Copyright Disupte between Google Print and Publishers

Google is trying to scan millions of books into the Google Print services, which would allow users to search for content in books. Users can only see a snippet of the text and basic bibliographic information. While some publishers and authors welcome the potential exposures provided by Google. The most vocal ones against this project are publishers and authors who claim that Google is infringing copyright laws.

Google has halted the scanning of copyrighted works and allows publishers to opt-out. Publishers claim that Google should use the opt-in model instead.

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Business/2005/10/22/1273612-sun.html

Skype Sees Microsoft, Yahoo, and Timer Warner AOL as Competitors

After being bought by eBay, Skype is considering any web properties with big userbases as their competitors. Skype's Chief Executive and co-founder Niklas Zennstroem said that his company's biggest threats are Microsoft, Yahoo, and Timer Warner AOL. Microsoft and Yahoo have purchased VOIP companies in the past to catch up with the scope and scale of Skype.

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=mergersNews&storyID=2005-10-16T153117Z_01_L16649790_RTRIDST_0_TECH-SKYPE.XML

Yahoo Searches News and Blogs at the Same Time

When you conduct a search in Yahoo News, you will notice that it will search blogs at the same time too. The blogs results are in the right column. So, you are searching for both "professional" and more personal news sources at the same time and get results side by side.

Give it a try at:
http://news.search.yahoo.com/news?&ei=UTF-8&p=

Business Week Top 100 Brands of 2005 Include Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Apple, IBM, and Others

Business Week just released its top 100 brands for 2005. Microsoft is at 2, Google is at 38, Apple is at 41, Yahoo is at 58, Amazon.com is at 68. This is the first year that Google is on the list!

The Top 5 Companies on the 2005 list are:
Coca-Cola
Microsoft
IBM
GE
Intel

http://bwnt.businessweek.com/brand/2005/index.asp?sortCol=rank_2005&sortOrder=ASC&pageNum=1&resultNum=100&sector=

Google and NASA Collaborating on Research

Google and NASA have signed a memorandum of understanding that allows both parties to collaborate on new projects. While details of the projects are scarce, possible projects may include computing space data, supercomputing, and nanotechnology. Google is planning to set up a large office in the NASA office park.

Will Google Map and Google Earth incorporate space data from NASA to create a Google Universe?

http://www.technologynews.info/001568.html

Google Map and Google Earth May Aid Terrorists According to India President

The president of India has concerned that the free mapping and GIS related services provided by Google Map and Google Earth may allow terrorists to plan attacks on sensitive sites like military installations, presidential palaces, and nuclear reactors. Google spokesperson explains that the data in their service are over two years old. The company welcomes dialogue from any concerned officials.

http://www.hindu.com/2005/10/16/stories/2005101613130700.htm

Google Talk May Talk to ICQ, MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Jabber, and Others in Future?

Google has recently hired the lead developer of the GAIM software, Sean Egan. GAIM is an open source project (freeware) that allows users to use one software to simultaneously connect to different instant messaging services such as ICQ, AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, IRC, Jabber.

With the hiring of Sean Egan, future versions of Google Talk may perhaps work more like GAIM, allowing their users to connect to other services.

http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3556506

Google Wallet is the New eBay PayPal?

Several blogs on the Internet are speculating that there will be Google Wallet coming soon. It may work like PayPal in which you can use it to pay for online services and products. Or, it may just be a service that will make it easier for Google to charge or pay you when you use one of its services such as Google AdSense, Google AdWords, Google Answers or paid editions of Google Earth.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1871290,00.asp

Get Free Previously-Paid Content from the New AOL

Why is AOL is popular? It is becoming a major web portal by breaking down the barriers of exclusive content that subscribers used to get and giving the free content to the public. It is becoming more like Yahoo, but with more content from popular sources such as People, Entertainment Weekly, and other well-known Time Warner publications.

The new AOL is less of an Internet service provider, but more like an information and entertainment hub.

http://www.aol.com

Yahoo Also in Talks with AOL When Google and Microsoft are Trying to Get a Deal Too

In a previous post, I have posted how Google is trying to get a share of AOL. Yahoo is also in the action by negotiating with AOL. When several big players are competing for a hot property like AOL, the value and the stake are getting greater for these parties.

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-5895810.html

Google and Microsoft Fight Over AOL

Google is fighting to get a share of AOL because AOL has been contributing a substantial chunk of revenue to Google. When rumours began that Microsoft is interested in AOL, Google is trying to break up the negotiations by teaming up with Comcast.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9695579/

Meebo.com Free Web Based Instant Messengers for Yahoo, MSN, AOL, and More

This is useful when you are travelling or away from your computer and want to chat with someone using a public computer. You need to remember your username and password for each service you want to login.

http://www.meebo.com

MSN Will Represent JibJab Shorts

JibJab videos will be shown on MSN Video. JibJab short films are famous for its catchy tunes and poltical satire. One of its famous shorts is This Land, which parodies the US presidential election. MSN will also sell and represent JibJab ads and sponsorships.

http://www.clickz.com/news/article.php/3556091

Research In Motion Blackberry Using the T-Mobile Network Will Receive Instant Yahoo! Mail

Research in Motion (RIM) Blackberry devices will be able to access Yahoo! Mail in realtime. This service will be available to T-Mobile USA subscribers.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B04AED9D1-7FD2-4B11-A004-F648B9D13097%7D

Yahoo! is Tightening Control on its Chatrooms

Yahoo! is removing user-created chatrooms that suggest sex between minor and adults. It will also make it easier for someone to complain about inappropriate behaviour in chatrooms.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/13/yahoo_clamps_down/

Yahoo! Free Music Subscription Access to Standford University Students

Standford University offers free subscription access to Yahoo! online music library to its students. This is made possible by a donor giving money for this pilot program.

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-5894967.html

Apple iPod Video and iMac 5 Preliminary Reviews

Engadget has just posted an early review of Apple iPod Video and iMac 5. Apple iPod Video comes in white or black. You would use the scroll wheel to move forward or backward of the video. According to the review, the quality is quite good.

Apple iMac 5 will be similar to the current iMac, but with a "black pin" camera on the top of the screen.

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000617063064/

Barrier Between Breaks Down MSN Messenger & Yahoo! Messenger in 2006

Enterprise IT Planet reports that in the second quarter of 2006, users of MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger can communicate to each other. What about AOL? Will AOL join this partnership later?

By allowing users to communicate to others on another network, these services may lose their competitive advantage, reducing the incentives for users to install the other messenging services. Nevertheless, users benefit because of one fewer software to download and maintain.

http://www.enterpriseitplanet.com/networking/news/article.php/3555866

Comparing Google and Microsoft

Cnet.com just posted an article asking whether Google is the new Microsoft.

The article discusses how Microsoft is getting along with Real Networks. There has been speculations that MSN and AOL may merge or to join forces.

http://news.com.com/2061-11199_3-5894089.html