The dour news followed other similar profit warnings from the likes of electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi last week, underscoring that Europe's debt crisis could be fast spreading to far corners of the world as many consumer keep their wallets shut.

WSJ: Asian Shares Fall

Mobile operator O2 is to provide free internet to "millions" of residents and visitors in central London by launching Europe's largest free wi-fi zone.

BBC: 'Europe's biggest' free wi-fi zone set for London

Reader Wi-Fi (model: PRS-T1) by Sony is available in Europe from October 2011, depending on country.

ENGADGET: Sony's new Reader Wi-Fi is the world's lightest 6-inch e-reader with multitouch screen (update: powered by Android)