Google Extends Service Level Agreements ·
Google extended its Gmail service level agreement (SLA) to customers of Google Apps Premiere Editions in order to dispel doubts about the reliability of its cloud computing services, and posted reliability metrics for Gmail in a blog post. (InformationWeek)
October 30, 2008
Microsoft Slimming Future Windows ·
Microsoft will ship a slimmed-down Windows in the future, replacing much of the software previously included in its OS with Web-based services. Software chief Ray Ozzie says Windows will be used to optimize hardware performance rather than to add software. (InfoWorld)
Silicon Valley VCs Preach Frugality ·
Venture capitalists say they have learned from the dot-com rash of 2000-2001 and are counseling start-ups to behave prudently by doing things like putting off software purchases and using Web-based programs like Google Docs instead, and moving cash into Treasuries. (NYT, Scobleizer)
Google Delays Data Center Construction ·
Google will delay the construction of a data center it had planned to build in Oklahoma until "the economy improves." The move, which belies the idea that the recession will not effect IT, also stalls the creation of 100 jobs. (Silicon Alley Insider)
Marc Andreessen: Google Chrome ‘Very Meaningful’ ·
Internet pioneer Marc Andreessen says Google's Chrome browser is helping powerful Internet-based applications emerge. He also says companies should follow the example of Intel in 1985 when it shut down its failing memory chip business to focus on microprocessors. (Portfolio)
Viacom Says Google Concedes A Point ·
Viacom says Google conceded its point about copyright law when it settled a class action suit yesterday. Google still claims it does not need permission to reproduce snippets under the fair use doctrine. (NYT)
Motorola Picking Google Mobile Operating System ·
Motorola will make Google's Android OS its software platform of choice. The company will support just three operating systems in all and jettison at least four other platforms as part of an overhaul of its mobile division. (WSJ)
Internet Giants Ink Rights Deal ·
Microsoft, Google and Yahoo agreed to a global code of conduct pledging to resist government intrusion to free speech and created the Global Network Initiative. New guidelines limit what types of data the companies will share with authorities. (BBC)
Google Opens Labs For Google Apps ·
Google launched Labs for Google Apps, a set of experimental features for businesses and schools using Google Apps in order to speed development and adoption of enterprise applications. (eWEEK)
Google Settles Book Search Lawsuit ·
Google settled a class action suit concerning its efforts to digitize books without copyright owners' consent. The agreement focuses on books that can't normally be copied because they are protected by copyright but are hard to find because they are out of print. (Dan Cohen)
Netbooks Presage End of Windows Era ·
Microsoft explained that Windows Client business grew only 2% last quarter because of a shift in the mix of the PC market away from "traditional PCs" toward "net books." Netbooks use Linux and Web-based operating systems because they don't have enough memory to support Vista. (Silicon Alley Insider)
Android Opening Market To Any App Monday ·
The Android Market will open to all comers next week, increasing the number of mobile applications available for download. In contrast to Apple's App Store, there is no approval process. Google says registration and a $50 fee will help police the market. (Computerworld)
Application Platforms Require Monetization Play [OPINION] ·
Facebook, Flock and even Google's OpenSocial platforms have all flopped to one extent or another because they were pure marketing plays. Apple's App Store is different because the platform is built to support revenues for third-party developers. (ReadWriteWeb)
Google Still Troubleshooting Apps Activation Bug ·
Google is addressing an issue that prevents users from accessing Gmail accounts once they have transferred control of their domains to Google Apps. Recent bugs have frustrated IT administrators trying to implement cloud-based productivity tools in corporate environments. (Computerworld)
Yang, Optimistic, Says Yahoo To Lay Off 10% ·
Yahoo announced disappointing third quarter results and said it will lay off 10% of its workforce as part of a $400 million cost-cutting program to achieve "structural efficiencies." Revenue increased only 1% compared to the previous year's quarter and net income fell from 11 cents to 4 cents per share. (Computerworld)
