communications

Comcast Corp. said Tuesday that its investment in a joint venture to offer mobile Internet access to subscribers could be finalized by the end of the year.

Steve Burke, president of Philadelphia-based Comcast, said the new service would let cable companies offer "wireless data speeds that Verizon and AT&T can't match."

Comcast, the nation's largest cable TV operator, in May joined Time Warner Cable Inc., Intel Corp., Google Inc., Sprint Nextel Corp., Clearwire Corp. and other partners to form a $14.55 billion communications company that will offer high-speed mobile Internet access.

The old song had it right: Breaking up is hard to do. But a free new phone service called Slydial might make it easier to get through that and other awkward moments -- without actually having to talk to anyone.

Slydial lets you connect directly with another person's cell phone voice mail, bypassing the traditional ringing process that often results -- sometimes disastrously -- with someone picking up on the other end.

Users call (267) SLY-DIAL from either a cell phone or a landline, and are prompted to enter another person's cell phone number.

On the heels of Microsoft's $50 price cut for the Xbox 360, Sony has announced a price cut of $100 for its 80GB flagship PlayStation 3 and said it is dropping the 40GB version of the PS3.

On Monday, Microsoft cut the price of its Xbox 360 video-game console with a 20GB hard drive to $299 from $349 with the caveat "as supplies last," which could mean a clearance sale in advance of the August debut of its new model with a 60GB hard drive for $349.