It’s good to be green (and other tech news)

Last week Shanghai saw the introduction of handy tri-colored boxes in communication stores throughout the city to be used to recycle or properly dispose of cell phones. The initiative could make a huge impact in helping the city's environment: Shanghai Mobile reports 3.2 million phones are trashed in the city each year. The local trend may be indicative of a nation-wide movement. During his recent visit to China, Samsung CEO Lee Yoon-Woo announced the company’s Green Operation Plan, which may involve up to 150 million RMB invested in environmentally-friendly factories, products and protocol. China’s D.Phone has followed suit, declaring plans to receive e-waste from shoppers at store locations throughout the nation in exchange for coupons worth 50-150 RMB. China Electronic Energy Saving Technology Association and China Quality Management Association For Electronics Industry are also advocating what they dub the “Green E-Campaign.”

In other tech news:

• China plans to issue a second round of licenses for Internet video websites. We wonder if the ever-popular Youku.com and Tudou.com will win the honors, or be overlooked a second time, possibly facing future “malfunctions” like those currently seen at 56.com.
• Tech corporations’ earthquake aid comes in many shapes and sizes. While China UnionPay announced a 5-pronged plan last month to more effectively serve users in light of the disaster, China Mobile’s latest announcement may be more popular: The company will eliminate 260 million RMB in phone fees from users in the earthquake area.
• While Chatty Kathy’s in the PRC nurse their disapointment over January’s terminated Apple-China Mobile negotiations, lucky citizens of Hong Kong can look forward to receiving the iPhone 3G on July 11, say Apple and partner Hutchison Telecommunications. Singapore, India, the Philippines and Australia can hope for the nifty device later this year.
• Trouble in Paradise? Several major tech corporations have hit roadblocks in the past few days: Baidu.com faces (another) lawsuit, gaming company The9 switches CFOs and Focus Media announces first quarter losses upwards of 50 million U.S. dollars.

Photo from le niners