-based music streaming, but the $8 million sum will not go far towards covering the $30 million dollar investment the company initially received.

As a result, up to half of Imeem's workforce now faces unemployment.

The Imeem buyout follows Myspace's acquisition of iLike, another troubled music streaming website. Both iLike and Imeem could not support licensing costs from the major labels on ad-based revenue alone, despite Imeem receiving heavily subsidised licenses from all four majors.

Myspace itself has fallen on hard times, recently conceeding defeat in the social-networking race to Facebook. How it plans on incorporating Imeem and iLike into its Myspace Music service, which the company now claim is its main focus, could decide whether Myspace sinks or swims.

Via: CNet

Business-orientated social-networking site LinkedIn has today announced its new partnership with Microsoft.

Coming hot on the heels of their partnership with Twitter, LinkedIn and Microsoft aim to join forces on Outlook 2010. The planned integration of LinkedIn will see Outlook 2010 users able to maintain their professional network through the program, keeping up to date with all the latest developments and activities via Outlook Social connector.

The business network currently has 50 million users worldwide.

It's an important move for LinkedIn, with integration to a native Windows program offering huge exposure to the network.

To find out more, check http://blog.linkedin.com/2009/11/18/linkedin-microsoft-outlook/

The PlayStation Network Delivery service goes live across Europe today, offering over 800 movies to rent or buy to PS3 and PSP owners.

Films ready to be downloaded at launch include Star Trek, Watchmen, Bruno, Angels and Demons and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Rentals will cost from £2.49, giving a user 14 days to watch the movie, but only 48 hours to finish the film once play has started. Buying a movie will cost from £6.99, allowing the movie to be used on up to five PS3 or PSP consoles, though not simultaneously on each. Movies cannot be transferred to a PC for viewing due to piracy restrictions. And movies cannot be transferred to an Xbox 360, for obvious reasons.

1080p high-def movies are also available to rent or buy, for a small bump-up in price.

As a limited launch offer, new PSN users will receive a free copy of the first Transformers, while returning PSN customers who buy Angels and Demons will receive a complimentary copy of The Da Vinci Code.

Sony are aiming to have as many as 50 new title available each week, so if your favourite flicks aren't up on the PSN yet, check back soon and you might be pleasantly surprised.

If you want to get your kids web-aware at an early age, why not introduce them to the KidZui web browser?

KidZui are launching version 5.0 of their browser today, which is set to help parents and children share and discover new experiences through the Internet.

Children can send KidZui approved content to friends and parents with the browser's new "KidConnect" functions. KidZui have trawled the web to find over 2 million websites, games, photographs and videos suitable for children, jointly approved by parents and teachers who already use the service.

ZuiTube has also recently been launched, acting like a kid-friendly YouTube lite.

Parents will also be able to connect with one another through in-built Facebook support, as well as receive weekly emails reporting on their children's web habits.

For more information, visit http://www.kidzui.com/

Sony Ericsson will be shutting down four facilities, resulting in the loss of as many as 2,000 jobs, it has been revealed today.

The large Research Triangle Park in North Carolina and smaller sites in Miami, Kista and Chennai are the facilities under threat.

Those whose jobs are to be axed are yet to be announced, though severance packages will be offered to those who qualify. There is no word on whether the remaining employees will be relocated to facilities in Atlanta or Redwood Shores, California.

Sony Ericsson have been flailing since the smartphone race really took off, with their first Android device shipping way behind the pack at some point in 2010.

Looking for some cool new apps to pop onto your brand-spanking new Blackberry Storm 2, but can't afford to dip too deep into your wallet? Then here are 3 top-notch apps that you can download, totally for free, each with the Tech Digest seal of approval.

7 Digital

With 7 Digital you can browse the latest charts and preview tracks, then pick your favourites and download DRM-free MP3's straight to your smartphone. 7 Digital also lets you integrate playlists you've already set up and MP3's you already own with an advanced media player, letting you take your whole music collection on the go. Who need's iTunes, eh?
http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/3310

Viigo

Viigo gives one click access to news, weather, entertainment features, live sports scores, cinema listings, Twitter and lots more in an intuitive UI designed specifically for the Blackberry Storm 2. It's simple to use and is a great way of tracking loads of information at once, removing the need to tap in URLs or navigate web browsers.
http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/558

Windows Live Messenger

Just like its desktop namesake, Windows Live Messenger lets you chat in real-time with your contacts. Taking Messenger on the go is great for arranging meet-ups with friends, and quickly lets you access information like addresses or email details.
http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/687

For more apps, check out http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/.