The device independence afforded by the SIM has been one of the chief advantages of GSM networks around the world over the past twenty years, and we'd hate to see Apple succeed in killing that off in favor of some sort of locked-up iTunes nonsense, but let's be honest: if anyone could pull off that kind of coup, it'd be Cupertino.

ENGADGET: Bloomberg: Apple working on 'cheaper, smaller' and dual-mode iPhones, trying to kill SIMs along the way

But he had a fierce ambition to succeed in novels: With undiagnosed dyslexia, he'd struggled at school, but reading books on his own terms, despite his difficulties, stimulated his imagination, says longtime friend Jo Swerling Jr.

WSJ: From TV Writing to Books: Dick Wolf Follows Bochco and Cannell

Fourth, on the assumption that Lord Turner, the chairman of the FSA, becomes the new Deputy Governor for Financial Regulation (my sense is that the chief executive of the FSA, Hector Sants, is planning to leave the regulatory fray next year), we'd see the start of a compelling contest to succeed Mervyn King as Governor in 2013.

BBC: Tories to outline banking reform

Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, producers of the Oscars, asked McLane if he'd lend his expertise after impressing them with his work on "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" with Daniel Radcliffe, a show they also produced.

WSJ: Tony Award winner brings Broadway to Oscars