Marketplace

Safari lag

So, um, have you downloaded Safari for Windows yet? Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced yesterday that the company has unleashed a beta of its popular-but-until-now-Mac-only browser for Windows-based PCs. Probably not a bad way to grow Apple's share of the market, but investors aren't connecting those dots yet. Shares of Apple dropped after the announcement by about 3.5 percent. Mac enthusiasts stuck working on PCs, on the other hand, couldn't be happier.

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YouTube in any language...

It's VousTube, VoiTubo or VoceTubo, depending on where you're from, but to this point, YouTube has been for Americans by Americans. Today, the website announced an expansion into nine countries, including France, Italy and Brazil. YouTube will be translated into the native language and will eventually feature local content. Of course, it better be careful with the local content or it'll be facing more... how do you say? Lawsuits.

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T-Mobile says it's got the only phone you need

If you're not already lined up to buy an iPhone on Friday, T-Mobile has another suggestion. It launches its HotSpot @Home service today, a new option that not only one-ups its competitors in the cell phone market, but also traditional landlines and voice over Internet services.

The service can pass a mobile phone call from a cellular network to a Wi-Fi wireless router in your home or public T-Mobile hotspot with no interruption to the conversation. And if that's not a sweet enough deal, T-Mobile says when a call is connected via Wi-Fi, it won't even use monthly plan minutes.

OK here's the catch: You will have to shell out cash for one of two new HotSpot-compatible mobile phones (and a wireless router and high-speed Internet if you don't already have them).

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Not a g'day for Google Australia

Google's not making a very good impression Down Under. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is taking the search engine to court, claiming Google uses deceptive practices when it comes to the use of its paid advertising links.

At the heart of the dispute is how Google displays search results, specifically where advertisers are sometimes listed in results and not identified as sponsors. Sponsored links have pushed Google's stock market value to $169 billion. Google says the claims are bogus.

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Wouldn't ya like to be a Powergeek too?

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is a Powergeek — no, make that the top Powergeek. The father of the iPod has been named the undisputed king of the online music revolution by Blender magazine. The magazine's Powergeek 25 is a list of behind-the-scenes players reshaping the way people listen to, buy and watch music. The creators of MySpace are second and the YouTube founders round out the top three. Perez Hilton was No. 13, which we mention only because he has the entire list on his website.

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Amazon's star rises from the dot-com ashes

Who says Amazon is a faded star from the dot-com days gone by? The online retailer has had trouble in the past, but now it says its profit tripled in the second quarter. That's thanks in large part to a free shipping incentive membership, and to whopping pre-orders of the new Harry Potter book. Shares of Amazon are up 19 percent in after-hours trading.

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Selling Business.com is good business

When a couple of guys forked over $7.5 million for the Internet domain name Business.com back in 1999, plenty of people laughed at them. This week, the buyers got the last laugh: The valuable Web real estate got sold again, this time for a little over $350 million. RH Donnelley, which prints the familiar Yellow Pages directories, placed the winning bid, beating out News Corp. and the New York Times. Even New York city real estate doesn't appreciate that much...

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Oh no you didn't, AT&T

Pearl Jam isn't happy. Portions of the band's set — part of a Lollapalooza concert sponsored by AT&T — were cut for the version broadcast on the Internet because their lyrics talked about President Bush. The company says the censorship was a mistake made by an overly-zealous Web content person. The band believes this points out the need for Net neutrality, so broadband providers don't have so much control over content.

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Always blame it on the computer

If you want to go to Cuba, you can't just go online and book a trip. Well, actually for a while, you could do it on Travelocity — only it wasn't legal. The travel website just paid $180,000 in fines to the U.S. government for violating the 45-year-old embargo against Cuba. It booked almost 1,500 trips to the island between 1998 and 2004. Travelocity is the first online travel company to get in trouble over this. A spokesman said the trips went through because of "technical failures."

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Not as romantic as old-fashioned stargazing, but...

It's amazing what you can see now without even leaving your computer chair. Like the universe. Today, Google launches a new service called Sky. It's part of Google Earth, only it looks the other way, so you can view stars and constellations and galaxies. Google says the project came up because some of its engineers thought it was cool. To download Sky, you just need the latest version of Google Earth.

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Who says hacking doesn't pay?

The New Jersey teenager who hacked the iPhone is getting a new sports car for his troubles. And a job. 17-year-old George Hotz struck a deal with a cell phone repair company in Kentucky called Certicell. He gave the company his two unlocked iPhones; They gave him a Nissan 350z. Hotz figured out how to make the iPhone work on cell networks other than AT&T. A spokesman for Certicell says the company has no plans to commercialize Hotz's discovery, but they would like to hire him as a consultant. In the meantime, he's off to the Rochester Institute of Technology.

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EarthLink dropping half its workers

EarthLink is cutting about half its workforce — 900 jobs — and closing four offices in an effort to reduce operating costs. The Internet service provider and its rivals are struggling to generate revenues as more and more dial-up customers sign up for high-speed service from cable and phone companies. Wall Street liked the plan: The announcement shot the company's shares up 7 percent.

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Buh-bye free public Wi-Fi?

Last year, it seemed every city was building a Wi-Fi network, free Web surfing for all. But it's turning out not to be so simple. This week, we found out the Wi-Fi projects in San Francisco and Chicago are falling apart, and the one in Houston could be next. The main reason: cost. About 450 cities and counties are trying to build Wi-Fi networks.

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A big corporate thumbs-up for Google

You may not have heard of Capgemini, but the technology consulting firm has some big-name clients, like drug maker Eli Lilly and the accountants PriceWaterhouseCoopers — big corporations that spend big money on office software and technology. So it's no small deal that Capgemini is endorsing Google's suite of office software. Capgemini will continue to support business software made by other vendors, including Microsoft and IBM, but this is the first time one of the world's top technology consulting services will recommend Google Apps to its corporate customers.

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Free at last!

It seems like people are not willing to pay for their news online, and the New York Times found out the hard way. Starting tomorrow, TimesSelect, the New York Times online premium service, will be free. The service started two years ago, but pressure to increase revenue from advertising have pushed the paper to offer its premium contents for free. TimesSelect was the only way to get online access to several news and opinion columnists at the Times. And if readers won't pay for that, American Express will. The credit card company will be the first sponsor for the free TimesSelect.

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What's Radiohead worth to you?

Radiohead's known for creating innovative music. But this time, the band's drumming up buzz about what will be lacking when the album "In Rainbows" comes out on the 10th. There's no record label and there's no retail price. You'll only be able to buy "In Rainbows" as a digital download through the band's website. And when you start the on-line purchase process a question mark will pop up where you'd normally see a price. Instead, the words "it's up to you" will show up. Really: If you don't want to pay anything at all, "it's up to you."

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Google comes calling

We knew Google had plans for a new cell phone. The Wall Street Journal reports it could be unveiled within the next two weeks. Google wants you do more with your cell phone when accessing the Internet. Maps, social networking and video sharing. Google phones are expected to hit the market next year. The company has already spoken to some handset makers. Google is also looking to partner with a wireless operator.

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I'd like 3 gallons of Google

Nevermind stopping at a gas station and asking the clerk for directions -- go to the pump instead.
A new partnership is being unveiled today between Google and gas-pump maker Gilbarco Veeder-Root. It will allow Google to dispense driving directions at thousands of gasoline pumps across the U.S. starting early next month. After a driver selects a destination, the pump will print out the route. The Internet-equipped pumps will also suggest local landmarks, hotels and restaurants picked by the gas station's owner.

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The Internet can be a royal pain

Apparently pop music start Prince doesn't like the Internet so much anymore. He was the first major artist to distribute an album exclusively online. But the piracy thing is getting to him.
Within the next few days, Prince is expected to start a legal campaign against the website The Pirate Bay. The site is based in Sweden and is best known for helping users find copies of music and movies -- illegal copies, of course. The funny thing is that Prince just gave away two million free copies of his latest album in the U.K. -- with the newspaper.

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Strike talks resume on several stages

Striking TV and movie writers are set to resume talks with studios and networks today. The Writers Guild of America went on strike November 5 over payment for work that airs on the Internet. Writers want more money when movies and shows are sold to sites like Apple's iTunes. Talks for another showbiz strike are already underway. Broadway stagehands resumed negotiations with theater owners and producers yesterday -- 26 theaters have been dark for more than two weeks. It's estimated the Broadway strike has cost New York City $2 million a day.

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The real money Monday

Cyber Monday -- ha! The first Monday after Thanksgiving's been dubbed the busiest online shopping day of the year, but many web retailers think that's just silly. Apparently it's the second week of December that's the cash cow. E-bay says that week is so lucrative they have their own moniker to kick it off: Green Monday. Business Week reports last year, Wednesday, December 13 was the day that brought in the most online dough: $667 million in sales.

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Google attempting to go wireless

Today could be the day Google makes its plans clear about wanting a piece of the wireless pie.
The Wall Street Journal reports Google will announce today it'll apply to bid for wireless spectrum in next month's FCC auction. The FCC has a December 3 deadline for speaking up about wanting to bid. No comment from Google, but the company has previously said it would probably go for a chunk of the airwaves that can be used for mobile phone services and internet.

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Nokia's sounding like a good option

Nokia hopes this is music to your ears: free downloads for a year. The company has struck a deal to offer free songs from Universal's entire catalog with the purchase of certain Nokia phones. The service will work through an online music store Nokia started last month, yet another rival to iTunes. It's the next step in Nokia's goal of becoming an Internet company like Google. Universal will get a cut of the phone sales but it's still not clear when the new offer will start.

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Taming the Wild, Wild Web

There's a new, self-declared sheriff in town. Ratings giant Nielsen wants to be a piracy cop.
Nielsen is unveiling a new service to help ensure video distributed on the internet is done in ways that's okay with the owners of the content. The Wall Street Journal says Nielsen is hoping to target media companies like NBC Universal and the Discovery Channel, as well as sites like MySpace and YouTube. The service would filter clips through a database to see if the video's been authorized by its production company. No authorization, no posting it on the web.

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The new Dustin Hoffmann makes his debut

YouTube is changing employee behavior, at least that was the case for a Dunkin' Donuts worker in New Jersey. Dustin Hoffmann was worried about looking like a wimp on security video if he hid or ran away from a robber that started grabbing cash out of an open register. So instead Hoffman, no relation to the actor, picked up the tip mug and started whacking the crook on the head. Hoffman says he'll post the security tape on YouTube as soon as he can.

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No more Apple leaks here

A senior at Harvard is shutting down his website with leaks about Apple products. Nicholas Ciarelli's not saying whether he got any cash from the settlement but told the New York Times he's pleased. Apple sued Ciarelli when he was a freshman for publishing a site for Apple rumors called "Think Secret." It's one in a series of lawsuits brought by Steve Jobs' company against similar sites. Apple lost two other suits on appeal. Courts say web publishers are entitled to the same First Amendment protections as traditional journalists.

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Every 17 seconds, Wii finds a home

Christmas has been amazing for Amazon. The company said the 2007 holiday season was its strongest ever. December 10 was Amazon's busiest day -- shoppers ordered almost 5.5 million items. One of the most wanted products was Nintendo's video game system, the Wii.
Amazon says it sold about 17 Wii's per second when they had them in stock.

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Keep your 'net close and your ID closer

Here's a new year's resolution: keep your laptop close and a close eye on your online activities.
Experts say 2007 is turning out to be a record year for personal data theft. The trend isn't expected to change anytime soon as hackers stay a step ahead of security and laptops disappear with sensitive information. One data theft analyst says too many companies and agencies are reacting after the fact to breaches rather than looking for holes ahead of time. Hackers will likely hone in more than ever on vulnerabilities with wireless data transmission.

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Hammer goes web

MC Hammer put his parachute pants away a long time ago. He's now choreographing a new career at a web start-up. Hammer, also known as Stanley Burrell, is co-founder and chief strategy officer for a website called DanceJam.com. The site is scheduled to launch mid-month.
DanceJam will feature dance videos and competitions. Hammer and his crew want the site to upstage YouTube. The plan is to make money by grabbing a piece of the growing Internet advertising market.

Hammer lost his "U Can't Touch This" fortune when he went bankrupt in the mid-90's.

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Netflix's future might be online

Netflix is trying to embrace the future. The DVD-by-mail company has been offering its customers the chance to watch movies online at no extra charge. Now Netflix is starting a partnership with LG electronics to make it easier for people to watch online content directly on their TVs. A set-top box will do the bridge between the computer and the television. Netflix's CEO said yesterday that eventually, he wants to see 100 different devices out there capable of connecting to Netflix -- from video-game consoles to high-definition DVD players.

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Time Warner's pay-per-surf plan

If you surf the Internet all day long, Time Warner may be asking you to pay accordingly. The cable company says it's going to test out consumption-based billing with customers in Beaumont, Texas. This could be pretty controversial, since Internet subscribers have come to expect a fixed monthly charge. The company says the billing system will probably only impact heavy Web users. Cable operators like Verizon and AT&T will be watching to see how Time Warner's little experiment works out.

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Yahoo preparing for more job cuts

Reports say Yahoo is about to lay off hundreds of workers. The company has 14,000 employees.
A final decision about how many jobs could go is expected by the end of the month. Yahoo's been beat-up by slow revenue growth and the popularity of sites like myspace and Facebook.

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Screaming anything but 'Yahoo'

Yahoo's searching for better results, but it seems only bad news keeps popping up. Company shares fell in after-hours trading after it reported fourth-quarter profit declined more than 23 percent.
Yahoo also announced a plan to cut 1,000 jobs. The web giant is struggling to bulk up its web advertising business.

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More Google-Microsoft sparring

It's only Tuesday, but Google's had a busy week jabbing at Microsoft. That's the aim again today as Google is set to add more e-mail features for businesses. The new tools include extra security and storage products -- a challenge to Microsoft's e-mail programs and expensive Office software.
But the real battle between the two is over the internet search and advertising market. Google wants to stop Microsoft from buying Yahoo. Microsoft's willing to borrow money to make the more than $40 billion dollar takeover happen.

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Oprah's e-book club

Oprah's been very good for bookstores. But it seems her magic touch goes beyond paper pages.
More than a million copies of Suze Orman's "Women & Money" were downloaded after Oprah Winfrey announced an e-book edition would be free on her website for 33 hours. Orman was a guest on Oprah last Thursday. And now the paper version of the book is getting a lift too. As of yesterday "Women & Money" ranked number six on Amazon.com.

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Photoshop offers free Web version

Adobe is joining the Web software game to compete with the likes of Microsoft and Google.
The maker of Photoshop is releasing a free, online version of the software today. Since Photoshop Express is completely Web-based, it can be used on any type of computer, operating system, and browser. Adobe says it hopes some customers will move from the free version to its boxed software that starts at $99.

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eBay suing Criagslist

Online auction giant eBay is suing the popular Internet ad site Craigslist.

The details are sketchy, but eBay says Craigslist is "unfairly diluting eBay's economic interest" in the Web site. EBay has a 28 percent stake in Craigslist.

EBay's general council says Craigslist has adopted measures that have disadvantaged eBay's investment. He did not specify what actions Craigslist has taken, but he's asking the court to rescind them.

Craigslist says the allegations are unfounded.

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Yahoo, AOL, News Corp., Google... they're all talking

Over the weekend, Microsoft finally decided to walk away from Yahoo. Forty-seven billion dollars was the latest offer Microsoft had put on the table, and Yahoo said no, again. Now, we have a number of possible future scenarios. Some say Microsoft's walking away is just another negotiating tactic, and with Yahoo shares going down more than 17 percent in Europe, the tactic might be working. The Times of London is reporting that AOL has approached Microsoft about a possible tie up. Yahoo on the other hand, might be looking to seal a search ad pact with Google that is facing some antitrust obstacles. At the same time it continues talks with News Corporation and with AOL. In other words, everyone is talking to everyone and anything is possible. One thing is for sure, if Yahoo's shares take a beating today, there are going to be some angry shareholders out there.

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Cisco reports increase in sales

Tech investors got a boost today. Cisco Systems says it's sales increased over 10 percent between February and April over the same period in 2007. Cisco makes the switches and routers that direct traffic on the Internet. The firm is seen by many analysts as an indicator of the health of the world's technology companies. In response to the news, shares in Cisco rose 3 percent in after hours trading.

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