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Europe prods Google to accept antitrust deal, avoid Microsoft-style ordeal

By Jeff John Roberts May. 21, 2012, 9:26am No Comments

The European Commission today announced it had found four possible “abuses of dominance” by Google, and suggested the search giant propose a package of “remedies” in coming weeks. Read More »

Comcast data caps stand in the way of Sony video service

By Kevin Fitchard May. 2, 2012, 6:27pm No Comments

Sony has big plans for a competitive home video service to compete with programming offers from the cable and satellite companies – or maybe I should say ‘had’. Those plans are on hold until regulators decide if Comcast can keep prioritize its content over everyone else’s. Read More »

A brief history of Microsoft’s e-reader efforts

By Kevin C. Tofel Apr. 30, 2012, 11:57am No Comments

Although Microsoft invested $300 million in a Barnes & Noble spin-off on Monday, this isn’t the first time Microsoft played the e-book game. Typical for the company, it often has great ideas, but it errs on the timing: Microsoft debuted e-book software back in 2000! Read More »

At $1.7 billion, Nook is worth more than Barnes & Noble itself

By Om Malik Apr. 30, 2012, 10:46am No Comments

Microsoft and Barnes & Noble are teaming up to take on Amazon and Apple. The $300 million investment in the Nook subsidiary of Barnes & Noble gives Microsoft about 17.6% ownership of this business unit and values it at about about $1.7 billion, more than … Read More »

Microsoft invests $300m in Barnes & Noble’s Nook; more e-books for Windows

By Laura Hazard Owen Apr. 30, 2012, 8:14am No Comments

Microsoft and Barnes & Noble are forming a strategic partnership that combines the Nook and college businesses into a new company. Microsoft is making a $300 million investment in the new company and Nook e-books are coming to Windows platforms. Read More »

The ethics of astro-turfing: sleazy or smart business?

By Jeff John Roberts Apr. 26, 2012, 9:20am 6 Comments

Taking money to plug a company is a cardinal sin of journalism and can even be against the law. Yet, astro-turfing — spinning paid opinion as popular sentiment — remains a thriving trade all the same. Read More »

New Facebook patents cover IM, search

By Jeff John Roberts Apr. 23, 2012, 4:21pm 1 Comment

The 650 patents that Facebook acquired from Microsoft are “web-related” said a source with knowledge of the deal and listed some specific examples. The source said the portfolio includes patents related to: instant-messaging, e-commerce, LTE, mobile, handsets, search and advertising. Read More »