Meanwhile, back at its headquarters, Google is already operating an advanced high-speed wireless network under a test license from the FCC, according to people familiar with the matter. The company has erected transmission towers on its campus for the network. Prototype mobile handsets powered by the Android software are currently running on it.
Google Ready To Bid In Wireless Auction, Says WSJ
By 11.16.07
Google In Talks With Verizon About Putting Its Software On Their Phones?
By 10.31.07
Google’s not answering any questions, and Verizon is being all coy about it, but anonymous sources have told the press that the two companies are in talks right now over installing Google apps on Verizon phones—an interesting idea, though not quite as dramatic as installing the full-fledged phone operating system that Google has supposedly been working on for a while now. The big questions (for consumers) are: will Google apps help subsidize the cost of phones or plans, or will Verizon just invent new inefficiencies to justify swallowing any new revenue? And will Google applications mean ads before making calls or sending an email? Also, Google already has some great (and totally free) applications out there for mobile devices—so what could they be offering through Verizon that’s so special?
By 10.30.07
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Google’s motion to dismiss a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by American Airlines has been rejected. American Airlines claims competitor’s advertising is being “triggered” by their trademarked search terms, such as “AAdvantage.” [ComputerWorld]
By 10.24.07
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Microsoft has said it will not participate in the upcoming wireless spectrum auction, because it wouldn’t help their business model, which is to create and sell software to handset makers. [Reuters]
NBC Pulls Content From YouTube
By 10.24.07
NBC said yesterday that it was pulling its content from YouTube in favor of its own video site, “Hulu.”
Verizon Gives Up: Will Not Fight FCC's Open Access Rules
By 10.23.07
Verizon Wireless abandoned its legal challenge Tuesday of the Federal Communications Commission’s rules for its upcoming auction of radio spectrum, removing a potential obstacle to the much-anticipated sale.
Google Announces Plans For Online Personal Health Records Service
By 10.18.07
Microsoft beat them to the punch, but Google has announced that they, too, are planning to roll out a service that lets consumers store their medical records online and transfer them between health care providers as needed. Marissa Mayer at Google said the idea was spawned after reports of lost or damaged records in the wake of Hurricane Katrina: “It doesn’t make sense to generate this volume of information on paper. It should be something that is digital. People should have control over their own records.” Mayer says they hope to include things like x-rays, and that it “will take a lot of breakthroughs in digitization.”
By 10.11.07
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FCC has rejected Verizon’s requested changes of the new open-platform wireless auction, set for January 2008. Google has pledged to buy some of the available wireless bandwidth in order to launch an open-source Google phone to compete with the carriers. [Reuters]
UPDATE: Verizon And Helio Are The Coolest Cellphone Company!
By 10.1.07
According to Google, Verizon is the coolest cellphone company. When you query “____ is cool,” filling in the name of different providers, Verizon is tits. Here’s how many results were returned for each company:
Google: "Online Advertising Benefits Consumers"
By 9.29.07
“The online advertising business is complex, but my message to you today is simple: Online advertising benefits consumers, promotes free speech, and helps small businesses succeed. Google’s acquisition of DoubleClick will help advance these goals while protecting consumer privacy and enabling greater innovation, competition, and growth.”
Senate Commerce Committee To Decide Fate Of Internet Tax Moratorium
By 9.22.07
The Senate Commerce Committee is poised to extend the internet tax moratorium by the end of next week. The moratorium prevents states and localities from taxing internet access, but will expire on November 1 unless Congress acts. There are two competing proposals that pit state legislatures and the National Governors Association against Google and Verizon.
Google Adds Presentations To Documents
By 9.18.07
Starting today, presentations — whether imported from existing files or created using the new slide editor — are listed alongside documents and spreadsheets in the Google Docs document list. They can be edited, shared, and published using the familiar Google Docs interface, with several collaborators working on a slide deck simultaneously, in real time. When it’s time to present, participants can simply click a link to follow along as the presenter takes the audience through the slideshow. Participants are connected through Google Talk and can chat about the presentation as they’re watching.
Now you can bore your coworkers to death for free!
Verizon Vs. Google: Verizon Wireless Sues The FCC Over "Open Network" Requirement
By 9.14.07
When Google lobbied successfully for the inclusion of an “open network” requirement in the upcoming wireless spectrum auction, it was seen as a coup for consumers. The open network clause would mean that consumers would be able to take their handsets and devices to the network of their choosing.
Get Ready For YouTube Ads
By 8.22.07
Now Google believes it finally has found the formula to cash in on YouTube’s potential as a magnet for online video advertising and keep its audience loyal at the same time.
Google Is Sorry, Will Offer Full Refunds To Video Customers
By 8.22.07
Google has admitted to making a mistake with its poorly conceived (and received) plan to offer Google check out credits to customers who had purchased videos on its recently discontinued video download service.
American Airlines Sues Google Over Trademarked Search Terms
By 8.20.07
American Airlines has sued Google over search terms that include words that American Airlines has trademarked. For example, if you search Google for “Aadvantage,” American Airline’s frequent flier program, Google will display a link to the program, but also show ads from competitors.
Google Taking Back All Videos You Rented or Bought From Them
By 8.12.07
As of next Wednesday, you will no longer be able to view any videos you rented or purchased from Google Video. We’ll assume this only directly affects, like, the six of you out there who tried out their service, but it’s still a striking example of how badly consumers are treated when they “buy” DRM-shackled media online. According to boingboing.net, Google’s giving their abandoned customers credits that they have to spend (within 60 days) via Google Checkout.
