Byte size news: Cold War raging in gamers' homes

Cuban bloggers are not impressed with a new video game that has its players assassinate former leader Fidel Castro.
The latest version of Call of Duty went on sale in North America and Europe last week and those who took it home soon discovered the World War II and modern war themes had been ditched in favour of a Cold War environment.
The first mission gamers face is to kill off Castro before the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.
Later in the game, players are taken inside a virtual Soviet Union and southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.
Call of Duty: Black Ops follows Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which sold more than 20 million units around the world.
Season of giving at GoogleTeachers, stop reading now. Google employees will reportedly get a 10 per cent pay rise at the start of next year.
The 23,000 Google workers were told of their pay increase via an email from their CEO. The website that reported the news also said employees would get a $1000 Christmas bonus.
The internet industry is waging a "war for talent", Google's chief financial officer has said.
Plenty of 'likes' for Liz
Who says Facebook is only for the young?
Queen Elizabeth recently joined the social networking site and just a few hours after going live had 60,000 "likes" from other users.
The royal family's presence on Facebook follows its decision to set up a Twitter account, share photos using Flickr and also establish a YouTube account.
Those who have liked the royals' Facebook site will receive updates on the royal family's activities.
Hotel cuts middleman
Checking into a hotel and even opening the door to your room could soon be done by your mobile phone.
A Stockholm hotel has started a pilot project that will see guests given phones equipped with an application that will allow them to reserve rooms, receive confirmations and check in.
Once they arrive, there will then be no need to stop at reception as they will have received an electronic room key on their phone.
The pilot project, which will run for four months, aims to get other hotels on board and make the lives of customers easier.Got any news, gadgets or queries?
Contact lindsay.harvey@apn.co.nz