Microsoft has unveiled major changes to its Live Search service intended to give it a better foothold in its ongoing battle with Google… “Seeking to narrow the gap with Google, Microsoft Corp. unveiled a retooled Web search service that aims to deliver more relevant results and combines text, video and other information onto a single […]

San Francisco — In a direct attack on the dominant Apple iTunes music store, web retailer Amazon.com Inc., on Tuesday launched its much-anticipated digital music store dubbed “Amazon MP3,” with nearly ‘2.3 million’ high quality songs, none of them protected against copying and, costs lower than Apple. “Amazon’s online music catalogue lists more than 2 […]

Publishers expressing confidence in combined Microsoft/aQuantive entity… “Microsoft is taking solid aim at a business that is arguably outside its core competence: Advertising. And it is deliberately facing off against a specialist, Google.” Redmond, Wash., — Microsoft Corp. recently announced that it has added more than 20 new advertising clients to its portfolio since its […]

Company responds to concerns raised by Canada’s privacy commissioner… “The office of Canada’s privacy commissioner likes what it is hearing from Google about ensuring its new Street View imaging service does not infringe on privacy laws.” Ottawa — Google Inc. is considering a Canadian launch of its “Street View” map feature, which offers street-level close-ups […]

Google Inc. is planning to build a multi-terabit undersea fiber-optic communications cable across the Pacific Ocean to link its U.S. operations with Asia, set for launch in 2009, according to a report in CommsDay, a telecom industry news and commentary site for Australia and Asia. According to CommsDay sources, a group of unnamed carriers and […]

“Independent of financial suitors, Facebook is reportedly developing its own advertising system that will target ads based on users’ profile information.” San Francisco — Microsoft Corp. is negotiating to acquire as much as 5% stake of “Facebook,” in a deal that could value the fast-growing online social network company at $10 billion or more, for […]

Microsoft and Philips claim new testing shows no interference between unlicensed broadband use and television channels… “Based on a new round of field trials, Microsoft and Philips are asking the FCC to renew testing on devices that can access the Internet using empty buffer spectrums—known as white spaces—between television channels.”

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has retained his standing at the top of the Forbes Rich List with a personal fortune estimated at $59bn… “Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has been ranked as the wealthiest person in America for the 14th year in a row…” New York — Microsoft founder Bill Gates is the richest person in […]

Government cites threat to “national security” in clips accusing former prime minister of plotting September 2006 coup… “It has not been long since YouTube and Thailand kissed and made up, but Thailand’s already upset again. The government is seeking a court order to block two video clips currently on YouTube.” Bangkok — Thailand is seeking […]

New York — Viacom Inc.’s MTV has launched a new social networking site called “Think.MTV.com,” and the site is focused on encouraging young people to become involved in youth activism, sponsored by foundations operated by the founders of Microsoft and AOL. “The site, Think.MTV.com, is designed to be a resource for social and political issues, […]